8-Bit Commando
8-Bit Commando (from 2D Engine) is a platformer in the classic NES style; think Contra if you will. It is a serious blast from the past that speaks directly to a certain niche crowd. But can it speak to the rest of the gaming community as well?
The graphics for this title are perfect. That doesn’t mean that it has realistic 3d, or rather 3d of any kind. Look at the title of the game… it is done in the 8-B
it style of old. Given the limitations that is entailed when doing 8-Bit graphics in this modern 3d world are a given, but the graphics are still done to perfection. It really felt like I was playing a lost level of an old NES title.
The game play is as expected from platformer. You run, you shoot and you kill the bad guys or they kill you. That being said, it is still very well done. There have been plenty of nostalgic recreations that have been made that completely skipped over game play and controls in lieu of graphics and feel. That is not the case here. This game is the complete package.
The major downside of this game is that it only has six levels; which makes for a fairly short experience. To counter-act this problem, 2-D Engine has a global high score list which can keep you coming back again and again trying to get into the top ten. Aside from this, however, I don’t see much replay value at all. As is always true in the classic style of games, the enemies all have set points where they show up and have a very limited number of actions that they do. This is a pro because it fits perfectly with the style that the game is going for, but it is a con because it makes for very repetitive game play.
All in all, this game is a serious blast of nostalgia for those that are yearning for some classic 8-Bit gaming; the graphics, AI, menus, even the way that you enter your name for a high score! That, however, is the whole appeal of this game. They capture the entire 8-Bit era perfectly in this title and take you back to the NES days of yore. Aside from the nostalgia factor (and the need to get in the top ten of the global high score list for each level) though, this title doesn’t have much to offer, but I am willing to bet that is more than enough for some of us older gamers out there.
