Review
Release Date: 1993
Platform:
Sega Genesis/ MegadriveDeveloper:
TreasurePublisher:
Sega of America, Inc.Reviewed by
Ash Paulsen on 4.21.2003
| Review Rating: 9/10 | User Rating: 8.88/10 |
When ex-Konami employees left to make their own company in 1993, little did anyone know that the new company they created would become one of the most admired videogame developers in Japan almost-overnight...
Right out of the gate, Treasure released what is considered one of the best side-scrolling shooters to come out since Contra 3. This is Gunstar Heroes.
Gunstar Heroes tells a tale of an empire bent on global domination, and a duo of Gunstars, codenamed "Red" and "Blue," who are given the task to stop the empire before it can complete its goal.
Certainly, Gunstar Heroes has aged rather gracefully considering the time period in which it was released. When you start, you are given the choice of one out of four different gun types. During the game, you pick up a second gun, and the two will combine into a new kind of firearm. One can find the most powerful combination this way, or discover one that becomes their absolute favorite.
Controls are simple for beginners to pick up, yet have enough moves for veterans to earn an advantage. Running, jumping, shooting, and sliding are your basic moves, but you can discover wall-jumping, belly-flopping, platform-climbing and so on.
Challenge factor is entirely up to you. There are three difficulty options, so if you feel one option is too easy, no one is going to stop you from choosing "hard."
Even with all of these gameplay elements, it's probably the graphics and sound that attracted the masses and gave Treasure the distinct title of "Pyro Gods." As you fight your way through hoards of enemies, things explode around you and you eventually find yourself face-to-face with a huge, multi-segmented boss of some kind, whether it be a walking machine whose attacks are determined by dice tosses or a fast-flying contraption that can morph into one of seven different attacking vehicles.
Gunstar Heroes is still a common game mentioned when bringing up the topic of best side-scrolling shooters ever made, and both Gunstar Heroes and Radiant Silvergun are the games Treasure is most well-known by. Some believe Treasure suffers from the Orson Welles complex, having given their best stuff right at the start. But as long as Treasure continues to make quality titles, the opportunity will always be available...
