Blaster Master
Reviewed by Kali
Hey, hey, hey! Here's a game with FUN written all over it. Sunsoft's Blaster
Master is the type of game that will keep you up all night, invade your
dreams while you sleep (not to be confused with Wart from Super Mario Bros. 2),
and have you completely zoned out in class the next day until you anxiously
return home to play it again! Journey through a series of 8 rivaling stages
with Jason, the hero of the story, as he quests for his runaway pet frog,
Fred, in this awesome action adventure.
Personally, this is one of my favorite games (if you couldn't tell from
the first paragraph) because it combines most, if not all of the
elements of a classic action adventure. First, players engage in a
side-scrolling adventure where Jason can ride his new found jeep,
Sophia -I think, through underground tunnels, over slippery ice, and even
underwater in search for hidden doorways where Jason can collect
weapons and energy before finding the bosses' hideouts. After finding a
doorway Jason must exit his jeep, (he's the size of a pea) and enter where
the game becomes a walk about action and Jason will collect power-ups
and eventually destroy the boss. Generously, after destroying each boss,
Jason is given a special adapter unit for his jeep to aid in progressing to
the next level. Consequently, and quite ironically on its behalf, another
thing that makes this game so much fun is the fact that its totally pointless!
There is no princess, no visiting towns and talking to strange people, no real
reason to be on the damn quest in the first place, and absolutely no reading.
Jason is looking for his PET FROG! What the hell kind of a teenage kid (from
his looks) wants to retain a relationship with an amphibian? For money
making purposes, I presume, like frog racing, but that's it! Sometimes it
feels good about not having to worry about solving a mystery or finding a
jewel. This is what you call PURE entertainment.
Graphics 4.5 out of 5
I liked the graphics of this game. If you're familiar with Sunsoft's style
of production (i.e. games like Gremlins 2, Festers Quest, Spy Hunter, etc.),
then you know you're bound to see lots of overhead walk about action, as
well as brilliant, beautiful colors (especially Level 5 of this game) and
detailed frames that sometimes repeat themselves in the same level, but
they increase the utility of seeing the next level. The only thing that
takes away some of the graphic's brilliance is the fact that bosses 2
and 4 are repeated in Levels 6 and 7. The bosses of Levels 1-5
subsequently increased in graphical detail until I fought boss 2 in Level 6.
Especially since Level 6 is the famed Ice Level. At least give us an Ice
Creature, or something! The production team probably got lazy at this
point or decided the game was hard enough (especially boss 5) and refused
to use any creativity. Can you say "RIP OFF"?! But considering the fact
that each level represents a different climate or environment, the graphical
display pleases me a lot. My favorite is Level 5. The stage is entirely under
water which adds challenge to game play, and a sort of beautiful release
from the ugly, crap-infested underground sewers of Level 4. Level 6, The Ice
Level, deserves merit also. Complete with slippin' and slidin' if you move
too fast, and deadly ice spikes almost everywhere. No failures here!
Music and Sound 5 out of 5
Ahhhh, one of my favorite categories. Blaster Master has one of NES's
greatest musical scores (just about as good as "Vampire Killer" from
Castlevania). As soon as you press start, that victorious sounding music
from Level 1 hypnotizes you! Level 2's music will make you feel cool all
over. Level 5 is just a masterpiece. It matches the scenery of the area
perfectly with its bubble-like bass popping up and down as a liquidy
clarinet provides a gorgeous melodic layer over each bubbly note. Level 7's
music is crazy! With a speedy, Armageddon type of battle music, it is sure
to make your heart beat a little faster! Once you finally reach Level 8,
the music will probably make you very, very nervous. This game's music
alone makes me feel nostalgic of the good ol' days of my youth (I'm 20 now).
After playing, you'll feel like hummin' these tunes all day!
Game Challenge 4.5 out of 5
Yes, this game is hard, but thank Goodness it's not a mind-numbing
frustration. At first glance, the game seems pretty basic, but later down
the line, the searching gets more difficult. After Level 3 you have to "find"
Level 4, the same goes for Level 7 after level 6.
Frustration
Ice is a big one if you don't enjoy sliding. Spikes and other sharp obstacles
in the walk about sections of the game are also very frustrating. After
Level 6 you are granted the ability to roll on the ceiling. Combined with
the ability to climb walls after Level 2, this will make Level 7, and especially
Level 8, a very frustrating ride.
Replayability 3 out of 5
After you beat this game once you'll probably say, "Hey that was fun. I think
I'll play it again in about 2 years or so."
Overall 5 out of 5
If you love your NES and you know it, feed it Blaster Master. This game is
a must have, if not a must-play-and- win. I know for a fact that it's very
worth its price at Funcoland nowadays. Go get it now.