From: tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com (tim clinkenpeel)
Subject: [SNES:Clinkenreview> _Axelay_
Reply-To: tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp.
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 21:44:40 GMT

i'm experimenting with a new format.  i would appreciate some feedback as to
whether you like the 'new look' better, worse, neutral or can't tell the
difference.
 _ 
(_ l i n k e n r e v i e w
------------------------------------------------- reviews follow this format:
gameplay is summarized in a short paragraph.  next, highlights and faults are
compiled in the various pertinent areas.  in conclusion, an overall rating is
given on a scale of 1 to 10--see the rating guide at the bottom of the review
for further details.  i do not rate individual areas and average them, as the
good does not always count against the bad and vice versa.  -----------------
old reviews  are  kept  on  file  and  may  be  requested by sending mail  to
tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com  with  the text 'review request: <string>' in the
subject.   all  reviews  with  titles  matching  <string> (wildcard)  will be
returned, or use "all" to receive all reviews.   my reviews are  my  opinion,
written  with  no  intention  to  neither  appease  nor  offend any person or
corporation.  ---------------------------------------------------------------

the theme behind AXELAY is _exactly_ the same as that of super contra 3:
wayward extra-terrestrials have happened upon earth and unleashed their
weapons o' mass destruction upon her.  why do these heinous confrontations
always befall humankind?  perhaps earth lies at some pivotal point in the
galaxy, or perhaps konami had layoffs in the idea department.

   game type:  shooter
# of players:  1
       lives:  3; death upon full collision, weapon loss on grazes
   continues:  3

the object of the game is destroy everything in sight and avoid enemy fire.
industructible obstacles also hamper your journery.

the playfied appears either from an above-and-behind perspective or as a
side-scroller.

OVERVIEW:  highlights (+), shortcomings (-) and mediocrities (o) 

-  although game control is adequate, the control configuration screen
   earned a minus as i felt it served no real purpose other than to appear
   sophisticated.  you can select which button you want to use for general
   purpose shooting and which you want to use for missiles/bombs; HOWEVER,
   since both are unlimited in supply, i couldn't see why you wouldn't want
   to map both functions out to the same button (and i did).

+  the artwork in the game is top-notch, yet...  
-  ...the background (in some levels) tries to appear as a planet surface
   rotating beneath you but ends up looking more like texture-mapped taffy
   being pulled towards the screen.  a good concept poorly executed.

o  sound?  the music and effects didn't leave much of an impression on me
   either way.

-  gameplay was nothing groundbreaking or for that matter nothing very
   exciting.  bosses, although excellently rendered, were disappointing.  one
   boss was an obvious copy-cat of ED-309 of robocop fame.  all the bosses i
   battled were easily defeated by simple patterns, some even had 'hiding
   spots': areas on the screen were you were completely safe to loiter; you
   could abandon the game, assemble a sandwich, and resume unscathed.  poor,
   poor, poor.

-  another complaint i have is the 'weapons installation' screen before each
   level:  the choices are severely limited to the point where it's obvious
   which weapons were intended for each stage (although not necessarily
   preferred).  in fact on level one you have absolutely no choice as only one
   option exists, yet you have to sit through the stage and watch the icons
   move from the 'available' column to the 'on your ship' column.  cheezier
   still is the goofy sample "weapons installation complete.  prepare for
   battle... good luck!" -- again, serving no purpose other than to wow 
   simpletons.

-  my final gripe is that stages are long and tedious.  this factor didn't 
   help the replay value or my desire to press on for virgin territory,
   knowing that i'd have to sit through a extended period that amounted to
   little more than a uninteresting review of the game.  i'll admit the game
   was challenging... AT FIRST.  once you get used to the distracting
   backgrounds and enemy strategy, it becomes quite easy.

OVERALL RATING: 5.5 -- a mediocre rating for a mediocre game.  without the
groovy graphics i would have given the game a point or two below that score.
my opinion is that it's a last-resort rental for an otherwise uneventful
evening, possibly a little greater value if you're a big shooter fan.

+--rating-scale----------------+
| <2  complete trash           |
| <4  not worth the bother     |
| <6  possible cure for ennui  |
| 6-8 merits rental            |
| >8  worthy of purchase       |
+------------------------------+--upcoming--reviews---------------------------+
soulblazer
street fighter 2
super double dragon
super smash tv
zelda ]I[
+---------------------------------reviews--on--file---------------------------+
addamsfamily.rev	bartsnightmare.rev	rampart.rev
adventureisland.rev	contra3.rev		smartball.rev
axelay.rev		krustysfunhouse.rev	ultraman.rev
-- 
	       there is no religion when a man has  good curry
				       -
      tim clinkenpeel: aberrant analytical skeptical agnostic idealist.
		     -- i exclusively represent myself --
Newsgroups: rec.games.video