If you’ve played Gunstar Heroes for the Sega Genesis, you’ve gotten the gist of this game. Rather than a sequel, this game is a weird remake.
It’s weird because the opening credits recognize the original Gunstar Heroes, and the storyline suggests that the events of this game take place after that game, except it’s the same bosses, mostly same locations and the same basic plot (90%), and almost all the same characters. The primary differences between the two games are: 1) more story, 2) longer levels, 3) different moves, 4) different weapons.
More story: the previous game had none. This is a remake ostensibly. Instead of Red and Blue, there are two other characters. Depending on the level of difficulty, you’ll reveal more and more of the story. The story is really there to distinguish this game as a sequel and not a remake – it feels as though they designed the game as a remake, and somewhere towards the end of development decided to call it a sequel, and made a half-baked story to support that premise. Had they dropped that aspect of it, the cutscenes wouldn’t feel so weird.
Longer levels: bosses and locations are the same, there’s just a lot more to do in them.
Different moves: your characters now have melee combat moves. I personally loved the addition of these, as it really changed the game dynamic.
Different weapons: the previous game there were four different types of weapons, of which you could only carry two. You could combine the two and make a super weapon, with its own strengths and weaknesses, for a total of ten different weapons. Here, you’re assigned three weapons, no mixing and matching. I wasn’t so cool with that, but what can you do.
This game is extremely enjoyable in its own right. At its core, it’s Treasure’s Gunstar Heroes. The game truly pushed the GBA to its limits graphically. Artistically, it’s easily the best looking GBA game I’ve played, and it even looks better than the 2D games that graced the Sega Saturn and even most SNK offerings. I really enjoyed this game. However, between Gunstar Heroes Advance and Advance Guardian Heroes, AGH wins. GHA felt like a deviation from a working formula, and was trying to be more like AGH.
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It was alignment of the stars last night: the xbox 360 is built and working. There was a scare – Nora likes buttons and she caused the 360 to take a spill. The unit was set to work at 720p unbeknown to me, so it didn’t work with the living room tv (not a true HDTV, as it does only 480p and 1080i). First impressions are crucial, so my first impression of the 360 was playing Project Gotham Racing 3 on that Sharp Aquos HDTV at 720p. I was absolutely floored. I’m glad that Nintendo decided to steer clear of the console wars, because the Wii isn’t topping that display anytime soon… wow. And PGR3 was a launch title! Next up, GTA4… when we can afford it, of course.
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I was so relieved when the 360 worked… you have no idea.