Cyber ​​Citizen Shockman Analysis

Nostalgia grips us with the return of Cyber ​​Citizen Shockman

Preservation in video games is something that has been taken into account in recent years. Not because we need a catalog of all the games that have been released over all these decades, but so that Other titles that, due to geographical or distribution limitations, never saw the light of day in other countries, should not be forgotten. This is what happens with Cyber ​​Citizen Shockmana proposal that was developed for the PC Engine more than 35 years ago and which is now opening its borders thanks to the good work of Ratalaika games. Ready for cyber time travel?

Boy or girl?

Cyber ​​Citizen Shockman is a platforming adventure with action twists.n where we can manage two protagonists: Tasuke and Kyapiko. No matter who we choose, our mission will be the same either way: to defeat the forces of evil invading our small town. For that, We will go through several stages to improve our attributes go well equipped in order to defeat the final boss on duty.

If we analyze the game from a current point of view, the proposal may be a bit short, but You have to see its mechanics with a perspective focused on the past. We will be able to attack either with our command-based sword or use a special long-range power that we will gain as we progress through the story. In this particular case, It is very important to choose which stage we want to complete, since each level will end with a different bonus. If we complete an area where there is a hospital, a nurse will thank us for our services, restoring our lives. But if we go to a factory, the most likely thing is that we will get an improvement in strength or defense. And it is better for us to save at each step, because the money here is very important if we want to be sold before the enemy invader.

Choose your destination carefully

The strategic approach when selecting the stage we want to complete and thus achieve the appropriate improvements loses some vigor in this update of the original game. It is because of Thanks to the new rewind features, we will be able to dodge many attacks and dangers that have an impact on our protagonist. I would advise not to take advantage of these novelties and to consider the title as it was designed: choose wisely the phases that are at our same level. In this direction, It reminds me a lot of Bionic Commando.an NES game where you also had to strategically select the stages on a map so as not to end up biting the dust.

Save and buy the appropriate upgrades

Beyond this rewind and some CRT filters that we can implement in our game, there are few replayable options in Cyber ​​Citizen Shockman. We can easily finish the story in an hour, and if we really liked the experience, replay the game with the other protagonist… but nothing else. as it happened to me Cannon dancer – Osman, I would have found it more interesting to combine several of these games that never left Japan into a more comprehensive collection. And speaking of borders, another novelty is that we will have the texts in English and not only in Japanese.

As if they were cyber-ghosts

There are playable aspects that I didn’t like either, especially in the case of a title revision like in this case. To start, there are small platforms, and even final enemies that disappear from the map. They become transparent, which considerably hinders the fun by not knowing what to do or who to attack. Also, to top it off, the hitbox of both our own and that of rivals is disproportionate.

If you get very close to the enemy, even if you’re not completely glued to them, they will inflict damage on you. In certain confrontations, I had to strike “in the air”, close to the adversary but without really making contact between his body and the edge of my sword. It’s weird and rude at this point to have to do this type of trick when there are other classic games that have it well integrated and work to the millimeter.

classic beauty

Its audiovisual aspect is not at all out of place. It is true that it looks old-fashioned, but it is very cheerful and colorful. The typical Japanese game that pleases the eye with its environments, designs and enemies. Upon request, they could have designed a greater variety of levels, since some are recycled multiple times, but I understand that this is not a problem of the reviewing studio, but of the game itself and the limitations of the time. Where there is no fault is in its soundtrack, with catchy themes that will resonate in your head for a while.

Cyber ​​Citizen Shockman Conclusion

Ratalaika Games saves a title released exclusively on Japanese lands for PC Engine with the aim of making it known worldwide. In addition to having English texts, a rewind system and the implementation of filters and little extras, we are looking at the original work that was developed 35 years ago. For better and for worse. If you like classic adventures with a gameplay style similar to Wonder Boy, you will surely enjoy Cyber ​​Citizen Shockman. Of course, there are flaws in its technical aspect that today are not designed. Although the studio was able to correct them in this review, they are part of the nostalgic experience that this game could give us at the time.