Snes - Super Godzilla Review

Based on the ever famous Japenese monster. This game actually features the Japanese Godzilla, not the American one. The game is an intriguing mixture of action strategy and cut-scenes so it's not exactly a pure action game.

Gameplay: 7/10

The whole game revolves around controlling Godzilla via some sort of brain-control device and seeking out the bad monster on the map and destroying it with Godzilla. The screen itself is divided into a number of sections. The top half is an image of Godzilla performing the various activities such as walking and recharing energy while the bottom half is the information screen and the map. All you do for the first half of the game is tell Godzilla which direction to face and pick up power-ups and energy. At times you'll have to fight a UFO or two but these battles are fairly easy. After wandering around the map and looking the your 'enemy range' indicator, you'll stumble upon your main enemy for the level and proceed to fight it.

The battles themselves involve the two opponents being displayed on the screen. Godzilla on the left and the enemy on the right. All you have to do is move towards the enemy and as you do this your power will increase. Then you punch it. Once your punch connects, you'll have to pull Godzilla back. As you do that, the picture below the battle screen will open, shuffling through the various attacks Godzilla can now perform. The more power you have, the better the attack will be and the more damage you do. When you execute an attack, you'll watch a cut-scene of Godzilla performing the attack. You can also use items during boss battles which will help Godzilla by for example giving him more energy.

Unfortunately, there are a number of problems with gameplay. Walking around in the map area is rather boring and you can't actually see what's over the map border when you move into another sector so you might accidentally walk into a hill or building. It's also rather annoying trying to find the enemy in the map area even when using the range indicator since the enemy moves as well and you may not have a direct route to it. Furthermore, Godzilla performs actions a little too slowly forcing you to watch as he gets an energy refill for the third time in a row.

As for the battles although there is a pattern to enemy movement, there really isn't anything you can do to avoid attacks except keep moving towards the enemy and try punching it. If you delay too long, the enemy will unleash a long range attack automactically damaging you or just charge towards you. There should have been a way to

Despite the flaws, I grew to like Godzilla. There's just something about the gameplay that I find charming. I think its because the slow crawl on the map only accents the fast pace monster battle action later on.

Graphics: 4/5

The graphics look dated by comparison and the animation wooden in many respects. This is however intentional to truly make the game as true to a Godzilla movie as possible. After watching the moves I have to say I'm even more motivated to watch the Godzilla movie. Some people may not like it but the only complaint I have is that there are too few monsters and UFO's. They should have put in more variety.

Sound and music: 4/5

The sound and music like the graphics are a little weird sounding and old to evoke the atmosphere and size of Godzilla. I can only say its very effective in doing so suiting the game very well.

Game Design: 2.5/5

Aside from the problems already mentioned in the Gameplay section there are a number of level design problems. The first is the lack of levels. There are only a handful of levels making the game relatively short but frustrating because of the problems with the battles as mentioned in the Gameplay. The random battles also serve to unneccessarily drag the game out. Finally, there is a really big problem with game play the last boss is difficult to beat unless you are Super Godzilla. However, if you have already transformed Godzilla into Super Godzilla in the second last battle you'll probably not make it. This is an extremely annoying problem since you pretty much have to restart from the beginning.

Longevity: 1/5

Well the game itself isn't that long and there really isn't any real incentive to play the game except possibly to watch the monster battles again.

For: Unique gameplay, the way it manages to evoke the atmosphere of Godzilla, getting to control Godzilla and Super Godzilla

Against: Gameplay unique but repetitive, may not appeal to everyone because of graphics and sound, bad battle system