Out of This World (Sega Genesis)
Ever wonder what Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro and other popular magazines thought of your favorite 8-, 16- and 32-bit games? Now you can find out, thanks to Review Crew! This is the only show on the internet that is willing to go back in time to find out what old school critics thought of retro games at the time. Did they pan your favorite game? Did they love something terrible? Find out every week as Defunct Games presents Review Crew!
With the recent release of Another World on PlayStation and Xbox platforms, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at what critics thought of Out of this World when it was first released. Were they into the cinematic gameplay or turned off by the short adventure? We flip through old issues of GamePro, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Super Play, N-Force and Mean Machines Sega to find the answer to this question.
(NOTE: Although we occasionally cut for length, no other edits are made to the review. Defunct Games does not change any of the wording, grammar or punctuation use. Also keep in mind that our score is the average of all critics at the time, not just the sample that is reprinted on this page. If you still have more questions, I recommend you check out the
Review Crew FAQ, where we address the review guidelines, converting scores, magazine covers and more.)
GAMEPRO (May 1992)
SNES: "If you take on Out of This World, get ready to play something completely different. The animation moves are so real, you'll genuinely fret about the fate of your other worldly, video friend. The action's hot, but don't expect video gymnastics with the same look and feel as Contra III, ActRaiser or Super Mario World. The title says it all. This cart is Out of This World." -Boogie Man
(5 out of 5)
GAMEPRO (February 1993)
GENESIS: "Before there was Flashback, there was Out of this World. If you're a Genesis adventurer who's looking for new territory to conquer, check out both of these games. Out of This World is ... well, out of this world." -Uggs the Bug
(5 out of 5)
SEGA FORCE #15
GENESIS: "Virgin have another classic MD game on their hands. This release is the standard by which all other MD games will be judged. The sound, graphics and gameplay are of the highest quality; it'll take something special to knock this off the Number One spot. Full marks to everyone concerned for turning out a top-notch MD product. Keep up the good work, Virgin, you can't do wrong at the moment." -Paul
(91% out of 100%)
ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY #37
SNES: "This game has a very good chance to be the most original video game of the year! The game plays well and offers more than just shooting as some of the situations require planning and strategy. The graphics have a look all to their own - something like a whole game made up of animated intermissions. Spectacular!" -Ed Semrad
(9 out of 10)
ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY #43
GENESIS: "This game does a brilliant job of combining game technique, visual presentation and storyline. I am absolutely amazed by the quality of the title. The game play can't really be described as action, but the unfolding plot and manner of interface creates a cerebral experience that just can't be found in any other game." -Steve Harris
(9 out of 10)
N-FORCE #8
SNES: "Underwater chambers, swinging cages, friendly aliens, nasty aliens and bottomless pits - Out of this World has all this and more. I haven't seen a game which is as much fun in ages. The controls are easy to master, but what makes it a challenge is really having to think about each level before getting through to the end. A wonderful game with plenty of addictive gameplay -- buy it!" -Rob
(89% out of 100%)
NINTENDO POWER (October 1992)
SNES: "Out of this World from Interplay plunges you into a comic book/cinematic adventure on your Super NES like nothing you've ever seen before. Delphine Software, the game's developer, went to extraordinary lengths to achieve their vision of the game, using new programming techniques to create the impressive graphics. Although control requires patience, the overall effect of the game is truly out of this world."
(4.3 out of 5)
MEAN MACHINES SEGA #4
GENESIS: "The graphics and animation really have to be seen to be believed here. Fantastic cut scenes and superb attention to detail give this game a real film-like quality. Another World is definitely a stunning and highly original product, but it's one that I'd take a look at before buying because while every player will doubtlessly marvel at its fabulous looks, those who like gameplay with plenty of freedom might find the action a little too restrictive." -Jaz
(87% out of 100%)
SUPER PLAY #1
SNES: "It's difficult to classify Out of This World -- nothing quite like it has appeared on the SNES before. The recent Prince of Persia is perhaps its closest cousin, but only because both games feature brilliant lifelike animation, and main characters that take a fair amount of getting used to control. Whether you buy or not depends upon your priorities -- it's a lovely game, and a delight to own, but good value it ain't." -Jason Brookes
(81% out of 100%)
DIE HARD GAME FAN (June 1993)
GENESIS: "Out of This World was better served on the SNES, with the added colors and the awesome musical score which really got you into the story line. It's still a great game on the Genesis and is slightly faster, but I miss the music. Should've been CD." -Skid
(77% out of 100%)
MEGA #6
GENESIS: "Now I don't want you to go away thinking that Another World is a pile of old rubbish. It's very enjoyable while it lasts, and it really does make you feel as if you're part of the action and not just the person behind the controls. Another World has great novelty value, but once you've been there, seen this and done that a few times, the novelty will wear off." -Paul Mellerick
(73% out of 100%)
REVIEW CREW AVERAGE: 87% -
When it comes to Out of this World, old school game critics weren't sure what to think. Electronic Gaming Monthly suggested the 2D action game was "like a whole game made up of animated intermissions." Super Play agreed, noting that "nothing quite like it has appeared on the SNES before." Hell, even GamePro called Out of this World "something completely different." The critics agreed, this was one game that didn't neatly fit into one genre.
The critics also raved about the graphics, which had a look all their own. Unfortunately, that's where the agreement ended. Some writers suggested the gameplay was easy. "The controls are easy to master," said N-Force. Electronic Gaming Monthly agreed, saying that "the game plays well." But many other critics had a different take. Nintendo Power warned gamers that the "control requires patience." GamePro had a similar warning, telling gamers to not "expect video gymnastics with the same look and feel as Contra III, ActRaiser or Super Mario World." Duly noted, Boogie Man.
Die Hard Game Fan gave the Genesis port a lower score, suggesting that it was "better served on the SNES." This was not a popular opinion at the time, as both the Super NES and Sega Genesis versions scored nearly identical averages. The Super NES owners had the edge with 88%, but the Genesis was close behind with 87%. The jury is in, Out of this World is great on both 16-bit consoles.
ON WEDNESDAY'S EPISODE:
With the World Cup winding down, it's time to take a look at one of the most controversial soccer games of all time ... Mega Man Soccer! This Super NES sports title featured Mega Man and a whole host of boss robots battling it out on the soccer field. Were critics into this cute alternative from real sports games? Find out on Wednesday when the Review Crew tackles Mega Man Soccer.
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