Märchen Maze for PCE

Image: MobyGames

Märchen Maze

Alice in Top-down Shooter Land

Genre: action - gun

Publisher: Namco

Year: 1990

System: PCE

Gameplay Score: 3

Gameplay Notes:

Good, almost great controls, but slow movement makes for an overly challenging experience. You fire bubbles in rapid succession or charged up Mega Man X style. A powered up bubble disappears if not used quickly. I really wish it had remained indefinitely. You can also jump but you can't fire while jumping. There are three power-ups, but they are exceedingly rare. A rabbits makes gives temporary invincibility, shoes make you jump much higher (think the frog in Mario Odyssey), and the rarest of all is a three-way shot. Unlike the power-ups, enemies are plentiful. This is a game where progress should be made slowly and meticulously. the only way to die is to be hit off the edge of the platforms, and a single hit can hit you back almost an entire screen length. The distance seems completely random, giving the game a frustrating, inconsistent feel. Taking out enemies can be difficult with your little pea shooter. The physics engine of the game is quite impressive, as must enemy projectiles are rolling balls which will roll off the edges of platforms. I would love this game if the power-ups were more plentiful or the basic weapon was even mildly better at clearing out enemies. As it is, this is a promising but frustrating title.

Level Design Score: 4

Level Design Notes:

Stage have branching paths, optional areas, and can be fully explored. The stages are long and feature mini and final bosses. Enemies can be cleared from their spawn points and don't return, so again, the best approach is to carefully progress and kill enemies from distance. Platforming in an overhead title is always a challenge, and this title does a decent job at it. There are moving platforms to cross long gaps but you have a very noticeable shadow to help gauge your position. Each stage has a unique set of enemies, giving them a distinct personality.

Theme Score: 4

Theme Notes:

The opening cutscene shows Alice (yes, that Alice) receiving a visit from the white rabbit and being pulled into one of Dr. Strange's portals. The rest of the game is full of inventive creatures and locales.

Art Style Score: 5

Art Style Notes:

While I wish there was some parallax scrolling in the backgrounds, everything else about this game looks amazing. Especially for such an early gen title. The art direction is simply superb, with well designed, well drawn, and well animated sprites. Fantastic use of color rounds out the package.

Audio Score: 4

Audio Notes:

The music and sound effects fit the setting perfectly. Not my favorite soundtrack, but very cute and fitting.

Overall Score: 72

Review ID: 8082