GRAPHICS SOUND CONTROL FRUSTRATION FUN FACTOR OVERALL

NES 1 Player Action Having a game with multiple styles of play to spice things up can be quite a refreshing change from the repetitious drivel many companies produce. Having said that, it will become clear to anyone who plays or has played The Mafat Conspiracies that it achieves exactly that by incorporating the fun of side-scrolling adventure with a dash of first-person exploration, a smidge of frantic driving, and a hint of sniper scope action. The result is a cross-breeding of genres, but more importantly, a unique game. For those who may not be aware, (and sadly many aren't, due to the title's limited popularity), the game is the sequel to a game known as Golgo 13, which is also the name of the main character in the story. The "ace sharpshooter" returns to action when he is called upon by the CIA to stop the Mafat Revolutionary Group. After an American satellite falls out of the sky, both the U.S. government and the Kremlin in Russia receive a mysterious letter, written by the group, threatening to destroy both sides' satellites if their demands for a submarine named the "Los Angeles", carrying nuclear warheads, is not met. As Golgo 13 becomes more and more entangled in the terrorist crisis he learns of a sinister plot by the Mafat Revolutionary Group: they intend to frame the Russians and make the Americans think that they are responsible. Graphics: The game fares well in this department. Gloomy enviroments and detailed backdrops make for a stylish experience. The cutscenes are also very well done, and give the game a very cinematic quality that gives every scenario the ambience of a film. One problem, I found, is that the maze levels are not as well done as they could be. It is often difficult to tell where one is moving, and sometimes whether they are moving at all. This, of course, is due to the NES' poor rendering capabilities when it comes to 3-D enviroments. Still, it is a good effort and shouldn't detract much visually from the rest of the game. Sound: Excellent tunes. Highly energetic music fuels highly energetic scenes, and a slow-paced feeling of mystery is present in gloomy enviroments where it is appropriate. The awesome soundtrack also seems to add some emotion to the cut-scenes in a very good way. The sound effects are adequate, although a punch sometimes sounds less like a punch and more like a crackle of static. Nevertheless, it gets the job done. Gameplay: Definitely the game's highest point. Vic Tokai has managed to blend multiple styles of play (shooting, adventure, driving, and first-person exploration) into one meaty package. The game never loses any seamlessness, and all the sequences are well timed. Unlimited continues are offered, which is nice, since this is definitely not a game you can beat without getting hit. A downside to the maze exploration levels is that sometimes it can become extremely frustrating when one gets, especially on levels where there is a bomb timer. Perhaps a map should've been included. Replay: I really would have liked to see something extra here, such as unlocked secrets, extra levels, or a two-player mode to add to the game's overall longevity. In terms of length, the game will take you a while, but it is perfect. Not too short, and not too long. Plus, with unlimited continues, one doesn't have to worry about starting over constantly. In the long run, however, it would not be surprising if one still wanted to play it again. I would. ......BOTTOM LINE: What Vic Tokai has produced here is a stylish game with engrossing cut scenes and all the elements to make it a memorable NES experience years after its release. It's spy/cyberpunkish feel turns it into something that could've perhaps also suited well as a piece of cinema or a book, and although the game's fairly strong depictions of bloody violence and sexual innuendo (for an NES game, anyway) may not be suited for the younger ones, there is definitely something here for adult NES fans to enjoy. -SilverIce