Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend

"Hey you also need to think in a side scroller game sometimes"

Okay, I'm going to admit it, I really have no intention of playing this game at all in the first place, due to the fact that the title sounds a little too cheesy for me. But then again, I decided to just give this game the benefit of the doubt and rent it. Here is what I found out.

GRAPHICS
The game's graphics is, surprisingly, is not as bad as I would have expected. It's pretty decent, and has a nice three dimension feel to it. The background is not really that bland, in fact it is pretty presentable and recognizable. Heck, the trash can even has flies swarming on top of it. Very commendable for the developer's part.

SOUNDS
Wow. I am surprised, since the game actually incorporate some very nice sound effects. The grunts, the gunshots etcetera are very recognizable. I cannot even believe that I turned on my volume just to hear these. Usually when I play, the sound is always muted, but this is one of the exceptions.

CONTROLS
The controls of this game is both hard and easy. Sounds confusing? Then let me explain. The basic commands of this game is really just jump, punch, kick and block. But then, in order to do really good ''combos'' as I would like to call it, You need to incorporate various button combinations to make Bruce Lee do some flashy moves. Don't worry, it really wouldn't take you that long to get used to these combinations, it is also at the beginning where it is hard.

STORY
The story of the game is that you are a student of a martial arts master and due to some unfortunate circumstances your master got killed. You now set off to avenge your master's death, with the slight help of a guy named Booth who is an agent.

GAME PLAY
The game is a side scroller, much like the games ''two mean dudes'', ''double dragon'', and ''final fight''. But unlike those other games, it actually makes you think a little more and not just make you mindlessly beating everyone in your path into a pulp. You need to make full use of stealth, speed and tactics. You just got to play it to know what the heck I am talking about.

RE PLAYABILITY
This game has a pretty decent re playability, due to the fact that it is not boring and also because you can play it in various difficulties.

OVER ALL
I would say this is a little better than decent kind of game. It is fun most of the time unless of course, when you are getting your ass kicked by the enemies. Pretty impressive effort on the game's developer.

RENT OR BUY
I really think you should rent this game first and evaluate it for yourself. If you find it leasing then go ahead and buy it. But if for some reason a side scrolling beat them up game is not your cup of tea, then maybe this one could change your mind. But if all else fail, I got to say this game will still make the time goes by fast.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 02/15/04