This is exactly the kind of game I'd point to when saying that journalists really need to use a little caution when using the term "hidden gem".
Does this game deliver on providing an adorable protagonist, a somewhat progressive story for 1994 standards and a colorful world that is brimming with charm on both the artistic and dialogue fronts? Absolutely.
However
The level design is quite a step back from Dragon's Trap, and the dungeon quality ranges from fun and interesting (the first two as well as the sky temple) to "what were they thinking" (the ice pyramid). Honestly, I would've gladly given this game four stars if the ice pyramid just didn't exist. It's not challenging, but it's incredibly tedious and I can't believe somebody thought it needed to have three entire sections. At least the Sky Temple following it is by far the most interesting and challenging of the lot, but the way this dungeon kills the pacing can't be understated.
Bosses also aren't terribly interesting. It just boils down to figuring out where to stab them and avoiding getting juggled...since that's still a thing carried over from Dragon's Trap.
I decided to marathon this game on a day off and while I'm happy I went through it once...I don't see myself coming back when the wonder boy series has far better games to revisit.
Does this game deliver on providing an adorable protagonist, a somewhat progressive story for 1994 standards and a colorful world that is brimming with charm on both the artistic and dialogue fronts? Absolutely.
However
The level design is quite a step back from Dragon's Trap, and the dungeon quality ranges from fun and interesting (the first two as well as the sky temple) to "what were they thinking" (the ice pyramid). Honestly, I would've gladly given this game four stars if the ice pyramid just didn't exist. It's not challenging, but it's incredibly tedious and I can't believe somebody thought it needed to have three entire sections. At least the Sky Temple following it is by far the most interesting and challenging of the lot, but the way this dungeon kills the pacing can't be understated.
Bosses also aren't terribly interesting. It just boils down to figuring out where to stab them and avoiding getting juggled...since that's still a thing carried over from Dragon's Trap.
I decided to marathon this game on a day off and while I'm happy I went through it once...I don't see myself coming back when the wonder boy series has far better games to revisit.