Boken Danshaku Don: The Lost Sunheart
Shoot-em-up-vaniaGenre: shooter - horizontal
Publisher: I'Max
Year: 1992
System: PCE
Gameplay Score: 2
Gameplay Notes:
Peashooter with tiny enemies. Why are so many shooters like this? It's ok to have small sprites but your weapons need to have some height to them to compensate. Add the fact that most enemies require multiple hits and you've got a frustratingly unforgiving experience. It's a shame because the fundamental gameplay ain't bad. Movement is good, with adjustable speed. But no auto-fire, which is always a bummer. The weirdest aspect of the game is the powerups, or lack thereof. You get a powered up weapon at the end of the stage which is then the default weapon in the next level. It's almost like a Castlevania-style upgrade system. Within a stage you can ever so slightly improve your weapon via a single pickup. This also acts as a health bar to allow for an extra hit.
Level Design Score: 3
Level Design Notes:
Nothing interesting to speak of. Enemies swarm toward you rather than following a set pattern and each level features a mid- and end-boss fight.
Theme Score: 3
Theme Notes:
Cutscenes play between stages with a bunch of Japanese text. Not sure what they're saying, but an old guy on a screen has a lot to say to you. Otherwise it's a standard terrestrial spaceship battle.
Art Style Score: 2
Art Style Notes:
Decidedly simple graphics. Looks very 8-bit. In fact, it reminds me of Zombie Nation for the NES. Lots of blues and purples and crazy Japanese horror themed enemies.
Audio Score: 1
Audio Notes:
Ok music that's very 8-bit. Truly awful sound effects. The ping ping ping of hitting an enemy's invincible spot will melt your ear drums.
Overall Score: 44
Review ID: 8010
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