Reviews by Masters, page 16

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi review

I don't think our hard-ass hero, Joe Musashi, would be pleased with the name of this adventure: ''I know it's a stealth thing, but it sounds so...fruity!'' Regrettably, Joe did not have much say in naming the game, so the title stood…

Marc Golding · December 20, 2003

Staff Genesis

Rocket Knight Adventures review

An esteemed colleague of mine - the legendary Honestgamers reviewer Jason Owens - urged me to try out Rocket Knight Adventures for the longest time. He was relentless. He pushed my buttons, prodded me with intrusive interrogations centered…

Marc Golding · December 20, 2003

Staff Genesis

Ristar review

I don’t profess to being Hannibal Lecter, or anything close to his ilk, but due in no small part to this game, I too seem to have reached the lowest levels of adult human depravity. Witness this scene: I, a grown man, observe three young…

Marc Golding · December 20, 2003

Staff Genesis

The Revenge of Shinobi review

Be careful. This game is often called a classic, and perhaps rightfully so. But don’t expect it to be the perfect, quintessential 2D action adventure platform game - it’s not. There are two flaws that prevent its ascendancy into the lofty…

Marc Golding · December 20, 2003

Staff Genesis

Rastan Saga II review

A mysterious edifice known as ''Skyscraper'' controls the land of Rastania somehow. An evil contingent has moved in and taken over the Skyscraper by force. A brave savage must turn the tide! I couldn't make this up if I wanted to, believe…

Marc Golding · December 20, 2003

Staff Genesis

Phelios review

Phelios casts you as Apollo, and your mission is to rescue your girl (yawn) from the dreaded despot (snore) who, incidentally, could pass for a hooded, red-eyed version of Cobra Commander. Anyway, Typhon’s got your fair lady tied up (that…

Marc Golding · December 20, 2003

Staff Genesis

OutRun review

OutRun was brought home to the Genesis from its cool, comfortable arcade cabinet that featured a steering wheel, shifter, and pedals. When Sega failed to pack these items in with the cartridge (how hard can it be?), thus stripped of the…

Marc Golding · December 20, 2003

Staff Genesis

Gunstar Heroes review

Gunstar Heroes was Treasure’s coming out party. Who’s Treasure? Easy. The giant hit-maker known as Konami - responsible for such massively popular game franchises as Metal Gear and Castlevania - had one particularly talented sector of…

Marc Golding · December 20, 2003

Staff Genesis

Earnest Evans review

In a misguided attempt at fluidity, developers Wolf Team have gone too far, raising up a horrible amalgamation of loosely fitted sprite skin over a sentient gelatin skeleton. Each limb, digit, and joint of Earnest's lanky form oozes…

Marc Golding · December 19, 2003

Staff Genesis

Castlevania: Bloodlines review

Lecarde is by far the better character, and playing with him makes for a much more enjoyable journey due in part to his wider array of moves, and also in part to the easier, smoother gameplay that results from him knowing them. However…

Marc Golding · December 19, 2003

Staff Genesis

Double Dragon review

First, the good news. Finally, a port of the classic beat 'em up Double Dragon that actually looks the part. This Genesis version is colourful, relatively detailed, and makes the 8-bit NES and SMS versions of the same game look like they…

Marc Golding · December 19, 2003

Staff Genesis

Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse review

What we’ve got here is a bridge too far, but it’s nothing that seven special gems can’t fix. You see, as you and Minnie pranced about in the meadows of tranquil Vera City, the evil witch Mizrabel was plotting an evil scheme to attain…

Marc Golding · December 19, 2003

Staff Genesis

Cadash review

Beyond that, you may speak to dull-witted townspeople who offer obvious clues, do not learn after major storyline changes, and who manage their cliched constitutional within five stride limitations. They’ve got nothing to do, and nowhere…

Marc Golding · December 19, 2003

Staff Genesis

Battletoads/Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team review

I picked up Battletoads/Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team for peanuts at a pawn shop and yet… I still had great expectations because of the hype that surrounded the game in my neck of the woods. (Insofar as there can be hype for a 16-bit…

Marc Golding · December 19, 2003

Staff Genesis

Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle review

Alex Kidd got a raw deal. He’s got huge ears -- but he managed to overcome them and retain some semblance of the cuteness that was necessary to keep his job as Sega Master System mascot. His first adventure, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, was…

Marc Golding · December 19, 2003

Staff TurboGrafx-16

Silent Debuggers review

Meet Leon. He’s your buddy, your leader, your home base. He’s also dead cool - he wears dark glasses indoors and rolls up his sleeves like a middle finger extended to the chilly corridors where he must do his tireless, one-handed work (no…

Marc Golding · December 17, 2003

Staff TurboGrafx-16

Tiger Road review

Perhaps it's the simplicity of the gameplay that draws me in. You control a little bald man, Lee Wong (who bears no relation to Bonk, in case you're wondering). Never mind what the glossy, airbrushed cover depicts; you are not Fu Man Chu…

Marc Golding · December 17, 2003

Staff NES

Super Mario Bros. review

Super Mario Brothers is instantly memorable, and over time, its appeal only grows. It isn’t as goofy as its oddball sequel, nor is it as wondrous as the magical third game in the series to appear for the system. But it has a wholly old…

Marc Golding · December 17, 2003

Staff Arcade

Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting review

Pick Ryu. Try to duck and use rapid short kicks to set up a throw and find the blue beast, Blanka, eating your face a la Hannibal (only our mutant might not know to have a Chianti at the ready). Worse yet, the Japanese fireballer might…

Marc Golding · December 17, 2003

Staff Arcade

Thunder Fox review

Rend soldier-types with semi-automatics and melt massive vehicles with flamethrowers. As early as level one there’s opportunity to cruise about in an army jeep and literally run terrorists down, or pick them off mercilessly with the…

Marc Golding · December 17, 2003