From: primus@netcom.com (Robert keng)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Neo Geo: Crossed Sword review
Date: 15 Apr 92 11:38:52 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)


Game: Crossed Sword 
Type: First Person hack 'n slash
System: Neo Geo
Players: One or two
Length; Seven Chapters, broken into many sections
Company: Alpha, music by Sphero Symphony


				Crossed Sword, by Alpha, is a first person
hack and slash game set in a medival environment. The story goes that a demon 
named Nausizz has awakened and is threatening the once peaceful kingdom of
Belcana. Two Knights, Edmond(gold armor) and Richard(silver armor) has sworned
to help the King defend the kingdom, as well as going on a suicide mission to
save the princess. This game is a pure hack 'n slash blend in with a little
bit of story so that everything makes sense. It is not an RPG, by current   
standards.

				The control is very simple, yet hard to master.
Joystick is used to control shield movement (vertically to block blows going to
different parts of the body) and the control of the character (horizontally to
engage enemy or dodge blows). Button a is used to attack, and b is used to cast
magic. pressing down with the joystick and pressing a at the same time will
cause player to thrust instead of slash. Pressing a & b with the right joystick
movement will cause the character to cast different 'sacrefice magic' where the character's energy is used to cast the spell. Remember that when the energy runs
out, the character dies, and there are only two lives for each player (1 and 2),
no continues, unless the memory card is used.

				The graphics are top notch by any standard. The
background varies from place to place, and some places even includes multi levelscrolling for terrific 3d effects. There are many different kinds and types of
enemies and creatures, and they are all very large, clear, and very detailed,
which means they are pleasing to the eye since you don't have to get close to
the TV to tell what the enemy is. Colors are well balanced so that it reflects
the medival setting that the story is in. The enemies are composed of mythical
creatures as well as knights and other creatures that belongs in the story of 
this type. Every character, enemy is very well animated, almost lifelike.

				The music in this game is phenominal. Take the
music for the introduction (very well done) for example. It reminded me of
Conan the Barbarian (hook the system onto a stereo system and it really shines)
and fans into that type of fantasy will definite take a liking to it. The sound
effects are equally impressive, with deafening explosions, lightening, clanging
sounds of swords clashing, screams of death, ect that really sounds lifelike
when connected to a stereo system.

				Now for the gameplay. It somewhat falls short  
here. It is kind of repetitive in a way, since you do the same movements over
and over again to attack and defend. However, there is no set enemy attack
patterns that I have detected so you won't know what to expect when you go
up against the same type of monster that you've defeated a while back in the
game. Like I said, the controls are simple, but very hard to master. It is
not just plain block and attack. You have to know when, how, where to attack
and defend, which found to be very hard, especially against enemies that are
composed of knights and demon-knights (attacks with lightening ferocity).
Weapons are either given or bought with gold collected after each battle.
Health can be restored by collecting the items found after each battle, or
by buying and consuming meat from the merchants. This game, like most Neo Geo
games, are packed with action, so that you'll never find your hands off the
joystick.

				Overall, this is a very good game and most
hack 'n slash people will find Crossed Swords very enjoyable. It is addictive,
although a bit hard. with a memory card, you can save your progress and next
time you play you can have 2 lives and all your health and magic (for the sword)restored. It is not, however, a RPG by today's standards. Worth renting for a
few days or even to own, which is what I plan on doing.... :)




primus
primus@netcom.com