Ganbare Goemon 4: Kirakira Dōchū: Boku ga Dancer ni Natta Wake for SFC

Image: MobyGames

Ganbare Goemon 4: Kirakira Dōchū: Boku ga Dancer ni Natta Wake

Darn it, we peaked at 2

Genre: action - hack n slash

Publisher: Konami

Year: 1995

System: SFC

Gameplay Score: 4

Gameplay Notes:

This is a true sequel to Goemon 3 rather than a return to what worked so well in 2. That means tight, responsive controls, but sluggish movement, short jumps, and somewhat unsatisfying combat.

Level Design Score: 3

Level Design Notes:

The platforming is even worse than 3 and the game design itself is confusing. It leans harder than ever into the Metroidvania model with a lot of backtracking and unintuitive and easy to miss events preventing you from progressing. I miss the days of straight forward design from the first two games.

Theme Score: 4

Theme Notes:

Same silliness. The only innovation they added is having four separate, selectable campaigns - one for each playable character. This is a welcome addition and gives the game something unique about it.

Art Style Score: 4

Art Style Notes:

Same as before, it's good, but nowhere near the excellence of the 2nd game.

Audio Score: 3

Audio Notes:

Overall Score: 73

Review ID: 1647