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River City Ransom Review
Several monthes ago, I got the urge to try another one of the many games my parents played around with alot when I was a kid, which I barely remembered. So, I did, but gave up after playing for several days. Then recently, out of some crazy urge like I always get(similar to my "Baja Men is beginning to play, must turn radio off" urge), I decided to give it another go. With a password. Cheating on video games is good.
Amung the gigantic list of offbeat, quirky NES games, there's such titles as Maniac Mansion, Doki Doki Panic!, Zombie Nation, Karnov, and of course The KKK Mario Brothers. And then, there's River City Ransom.
Brought to you by the same guys who created the mythological Double Dragon, RCR revolves around one code of ethic: EVERYBODY DIES. Whether it be with a box or the heel of your shoe, everyone must.
Graphics. Reseting my brain's video game imagination to 1988, I'd have to say they aren't too bad. But, obviously, that's by NES standards. The sprites are done in an animeish sort of way, with a good amount of time spent to make sure almost everything you do has a different sprite animation. Highly impressive at the time, I would guess. Once again, based on NES standards... 8/10.
Gameplay. Beating thousands of people up is indeed fun. A nice array of weapons to choose from adds to the battle enviroment by making it more HELL. When not battling, the RPG system of using stats to determine your l33tness makes for an even playing field(or "playing field that can be dominated more easier by non-button-smashers" like myself). Food, CDs, books, toys, and even the frikin' Excalibur alter these, which are paid for with the money you get for bashin' in the ol' brains. Think Double Dragon, with more than just senseless brutalities(which RCR also has plenty of, but you already knew that). 10/10.
 Plot. Alright, let's see... Big Tough Guy kidnaps Big Tough Guy Who is Good's girlfriend and takes over the neighborhood. Big Tough Guy then sends out his many gangs of Tough Lackies/Guys Who Tried Out For Broadway Musicals But Didn't Make It, and Big Tough Guy Who is Good's best friend says "Hey, I think you're girl-friend's hot, so I want to help out". Big Tough Guy Who is Good and Best Friend set out to beat the tar out of everyone in sight, excluding people in malls or shops. Yep, that's about it. 3.5/10.
Sound. Typical fanfare, I suppose. When heard for long enough, some of the midi-esque jingles(which strangely remind me of Megaman or Crystalis music...) get stuck in your head for a good 20 minutes. And, as we all know, removing things that are stuck inside of our craniums is quite a task. Some might say an axe would work, but I wouldn't recommend it. Err... where was I? Oh yeah, sound. 6/10.
Replay Value. Although I only plan to play again because my first time completely through was with a nifty password, I'd have to say anyone would want to give RCR a second go. Or a third, perhaps. The battles can make it deadly-addictive, and quite challenging with two players. You would think having help would make it easier, but no-- avoiding beating each other up is half the battle. 7.5/10.
Final Thought/Overall Rating
Lovely good fun for several hours. Sure, it's short; bitterely short if you're doing it the easy way, but it's still enjoyable. Just remember: Best Friend GOOD, enemies BAD. 8.5/10.
-Grand Master Dragon
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