Switchblade is a computer platform game developed by Core Design and released by Gremlin Graphics in 1989. The player guides the protagonist, Hiro, through a flip-screen platform environment with a subterranean setting. Unexplored areas of the screen are obscured from view until the player character enters them. A sequel, Switchblade II was released in 1991.
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Playing Through My Evercade Collection Part 9: Piko Interactive Collection 1
Another Piko port, this time its a port of a game originally released on the Amiga, over to the Mega Drive and fair play, Mega Drive did have a lot of rather good Amiga conversions by Core Design so this makes sense (Chuck Rock 1 & 2, Bubba & Stix, Corporation).
As a game its quite frustrating though, there's quite a bit I do like, the overall general gameplay is pretty fun, making it so that you don't automatically just take damage from touching enemies is neat so combat feels more fluid and engaging. The overall platforming too, while a bit on the heavy side, can make for some fun moments.
But... Bleh... Design wise its just rather dull. Levels are hodgepodge messes with corridors and rooms here there and everywhere with random powerups appearing often for little to no reason and dead-ends aplenty, all coated in a layer of dull grey that feels neverending. Its a chore and a half sometimes to get though each stage. The bosses too, in comparison to the rest of the game, are absolutely not fun to fight and feel spongey and spammy.
Its annoying as there's a foundation of a good game here and I have enjoyed some of it but the lack of decent level design just makes it hard to want to really champion it properly.
Another Piko port, this time its a port of a game originally released on the Amiga, over to the Mega Drive and fair play, Mega Drive did have a lot of rather good Amiga conversions by Core Design so this makes sense (Chuck Rock 1 & 2, Bubba & Stix, Corporation).
As a game its quite frustrating though, there's quite a bit I do like, the overall general gameplay is pretty fun, making it so that you don't automatically just take damage from touching enemies is neat so combat feels more fluid and engaging. The overall platforming too, while a bit on the heavy side, can make for some fun moments.
But... Bleh... Design wise its just rather dull. Levels are hodgepodge messes with corridors and rooms here there and everywhere with random powerups appearing often for little to no reason and dead-ends aplenty, all coated in a layer of dull grey that feels neverending. Its a chore and a half sometimes to get though each stage. The bosses too, in comparison to the rest of the game, are absolutely not fun to fight and feel spongey and spammy.
Its annoying as there's a foundation of a good game here and I have enjoyed some of it but the lack of decent level design just makes it hard to want to really champion it properly.