Capcom’s recent output has been something pretty special. Starting with Resident Evil 4 and taking in the likes of Killer7 and Viewtiful Joe 2, they’re a special kind of game maker.
Everything they touch seems to turn to pure gold. Well, not literally. Can’t see how a PS2 could read a solid gold disc…
Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins has consistently been one of those titles that everyone seems to own on some retro system, most of us failing to progress too far through the various beasties the game chucks at us mind.
In fact, its incredibly high difficulty level has been the one thing the series has been consistently praised and criticised for in equal measure.
Oh, and surely everyone remembers that when you take your first hit from an enemy, Arthur ends up in heart covered boxer shorts? It’s one of those iconic gaming images we all know of. A bit like Sonic’s wagging finger.
They say:
Edge: “Ultimate Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins intricacy and malleability means there’s no way to gauge what subtleties and surprises are left in store.”
1UP: “In short, UGnG represents a backwards step for Capcom: a game that fails where its 20 year old predecessor succeeded, a moment of regression as game design marches forward.”
GameSpot: “For those with a standing affection for the original, Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins is a fully capable update of the 20 year old game.”
We say:
An update to a such classic title always had the potential to be a huge hit, bringing that old retro gaming style of gameplay right up to date. Or, of course, a dreadful miss, sullying the name of a title we all know and love. Think of the recent Final Fight update which could have been something special and completely resurrect a dead genre, but instead turned out to be a colossal turd.
But where does UGnG come on that sliding scale? Thankfully, the former. Well, for the most part anyway.
Despite the fact that those visuals we all know and love are still reasonably pleasing on the eye even in these modern times, Capcom have decided to create the game in true 3D, but thankfully leave us with a 2D representation on screen. Meaning, that it’s true to the original and looks an absolute corker.
The gameplay itself sticks to the same tried and tested method, but this time things are a mite easier on the old trigger fingers.
Progression is much the same as before. The simple task is to make it from the beginning to end of each level with your life intact. To help you on your merry way you’re armed with a lance to begin with, and then various other throwable weapons as you pick up items along your way.
But there are a few tweaks to the old standard. A selection of difficulty levels means those turned off by the original’s often impenetrable difficulty setting can give themselves an easier task. In fact, even the worst 2D platforming gamers should find little trouble making some headway.
Even set to ‘easy’ though you’ll have a tough time finishing it. Those who lack the kind of patience required to sit through an entire episode of The Bill should move on.
A strange lack of ability to change your direction in mid air makes landing flush on ledges a difficult prospect at times. Plus with abilities (like a double jump for example) unlocked along the way, you can find yourself craving an option that you’re let to unlock.
But hey, it’s GnG, and it’s a very high class update. What more could we really want?
Like this? Try these:
Viewtiful Joe 2 – PS2, GC
New Super Mario Bros – DS
Alien Hominid – PS2/GC/Xbox/GBA
FORMAT REVIEWED
PSP
OTHER FORMATS
None
POSTED...
Mon 4 Sep 2006 at 7:07pm
