Daikaijuu Monogatari
aka Super Shell Monster StoryGenre: rpg - japanese
Publisher: Hudson Soft
Year: 1994
System: SFC
Gameplay Score: 4
Gameplay Notes:
There's a lot to like here. Fast battles, simple mechanics, but a few unique features, optimal equip, customizable parties, etc. Its simplicity is also its greatest weakness, however, as the gameplay is not all that dynamic. One fun feature is called "B" helper characters. These are accessible from the menu and are used to solve puzzles like rocks blocking your path or scaling cliffs. I also enjoyed playing around with the 8 recruitable characters. this give a lot of flexibility in your playthrough, although you have to go to a specific town to change your party and leveling them up individually is a chore as you level up slowly and your stats barely change from level to level. Get ready for a TON of grinding.
Level Design Score: 3
Level Design Notes:
The story is prettty goofy and surprising. Obviously, there's a lot of normal stuff to do, but the problem is that the areas have quite a few unobvious hidden paths. I was so lost trying to find the path forward, only to discover that I had to walk into walls that appeared completely solid or were hidden behind waterfalls and the like. This could be forgiven if it was an occassional path to optional content, but this happened frequently and for normal progression. Yuck
Theme Score: 2
Theme Notes:
What a weird setting. You begin underwater, with the Snorks or something, and then go to the surface. You play as an Aladdin-lookalike who is summoned by a hermit crab as the Chosen One to retrieve three shells. NPCs are mostly human, like you, but also include a variety of ambiguously humanoid creatures. It's...something. There's a lot of humor in the script, but not much of it hits.
Art Style Score: 4
Art Style Notes:
I almost made this a 5, but that's pushing it. The overhead view isn't much to look at but the battle screen is incredible. The enemy sprites are awesome. Typical Hudson.
Audio Score: 4
Audio Notes:
This might be a little generous, but many of the tracks are great. An equal number are mundane, however, so it's a mixed bag.
Overall Score: 73
Review ID: 1582
No comments:
Post a Comment