Tin Star

"A quirky shooting game for all ages"

Whenever I play a shoot 'em up, it seems the most common type there are would be the Contra style (side scrolling shooter), and the first person shooter (Lethal Enforcers, for example). However, even blowing stuff up and shooting everything in sight can get a little bland, because you are essentially doing the same tasks over and over and OVER again. Sure...that's the game's premise, but a little variation would be nice...

Enter the ol' SNES game, Tin Star. At first glance, you may see the robot sprite on the back, guns in hand, and figure the game plays like a Contra or a Megaman...then again, there are different scenes, making it seem like a first person view. Well, you don't actually control Tin Star at all--simply the cursor. So the actual control isn't anything too complicated. This game, which seemed to be released in part to try to promote sales of the SNES mouse, is also compatible with the Super Scope as well as the regular controller. However, the basic controller still works fine.

Tin Star is a robot sheriff in a lawless Western town (of robots, of course), and your job is to take control of him and restore order--with some help from your sidekick Mo and trusty metal steed, Aluminum. Okay...robots in the Old West--makes little sense, but this does seem aimed at the younger set, and also means that there is no actual blood and gore to be found. Thus parents concerned about violent videogames need not fear about this cart.

The graphics are excellent, featuring well drawn and animated sprites, extremely colorful backgrounds, and not a hint of slowdown even with many enemies are on screen. The intermission scenes, which look like an actual cartoon is taking place on your SNES, help push the story along and segue you into the next stage.

Audio isn't fantastic...a few musical pieces meant to sound like an old west show's soundtrack, adequate sound effects--they get the job done.

Gameplay is a step up from the other games in this category, as there are several variations to be found, rather than just one type of viewpoint. You start each day off shooting a bottle or bottles off a fence, then trying to juggle it for more points. Then you move onto the actual stages. There are chase scenes and scenes such as Tin Star boarding a train where you'll see your character on screen--but still, you only control the cursor. However, rather than enemies jumping at the screen, you'll have to be guarding your own back (and front). In both of the side view missions, you can shoot metal medallions to restore your life. Then, of course, is my favorite type of mission, the dual, where you have to out-draw and shoot an opponent. You accomplish this by shooting the barrel when it appears then aiming and shooting your opponent. After every stage, you'll then be graded, on how many bullets you used, your accuracy, damage done, and the like, and be rewarded accordingly with cash. The cash you collect allows you to save your game. While your game can be saved after every stage (There are levels made up of 3 stages, such as 1-1, 1-2, and 1-2), doing so will drain your cash reserves, and it's much more sensible to save only occasionally.

Even then, the game isn't terribly difficult. The game's one glaring flaw is it's brevity and lack of replay value. However, the save feature is welcome rather then having to start from the beginning should you run out of lives further on in the game. A two player mode with increased difficulty would have added so much to the game, but is no where to be found.

Tin Star is much more fun and enjoyable then many of the more violent games of its ilk. You needn't worry about control if you don't have a Scope or a Mouse, but with it you may enjoy it even more--although may find it even easier than way. At this point in time it shouldn't cost you more than ten bucks, so it's worth every penny and then some.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/21/02, Updated 06/21/02