Bionic Commando: Elite Forces

"A decently good game playing homage to the old with new twists"

Opener:

Tweleve years after Capcom's release of the original Bionic Commando which appeared in the arcade and on the NES we are given a sequel of sorts. This game created by Nintendo's new American company Nintendo Software Technology Corp with Capcom is the first title to role out from this group. As a first outting we have been given one of the best looking and feature filled titles to date that blows away the original. The concept behind this game takes place in the once peaceful land of Karinia now is a land of fear due to the man known as Arturus, the leader of the Avars. For years battles have taken place holding him off. Commander Joe sent a secret transmission home about a project taking place that will allow world domination by the Avars. The elite forces of the bionic commandos have been called up to go in, save him and stop the project before it is set into motion.

Graphics
The graphics of this game are extremely beautiful due to their hi color nature which restricts this to being a Gameboy Color game only. The stills in the game exampled above with the title shot are something you truly need to see on the small screen for yourself. The in game graphics are just as impressive as not to let you down. The original game views from the NES are present again in this title such as the selection map and the side scrolling mission levels. Also included again is the top down view in which you play on a map with a Commando(another Capcom arcade/NES game) feeling to it. Also in this game you have the opportunity to play the role of a sniper and take out targets at a long distance which is something complete new, and I welcome it openly. Examples of these views you can see below which are taken from around the first area. Overall all the graphics from the areas of the game are beautiful, lush, and large enough in size for great levels of detail and realistic motion.

Rating: 4.5

Sound
The music and sound effects of this game live up to the name of the Bionic Commando series quite well. The musical tracks to the game are pretty fluid and sound pretty well, though so far nothing has been all too memorable. Not that being memorable means all that much, but it can't hurt. Either way the music suits the environment and is quite smooth. What really stands out in this title is the sound effects you are given. In particular though I am basically referring to the crisp vocal samples you will come across often. When you see the title of the game it will call it out to you clearly. Other samples are played as warnings of attack and also during the menus when it calls off your weapon, item, etc selections. The sound effects from the alarms, gun play, and the rest too are distinct and above par as well.

Rating: 4.0

Theme & Fun
This game in my opinion is much nicer than the original Bionic Commando due to the added variety of gameplay in this title. The idea of using a claw to get around to hard to reach places instead of unrealisitic jumping found in most games of the type really added to the fun and strategy. The idea that you can play as either a man or woman in this game with their own specialities even adds a bit more fun. Also as a lady is included women don't have to feel that left out emotion from the lack of female heros in games. This fun game has many great drawing elements to it other than just picking off people in a side/top scroller. You have to play the covert op by hearing transmissions, wiretapping to get more information, and finding new items to progress in the game. The sniping feature is a really nice added bonus last seen if I recall for an 8bit Nintendo system with either Golgo-13 or RESCUE: Embassay Mission in the 1980s on the NES.

Rating: 4.0

Play Control
The play control in this game is pretty smooth and precise. The only real thing that might bother you at first is getting used to the whole claw grip technique and the lack of jumping. Once you adapt you'll not miss jumping and wish more games allowed you to attach and swing to new higher places. Moving around between the platforms and open spaces is very responsive and allows you lots of freedom to attack and defend your position. Firing the gun is quite simple, but the only problem is you can't aim it up and down to shoot. There is the minor consolation that later on you will be able to find a nice triple shot gun that's angled well enough to get to people below and above you.

Rating: 4.0

Challenge
The game has a pretty strong challenge value to its credit. As you will find in playing this game for each sector you visit there will be at least one, but likely many objectives within the main one for the area. On top of these challenges you will also have to deal with enemy convoys on the map between areas. These will inevitably cross your path and cause you some problems. In these sequences you will have to deal with a lot of troops and their mode of transportation at the end. These levels are not sidescrollers, but a top down shooter in the likes of Capcom's arcade classic Commando. These events with a sharply increasing difficulty value as you progress in areas will keep you busy for quite a long time. Fortunatley a save feature has been implemented so you can save at terminals in a level, and once you return to the map.

Rating: 4.5

Replay Value and Closing Notes:
The replay value of this game is quite decent. Since the game has some quite unique properties to it you will surely come back to play it again sometimes. The bonus value of the new perspective added to this edition in the Bionic Commando series. If this is appealing to you, you will bring yourself back to playing it more than the original if you can get to a copy of it.

As you can tell from the review I really enjoyed this game, and that I had also played the NES and arcade original. I never cared much for the NES copy of the original arcade, but I did love this game. After playing this new game though I find that this now is my favorite in the Bionic Commando series. If you are looking for something new or unique for Gameboy Color, get this game.

Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5.0

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/23/04