Carlos

This is another one of those cross platform reviews. The game is available on PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Arcade, and on PC. Enjoy the review.

Bionic Commando Rearmed is a perfect example of how you re-create a 2D title into today's marketplace, hats off to Capcom for setting a wonderful example of how you can woo people over to 2D/3D.

Story:
Back in the NES era, we had a diversified set of stories in games, but one story that never seems to change (it was one of the biggest trends), is save someone and rescue someone. However, Bionic Commando isn't rescuing a girl, or a princess. He is rescuing a lost soldier trapped in an army whom leader's becoming a tyrant nazi. He has the possession of a top-secret, unrealized weapon. Your goal is to put a stop to this nazi's plans, and rescue Super Joe. The thing about the game is that its not entirely serious, it has witty, funny pickup lines, such as my favorite "Lets dance, deformed dishwasher!" that was used in the demo of the game.

Graphics & Presentation:
Bionic Commando uses all kinds of effects everything from full screen pixelation when you're about to face a boss, to particle effects with light sourcing, to shadows, to fog, you name it. Capcom seems to be the only company who is using all types of effects this generation, I noticed. And the game uses a unique story presentation, unlike we've seen in many games using comical story representations - in fact, it mixes modern-day graphic design with comic like "bulbs" for some exclaimations. Talking is done through text above or below a cheracter's mug. Capcom designed many facial experessions for each situation. I wonder if Capcom is planning to license out any comic games in the future, because they absolutely know how to do comics.

I believe that BCR is displaying the next-gen power. I mean, it has all kinds of effects thrown in. All kinds of camera angles (if you enter a room, the camera zooms into the room, and zooms into the monitors if you use the computers), all kinds of colors, all kinds of particle effects, such as fireballs coming out of that gun BC uses, BCR brings variety that we haven't seen in a long time. Not since SNES, if you ask me.

Gameplay & Controls:
The game is simplistic, just like Mega Man 9. BCR doesn't have jump, it doesn't even have slide, so you're forced to crouch, and shoot out your arm so that it grabs the obstacle in front of you so that you can slip into those small holes. To get from A to B with no platforms under it, you are to swing over there. There is a caveat: You get to reach secret locations!

The gameplay and controls are better than the original, it empathizes smoothness and speed. When I played the demo, I was itching for more. I wanted moar! It is very addicting, because its fast, and it is very arcade-y. Swinging from place to place felt satisfying, because it gives you the feeling that you're there, and playing like a badass. Not Ninja Gaiden kind of badass, but you get the point. The controls feel right, it is easy to pick up, and play. You're able to get right into the action from the get-go.

Music & Sound:
On any volume, the music is loud, so if you have a surround system, keep it low, but loud. The game brings a variety of sounds into the mix, so prepare yourselves for a crazy action-adventure game set in 2D plane. BCR silent music in some rooms, which brings some epic feel working your way into a boss. I love the techno, trance types that you'll be hearing in some action oriented locations such as the boss battles. You won't be disappointed, because the sound is crystal, crispy clear.

Replay Value & You:
BCR is hard, and I mean, Mega Man hard. Mostly because the game tests your ability to solve problems, starting from the first boss foward. But, on the other hand, it will lure you back into the game because you can play other kinds of levels, too. Its almost like Super Mario Bros. 3 where you have a few paths to choose from, yet you must go through the level first in order to start another.

Verdict: If you like 2D in a 3D world, then you MUST pick this up. If you're looking for a hard, but simplistic, yet addictive game, then you MUST add this to your library.

This article is a copyright of CarlosX360 Co. Ltd., any use of this article without the author's permission is liable for a lawsuit.

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