Looking at a platform where one can not jump, but we can climb and swing everywhere. Where a single nanosecond of delay in a leap leads to instant death, but in which, with the right skills, flies easily to the screen as Spiderman. Where the shot is not directable either in high or diagonally, but we are given a quantity of arms worthy of a "one man army." Where the pitfalls are unknown inexorably die, but with the experience one thousand enemies can not sfiorarci per minute. Where can first launch with the joypad anger against the wall for frustration, and then experiment shortly after the exaltation playful most daring and profound. Accordingly, in a nutshell, is Bionic Commando Rearmed. And it is worth it. The work done by Grin (in collaboration with Capcom) for this remake of the classic 1988 for NES is truly commendable. Using a (clever) marketing advertising move that prepares the ground for next-gen version, always leaving shortly for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, programmers satisfied fans historical series, with a truly faithful to the original and enriched many more elements. Let us see what.
Badly accompanied
The menu of game welcomes us pleasantly, showing the "trade d'union" between old and new with a presentation by sprite deliberately "pods" alternated with modern elements in 3d, and a music in the background by the sound good enough that brings us back to the dawn of the consoles to 8-bit. The first option is selectable campaign main affrontabile alone or together with another player, unfortunately only locally on the same console.
The story, nicely narrated through still images fumettose, retro taste and the texts certainly not devote of trivia and resumed that of the original version for NES: tells of a near future where a Nazi-like army tries to bring back to life "that "Dictator with the moustache, never appointed inter alia (ironic reference to the American version, censored by any reference to Nazism, unlike the original Japanese). Our task in clothes muscled, bionic, but especially "forced" Nathan "RAD" Spencer, will be the first to free agent Joe Super previously disappeared and then stop shady plans of General Killt. The plot, worthy of a genuine b-movie, will go through nice sequel with different characters, which the pilot of our helicopter transport, the generals that we rely missions, but also through dialogues of bored military find in bases friends: in addition to making the progression more diverse, these talks bring a little 'title to the famous original Metal Gear, even with the proper proportions. To strengthen this comparison, helps the body database, visionabile at any time, which will illustrate the characteristics and weaknesses of each enemy or element met in the game, from the plot settings, increasing the sense of involvement with an otherwise strong arcade. From the stress offenses protagonist of the boss on duty, which with its exits from real macho man (sometimes even threatening to use "improper" of his mechanical arm) approaches naturally to sabatize Duke Nukem and knows how to be much more sympathetic and human.
We can choose between three different levels of difficulty, and addressed two useful tutorial (basic and advanced) to learn the optimal use of rampino bionic of the protagonist. Once we have completed these operations we finally ready to start the game itself. We will be accepted for the first thing to a map, with its 19 levels of play, boasts an initial and illusory freedom of choice, which is, however, suffered from reduced linearity with which we are most often to face progression of levels: only towards the end we will be forced to frameworks already completed, in search of bonuses and upgrades (very well) hidden. Selected the starting level, and paracadutati on the spot, with a visual side must make us off by fire from a considerable variety of enemies (25 types) and traps, with unarmed that if initially will have only a weak shot pistol, soon become a real arsenal, and complete various kinds of destructive different effects depending on the type of enemy (for example, the laser will be more effective with robots, but less with the humans). It will include pump shotguns, lasers, missiles, grenades and rays bouncing, for a range offensive rather than complete and satisfying. In addition, discovering hidden levels, we can further enhance the effectiveness of each of our arms, with results for our fun really exciting. Even the famous rampino initially used to compensate for the inability of the protagonist to jump, will soon become a weapon of offence, to grab barrels (which we will work as a shield) and then launch, as well as to do the same thing also with the enemies. The same rampage serve to obtaining most of the attacks and also to break down the final ten boss. The aim of every picture will be first of all achieve a control room from which we receive orders (rather dialogues to color) and also in the communications system of the enemy, solving a simple three-dimensional puzzle, which we won the comic exchange of jokes between an officer and a soldier who prove every time the boss's weaknesses. Returning to the map, if the way our helicopter an enemy tank, will start (as in) a level structured differently, with a view from above the "Commando" and a scroll from the bottom up: the purpose the framework is always to break down the wagon. An incentive to varieties that unfortunately, given the brevity of levels, tires soon, with the final result to push the player to make a quick slalom between enemies, pointing directly to the final boss. A pity, because with greater variety and length, would have made Bionic Commando a title from the dual nature and the double longevity. To compensate for this defect but we think some 56 square-challenge that you can play whatever the single player, to be completed within a time limit, in game and selectable when you want freely from the main menu. All concerning the use of rampino, to obtain placement in the online world rankings if you succeed in overcoming them in record time. They too, especially for design psychedelic from virtual reality, remember the challenges time with Solid Snake Kojimiana of memory. Many small strokes of genius dot a gameplay that stands at the highest level, which is however tarpata than that if the intentions of programmers were gifts or faithful reproductions, may storcere the nose to those who prefer titles more "user friendly".
Trial & Error
The gameplay is certainly the most controversial aspect of the title, what he does love to madness or hate it does with all forces beyond any preference, it must be said for the sake objectivity that Bionic Commando Rearmed is a game not so difficult, as unfair. To clarify this thorny issue, step by points.
The precision and timing required are a appoint such a way often, and never in vain, the god of video games. Anyone who thinks a rope freely extendable, with whom when you want freely, wrong: the use of rampino has its rules, its limits and especially its (slow) speed output, with which to do immediately Auditors. Certainly the experience will help the initial clumsiness, with results surprising and extremely entertaining. But what skills and experience compensate, the joypad today are unable to fill the imprecision with which sometimes answered the d-pad reveals a certain excessive zeal programmers anew in a dynamic game which could go well over the 80s, but nowadays creates more frustration that "challenge".
To support this thesis is another negative element of gameplay, the presence of sporadic dangers which we view hidden, as spuntoni not classified by the camera requiring gettarci and agganciarci to them blindly, or even enemies so appostati spararci that while we are still in flight: all child elements of an ancient gameplay, who has not shown the original title, or who does not love games difficult, find out of place and not a little frustrating. These small "injustices" playful programmers have balanced indirectly by granting enemies, only the first time that will be defeated, a small quantity of energy, as if to say that only the experience and knowledge levels prevent premature deaths. Last element that testifies to the ancoramento of gameplay to ancient style now is that, as in the original title, will be allowed to shoot only laterally, and not in diagonal or above. Although through the use of weapons with bullets bouncing and grenades will be a limit partly limited, however, remains latent in the player a sense of impotence, that the yield of accounts shows the limit greater than the title: that to be more platform that shooter. In spite of such an arsenal and such an amount of opponents, only rarely, for our distraction or too much superficiality will killed by enemies in the levels already addressed. The yield of Auditors, however, although we would have preferred a greater modernization of gameplay and a visual mobile Rearmed remains a title and fun as few, but as long to overcome the slow and laborious initial digestion.
All at home
Like we said, the multiplayer mode is limited to the local for the game on the same console: perhaps the biggest flaw of a title so much taken care of. The size of visual on the screen will adjust the distance between players, or even to changes in split screen: it is always preferable to stay near the companion, for greater accessibility of the game. In two also note pleasantly behavior more shrewd adversaries and boss, who will adjust the attack from two different points, in a manner so intelligent why it had been observed in a platform, making this mode not only a fun accentuated the company of another human being, but also a renewed challenge. Besides the main mode, you can challenge up to four players in specific thirteen arenas, choosing among three modes, customizable and duration, ranging from "all against all" able to kill the enemy only pushing for it to fall into bottom of the. In these contexts bonuses temporary weapons and reinforcements coming from paracadutati, as in the arcade. Needless to say that most of the fun will result in four, although the confusion and the repetitiveness of the action, together with a little variety of options, could seriously affect longevity. But even if little lasting entertainment will be provided and, although chaotic, the multiplayer will become a real training also useful for the single player.
The cosmetic industry is by far the best aspect of the game, which makes Bionic Commando Rearmed the title Arcade more "beautiful" back-up. While the music, with its repeated by electronic synthesizer, despite his great qualities, can not please everyone, the compartment is very visually stunning, to the point of care to regret this in any other previous Arcade. Everything is of high quality, from the stunning models polygonal. From the rich backdrop that flows into perspective, to the huge and colourful boss end framework, to the models of the characters giocanti or not, everyone without exception and make sfigurare many titles that deal for next-gen. Incredible animations, not only of the protagonist (as in most titles), but of all the characters: the naturalness with which they are anything brings to mind the first, historic, Prince of Persia. A natural and convincing, incredible for a platform, the implementation of rag-doll deaths make enemies spectacular than ever, with the bodies jumping in the air for explosions and then slide inert naturally down the framework, so realistic. The effects of light had the same, certain care: the flares lighting, reflections of shots, lasers, explosions or splinters, make, together with an excellent management effects of particulate matter, any conflict to fire a joy for the eyes. But as the big titles in the past teach, are the small details make the difference. Some examples: small brass cartridges jumping away from weapons and bounce to the ground; smoking leaving missiles in their erratic journey, the color of psychedelic paintings trainer; screen that trembles for the explosions; frameworks with the background visible and the protagonist in the shade; atmospheric effects, like rain or snow; you play with the original graphic. And the list could be longer. Graphically we are short of the absolute top arcade. The only fact is that with traditional televisions this magnificence is partly overshadowed by minuziositÃ* of the rich, enjoyable only with a large plasma or LCD.
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