Bionic Commando: Rearmed - 9/10
Bionic Commando: Rearmed is a Capcom/GRIN remake of Capcom’s 1988 NES game titled Bionic Commando or known as Top Secret: Hitler’s Revival in Japan. You take the roll of Nathan “Rad” Spencer, an FSA soldier ordered to rescue Super Joe from the Imperial Army’s captivity.
Bionic Commando: Rearmed (BCR) takes all that was good about the original Bionic Commando (BC) game on NES, adds some extra features and updates so it fits in with the next-gen scene and does this well. Overall, BCR is just a remake of the original but with enough extra features and content to keep anyone happy. How true does it stay to the original title? Very true in fact. I headed on over to my NES and popped it in. The basic idea of the first level is the same as the first level in BCR and that’s the same with the menu screens and level map. Capcom took the NES game and gave it a makeover.
You start the game off with probably the first thing coming to mind being, “how do I jump?” well, you can’t “jump”. Yes, a platformer with no jumping. The idea of the game is to use Nathan’s bionic arm which he was upgraded with. You can swing this futuristic creation up, to each side and to each side diagonally. The whole control scheme for this is a bit weird and sometimes unresponsive at times. There’s quite a steep learning curve when it comes to this arm of Nathan’s and in order to advance past the first section of the first level you need to be decent at it. Now there is never a need in the game to master this arm of Nathan’s but unless you’re fairly good at it, expect to see “Mission Failed” a few times.
This actually works really well most times, adding some real enjoyment to the game and also requiring you to think more than you would if there was a jump but at times, you just really feel as if a jump button is needed as constantly swinging here to there can be tedious at times but overall the lack of a jump button doesn’t take away from the game’s generally fun times.
Not only are you armed with a bionic arm, you have a fairly vast array of weapons at your disposal ranging from your revolver, shotgun, grenades, rocket launcher and more. Each of these guns is easily swapped using the R1 and L1 buttons so unlike the original, you can use any gun anytime. Each of these guns has their own specific uses, though you’re not restricted to use any at anytime, it’s recommended that you don’t use your shotgun on the Imperial droids. The guns add some nice variety to the game and just when you think it’s time for a new one, you get a new one. So the game stays fresh during your first play-through.
In terms of variety, this game has enough to keep you playing. Each level shares the same general idea as the others do but in its own unique way. The basic idea is simply get to a hacking screen, hack so data and get some unlock codes for a door, find the door and defeat the boss awaiting you. Sometimes on the map screen you will encounter an enemy truck and there is no way to avoid a conflict. Upon meeting the truck you are dropped down near it and see a nice top down view of the game which adds a nice change but sometimes, especially when it’s the unresponsive D-pad’s fault, they can be quite annoying but only take fifteen seconds or so if you know what you’re doing.
The game also has plenty of challenge areas which you can use to hone in on your bionic arm skills or use them to kill some time and beat some online time records. The leader boards are easily accessible and if you’re good enough, you will be able to see your name on there.
The game also has local co-op which can be a real treat if you’re playing with someone decent. But don’t think you will be able to fly through the levels as the AI adapts to whether there’s 1 or more players. The AI is the best seen in a side scrolling platformer.
The game has quite impressive graphics. There isn’t much that can be detailed as it’s just a simple downloadable platformer but it definitely looks great. There is no disappointment if you’re a graphical person.
The sounds in the game are good. A nice soundtrack is played in the background while you play that keeps you on edge and your palms sweating. It also uses the classic NES sounds and graphical displays as a tribute to the old title but this is only during level selection and some menus.
Closing Comments
All in all this is a great PSN title and you should be proud to have it installed on your hard drive. Though the bionic arm can be quite stressful at times, the penalty for stuffing up isn’t too severe and there’s plenty of practicing to do in the simulation rooms. With an array of items and weapons to collect and use there should be no problem when it comes to killing enemies. There’s plenty of time to be killed in this game and its fun to play. That’s all that should really matter. If you’re a newcomer to the BC series, you won’t miss out on much but if you played and enjoyed the original BC, you will love this new title. There’s really no reason you shouldn’t already have this.
Graphics – 7/10
Great graphics for a PSN title and a refreshing change from the original game.
Sound – 6/10
Not much to listen to but the soundtrack won’t get on your nerves any time soon but still, nothing special.
Gameplay – 8.5/10
Solid gameplay with no reason to not play. The bionic arm gives a nice, or though sometimes stressful change from the original and other side-scrollers. Though the initial campaign is quite short, it’s decent for a downloaded title.
Replay-ability – 8/10
With co-op, online leader boards, secret areas to find and a few difficulties to tackle, you should see yourself playing the game 2 or more times. There’s also a heap of stuff to read in the database
Final Score – 9/10
Please remember to click the “This Is Cool” button if you like my review
Submitted by rivalZone
25/09/2008
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