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Cybernator

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Reviewed by TMC3 Called "Assault Suits Valken" in Japan, Cybernator was released in the U.S. in 1993. Featuring great graphics, cut scenes, memorable music, and addicting gameplay, this game is definitely a keeper if you're into side-scrolling mech games.

Graphics: 9.5 out of 10

How many Super NES platform shooter games can you name that have actual cut scenes? Probably only one or two off the top of your head, and Cybernator does it with style. Although there are only two big ones, they are done with a lot of talent. Enough to give the game an anime-like feel. The actual stages are also done very well. The last stage is especially memorable, with you shooting up what's left of the enemy army with their burning capital in the background. Everything has truckloads of detail poured into it in liberal amounts, right down to the pilots that eject from their assault suits after you blow 'em up. Your mother ship even gets progressively more damaged-looking a the game goes on. As far as slowdown and flickering are concerned, they are nearly non-existent.

Music and Sound: 8 out of 10

I'll start with the not-so-good. The boss music could have been better, and the music in level 6 is just awful. Now, the good. Every level except level 6 has great music, and level 7's is spectacular. Hearing that great, "it's almost over" sounding music at the end almost brings a tear to the eye, and the sound effects are nothing to scoff at either. The guns, missiles, punches, and explosions all sound good, and I think the laser sound effect deserves special mention. It really sounds like a concentrated beam of light slicing the air.

Game Challenge: 7 out of 10

The challenge gets a score of seven because of it's inconsistency. When I played this game the first time through, the first level was easy, the second level was insanely hard (taking a couple days to beat), third level was average, fourth was easy, fifth was semi-easy, sixth was pretty tough, and the seventh was the hardest of all. It's almost as if the game tries to scare you away with that second stage before you really get into it. Other than that, power ups seem to be super-concentrated in some areas, and then few and far between in others. I would have liked a more "even" approach, with power ups more or less equally spaced.

Game Play-Fun: 8.5 out of 10

No matter how much I play this game, I can't get sick of it. The story, graphics, music, and shooter style gameplay all mix nearly perfectly to create this excellent game. The only drawback it the lack of multiple endings, but once you see the ending this game has, you probably won't be let down. In fact, it's so good that I actually recorded it to a VHS tape once. The bosses are very interesting, each having it's own unique feel and strategy. None of them feel recycled or boring, especially the last one. A great addition to the gameplay, I feel, it the inclusion of a shield to your mech. It protects you from almost everything, but not so much that it makes the game mind-nummingly easy. Also, 4 weapons (5 if you know how to get he super-secret, hidden one) may not sound like much, but you won't be disappointed. This game is definitely a must-buy.

Frustration

I think the only frustrating part of the game would be the second stage. It's really tough at first, but you beat it eventually, after you learn the secret of killing the boss.

Replayability: 8 out of 10

The story never changes no matter how you play the game, but it never seems to get old. It's that good, it's great to play, and it hasn't gotten old for me yet, so replayability gets a high score.

Game Value: 10 out of 10

I'm sure you could find this game in a bargain bin or online somewhere for $20 or less, so it's definitely worth the investment.

Nostalgia factor: 10 out of 10

Playing this game takes you back to the old, 16-bit days when games were simple, fun, and memorable. I will never sell my copy, and if you get one, I wouldn't let it go for anything other than another great classic like this.

Bad Japan to U.S. Conversion Factor: 9 out of 10

Some of the translations sound a bit weird, but that isn't the worst part. In the Japanese version of the game, there were portraits of the person talking to you next to their text when there was a communication to you mid-game, much like in Star Fox or in most RPGs. The portraits were taken out, only the text was left in the U.S. version for reasons unknown, and the characters seemed to talk a whole lot more in the Japanese version. Also, an entire cut scene was taken out in the last stage, featuring one of the enemy commanders shooting himself in the head. This doesn't affect the story much in the U.S. version, but it does explain whatever happened to that particular person. I would imagine that Nintendo's family oriented guidelines had a lot to do with this.

Overall: 8.5 out of 10

This is a good game to play if you have nothing else to do and are in the mood for some good mech anime. It's some of the best around for the Super Nintendo. If you ever find it anywhere, don't pass it up!

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