I downloaded the new Blaster Master, and so far I'm really not liking it all that much. There are some nice improvements over the original game, such as actually having a Metroid-style map and save points, but there are also some just boneheaded mistakes. For instance, when I first started the game it resized itself about 3 times and still didn't get it right. I had to change the aspect ratio of my TV from 16:9 to 4:3 and back again for the aspect ratio to sink in right. There doesn't seem to be any support for the Nunchuck or Classic Controller, and the default controls have issues (such as holding the B trigger to strafe). They actually managed to come up with a story even dumber than the original game (OMG! A strain of virus has mutated all the animals in the world and brought about the end of the world! And you're piloting a rebuilt SOPHIA tank in memory of your dead family! Yar!). The level design feels more segmented now, and the enemies are very generic. The game is also kind of hard, as I've played up to the first boss and have died twice already (once against the boss, once in the tank) because you start off with tiny health bars you need to find upgrades for. Oh, and you have only one life, so if you die against a boss be prepared to trudge all the way back to it from your last save point. And getting hit
still decreases your weapon gauge, though you have 3 different weapon types now (blaster, curvy blue fireball, and targeted missile).
The sense of discovery is quite nice, though, and the music is a
lot better than that horrible remix during the teaser trailer indicated. I don't know, maybe this game gets a lot better but so far it's falling into the same "It's Blaster Master, but EXTREEEEEEEEEME!" hole that every other attempt to revive Blaster Master seems to fall into.
EDIT: Well, Jonny will be happy. The very first upgrade you get is a grappling hook.
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