"Nice looking platform shooter with a massive challenge"

Gods is a Platform shooter from the Bitmap Brothers, famous for the Speedball and Xenon games to name a few. As with the aforementioned games it is a conversion from the Commodore Amiga and it works great on the Genesis. You play the part of a warrior trying to prove himself which means defeating hordes of monsters over several levels with a few puzzles thrown in too.

The action takes place over four worlds, each having four levels giving you a total of sixteen. This does not really sound much but the game is very tough. The first level is quite easy and gets you used to many elements of the game. The second level however is bigger, harder and basically the shape of things to come. Monsters constantly attack from all sides and the slightest contact will drain you rather small health bar. Most levels will have to be explored many times over before it is possible to finish it. Luckily you will be given a password each time you finish a world which is not an easy task in itself.

Another helping hand along the way comes in the form of a merchant that is willing to sell you weapons in exchange for some of the hard earned gold you have acquired. These merchants will appear after some of the levels and the shop screen will appear. There is good selection but a lot of the items can be picked up whist playing through the levels anyway, choice is essential if you plan to make it easier for yourself.

The game is not all just jumping around platforms and shooting though. There is a slight puzzle element to the game, usually something that needs to be done to finish the level. On one level you have to find pieces of a broken vase and put them together, this rewards you with a key that will give you access to further parts of the level. Puzzles like this come up all over the place and add a little thought into the game.

As with other Bitmap Brothers games, there are plenty of secrets to discover along the way. As you work you way through the levels you will be rewarded for different things like having so many lives, so much health or score. These will usually come in the shape of a treasure room where you can gain some extra gold, health and even weapons to help you.

The graphics are top notch and really look good. There is a constant Greek/roman theme that changes slightly as you progress throughout the game so you don't get too bored of the graphics. The main character and the enemies look pretty good and they move well too. The hero's walk is quite comical at first like he needs the toilet or something.

The sound is not disappointing either, when you load the game up the first thing that hits you is the music. As the title screen comes on the music instantly starts pumping away to get you into the mood of the game. The music within the game a lot calmer than the opening screens, it is dark and fits in with the games theme perfectly.

Overall Gods is a very entertaining game. There is plenty to discover and the challenge is immense, you wont finish this one in the first day. This in definitely one of the more serious looking platformers on the Genesis and without a doubt worth a try.

Graphics - 9
Sounds - 6
Gameplay - 7
Game size - 8
Addiction - 7

Overall - 7

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/17/01, Updated 10/17/01