Parodius Da!
The OG cute-em-upGenre: shooter - horizontal
Publisher: Konami
Year: 1992
System: PCE
Gameplay Score: 4
Gameplay Notes:
It's Gradius, with its lovely powerup system and spot on controls. This time you get 4 different characters and each has its own set of weapons. Lovely stuff. This game actually improves upon the Gradius formula by giving you useful difficulty levels (tho not as many as the SFC version) and the ability to auto-select powerups. This helps tremendously and makes it and its sequels far more approachable to non-hardcore shooter fans. The lack of buttons makes auto-select a necessity in this version, since you have to press both 1 & 2 together to make a selection.
Level Design Score: 5
Level Design Notes:
Tons of variety, interesting enemy placement and waves, set pieces, mid level bosses, etc. You know the drill. This version also includes a "Special" mode which seems like a short score attack with a mashup of elements from several stages.
Theme Score: 5
Theme Notes:
Take Gradius and swap everything for a cute version. So, so cool.
Art Style Score: 4
Art Style Notes:
Lovely, cute characters all over the screen. The graphics are less technically impressive than other games in the genre but this one oozes style. This version features an awful lot of sprite flicker, but it doesn't drag the experience down.
Audio Score: 4
Audio Notes:
The music mixes epic with comical to create something unique and fun. Many of the tracks are remixes of classical songs but with a playful and sometimes off-key delivery, as if the game is parodying the music as well.
Overall Score: 86
Review ID: 8101
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