| Rusty [J] | C-Lab | 1993 | |
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This Japanese side-scrolling platformer takes the whip-swinging mechanics of Super Castlevania IV and combines it with the open-ended level structure of Vampire Killer on the MSX2, while mixing in bits and pieces from every other Castlevania entry in the series, minus Simon's Quest and Symphony of the Night onwards. The biggest change is that instead of controlling a strong-willed muscle man in tight leather, you control a strong willed sexy woman in tight leather. Yes, the dominatrix archetype so beloved by the games industry is here in full force - and with a healthy amount of bare breasts in some places too. Persevere and the game reveals some astonishingly excellent level design. Eight of the game's ten stages revolve around your basic key-and-locked-door structure, with the goal being to find keys based on the four playing card suits (spades, clubs, diamonds and hearts), which open various doors. The ingenious thing is how each level is shaped, doubling back on itself almost like a bizarre pretzel. Most early Castlevania games are extremely linear, and although there have been awesome set-pieces in the series, like swinging through a rotating corridor or exploring a wrecked galleon, it's almost always a one-way corridor crawl. In contrast Rusty manages to convey a sense of exploration in almost all stages, without feeling like it's backtracking, plus there are rewards for those who investigate off the beaten path. The music is exceptionally good - and consistently so. Every level has its own unique theme, and throughout they are all fantastic. Hard rocking guitars are mixed with techno and classical music, with each note and chord pumping you up for whatever comes next. | ||
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