The Great Battle Gaiden 2: Matsuri da Wasshoi for SFC

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The Great Battle Gaiden 2: Matsuri da Wasshoi

Really, really, really weird genre mashup

Genre: action - punch n kick

Publisher: Banpresto

Year: 1994

System: SFC

Gameplay Score: 2

Gameplay Notes:

Uhh, wut? The game is a mashup of many genres. The primary mode is side scrolling action but little shops that fly around let you play a match 3 puzzle game, an arkanoid clone, and other mini games. Each of these plays surprisingly well. In fact the main platforming mode is by far the worst one. The main problem is that enemies swarm at you, spawn incessantly, and bounce around the screen like mad men. And of course they take multiple hits, have no collision, and love to stun lock you. You attack with a short range punch attack and can pick up limited use projectile weapons. Oh and did I mention that there are no health pickups?

Level Design Score: 0

Level Design Notes:

Awful. I have no idea where to go. The area is several screens high and wide with a huge series of platforms. Enemies bound around, often jumping erratically up these multiple layers of platforms, so the best strategy is to drop to the bottom layer to avoid enemies jumping up into you. The constant mini games break up the action so completely that each time you return to the platforming section you are completely disoriented. I swear sometimes it even drops you in a different level. Utterly baffling

Theme Score: 3

Theme Notes:

It's the SD crew. Pick from one of four heroes.

Art Style Score: 3

Art Style Notes:

The artwork is eclectic, with a ton of color and very strange character designs. There's a ton of variety in the enemies and backgrounds. All the sprites are small. Everything looks like a early generation SNES title with minimal shading and depth to the artwork. So it's a middling looking game, despite all the weirdness.

Audio Score: 3

Audio Notes:

Decent music that has a Goemon vibe.

Overall Score: 35

Review ID: 1927