2008 Competition Results (1:Retro Remakes) Part 2

2. Ultimate Bruce Lee Total: 331

Geekay:

This latest collaboration from Stu, Smila and Infamous (STIMFLA for short) is that of the classic 8 bit game of the same name. I was rather pleased to see that they had announced this remake, with me being a tad fond of the original. It wasn’t, by a mile, one of the greatest games ever – it certainly had its flaws. Whatever it lacked in was certainly made up for in terms of playability and the bright spark that the game seemed to have.

Quicker than a double click clicky thing, I fired up the game to be presented with a lovely title screen and a very nice rendition of the theme tune. Just before I delved in head first, I noticed there are a whole bunch of unlockables and other features. Bruce Lee was renowned for being easy to complete and that was, by far, its biggest flaw. At least with this remake, there is a replay factor added for good measure.

I have to say that this remake really does impress me. From the outset, the graphics are lush, the games engine is as sharp as a well honed Shuriken and the ambient sounds really create an engrossing atmosphere. Everything is where it should be – time has been spent comparing the original map to this one so to provide a true remake experience. With all this praise, any criticism sounds harsh in comparison.

The few niggles that I have certainly don’t spoil the game. The A.I. isn’t the most smartest of things at times. In saying that, it’s just as comparable to the original. The enemies are probably at their most deadliest in the first few screens before you go underground. After that, they are just blundering dimwits who more times than not, lemmings to their own deaths. Another small criticism I have is the lack of animation frames that the characters have, especially in the full remake mode. It made the movements less fluid.

The unlockables are a genius masterplan to add a bit more challenge to the game. These can be unlocked by achieving the objectives that are set with each version of the game. It certainly makes me come back and play for more. The inclusion of the 2 player cooperative mode and versus mode only prolongs the life of Bruce Lee further.

Overall, this is one brilliant remake that is the result of the passion of its creators. More like this I say. Cheers to team STIMFLA.

90%

Ian:

“Herro. What would you like?”
“Err. Hi. Can have a #37, #15, #24 and err… two number #56’s to go please.”
“Ahh so. You want flies with that?”
“No, hold the flies”
“Vely funny. You want some battered buck, buck, buck?”
“Chicken?”
“No mushroom!”
“Why did you make a noise like a chicken?”
“Cos I can’t make a noise like a mushroom!”

The old ones are the best, so they say. And the original US Mould **ahem**, US Gold game, Bruce Lee, was certainly one of the better 8-bit platform fighting games of the 80’s. Unusually for US Gold, they didn’t fuck the game up when they ported it to other formats, where it still retained its fun gameplay and charming chop-socky silliness.

And here we have a remake of that classic game, together with some fun new additions. And all you want to know is, is it any good. Well, yes. Yes it is actually. For the most part it is very good.

The game is a pretty simple platform action adventure come beat’em-up where the aim, as Bruce Lee, is to collect (originally paper) lanterns that allow progress to closed off areas, while being pursued by a ninja (or two) and a hulking great lump of a guy that resembles a green Gordon Brown (PM), dressed as a Sumo wrestler.

The gameplay appears to have been left pretty much intact (although it is easier than the CPC version that I’m most familiar with). The graphics have been given a major overhaul in several different modes, some of which need unlocking by beating other modes and collecting statue pieces. It has to be said though that Bruce does now look a bit too Caucasian in the main game. Unfortunately, the sound side of things is pretty lacking; admittedly the sfx in the original game were rather poor and minimalist although I do have a soft-spot for the CPC “pop” sound as you collect a lantern. The title tune is a passable, but not great, remixed update of the original’s theme music.

The bonus modes and challenges are inspired and add greatly to the title, although as the game is quite short and relatively easy it’s unlikely that you’ll be playing any mode for too long. The game does have some bugs and flaws, but nothing that will destroy your enjoyment of the game.

83%

Oogy:

I can remember playing the original game on my trusty ZX Spectrum when I was younger. The game was overly easy, but still fun to play, and I can recall it completing it several times in one sitting. Naturally, I never expected that from the remake, after all, it can be assumed that the remake would be a bit more challenging. Unfortunately it became a bit more frustrating.

The graphics are top of the line as can be expected from the Ovine team. The game itself though leaves a great deal to be desired. Not only are there some very noticeable slow-downs throughout the game (especially in the cave sections), but the collision detection isn’t all that great either. I’ve lost lives because the game thought I touched a spike when there was noticeable room between the player character and it. The mines are another source of whatthefuck-age. Some games I can walk over them and they explode behind me, other times I can’t clear it fast enough and die on the spot. And then I ended up walking into a room and got an instant death (with my last remaining player). Leaving me with no clue what happened, what I did wrong, or how to avoid that in the future.

The sounds are minimal sound effects during gameplay, but with a somewhat pleasant tune on the title screens. I would’ve liked to have listened to some more music while playing.

It is nice to see achievements in a game though, but as the game (for me) is too frustrating, I doubt I could care less if I unlocked anything or not. Which is a shame, I would’ve liked this game alot more.

70%

Spray:

Every now and then you get someone (or in this case two someones) who actually sit down and take a competition seriously. I know, I know, everyone wants to win, everyone gives it their best shot, but sometimes you can go too damn far!

I’m writing this piece in what can only be described as a hissy-fit of rage and jealousy because, try as I might, and might try I do, I am at a loss as to how I’m gonna fault this one. I should start, I guess, by cursing the fact that the game of choice, Bruce Lee, is NOT a particular favourite of mine….. And that’s about as far as negatives go. I’m gutted, really, I am.

From the moment the game loads you can see that time and effort has been rammed into this one like John Holmes in a brothel. All the usual stuff is there, joystick support and redefinable keys, easy to navigate menus and more options than you can shake a nunchuck at. And then there are the extras. Two player mode, two player co-op mode and a choice of game skins make this one of the best thought out remakes I’ve seen in a while.

The remaking of the game has been done excellently and this alone should have been enough for the chaps, but no, there’s always more. And much more there is. We’re talking modes here. Game modes. Modes that offer new skins, game varieties and difficulty whilst still retaining that all important gameplay.

I urge you ALL to unlock Crayon Lee, it’s a moment of genius.

Being the impartial and fair judge I am, I’m gonna slash points on this one due to the remakers being talented gits. I hate them!

88%

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