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Sega Genesis - Aleste FullMetal Fighter Ellinor Review |
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Aleste FullMetal Ellinor was one of the games I saw a long long time ago in the shops and I was very impressed by its graphics. This game, created in the beginning of the Sega Genesis console rivals later games released a few years later. I don't think this game is related in any way to Aleste Space Megaforce for the SNES except in name. In Aleste SNES, you control a plane while in this you're actually controlling a flying mech (robot). Gameplay: 9/10 For its time, Aleste's gameplay was top notch. Rather than just having a single type of power-up which increase your weapons power etc. you have several different ways of making your mech more power. First your secondary weapon upgrades. There are three kinds. Lightning, Shield and Missile. Collecting them will give you a secondary weapon which your mech will carry and which you can use by pressing the appropriate button. Second, your normal weapon upgrades. This upgrade which increases the amount of energy shots you fire normally. The power-up on the screen for this upgrade looks exactly the same as the power-up for the next upgrade. Speaking of the next upgrade, the third upgrade is the helper plane upgrades. This upgrade increases the amount of helpers you have and this is what really sets Aleste apart from the other games. In Aleste, you can have up to two helper planes deployed on the battle field to help you and most importantly you can choose the sort of behaviour you want them to have. For example, you can have them in 'forward' mode which tells them to fire forward along with your normal weapon. Or you can set it to 3-way telling them to fire diagonally. Each behaviour mode has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, in 'freedom' mode, the planes will fly towards a target and attack it. Which is good because this allows you to eliminate enemies that are a little hard to attack. But the plane will usually get destroyed in the process. Furthermore, unlike shooters like Raiden you have an armour level and so you won't get destroyed straight away and can survive several hits. Good for rookies. Perhaps the only complaint I have is that cycling through the helper behaviour modes is one way and its a little annoying when in the heat of battle to try and cycle to the mode you want especially when you have to cycle through 'freedom' mode and risk your planes getting blown up. Graphics: 5/5 For such an old game, graphics are top-notch and the design interesting. There is a surprising amount of detail in every unit and the backgrounds as well. Sound and music: 5/5 The music is a little grainy but despite it's age its extremely well written and suits the game well. Full marks for it. Game game design: 4/5 The actual levels themselves are fairly unique. The first level starts off fairly average. Clear ground and water but in the second level there are walls on the side as well as moving blocks which you have to avoid. In the third level there are also rock outcroppings which you have to dodge. It can be a little frustrating however when you're trying to dodge the various blocks if you're not use to games like this. Longevity: 3/5 The game itself with its varied levels should keep you occupied for a while. Of course once you finish there really isn't much to do but getting there is the real fun part as with most shooters. For: Extremely good fun game for its time. Against: Music a little grainy. Plane behaviour mode not to well implemented. Obstecles a little difficult to avoid at times. |
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Rom Review Options |
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Genre: Action Produced by: Toaplan Year: 1990 Platform: Genesis/Megadrive Runs on: Gens Scoring Summary Gameplay: 9/10 Graphics: 5/5 Sound and Music: 5/5 Game design: 4/5 Longevity: 3/5 Total: 26/30 Rating: 87% -Reviewed by Barnabas |