Megaman

"It's Mega Man versus the powerful leaders and fighting forces of Monsteropolis - that strange multi-faceted land of robot-like Humanoids. Brilliant scientist Dr.Wright conceived the construction of fully-operational human-like experimental robots to perform specific everyday duties. Dr.Wright, and his assistant Dr.Wily, encouraged with their very first near-human robot - Mega Man - proceeded to develop six additional Humanoids, all programmed to perform prescribed rituals. But, with the exception of Mega Man, all of Dr.Wright's near-human robot experimentation went awry. Assistant Dr.Wily turned disloyal, re-programming Dr.Wright's Humanoids, now bent on destroying opposition so Dr.Wily could control the world and its resources. Resisting re-programming, Mega Man is chosen the defender of the universe and its inhabitants. Mega Man dares to single-handedly penetrate seven separate empires of Monsteropolis, eliminating the leaders and followers of these sovereignties."

This game marked the beginning of what would be one of Nintendo era's strongest franchises. In this action packed platformer, you guide a robot named Rock (and renamed Mega for the US) who must stop the infamous Dr. Willy. First, he must defeat 6 robot masters who where also made by his creator. Each time he defeats a robot master, Megaman obtains its abilities. Also each robot (and boss) is vulnerable to an attack with a certain ability, hence the game follows a rock, paper, scissors approach being much easier when the appropriate weapon is used. 

Its techno soundtrack sets the stage for its nonstop gameplay and relentless difficulty. However due to the incredible soundtrack quality, tight and responsive controls and excellent catoonish (and somewhat goofy) graphics this manages to become a very enjoyable and addictive experience. Although future installments would expand on this formula, this game manages to set the standard under which most action platformers are measured. And to be completely honest, the formula hasn't changed much because of a simple reason, it really doesn't have to. It's just that good!

As for the legendary difficulty, its well deserved. I won Megaman's 2 through 5 as they came out (often at the first rental), the fact that I'm having a VERY hard time trying to beat this one made me respect its well earned position of being the hardest Megaman in the series. 

Don't trust me? Good! I could be wrong or just plain lying! Guess the only way you can ever really know is by trying it out yourself muahahahaha...

Play Megaman online at virtualnes.com

Additional Links

These sites contain additional information about Megaman:

• Wikipedia
• The Megaman Network
• Megaman Wikia

Megaman in the Mushroom Kingdom

"Dr. Wily finally concedes that Mega Man may be too much for his evil robotic creations. Determined to get the best of the blue bomber, Dr. Wily contacts another famous villain, Bowser! Having combined their forces, Dr Wily and Bowser unleash their new destructive creations upon the Mushroom Kingdom. After hearing  news of Wily's new plan, Mega Man decides to travel to the Mushroom Kingdom himself to stop Wily again. Mega Man now finds himself in a strange new world filled with obstacles and locales very foreign to him. Fearless, Mega Man presses on to Super Mario's old stomping grounds to defeat these new foes."

This is a Megaman hack that turns its landscape into a mash up of Mario 1, 2, 3 and World, type scenarios. Megaman now jumps higher (the plumber's influence I suppose heh)  and the level design is made taking advantage of this, introducing a more Mario like ambiance. Also, the overall difficulty is toned down a little bit.

This results in a very bizarre and interesting experience that fuses both gameplay dynamics and not only their graphics. But unfortunately, since this still uses the exact same bosses from the original game I would consider this a mod rather than a new game in itself (and that is why I include in this game's description and not a separate article). 

If what I just wrote sounds like a complete disaster. Then avoid it and look for something that suits you (life is short). However if it sounds like a dream come true, or a least an interesting proposition, then by all means give it a try:

Play now at Derok.net 

or download the patch:

• Derok.net
• Zophar's Domain
• Romhacking.net

Metroid

"DEFEAT THE METROID OF THE PLANET ZEBETH AND DESTROY THE MOTHER BRAIN THE MECHANICAL LIFE VEIN

GALAXY FEDERAL POLICE

M510"

Metroid was one of the first games that appeared on the NES, and is an adventure plaforming game with a vey heavy emphasys on exploration. You play the role of Samus Aran, an avid bounty hunter as she explores planet Zebes. She starts out equiped with a somewhat limited suit, but as she explores the strange planet she finds many items that give her enhancements as well as new abilites. Much like in Zelda games, she'll need these abilities to gain access to many areas that are out reach at first.

However unlike most games of its kin, she'll find herself alone throughout her journey. The sound and visuals make this even more notable. Much of its music is actually more of a sound texture that emphasices one aspect from the zone of Zebes she's exploring.

Not unlike Zelda, Mario, Megaman, Metal Gear, and some others. Metroid has managed to generate a large and succsesful franchise. And while the gameplay mechanics may have changed in some installments, there is usually a strong emphasys on exploration.

Metroid's challenge lies in the vast laberinthical structure, rather than survival. Finding the necesary objects as well as applying them efficiently in order to further your exploration can prove to be a daunting task. So if you're up to the challenge then by all means give it a try:

Play metroid online at virtualnes.com

Aditional Links

These sites contain some information related to metroid (not that much though):

• Metroid headquarters
• Metroid Wikia

Also this last site has a 3d voxel near complete recreation of metroid:

• Metroid Cubed

Crystalis

1997, October 1, The END DAY
Savage war engulfs the world
. . .
Civilization is destroyed ...
An evolution had taken place.
The earth's axis shifted and all creatures became mutated.
Life would never be the same ...
Those surviving vowed not to repeat their mistakes of the past and erected a great tower in the sky ...
To oppress evil forever ...

Crystalis plays from a top down perspective, akin to The Legend of Zelda. However it has an inventory system and experience leveling up system more in line with traditional RPGs. And like in many RPGs you visit different towns and talk to their inhabitants, take on several quests, and solve numerous puzzles. You receive new weapons, each is particularly useful for different situations. While exploration is a very important part of this game, it efficiently used to push the narrative and keep the plot alive.

Crystalis takes place in the year 2097, in a post-apocalyptic world, 100 years after a global thermonuclear war has reverted civilization to a primitive, medieval state where science is forgotten in favour of magic and fierce mutant creatures populate the scorched earth. What little remains of humanity has built a weapon of mass destruction known as "The Tower". The construction of this was aimed to prevent any more future cataclysms as its occupants have the power to rule or destroy the world. To combat Draygon, good magicians have created four swords from each of the four elements, fire, water, wind and thunder. If the swords are combined, they create a sword made from a fifth element, crystal. The sword is known as "Crystalis". When Draygon learned of the four swords, he took them for himself. The swords were too powerful to be destroyed so Draygon scattered them across the land.

While offering a blend of fantasy, futuristic and steam punk elements at first glance it might not seem as a well defined and coherent offering. Yet nothing could be further from the truth maintaining a great attention to detail, these elements contribute to the vividness of its story. Offering diverse and interesting locations, whose inhabitants and characters react in accordance to the events currently transpiring. But most of all it's the overall attention to detail and balance that really makes playing this game such enjoyable experience. To be honest, this game is certainly one of the most elaborate and polished games that came out in the NES and has far more in common with Secret of Mana and Zelda 3 than most its contemporaries, with a select few being up to par (and oh yeah, this is certainly one of my favorite games period).



However as cherished as it may be by me (and all my friends who played adventure type games back then), its only as good as you think it is. And the only way of finding out how good (or bad) this game really is, is by playing it:

Play Crystalis online at virtualnes.com

Oh and one last thing, as far as I read the best version is the original NES version (which is what I played). The gameboy version offers some more backstory but at a cost (graphics and the omission of some characters).

Aditional links

These sites have further information about this game:

• Tom's Crystalis World - Your headquarter for all things Crystalis
• RPGClassics