Bit of a shock to play right after the original Elevator Action, going from violence being cutesy sprites keeling over with Xs in their eyes to watching a graphic animation of a guy burn alive or a dog go down! I think that shock of juxtaposition informed a lot of my surface impressions of this game for the worse, given that Elevator Action is a game I played in my formative years and Elevator Action Returns is not.
But this isn't a bad title by any means. As much of a genre shift as it is, this is a logical way to expand on the original Elevator Action's mechanics: more complex buildings with more involved layouts, higher focus on action with more weapons, expanded environmental effects and designated set pieces. The game's constantly keeping you on your toes this time around, translating the original game's need to be hyper-aware to a more linear but no less focused design. I think this is a game I could really come to appreciate on replay, if the circumstances were right and I found myself in a position to do so.
Let the record show: the best playable character by far is Jad the Taff. Edie may be named after and use a Beretta, and Kart may be named Kart and use a Glog 18 (mathematically, a clear upgrade on the Glock 17), but neither of them are the Taff, with his Dessert Eagle. I will hear no further arguments.
But this isn't a bad title by any means. As much of a genre shift as it is, this is a logical way to expand on the original Elevator Action's mechanics: more complex buildings with more involved layouts, higher focus on action with more weapons, expanded environmental effects and designated set pieces. The game's constantly keeping you on your toes this time around, translating the original game's need to be hyper-aware to a more linear but no less focused design. I think this is a game I could really come to appreciate on replay, if the circumstances were right and I found myself in a position to do so.
Let the record show: the best playable character by far is Jad the Taff. Edie may be named after and use a Beretta, and Kart may be named Kart and use a Glog 18 (mathematically, a clear upgrade on the Glock 17), but neither of them are the Taff, with his Dessert Eagle. I will hear no further arguments.