Retrotest: Edge's Top 13 Retro Game Reviews

Night Trap (Mega CD)

#13

“Technically speaking, Night Trap is the video game equivalent of the breakthrough of moving pictures from still photography. However, the error of comparing Digital Pictures to the Lumiere brothers soon becomes apparent. The premise is simple – take control of a series of cameras installed in a remote house and use traps to prevent marauding vampire/alien hybrids harming the stereotypical occupants – scantily-clad young females. Hackneyed drivel or postmodern irony? Unfortunately, in terms of neutralizing attackers, the success rate needs to be 100% -- arrive late on the scene or be looking elsewhere, and a repeat attempt is necessary. Within a short hour, this approach becomes intolerably tedious, watching the same footage over and over is a chore rather than a pleasure, and giving the prerendered nature of the proceedings, the chance of variation is zero. The allure of the ‘interactive movie' is proving too much to resist for some, and Night Trap is not the only game pushing the FMV genre. But it could well be the worst.” (3 out of 10)

Super Hydlide (Mega Drive)

#12

“The decision to create a sequel to Hydlide, a rather execrable RPG that appeared on the NES, is a baffling one. Having played through Super Hydlide, Edge is no clearer as to why it was taken, unless it was a bid to maintain the mediocrity of the series – in which case the game is a resolute success. At times it almost threatens to lapse into so-bad-it's-good sort of territory, but on balance it simply turns out to be just bad, in spite of some novel and intriguing game mechanics. Ironically, in spite of the constraints, the whole thing is crucially undermined by a lack of signposting and clear direction – to the extent that the whole thing feels very much half-baked. A rudimentary combat system, poor translation from the original Japanese and a fairly wacky distribution of strengths across the four playable character classes round out a disappointingly flaccid action-oriented RPG, that's not without merit, but is, nonetheless, a severe disappointment.” (4 out of 10)

Horace Goes Skiing (ZX Spectrum)

#11

Skiing is not the first sport you'd expect to be reproduced on the ZX Spectrum, but this is not exactly geared towards your Val d'Isere champagne-and-winter-lodge set. Horace is one of the most hideous characters yet created and his holey-headed visage sets the tone for the whole game. It's silly, shallow and jolly, and is bound to become a popular game. Horace Goes Skiing can be an evocative game, if you're the kind of person who likes to sit around staring at illustrations of the Moomins while smoking recreational drugs. For the rest of us, Horace Goes Skiing is lots of fun for an hour or so, but wears thin in the long term.” (5 out of 10)

Golden Axe (Arcade)

#10

“While it's excusable to equate Sega to racing games, the company has much to offer for those inclined to employ their joystick skills more extensively. Indeed, after finding fine form with its recent coin-op, Altered Beast, the predictable decision to develop a sequel hasn't followed and instead we have an entirely new title. A cursory glance at Golden Axe shows that Sega has upped the ante considerably, graphically beauty and wide color palette being obvious strengths. Choosing to play with one or two friends offer some degree of strategy, too, as the three characters make for a formidable team. It's hard to argue with Golden Axe's charms and although the gameplay holds fewer and fewer surprises as it advances, playing as Sega intended – short and sharp – is no bad way to part with ten pence. Just keep some on hand for those inevitable continues.” (7 out of 10)

Hired Guns (Amiga)

#9

“Hired Guns will initially bewilder you. While on the surface it may look like yet another character-driven RPG in the mold of Dungeon Master or Captive, explore its depths and you'll find a game that's both engrossing and radically inventive. The trick with Hired Guns is that individual members of your party can separate from the team and go exploring different nooks and crannies in the game universe. It fundamentally alters the dynamic of the four-character splitscreen RPG and offers a wealth of new gameplay possibilities. Unsurprisingly, playing alone is somewhat ponderous, a factor not helped by an icon system that is unnecessarily fiddly. The time limits on some of the missions are equally annoying, especially if you are trying to ease a new player into the game's complexities. But Hired Guns' strength is in its ability to unite people and promote a general mood of good feeling and cooperation. And that can't be bad for video games.” (8 out of 10)

The Way of the Exploding Fist (Commodore 64)

#8

“You may haver already experienced the delights of Kung Fu Master at the arcades, but those expecting Melbourne House's martial arts title to rip off that wonderful formula couldn't be more wrong. This is a fight simulator through and through. Forgoing the limited punch, jump, kick formula, Way of the Exploding Fist gives the players a remarkable 16 individual moves to master. The concentration on one-on-one fighting has ensured that each move has its own advantages dependent upon the combat situation. Exploding Fist's only major flaw is in the single-player mode, where you must battle through a number of opponents to achieve Tenth Dan status. The game's AI does not compensate adequately for the powerful leg sweep which will see off nearly every CPU adversary. That aside, Melbourne House has delivered a gusty arena combat game that requires skill, dedication and patience to master. Not unlike the real thing.” (8 out of 10)

Viewpoint (Neo Geo)

#7

“Joining the fray is Viewpoint, Sammy's practical rebirth of Sega's isometric shooter Zaxxon. Set at an identical angle, the player takes command of a typical craft on a typical one-against-the-odds mission. But that is where the similarities end. Irrespective of its impenetrability, viewpoint is a hugely enjoyable game with striking graphics, oodles of strategic latitude and a soundtrack of the funkiest kind. It's the perfect way for shooter experts to display their skills, but make no mistake, Sammy's new game is a brutal affair, crushing all in its path. Those who can't last past level two should consider themselves POWs.” (8 out of 10)

Prince of Persia (PC)

#6

“It's the animation that grabs you from the start. The hero can run, leap, climb and fence – nothing extraordinary there – but he does so much with such effortless fluidity that you initially just gape in wonder. Indeed, Prince of Persia is one of those games that is almost as appealing to watch as it is to play. Almost. Prince of Persia is also a superbly detailed game: Observe how tiles crumble into minute pieces or how the hero can inch his way over spike-trapped floors. While the structure is somewhat repetitive, and there's little visual distinction between the 13 levels, Prince of Persia's beauty lays in its mechanical precision, rather than its graphical flair.” (8 out of 10)

Assault Suits Valken (Super Famicom)

#5

“At a time when the majority of mech-based games either fall into the RPG or strategy camp, it's pleasing to see one whose only concern is with action. Assault Suits Valken begins as a shoot ‘em up and not once during its seven levels does it deviate from its core premise. The convincing elements, however, are to be found in the detail: The way the scenery is destructible and able to bear the scars of combat, the sight of enemy pilots abandoning their doomed machinery, or even the excellent animation's ability to transmit the feeling of controlling a five-story-high military exoskeleton, to name three examples. Ultimately, this remains a shoot ‘em up at heart, and one of the finest Edge has encountered. Longevity is an issue, but the scale of the levels and the variable routes through them are powerful incentives for replay.” (8 out of 10)

Final Fantasy (Nintendo Entertainment System)

#4

“Final Fantasy arrives in the West with little fanfare. Released three years ago in Japan, the game builds upon the Tolkien-esque setting and D&D-style mechanics fast becoming standard fare for this emerging Japanese genre. While Enix's Dragon Warrior games first introduced US gamers to the console RPG, Final Fantasy is the first title seemingly advancing the form. One major innovation is the plethora of boss encounters seen in the game. While previous games had you fighting just one final powerful enemy, Final Fantasy throws all manner of uberfiends at you, greatly improving the gameplay. However, while Final Fantasy has already spawned two sequels in its homeland, there are no guarantees the number-crunching gameplay will catch on in the West.” (8 out of 10)

Bahamut Lagoon (Super Famicom)

#3

“One of SquareSoft's last games for the Super Famicom, Bahamut Lagoon takes the strategy template of the Shining Force and Front Mission series and places it in a fantastical sky world filled with legends and dragons. Bahamut amalgamates SquareSoft's most successful innovations as we see the silent protagonist (a la Chrono Trigger) supported by a huge cast of controllable allies (a la Final Fantasy VI). The team-based approach to the storyline complements the strategic gameplay wonderfully. This is the future of RPGs: Almost full player control over team make-up and high levels of micromanagement. The fact that the game is complemented with a rip-roaring story makes it one of the most compelling adventure titles since Final Fantasy VI.” (9 out of 10)

Space Invaders (Arcade)

#2

“Is Atari's dominance of the video game world about to come to an explosive end? Because the appearance of Space Invaders certainly demonstrates that Japan is taking gaming seriously: Taito's cabinet is more sophisticated and compelling than anything coming out of the United States right now. Moving on a horizontal axis across the base of the screen, you control a laser base defending Earth from wave after wave of variously-shaped alien enemies. Playing Space Invaders can be a thoroughly hypnotic experience, your assailants' movement accompanied by grinding bass notes whose simplistic tones recall John Williams' classic ‘Jaws' theme music, but with a techno fuzz all of their own. It is an insanely intense experience, especially when your adversaries are almost upon you, your cover has all but evaporated and there are no more lives left in the bank. Space Invaders sets a new standard for arcade action. It will be interesting to see how Taito follows it up – and even more exciting, perhaps, to see how Atari counters.” (9 out of 10)

Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo Entertainment System)

#1

“Nintendo may be about to launch its successful Famicom system in the States, but some rebranding and the addition of the Robot Operating Buddy is unlikely to drag the U.S. video game industry out of the doldrums. But Super Mario Bros. just might. Super Mario Bros. retains all the charm of Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr., but the platform dynamic has been spiced up with the addition of side-scrolling. The vitality, cleverness and execution strike you from the first instant. Even the main character's movement has been infused with a kinetic energy that makes leaping above the caverns, lakes and skies an absolute joy. There are eight intricate worlds to explore, each with sub-levels and Nintendo has completely broken with convention by allowing the player to skip to later worlds through warp zones. Attention to detail is remarkable and, despite the surreal setting, everything works with an exemplary logic and consistency. Super Mario Bros. demands your attention and is destined to shape the future of all platform titles. And with it, Nintendo deserves to conquer America.” (10 out of 10)