With the recent generation of games consoles, downloading your favorite retro game is as easy as keying in a credit card number and clicking “Buy.” The content was so good this summer that Xbox heralded its recent releases as part of the Summer of Games. A great summer, indeed. One of the best downloadable games ever dropped on both the Xbox Live Market Place and Sony’s PSN Network. Look out Spidey, say hello to our new swingin’ friend.
Bionic Commando was originally the hardest of hardcore platformers from the NES days. Its Contra-like shooter mechanics combined with an interesting swinging mechanic gave the game its very own style. Heck, you couldn’t even jump. Take that Mario.
But this remake by Capcom not only adds new content and graphics, but also maintains what was great about the original. The premise is simple: Super Joe has been captured by some unnamed country (that are known as The Imperials) who are working on something evil. Enter Nathan “Radd” Spencer to save the day. His bionic arm allows him to swing from platform to platform, deflect bullets, and, later in the game, pull enemies close and use them as human shields.
The mechanic is extremely fun and especially rewarding once you master it. There are tons of unlockable goodies, like secret rooms and extra lives, sprinkled throughout levels. And when you master the timing of swinging across spiked floors, robots, and endless chasms, your nimble commando will be rewarded.
The levels are split up into mostly platforming, and a few missions in a isometric 3D environment where you just have to make it to the end and blow up a truck. These 3D missions are the weakest of the game, but also help to relieve some of the extreme tension built up towards the end of the game.
At the end of every level, you’ll face a boss. Every one tests a unique ability of Nathan’s bionic powers. One boss requires you to deflect mechanical arms coming at you from all angles, before swinging up and shooting the operator. All of the bosses require quick relaxes and mastered timing – hard, but rewarding.
That being said, this game is based on trial and error. Something some will love, others will feel to be outdated. What Capcom has preserved, like its predecessor, is the classic difficulty. I commend Capcom for sticking to their guns and keeping this game hard. If you’re going to remake a classic game from the NES days, you better keep its most essential part. If you just played Braid (another XBLA title), then you’ll be wishing you had the rewind button here. You get three lives to do a mission, and if you fail, you have to restart the level: no save checkpoints. Bionic Commando: Trial and Error should have been the subtitle. And while the difficulty does increase towards the end of the game, it also becomes that much more rewarding.
One of my favorite parts of the game, though, is the updated look and the remixed music. The graphics were given an HD overhaul and have come out to be truly remarkable. While it is a 2D platformer, everything else – from character animations to building in the background to boss fights at the end – has been given an elaborate 3D makeover, while still retaining a classic look. Similarly, the music takes the classic 8-bit tunes and turns them into awesome, techno beats.
What is best about this game, though, is the amount of content you get for $10 (that’s right, ten bucks!). After you beat the lengthy single-player campaign (6-10 hours depending on your ability level), there are over 50 challenge rooms that test your swinging skills. Also, there is a two player offline co-op that makes the game just as exciting with a friend to play with, and a four-player versus mode that, while not totally fleshed out, is still an added bonus.
Did I mention that this game has a great sense of humor? It pokes fun at the original game, while showing much respect. Doesn’t that make it the perfect remake? I think so.
| Review Scoring Details for Bionic Commando Rearmed |
Gameplay: 9.0
Retains the classic gameplay and makes it stronger. Swinging is an absolute blast once you the hang of it, and the upgraded abilities throughout give multiple ways to kill enemies.
Graphics: 10
The visuals are incredible, from background oil rigs to underground furnaces. The boss fights are also very impressive.
Sound: 9.5
The remixed tunes are great and simultaneously retro and hip.
Difficulty: Hard
The increasingly hard difficulty might put some off, but stick with it for a great payoff.
Concept: 10
I only wish more developers would remake games as good as this.
Multiplayer: 8.0
I was not expecting multiplayer at all, but the co-op was another added treat.
Overall: 9.5
Bionic Commando: Rearmed is the perfect remake, retaining all of the things that made the original great, but making those things fresh again. For $10, this game is an absolute steal.
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