This updated classic brings Radd Spencer up to date with a stunning??? amount of care while still keeping the core of what made the original so great. While a faithful recreation of that game would be enough to satisfy the fans, Capcom has raised the bar for all classic remakes.

For some people a quick history lesson may be in order. Two decades ago Capcom released a game by the name of Top Secret: Hitler’s Revenge.? The game just plain never caught on with gamers in Japan. Thankfully the game eventually made is stateside, under the moniker Bionic Commando, and became one of the biggest cult classics of the NES era.

A little info about what this game is incase the title doesn?t give it away. You?re a commando with a bionic arm. There ya go. You?re heading in behind enemy lines to rescue captured soldier Super Joe, who is basically the Captain America of your army. Along with your standard compliment of guns, your bionic arm is your main tool. The arm is basically a grappling hook you?ll be able to shoot out, latch onto just about anything in the game and swing from or zip up to. Using this you will transverse a series of perilous levels climbing and swinging from place to place.

This unique platforming experience is still intact from days of old. Better yet it still feels fresh. Unlike a tradition platformer, jumping isn’t your primary mode of transit. You don’t even get a jump button. This can leave a bad taste in peoples mouths as even small barrels and short gaps becom e challenges to find a way around. The swing mechanic feels very tight and balanced. It?s simple, yet there are a lot of advanced tactics you can employ that keep the mechanic from getting boring. Mind you it can get extremely frustrating at time as some of the harder jumps require pinpoint timing.

As far as upgrades in this version go. First off you?re getting full 3d characters and environments this time. They look quite stunning, with bright particle effects and clean lighting. Also added are dialogue sequences in the form of text and character portraits. These are actually well written and add some depth to the story and what you?re doing. A newly remixed sound track, featuring tracks created by fans, accompanies the action and is really catchy and sounds phenomenal.

After the single player experience you?ll also have access to a slew of? challenge rooms complete with leaderboards. Also multiplayer has been added to let you and a friend tackle the games campaign. Aside from the co-op campaign 4 people can duke it out in competitive modes. Sadly this experience is limited only to split-screen.

Simply put this game is a blast. Swinging around levels and shooting enemy soldiers is fun. The single player, the extra challengers, multiplayer will all keep you coming back again and again. It really makes me happy to see the care that this franchise has gotten. You really owe it to yourself to play this game.

+ Unique gameplay

+ Great value

+ Simple fun and challenging

- No online

Grade: A

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