Gunstar Heroes Longplay (Sega Genesis) [QHD]

Game Info
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Developer: Treasure
Publisher: Sega
Year of Release: 1993

Game Review & Impressions
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When it comes to technical showcases, Gunstar Heroes ranks as one of the most impressive Genesis games of all time. I don't think I've ever played a game which subjects the player to such a assault on the senses as this run-and-gun shooter, a game which is the very epitome of the genre. It delivers all the sights and sounds of a 16-bit arcade experience in the comfort of one's own home, and would have made for a compelling experience, had a coin-op version ever been considered.

There's a paper-thin plot setting up the next 90 minutes of explosions and destruction, which is basically stop a tyrannical empire from acquiring a series of mystical gems and subjecting the world's population to a life of slavery. Only Gunstar Red and Gunstar Blue, the two player-controllable characters, are capable of putting a stop to the empire's dastardly machinations, and it's going to involve a LOT of shooting an explosions. The game is divided into distinct stages, each containing distinct enemies, special set pieces, not to mention a formidable end-of-level guardian. These can be tackled in any order the player wishes, but mastering each stage is crucial to beating the the whole game.

In terms of core mechanics, the game plays much like a souped up version of Contra and it's numerous sequels; not entirely surprising, given that this was created by a group of former Konami developers. Players can shoot in eight different directions, grapple and throw enemies, scale walls and hang from underside of certain platforms, which results in some incredibly fluid and dynamic moments during play. Despite having been seen in similar games, the lack of slowdown and sheer relentlessness of the pace at which the action unfolds is quite unique.

The defining aspect of the game, however, has to be the weapon system. Players can carry up to two different weapons at once by collecting power orbs, and the effects of these can be combined to produce an incredibly versatile arsenal. Combining a beam laser with a homing projectile yields a homing laser which can be great for dealing with swarms of low-ranking troopers or bots, but the loss of control as to which enemy is targeted can be a major hindrance against certain bosses, so choosing the best loadouts for different encounters becomes a major part of the game. It's even possible to boost the power of single weapon by holding two orbs of the same type, although the loss of versatility is rarely worth extra damage.

Gunstar Heroes received acclaim from most of the gaming magazines at the time, earning review scores above 90%. It's easy to see why, because the game is a masterclass of technical proficiency and game design. The difficulty might put off some players looking for a more casual experience, but there's no denying Gunstar Heroes is an enduring classic that's just as much to play today as it was 30 years ago.

Chapters
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TBC