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Gunstar Future Heroes Review - GBA

Introduction

Treasure have carved themselves a comfy looking niche in the world of gaming. One of the last bastions of old school gaming, with a pedigree that puts them in the elite league of game developers, Treasure are known for awesome action and incredible art design, tight gameplay and absolutely epic battles.

This holds true for Gunstar Future Heroes, sequel to one of the most beloved games of the 16-bit era. Originally released on Mega Drive, the team mostly comprised of former Konami staff created a game that would become the pinnacle of the genre.

Gameplay

Red and Blue, two members of 3YE, a group responsible for defending earth from attack, led by Yellow, are given the codename Gunstar Future Heroes, so named after the legendary warriors that defended earth from the awful God of Ruin years ago in the original title.

The game ties into the original storyline, but like most action games, it takes a back seat to intense action. Gameplay in GFH is varied and speedy. One minute you're running through a stage, gun blasting non stop, the next you're aboard a plane, shooting down incoming enemies, then piloting said ship through outer space to defeat an air borne armada.

Controls are super tight, enabling the quickest of moves to be pulled of on a split seconds notice. Running and gunning, jumping and hand to hand combat is all seamlessly intertwined. Rather than use the fixed shot and running shot system of the original, GFH allows both. The B button allows you to run and run, while holding R will hold you in place while you aim and fire. Double tapping R releases the special attack, which is built up by defeating the innumerable enemies you will mow your way through on your quest to collect the gems.

L switches weapons, of which there are four. Two common to each playable character (the aforementioned Red and Blue) and one unique. They will be familiar to Gunstar Veterans, but the main weapon for each character is often the best choice. Jumping and sliding, kicks and wall jumps are all handled with the A button.

Bosses are an important part of any action game. Treasure has never been one to disappoint. From the opening level, the bosses are as large as the screen and never let up. Unfortunately, the game is not as hard as it's predecessor, and coupled with it's short length, it will be a push over for most gamers. Even on the hard difficulty setting, I had little trouble ploughing through it.

As awesome as Gunstar Future Heroes is, it is way too short and way too easy. The boss fights are often over in a minute or less, entire levels can be finished in under ten minutes and, with only seven levels in the game, that doesn't make for much of a shelf life. Thankfully, playing through on the harder difficulties does unlock new story points, but in an action game, it's rather secondary. It does give you some reason to finish it six (continued next page)