Mr. Bones

"A good, quirky game"

Mr. Bones for the Saturn is an under-rated game. Even though the graphics aren't the best (though they are far from bad) the sheer amount of imaginative levels make up for it.

Graphics: 7. This game isn't the prettiest game. Though, if graphics meant everything to you, you wouldn't today be playing a Saturn game. Everything looks like it should. I didn't notice any pop ups, or major slowdowns that effected the game.

Sound: 9. Bones has to be one of the most amusing video game characters ever. He is very humorous, and the game never takes itself too seriously. The music is mostly blues music, but it works very well. It really sets up the atmosphere for the game.

Gameplay: 10. This is where the game truly shines. It seems like each level (except for the bat trilogy levels) really plays differently. In the opening level, you are running away from a hoard of skeletons. Later, you play a guitar for an angry skeleton mob, negotiate through a vortex, some side scrolling levels, etc. When Bones is injured, he will actually start losing body parts. This means that it is very conceivable that you could have one arm, one leg, or even just a head at points in this game (and you do).

Story: 8. Skeleton of an old blues player raised from the dead, and is to fight the ''person'' who raised him. On the way, he meets some little people, a dinosaur, etc. Is it the greatest story in the world, no. But, it is slightly different (with the blues theme) than almost anything out there, and that has to be commended.

Overall: 9. This is a very fun romp, if you can get over that the graphics aren't at PS2, Xbox quality. The sound is solid, the gameplay is like nothing you have ever played, and the story is pretty good. I just got through the entire game for the first time today, and I am saddened that the game did not do better, so that a sequel could happen. It's sad that gamers always want to try something new, yet when something new is available (like Bones) no one buys it (and I'm just as guilty as anyone).

One final note: This game isn't extremely difficult as a whole (took me about a week to get through it, or 10-15 hours), but it is frustrating. Many levels you can get right through, but then you can get stuck on some levels for a few hours. There is a cheat however, to open up all the levels, so if you get too stuck, you can always skip.

Have fun

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/07/02, Updated 07/07/02