Aero The Acro-Bat

"They don't make games like this anymore...."

As you've probably guessed by my score, the review title isn't talking about specific quality. Rather, it is a type of game. Not a genre, although it occurs most often in platformers. This type of game pretty much died out when saving became standard for all genres. Aero the Acro-Bat is the type of game that requires memorization and perseverance. This type of game you can't just pick up after months of not playing and do as well as when you left off. You need to keep trying, learn the levels, memorize where the one ups are, if you ever want to see the end of this game. But if you have the stamina, it can be fun and rewarding.

This is one of those rare 16-bit platformers that doesn't put a lot of focus on story. Aero is the star of a circus, and the evil clown Edgar has taken over. Aero must stop him, but continue entertaining the crowd along the way. That is one of the worst excuses a game has given for throwing in objectives in a game like this, they should have just ignored it story-wise. But no matter, this game is not about story.

Gameplay:
Aero is a platformer. A very, very hard platformer. Deaths come quickly. One misstep and your bat hero is food for Bubsy. To make the game more difficult, the levels often have objectives. The objectives are incredibly simple, standing on star platforms or jumping through hoops. Really, their only purpose is to make you scour every part of the level.

Aero is not a great fighter. Your only attacks are quickly used up stars and a hard to aim drill attack. Basically, press jump again the air while holding a direction and Aero will drill in a diagonal direction. This is the only unlimited way to destroy enemies, and it isn't that great. But enemies aren't a big focus anyway. Your biggest challenge is spikes. Old school "Kill you in one hit" spikes. They're everywhere. You'll use your drill to add a boost to your jump much more then you will to attack. The drill control could be better, but with some practice you'll get the hang of it.

Aero is pretty long for a play through in one sitting platformer. Although you have only four main worlds, there are 19 levels and three boss fights, plus mode 7 bonus levels. There is no difficulty option, but it will take you a very, very long time to finish the game. Thankfully, one ups are plentiful. You start with five lives (and three continues, which are pretty useless since they send you back to the start of a world and the chances of getting through a later world with only five lives at the start are low) and I could get 25-35 halfway through world two. But lives can be used up quickly. Mainly in the ride levels. Some levels, instead of giving you objectives, just have you ride something. You can go through 2 or three lives a minute in them. The only way you're getting through this game is to keep trying and memorizing everything. But the sense of satisfaction when you actually conquer this game is immense.
Gameplay score: 7/10

Graphics:
Aero falters in the visual department. The characters are small and undetailed. Aero is a typical 16-bit era wanna-be mascot. There are only four main backgrounds in the game, and they aren't very detailed. The only decent looking things were the bosses and foreground objects. Aero just doesn't live up to SNES standards in graphics.
Graphics score: 4/10

Sound:
Here's a pleasent surprise. Aero actually has really good music. There are many circus themes and original tunes that get stuck in your head. It can get repetitive, but it is definitely good for a 16-bit platformer. The sound effects aren't as good, there are very few and they sound clunky.
Sound score: 8/10

Gameplay: 7/10
Graphics: 4/10
Sound: 8/10
Overall: (not an average) 7/10

Conclusion:
Despite its flaws, Aero is actually a pretty good platformer. Though rough around the edges, the gameplay is good for those seeking a challenge. I felt compelled to finish this game despite the cheapness. It will take a lot of tries, but many will find the journey enjoyable.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/30/04