Post by teddykongcountry on Aug 29, 2016 15:49:46 GMT
Fantasy Zone! An early pioneer for the cute 'em up genre, but would you really call it cute?
Perhaps that remark is more catered toward the naming of the genre as Wiki would have it that "Cute 'em ups tend to have unusual, oftentimes completely bizarre opponents for the player to fight." In that regard, Fantasy Zone does not disappoint! There's a lot of colorful, happy vibes going on which is really misleading because Fantasy Zone wears a pair of mean, overseeing pants.
Fortunately, M2 is to the rescue with several accommodations to make the experience far more accessible for newcomers while keeping them entirely optional for purists. Actually, they did make one change from what I've noticed where the primary weapon upgrades have a time limit. If you collect enough cumulative coins, you can extend the time so it's not all bad, plus it makes you work for the gratification of a delightful cruise through the game. In general though, the shop upgrade system works particularly well at making players strategize best means to advance through the level which keeps the experience varied enough to remain interesting.
Actually, there is a lot that makes this game interesting from the visuals to the sound both of which are top notch on the 3DS. I think it safe to say the color-mesh is something of an eye candy and the 3D really makes it stand out (note the 4 layers of depth from 3:48 - 3:52 [base, ship, mid-ground, background). As per sounds, shots and base destructions sound gratifying while several of the tracks had a Wonder Boy feel to them (compare: Fantasy Zone v. Wondrous Boiee). No? Well you can't dispute the similarity between end-credits theme music: FZ v. SH).
In general, Fantasy Zone brings back waves of nostalgia to SEGA's 16-bit/arcade genre and as they've become noted for, SEGA and M2 bring out the best in it with their pixel and audio perfect rendering. On the 3DS, Fantasy Zone can be as challenging as you'd like it to be but will always be vibrant and distinct. Let's face it: Fantasy Zone is fantastic!
Perhaps that remark is more catered toward the naming of the genre as Wiki would have it that "Cute 'em ups tend to have unusual, oftentimes completely bizarre opponents for the player to fight." In that regard, Fantasy Zone does not disappoint! There's a lot of colorful, happy vibes going on which is really misleading because Fantasy Zone wears a pair of mean, overseeing pants.
Fortunately, M2 is to the rescue with several accommodations to make the experience far more accessible for newcomers while keeping them entirely optional for purists. Actually, they did make one change from what I've noticed where the primary weapon upgrades have a time limit. If you collect enough cumulative coins, you can extend the time so it's not all bad, plus it makes you work for the gratification of a delightful cruise through the game. In general though, the shop upgrade system works particularly well at making players strategize best means to advance through the level which keeps the experience varied enough to remain interesting.
Actually, there is a lot that makes this game interesting from the visuals to the sound both of which are top notch on the 3DS. I think it safe to say the color-mesh is something of an eye candy and the 3D really makes it stand out (note the 4 layers of depth from 3:48 - 3:52 [base, ship, mid-ground, background). As per sounds, shots and base destructions sound gratifying while several of the tracks had a Wonder Boy feel to them (compare: Fantasy Zone v. Wondrous Boiee). No? Well you can't dispute the similarity between end-credits theme music: FZ v. SH).
In general, Fantasy Zone brings back waves of nostalgia to SEGA's 16-bit/arcade genre and as they've become noted for, SEGA and M2 bring out the best in it with their pixel and audio perfect rendering. On the 3DS, Fantasy Zone can be as challenging as you'd like it to be but will always be vibrant and distinct. Let's face it: Fantasy Zone is fantastic!
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(Help Wanted; cuties preferred)
