Bionic Commando: Elite Forces

"One of the funnest and original action games for the GBC!"

Story 8/10
The story is about a madman named Arturus who was in war with the forces of Karinia. He secretly develops a machine called the Albatross, but one of the Elite Forces of the Bionic Corps, Commander Joe find out. Joe had time to relay part of the message, but got caught by Arturus' forces.
You are one of the Bionic Corps who has to save him. Why they don't attack with all of the Bionic Commando's, I don't know.
Not too original (Mad guy kidnaps somebody, you have to rescue him, routine), but who cares! The story line gets a bit deeper as you go into the game, but I don't want to spoil the surprise for you guys. (That's what gives it an 8)

Audio 9/10
Nice tunes, and I like to blast up full volume in some of the levels, because the music is catchy and actually pretty good for a Gameboy game!

Video 10/10
Awesome for a Gameboy game! I like seeing the nice textures and all the cool looking buildings and stuff. The graphics are very advanced for a Gameboy game, and I like turning the game on just to look at the graphics.

Overall Gameplay 10/10
Now we're talking... the gameplay is really fun the first time through, and the bosses are not near impossible, but it isn't easy either. The enemies are pretty easy, but get a bit harder later in the game. I also love the grappling feature instead of jumping. It is very original! New players who haven't played the older versions of this game and just started will probably have a bit of trouble like I did to adapt to this system.

Modes 10/10
Side Scrolling- Basic side scrolling, grappling, fighting enemies, and defeating bosses. Maybe not fully original, but fun.
Sniper Mode- COOL! I like the sniper mode, but I wish there were more in the game. You will see a crosshair, and you can go into sniper mode. Then you have to pick off your enemies. Very original!
Top Down- Nice! I like going in top-down mode because the enemies come right into you. At the end of the top-down level, you battle a tank/tanks.

Replayability 9/10
This is my opinion... I liked playing it over quite a few times over, because it is pretty tough. Others will probably give it a 8 or a 7, and I don't blame them.
Fairly good replayability. (For me, atleast)

Overall 9/10
Good game and lots of originality too. Also has one of the best graphics I've seen in a Gameboy game!

Buy or Rent?
I say buy it, you will like it.

GOODIES:
Awesome graphics
Nice array of modes
Very good gameplay and fair replayability
Nice sounds!
BADDIES:
Kinda not-very-original story
New players might have some trouble with the grappling.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/29/01, Updated 10/29/01