Gunstar Heroes. I played this game at my friend's house, just curious to see if it was good or not, and because we were as bored as hell. This title was released in 1993 by relatively unknown publisher/developer Treasure, and I was surprised at how the game looked, let alone played at a graphics rate shown, considering the Genesis is only a minimal-bit console. This game, voted in the "Top 99" of all games by reader reviews according to IGN, is probably one of the most underrated titles in the early-90s, and I classify 1993 as an early-90s year. Will you be hooked?
Graphics
I understand that the Genesis was made during the SNES era, so I know what to expect from a certain standpoint that this game can boost out. Gunstar Heroes, needless to say, doesn't miss a beat with very impressive visuals all around. Even some of the character bosses are dimensional, and that was very technological back then, so that is a major positive in discussing this category as well. The visuals aren't spellbinding, considering it has been twelve since its release, and I grade it when they came out. That way, it is only far. Anyways, the detail that surprised me the most were the last level graphics and how they had the sunset and final battle feel to it. I'll discuss that later, but Gunstar Heroes is certainly an eye-pleaser if you grade this game accordingly.
Gameplay
Gunstar Heroes is a story about revenge, even though the games since the word "video game" was invented have mostly been revenge games, and this one is the king of all of them. You have come to find out that the planet Gunstar 9 is in serious danger, and you have to stop it if that means taking your own live in risking to save it. You have the option to use a variety of weapons, with four items, and the ability to carry two different or two of the same, so imagine the possibilities. There are seven different levels of gameplay, if you want to count the Game Room as one of them. Each level is a battle through time, with different environments and different placements for each of them. On one level you are on a helicopter battling one boss named "Orange," and on the other part you battle five different versions of a boss in what seems to be a pipeline. On the final level you have a monsterous task, battling around seven different bosses and having one of them save your life for you later on, but I don't want to be too revealing.
Sound
Gunstar Heroes has NES quality sound, but I love that kind of sound, because I love the classics, so this is just another part to where this game shines. Even though there is a lot of the same grunts and moans that will be featured in any other game like this, this does most very well because of the slight sense of realism that talented Treasure just put into this masterpiece. Other than that, it is just a good stereo-monitored game that will make you feel surrounded in its glory. If you ever have a friend to play this game with you, this is really where the game sucks you in and never exhales. There really is nothing to say except you have to find out for yourself.
Replay Value
Even though I have beaten this game twice, I really feel as though you need to play it again and again to really learn why this game gets a perfect score. Sure, if you are really good, it might take you less than five hours to complete everything, but this game is as addictive as you can handle. If you have another player along for the ride, this makes the replaying all the more enjoyable, because sometimes you find something new around the level, and that is the best part featured in Gunstar Heroes, which I can't say enough about!
Multiplayer
This is simply the best game of 1993, and the reason that causes that to be true is this category right here. Gunstar Heroes' best move was the multiplayer addition because they actually didn't take anything off of one-player mode and left it solely for that, and that there is only a two-player mode to battle against, but you can co-op and defeat the opposition and be victorious together. That is the sole reason that Gunstar Heroes is a very underrated title as well. Try it for yourself, and I guarantee I will never hear from you again, possibly.
Overall
Gunstar Heroes is not perfect. In fact, no game is. Even though some people give a game a perfect score, that doesn't mean there isn't flaws. There are technical issues with the game that should have been fixed, and the controls are a little screwy, but nothing to downgrade the Heroes' performances. Gunstar Heroes is simply too clever in terms of its addictive gameplay to be put in the words, so there isn't enough bad things to let out in the open, which is a very positive thing. Treasure, even though you are relatively unknown, you set the standard for all action and futuristic games along, and you raised the bar high. It will take a very in-depth and replayable game to knock you off the Sega crown anytime in the future and beyond.
Ratings
Graphics: 5.0/5.0
Gameplay: 5.0/5.0
Sound: 5.0/5.0
Replay Value: 5.0/5.0
Multiplayer: 5.0/5.0
Overall: 25.0/25.0 - 5.0/5.0 - 100%
Graphics
I understand that the Genesis was made during the SNES era, so I know what to expect from a certain standpoint that this game can boost out. Gunstar Heroes, needless to say, doesn't miss a beat with very impressive visuals all around. Even some of the character bosses are dimensional, and that was very technological back then, so that is a major positive in discussing this category as well. The visuals aren't spellbinding, considering it has been twelve since its release, and I grade it when they came out. That way, it is only far. Anyways, the detail that surprised me the most were the last level graphics and how they had the sunset and final battle feel to it. I'll discuss that later, but Gunstar Heroes is certainly an eye-pleaser if you grade this game accordingly.
Gameplay
Gunstar Heroes is a story about revenge, even though the games since the word "video game" was invented have mostly been revenge games, and this one is the king of all of them. You have come to find out that the planet Gunstar 9 is in serious danger, and you have to stop it if that means taking your own live in risking to save it. You have the option to use a variety of weapons, with four items, and the ability to carry two different or two of the same, so imagine the possibilities. There are seven different levels of gameplay, if you want to count the Game Room as one of them. Each level is a battle through time, with different environments and different placements for each of them. On one level you are on a helicopter battling one boss named "Orange," and on the other part you battle five different versions of a boss in what seems to be a pipeline. On the final level you have a monsterous task, battling around seven different bosses and having one of them save your life for you later on, but I don't want to be too revealing.
Sound
Gunstar Heroes has NES quality sound, but I love that kind of sound, because I love the classics, so this is just another part to where this game shines. Even though there is a lot of the same grunts and moans that will be featured in any other game like this, this does most very well because of the slight sense of realism that talented Treasure just put into this masterpiece. Other than that, it is just a good stereo-monitored game that will make you feel surrounded in its glory. If you ever have a friend to play this game with you, this is really where the game sucks you in and never exhales. There really is nothing to say except you have to find out for yourself.
Replay Value
Even though I have beaten this game twice, I really feel as though you need to play it again and again to really learn why this game gets a perfect score. Sure, if you are really good, it might take you less than five hours to complete everything, but this game is as addictive as you can handle. If you have another player along for the ride, this makes the replaying all the more enjoyable, because sometimes you find something new around the level, and that is the best part featured in Gunstar Heroes, which I can't say enough about!
Multiplayer
This is simply the best game of 1993, and the reason that causes that to be true is this category right here. Gunstar Heroes' best move was the multiplayer addition because they actually didn't take anything off of one-player mode and left it solely for that, and that there is only a two-player mode to battle against, but you can co-op and defeat the opposition and be victorious together. That is the sole reason that Gunstar Heroes is a very underrated title as well. Try it for yourself, and I guarantee I will never hear from you again, possibly.
Overall
Gunstar Heroes is not perfect. In fact, no game is. Even though some people give a game a perfect score, that doesn't mean there isn't flaws. There are technical issues with the game that should have been fixed, and the controls are a little screwy, but nothing to downgrade the Heroes' performances. Gunstar Heroes is simply too clever in terms of its addictive gameplay to be put in the words, so there isn't enough bad things to let out in the open, which is a very positive thing. Treasure, even though you are relatively unknown, you set the standard for all action and futuristic games along, and you raised the bar high. It will take a very in-depth and replayable game to knock you off the Sega crown anytime in the future and beyond.
Ratings
Graphics: 5.0/5.0
Gameplay: 5.0/5.0
Sound: 5.0/5.0
Replay Value: 5.0/5.0
Multiplayer: 5.0/5.0
Overall: 25.0/25.0 - 5.0/5.0 - 100%
Meow! (='.'=)
