Reviews by zigfried, page 9

Thunder Force III review

One level has a famous (and deservedly so) "fire" background, made up of wavey arcs of flame, swirling back and forth as you battle through inconveniently-placed rocky crags. Oddly enough, despite such a memorable background, the scenery…

Zigfried · March 12, 2005

Staff Dreamcast HG exclusive

The House of the Dead 2 review

House 2 takes the "living dead" theme and runs with it, creating a far, FAR more enjoyable shooting experience than Romero's horrific magnum opus Daikatana. While this game is "only" an on-rails shooting bonanza, the levels have been…

Zigfried · March 10, 2005

Staff Dreamcast HG exclusive

Spawn: In the Demon's Hand review

Spawn: In the Demon's Hand had a more than fair chance to impress me. The designs of the immortal characters are both varied and inspired; the frail sharpshooter, the angel of death, the jester that transforms into a raging behemoth —…

Zigfried · March 8, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Streets of Rage review

Final Fight, Streets of Rage 2, and Guardian Heroes all feature hulking studs. Streets of Rage, on the other hand, features skeletal dwarves. If you're the sort who claims "Size matters most!", then don't look here. But if you're the type…

Zigfried · March 5, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening review

Devil May Cry 3 has a scope that the original in all of its awesomeness couldn't have possibly matched. It actually goes back in time and chronicles the most important moment of Dante's life — the night during which he learned the truth…

Zigfried · March 4, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Earnest Evans review

The game is not an utter pile. Unfortunately, it takes a bit of time to realize this.

Zigfried · March 1, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Nanobreaker review

Whereas manly brawlers like Chaos Legion or Dynasty Warriors throw everything at you simultaneously, Nanobreaker doles its orgamechs out in small, easily-sliced clusters as if this were a really boring version of Streets of Rage or Final…

Zigfried · February 27, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Valis: The Fantasm Soldier review

Instead of the tale of heroine Yuko and former best bud Reiko's tragic friendship, the Valis manual talks about how Reiko is dating Rogles (King of the Dark World and general menace to society) because she thinks he's cute! What in the…

Zigfried · February 25, 2005

Staff PC HG exclusive

Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim review

The major characters get plenty of chances to show their spunk, elation, despair, and grit, but the story isn't Falcom's focus. Let other companies create adventures with schizophrenic main characters! Let other companies fill their games…

Zigfried · February 23, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Granada review

Don't be turned away by the game's obscurity or the tiny blue tank's diminutive size — this remains one of the best games on Genesis, even today. Take a chance.

Zigfried · February 22, 2005

Staff Saturn

Magic Knight Rayearth review

Rayearth's story is certainly one of growth and discovery, but it's hardly carefree. Despite the cutesy girls' fantasy trappings, this is an unmistakably mature adventure...

Zigfried · February 17, 2005

Staff Turbografx-CD HG exclusive

Puyo Puyo CD review

The Minions of Satan came to learn the customs of the PuyoPuyo, and used this knowledge to subjugate the pitiful little blobs by forming them into like-colored sequences of four or more. This was a great and vicious evil, for when the…

Zigfried · January 16, 2005

Staff Turbografx-CD HG exclusive

Legion review

Legion's not cool at all. It sucks. And the depth of the developer's blunders amounts to a lot more than the vague cop-out synopsis, "it has good ideas but just isn't fun". Legion takes reasonable ideas and makes them look dumb.

Zigfried · January 16, 2005

Staff PlayStation HG exclusive

Bloody Roar review

Bloody Roar, a 3D fighter released during the modern glut of 3D fighters, relies on style over gameplay. I believe you can make the connection here. Fond memories of the title crop up every now and again, but when I yearn to play a PSX…

Zigfried · January 11, 2005

Staff Saturn HG exclusive

Cotton Boomerang review

As you play the game and a vicious spitting flytrap smacks Appli down, Needle will zoom in and take her place, in King of Fighters fashion. If Needle bites it too, your third character will take the creepy critters on — all by herself!

Zigfried · January 10, 2005

Staff Turbografx-CD HG exclusive

Ai Cho Aniki review

If you've played Forgotten Worlds, you have some idea what Ai Cho Aniki is all about. Basically, I'm talking an airborne Contra, with multi-directional attacks and hand-to-hand combat . . . and naked bodybuilders.

Zigfried · January 9, 2005

Staff Saturn HG exclusive

Sakura Tsuushin: ReMaking Memories review

The images — both characters and backgrounds — have been marinated in pungent hues of brown and red. I find such kwality to be inexcusable, considering the artistic excellence of Pia Carrot, Can Can Bunny Extra, High School Terra Story…

Zigfried · January 6, 2005

Staff Turbografx-CD HG exclusive

Steam Hearts review

In a sea of shmups crammed with tricks, powerups, and gadgets to help wipe out the enemy, it takes a pretty damn strong hook to create lasting, vivid memories. Steam Hearts accomplishes this with ease.

Zigfried · January 1, 2005

Staff Turbografx-CD Review of the Week HG exclusive

Emerald Dragon review

Every time I play, I find something new to marvel at. When Atolshan stops calling the elder "Pops" and refers to him as White Dragon Elder, you know Atol still blames the elder for Tamryn's departure three years prior. Little comments like…

Zigfried · December 16, 2004

Staff X68000 HG exclusive

Final Fight review

From the wrong side of the tracks to mob boss Belger's luxurious penthouse, you'll bust punk heads with your fists and slice baddie bodies with powerful katanas. There's always a reason, and your reason is simple: the evil Mad Gear gang…

Zigfried · November 25, 2004