Super Chase HQ

"What a horribly underrated game"

Here is something that I just don't get. Why do people hate Super Chase HQ? Quite honestly, many people who review this game badly either have no strong argument on why they hate it, or it's just because these people don't even want and try to like this game, just because its not like the first one. This hidden title gets bashed so badly by hundreds of gamers that the others who haven't played it almost immediately dislike it. So how come I like this game more that most people out there. Well, just read on and find out.

GRAPHICS: 7
The visuals in this game are pretty well done. Ok, so they might not be pushing the console limits to the extreme, but they serve a good purpose. I actually enjoyed looking at them.

First off, the cars on the road look like they were created with care and they fit in the game quite well. They are full of color, they look different which adds variety, and they are mapped out on a mode seven background, which really make me feel like I'm in the game. The best part is, whenever you take a few hits, you car starts to look like something out of a James Bond film. It gets scratched up and beaten, which adds a small bit of realism to the game. The only problem that I have with the cars is that they show pixels when they are really close up to the screen.

The backgrounds are also something that can't be over looked. There colorful, and just add many different elements to the levels, thus creating a realistic and varied sense to the game. Best of all, there are sometimes in the city levels were you actually see 3-D objects, instead of just flat renditions of real life objects slapped in the game to try to give a 3-D perspective like you would find in many other mode 7 games. On the downside, there is no foreground to the game, and if there is, then it only last for a few seconds. For example, the screen shaking when you go off road, but I really don't count that as a permanent foreground, but that ok. If they added a great foreground, then the graphics would have been really great. Also, the top portion of the screen could have been more colorful rather than just a black space that shows your score, time, and many other features.

SOUND/MUSIC: 6
The audio is also something that just gets the job done. The quality of the sound is so-so, depending on the TV that you have, but most of the time, its recognizable.

The music is just all right. Its not the best thing I have ever heard, but they did try to get the right feel for most of the levels. However, there are some that just seem to calm and relaxed for a game about chasing criminals down the highways of major American cities.

The sound is actually better than the music. It mostly original, it gives the game extra excitement and it just fits to what the doctor ordered. The only sound I don't like in this game is the siren that goes off when you are chasing a criminal. They could have least added some music to this part, but nope. It's just the same annoying sound, over and over again. Ending on a good note, the best sound that I have found is in level four. I won't say anything about it because it's best to let you find out.

GAME PLAY: 7
Now, this is were the game gets bashed by most reviewers. The biggest problem that most people have is that its not like the first game were you are playing in an out of car style game. In this game, the camera is inside the car, giving you the allusion of a first person view. Now, the obvious problems that you get when you play a third party licensed mode seven game is stiff controls, and this game is no exception, but I actually prefer this to the very slippery controls of those 'out of driver' car chase games. So while this might make dogging cars harder to accomplish, I believe it just adds to the challenge, and beside, if I've beaten the game, then it proves that the controls aren't all that bad as many put out for others to believe.

So, the whole idea of the game is quite simple. You are an undercover cop on the busy highways of America and it's your job to hunt down and stop dangerous criminals who fight dirty when it comes to arresting them. In the first few levels, the bad guys are pushovers, but as soon as you get to level three, get ready, for it starts to really get tough. Now, what I like about this game is that you aren't just limited to the number of bosses or bad guys that you face. Along the way, you meet up with bomber motorcyclists, an enemy jeep who acts as a sub boss and a helicopter that might blow you're butt as soon as you see him. This is fantastic because it makes you feel more involved in the game, rather than just driving and avoiding cars.

Speaking of the levels, the game has only 5 of them, so its pretty short, but that still doesn't mean that they are cakewalk's. Enemies get stronger, the number of cars increases, and it just turns into one big danger cruse. Although, you do have to worry about the dreaded timer. To me, I wish that the developers were a little more flexible with the times because some of them are ridiculous, and since you only get two continues, you might have to reset the game over and over again just to get passes one stage. I don't mind this, but I believe that it just takes some of the fun away from the game. Although, Its like one of those chooses your own adventure stories; It's a challenge at first, but after a while, it gets pretty straightforward and it's quite easy to beat.

Still, I believe that this game deserves more credit. I know that they weren't looking for a top selling game here. They just wanted to try something new and interesting, and I believe that they succeeded, but that's just my opinion.

REPLAY VALUE: 4
OK, I will give it to the readers that the game sinks in the replay section. Sure, playing the game a few times is fun, but what about multiplayer or hidden secrets,which I don't think there are any, so there is not much point to play it after you beat the game, Possibly to just beat your high score, but I can do that in F-Zero and still have a better time playing that game.

GET IT OR PASS IT:
Personally, if you can find it, I would say get it just for the fact that it's not a common game in many retro gamer's library. If you still are in doubt, then just rent it from a friend who is tired of the game. Just give it a shot.

CONCLUSION:
This game is just the scrape goat of many gamers, which is just absolutely disappointing. I personally like this game, even more than a few incredibly over-rated games out in the retro gaming world. Hopefully you got something out of this review, and if you feel like tearing my head off from reading this, then I promise I will try to please you the next time. I know, how about I give a mediocre review for Halo 3? Now that would be great, wouldn't it?

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 05/21/08, Updated 01/20/09

Game Release: Super Chase HQ (US, December 1993)