Power Soukoban for SFC

Image: MobyGames

Power Soukoban

Boxxle meets Zelda

Genre: puzzle - overhead

Publisher: Nintendo

Year: 1999

System: SFC

Gameplay Score: 4

Gameplay Notes:

Classic Boxxle (aka BoxBoy, Shove It, Sokoban, etc.) gameplay, where you push boxes to fill holes. I guess this is also the mechanic in Lode Runner, but I hate that series of games. I've always like the simplicity of the Sokoban games and games like it, especially Lolo and Kickle Cubicle. They're single-screen affairs, but in this title the screens are connected into a Zelda-style dungeon. Also, you've got a fireball you can shoot to kill enemies or to hit and move the blocks. This opens up a lot of different options for the puzzles and keeps the gameplay fresh. Movement is slow, but you can run by holding B. Hit detection is generous and helpful. Controls are only four direction, which is a bummer, but you don't have to be perfectly aligned to move or push. It feels great.

Level Design Score: 5

Level Design Notes:

I love the screen designs. Like any good puzzler it slowly ramps up the difficulty by introducing more and m ore complicated rooms. The Zelda-style dungeons is a revelation! Some screens even require you to enter from a different direction. Very creative. I wish there was a little more variety in the enemies or other obstacles, but I have a feeling that shows up in later levels. What's here is great.

Theme Score: 4

Theme Notes:

The setting seems to be some sort of demon realm. You look like a baby Hellboy. It's all very fun, cute, but devilish. Good stuff

Art Style Score: 2

Art Style Notes:

The only knock on this game are the horrible visuals. The character designs are great, but this looks like an early PC Engine game rather than a 1999 Super Famicom title!

Audio Score: 4

Audio Notes:

Lovely music which compliments the cutesy demonic theme perfectly. It's a bop. No sound effects worth mentioning, but the music is that good.

Overall Score: 81

Review ID: 1800