Videogame Critic reviews Astro Blaster and gets a "B"

[8th lutz]

http://videogamecritic.com/7800ae.htm#rev4412

 

I wanted to share this review I saw.

 

I am aware that the video game critic also did a review K.C. Munchkin today, He gave that game a "D". http://videogamecritic.com/7800fl.htm#rev4411

Edited January 22, 2015 by 8th lutz

[jetset]

http://videogamecritic.com/7800ae.htm#rev4412

 

I wanted to share this review I saw.

 

I am aware that the video game critic also did a review K.C. Munchkin today, but I rather not share that review although it is only his opinion.

 

Saw both. Pretty good review of Astro Blaster. As to KC, remember reviewers @ VGC tend to (seemingly) play a game once maybe twice before giving a grade with no time to adapt to the controls. Some games take a bit of time to master the controls. They never account for that.

[Jinks]

A maze game you need you learn controls no kidding??

I have both and like em. Need more free time to play more.

Other button for warp?? How often can you do that??

[PacManPlus]

Other button for warp?? How often can you do that??

 

Once per ship or per sector.

 

 

Just as a side note, VGC is out of his mind. The controls are *EXACTLY* like the O2. I played that game for many years at a friends house. You can't just turn (or reverse direction) at any time. It had to be at specific points, and I purposely put that in there to match the O2. I have no problem playing the game and getting a high score, and I suspect that anyone who had an O2 back in the day won't have a problem either.

 

(...and BTW, if he doesn't like the graphics he can always hold down 'pause' while turning it on until it gets to the title screen to have the original O2 graphics)

[DracIsBack]

 

Once per ship or per sector.

 

 

Just as a side note, VGC is out of his mind. The controls are *EXACTLY* like the O2. I played that game for many years at a friends house. You can't just turn (or reverse direction) at any time. It had to be at specific points, and I purposely put that in there to match the O2. I have no problem playing the game and getting a high score, and I suspect that anyone who had an O2 back in the day won't have a problem either.

 

(...and BTW, if he doesn't like the graphics he can always hold down 'pause' while turning it on until it gets to the title screen to have the original O2 graphics)

 

I rated it higher than he did. Glad he finally added a place where users can contribute their own grade ratings on games. You can tell he isn't a 7800 fan and is pretty wildly divergent with how the community sees some of the games.

[Trebor]

Just as a side note, VGC is out of his mind. The controls are *EXACTLY* like the O2. I played that game for many years at a friends house. You can't just turn (or reverse direction) at any time. It had to be at specific points, and I purposely put that in there to match the O2. I have no problem playing the game and getting a high score, and I suspect that anyone who had an O2 back in the day won't have a problem either.

 

If he's not out of his mind, he sure has a selective memory. FWIW, I never had an O2 back in the day, and scored just fine. 502, just after an initial game or two, right after unwrapping the cart I received in the mail.

 

He needs to fire up an O2 and compare (again). Indeed, the controls are exactly like the O2. Those without an O2 and having a lapse of memory (I.E. 'Video Game Critic'), fire up MESS and grab the KC ROM. The game plays and controls identical.

[Albert]

Maybe someone should point this out to him, as it's pretty unfair that he's giving the game such a poor score if the controls mimic the Odyssey 2 version of the game.

 

..Al

[+LS650]

You know, he does have a forum where he actually asks for feedback on his reviews...

 

I posted a comment there about his KC review yesterday.

[PacManPlus]

Thank you for that info, I just posted a message on that board.

 

Mind you, I don't have a problem if he doesn't like it... I can't please everyone. But if he's going to slam it for something that was done the same as the original, that's where I have a problem.

 

Thanks, guys

Bob

[Greg2600]

B for a homebrew is actually like an A+ with the VGC, so don't feel bad! Ha ha. He did put in a clever voting mechanism so you can "prove" he's off base.

[Gabriel]

Three things were complained about: the redone character sprites, the control, and the high score entry.

 

I am a little put off by the graphics too, and for exactly the same reason VGC cites: K.C.'s teeth. To me it damages the character's cuteness and likeability. Still the "mutants" look much nicer, and everything else is the same. I suppose it's not up to 7800 graphic standards, but that isn't really the point of this cart. As for the option to play with the original graphics, it's not listed in the instructions or obvious how to enable the option, so how was he to know? I've been trying to remember how to enable the classic graphics since I got the game. So, I understand VGC's comment on the visuals, but I don't think it's as bad as he seems to imply.

 

The next element is the control. The control is fine. Yes, it's just like the O2 original. When first starting it takes a little adaptation to K.C.'s trait of moving from tile to tile instead of pixel by pixel, and I think the new visual style contributes to the feel that it should be pixel by pixel. Just having the option of a 2600 stick over O2's floppy spring loaded sticks is great. There is absolutely no true issue here outside of just learning how to play the game, and VGC's characterizing the control as "the main problem with the game", and therefore the source of the majority of it's negative review, is completely baseless.

 

Finally, we have the complaint about the score entry: "but even that is awkward and confusing". Seriously, WTF? It's the same as the method used for initial entry on more games than I can easily count: up and down for character selection, and push right to change what position you are entering. The only thing I can think of which could make it better is pressing the button to end entry instead of going all the way to the right. Other than that, I don't see how the name entry could have been made better short of a keyboard. Even still, it's identical to many name entry features in games which do not have and "End" option. This one boggles my mind, because it sounds like something a person who had never played video games might say.

 

What COULD he have legitimately complained about? Well, K.C. Munchkin, being a faithful port of an O2 game with minimal graphic touch ups isn't really up to the standards of a 7800 game. It's very minimalistic. Of course, that's the point of the port, but VGC could definitely say the game just doesn't measure up to 7800 titles in terms of visuals, depth, or game options. Honestly, if you compare it to Pac-Man Collection the comparison doesn't come out in K.C.'s favor.

 

What COULD he have pointed out? Well, I don't think he was aware of the classic graphics option, and it isn't documented with the game, so I can't fault him for that. However, he could have pointed out the maze options as well as the ability to build your own maze. Maybe he relied on readers going to his O2 K.C. review for that point.

 

Now, no one take my criticisms as a damning statement about the game. As soon as I saw this thread I went and rated K.C. as an A+, and not just as a reactionary temper tantrum about a review I disagree with. K.C. deserves an A+. I've played a metric crapton of it ever since I received it. Yes, K.C.'s teeth bother me, and now that I know the graphic change trick, I'll probably use it quite a bit, but it doesn't seriously detract from my enjoyment while I'm playing. It's so much fun to pop K.C. into the 7800 and just play a few quick games. I didn't know I was going to love this port so much, but I've played it even more than my Astro Blaster cart.

 

For reference, I think what is said about Astro Blaster is pretty fair. I rated it an A, though, so I'm still of a bit higher an opinion than VGC. Astro Blaster is a fantastic port, but I just can't rate it an A+. To me an A+ is a game I'd always want to play no matter what. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood for churning through the levels in Astro Blaster (or getting frustrated running out of fuel at the end of Sector 3). I understand why VGC rated it a B, and agree with it, but Astro Blaster just inherently means more to me than it does to him.

[Atariboy]

Was tempted to post and correct his 2nd to last line in his Astro Blaster review. The arcade original is emulated on Sega Genesis Collection for the PSP, meaning that the excellent 7800 homebrew from Pac-Man Plus isn't the only home system with a version of this arcade classic.

 

But I decided that it wasn't worth it.

Edited January 22, 2015 by Atariboy

[gilsaluki]

I agree with the VGC, KC M. is a "D", not too fun, hard to figure out and, for the most part, pointless. Sorry, being honest.

[Trebor]

Utilizing his friends as a reference provided a distorted view, not only impacting the understanding on how KC controls, but this portion too regarding the Astro Blaster review:

 

"Brent described Astro Blaster's gameplay as "stop playing for a second... stop playing for a second..."

 

There is never a moment where the gamer should "stop playing for a second". What better describes the gameplay is "stop firing for a second" or better yet, "pace your firing... pace your firing..." instead.

 

Whether firing or not, you still have to dodge enemies and their attacks. The game is not intended to be a continuous non-stop shooter. The above quote follows with: "The overheating does disrupt the flow". LOL...That's like stating "Having to jump, fire, or/and stop during [insert side scrolling platform game here] disrupts the flow". It's an essential element of the game.

 

To his credit, he does recognize it as an important strategic factor. Nonetheless, the 7800 port in this matter again reflects exactly how the game plays in the Arcade, thanks to Bob and his attention to detail and gameplay accuracy.

[Bill Loguidice]

I agree with the VGC, KC M. is a "D", not too fun, hard to figure out and, for the most part, pointless. Sorry, being honest.

 

Since this is relevant to my interests, have you played the original version on the Odyssey2? That one is a "gold standard" game in my opinion and I'd be curious if you're comparing the 7800 version as a stand alone game or in comparison to the original. In other words, do you think it fails as a game, period, or just in comparison to the original?

[Trebor]

I agree with the VGC, KC M. is a "D", not too fun, hard to figure out and, for the most part, pointless. Sorry, being honest.

 

No need to be sorry if you don't like the game, period. It's not for everyone. Bob has already stated that too.

 

The problem regarding the review is not respecting liking the game itself. Rather, the main point of contention is this, from the review:

 

"The main problem with the game is the controls, which is surprising considering the original had outstanding controls. It's hard to describe, but K.C. tends to move in fits and starts. This is really problematic when the action gets fast and there's no time to hesitate."

 

His "main problem with the game" is completely off the mark. The game controls exactly like the O2 original. If he sees it as "really problematic", then he and his friends (who are all "big fans" of the O2 game), also must think the same of the original. That's not the case though.

[Bill Loguidice]

 

No need to be sorry if you don't like the game, period. It's not for everyone. Bob has already stated that too.

 

The problem regarding the review is not respecting liking the game itself. Rather, the main point of contention is this, from the review:

 

"The main problem with the game is the controls, which is surprising considering the original had outstanding controls. It's hard to describe, but K.C. tends to move in fits and starts. This is really problematic when the action gets fast and there's no time to hesitate."

 

His "main problem with the game" is completely off the mark. The game controls exactly like the O2 original. If he sees it as "really problematic", then he and his friends (who are all "big fans" of the O2 game), also must think the same of the original. That's not the case though.

 

Not having played the 7800 version (didn't feel a need if it didn't give me something beyond the original), I can't really comment, but there is certainly a difference between stock Odyssey2 controllers and what's available on the 7800, which I could see being a potential differentiator. It would have been nice to know what controller he used on the 7800.

[Mr SQL]

KC Munchkin is an incredible game on the O2 that took pacman to a new level - the 7800 port is awesome and the developers did a fantastic job with it!

 

I think the VGC got confused by the fantastic ARM chip games Spice has been developing for the 2600:

 

I sent the VGC a copy of KC Munchkin Monster Maze for the VCS and he loved the game play, but he explained that Space Rocks had set the bar for what is possible on the 2600 and he wasn't going to review games (or give them bad reviews) going forward unless they could match that level of polish; even awesome 7800 games cannot match what is possible with the ARM chip on the VCS so there is an impedance mismatch using it as a yardstick.

 

In contrast, Metal Jesus and the Immortal John Hancock gave KC Munchkin on the VCS a fantastic review, but in the context of 6K SuperCharger games, which is where it belonged

 

[NIKON]

All i can say here is that everyone is entitled to their opinion...true retro gamers know the score and whats up...I have come to know that anything PacManPlus puts out there is of the highest quality and if a port as close to the original as he can get within the capabilities of the 7800.

 

What I find funny is his reviews were titles that are by the same author...lol.

 

on a personal note... I have read VGC'c reviews and not agreed with everything he has said but like I said earlier..he is entitled to his opinion...it is up to the reader to weigh it out in their own minds.

 

You Rock On PacManPlus...I love your work.

[Jinks]

Thanks for the tips on Astro Blaster PMP.

I never played Kc before but the controls are solid. You know your 7800 pretty darn good. Keep cruisin!!(as pauly shore would say)

[+SpiceWare]

Not sure when it was added, but readers can now rate the games. K.C. Munchkin is currently ranked as the 3rd most underrated 7800 game by VGC.

 

[+LS650]

The O2 original is one if the best, if not the best, Pacman-style game, imho.

Is the 7800 version really that different? I am reading two completely different stories here...

[Trebor]

The O2 original is one if the best, if not the best, Pacman-style game, imho.

Is the 7800 version really that different? I am reading two completely different stories here...

 

Answer:

"The controls are *EXACTLY* like the O2...You can't just turn (or reverse direction) at any time. It had to be at specific points, and I purposely put that in there to match the O2...hold down 'pause' while turning it on until it gets to the title screen to have the original O2 graphics"

 

Flaky memories and/or a finicky 7800 controller aside, Bob has played and compared both the O2 and his 7800 port.

He's pretty much a perfectionist for nailing down minor details, to say the least about the above major ones.

 

Additionally, from the Odyssey2 Homepage regarding the 7800 port compared to the original O2:

 

"The game faithfully recreates the Odyssey² original, right down to the purple color scheme and blocky O2 score font. K.C. and the Munchers have been given a bit of graphical polish, but otherwise the game is strikingly accurate. You can even enter your name after attaining the high score. Like the O2 version, there are four built-in mazes – including the original's "invisible maze" option. You can also choose to have a random maze selected at the start of each level. The game even supports the "programming mode" of the original, which lets you create your own mazes"