Review
Release Date: 1994
Platform:
Super Nintendo Entertainment SystemDeveloper:
Capcom Co., Ltd.Publisher:
Capcom USA, Inc.Reviewed by
Brian J. Balsan on 4.21.2003
| Review Rating: 10/10 | User Rating: 8.5/10 |
It's no secret that Capcom was a big supporter of Nintendo throughout the NES and SNES days. One only has to look at the endless amount of Megaman games and Street Fighter ports. But it's also noted that for every 5 or so times they go back to an overused franchise, they make one incredibly fun, original one. Let Strider, Bionic Commando, and, to a degree, Arthur act as witnesses.
The Gargoyle's Quest series can be considered one of these under-acknowledged series, only seeing three games spanned over the Gameboy, NES and SNES, while Capcom puts its plans for Megaman X7 forward.
Demon's Crest, the third and final game in the series, is a darker-themed pseudo-sequel of sorts, and is the most advanced and best-developed of the three.
Demon's Crest chronicles the story of a red demon named Firebrand (whom longtime Capcom fans might recognize from the "Ghouls n' Ghosts" line of arcades) who searches the world for seven stone crests, which were stolen from him by another demon named Phalanx. These crests have the power for domination of both the Demon world and the Human realm, And it's up to firebrand to regain the power that was stolen from him.
Demon's Crest is a bit different from its original counterparts. Gone are the RPG-like aspects of the game, replaced with a just-as-effective Adventure/Sidescroller idea. The map, which was used to travel around on in previous games, now acts as a hub for flying to other areas. This map also includes a couple of secret games, if you know where to find them. As Firebrand succeeds in regaining the crests, a new power will be given to him, and will allow him to bash objects or reach obstacles that were previously inaccessable. The controls will differ slightly depending on each form, but is overall responsive.
From the beginning, you will be impressed by the graphics shown in the game. They certainly have aged well given the time it was released. After being greeted by a beautifully-done title screen, starting the game will almost-immediately have you coming face-to-face with a dragon, which nearly fills the entire screen. Excellent use of coloration and a simple application of Mode 7 help the game tremendously, and does a great job setting the dark feel of the game.
Music isn't the most memorable stuff you'll hear. That's not to say its bad, but it's nothing that you will really care to remember outside of the game. It also does a good job setting the mood, though.
But if it isn't the graphics, controls or level design that make this game a winner, it's the reward system. Collecting the seven crests doesn't necessarily mean your game is complete. If you are able to fill out your item list by finding the lost jars and scrolls, and are able to find all the life units, you will be treated to the best ending, and even something special after that...
The only gripe I have with Demon's Crest is the use of Passwords. The entire series used a password function, but when you have so much to find in a game such as this, waiting to die so you can write down a password can be time-consuming.
Despite that one minor flaw, Demon's Crest has enough to keep you playing until you get that best ending, and when you think the game couldn't be challenging enough, it can....
Sadly, Capcom didn't expect the game to do so well, and quietly released a limited number of copies in the US. Sadder still, one can find this game on internet auctions for between 10 and 15 Dollars. If you have an SNES and the extra spare change, pick this game up. It will look good in your stack of high-quality SNES titles. I guarantee it.
