G.R. Issue #24 (GBA)
Welcome back to GBAtemp Recommends! Our popular weekly magazine feature in which we recommend classic Game Boy Advance titles big and small! Oops, we're late...again but don't worry, we'll have another issue tomorrow at the usual time...honest, Shaun sez so.
GBAtemp Recommends!
Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Factor? I hardly knew her!
Some time ago, a famous well respected developer created games that were neither sequels or based on Bleach cartoons, in fact there was a time were they never did sequels, this developer was named Treasure. Treasure was a team that consisted of members who used to work for Konami and have helped create some of their best known games such as Contra & Castlevania. After Konami, Treasure created some of the most amazing (and hard) games and still do till this day.
Hitmaker were a SEGA studio who are now again known as SEGA-AM3. They made the greatest real Tennis video series Virtua Tennis as well as the classic Virtual On series. Treasure & Hitmaker joined together to make one of the best games based on a "anime" license. This game was Astro Boy: Omega Factor and it was on the humble Gameboy Advance.
Astro Boy was like many Treasure titles as a fast and frantic hybrid of fighting and shooting and like other Treasure titles it really pushed the system it was on. Sure Astro Boys sickly cutesy face may put many gamers off and make them think that this is a kids game but this is one of those games that will not only leave those kids crying as they get owned time and time again in the game, but some grown adults too (not me, I'm harcore
The gameplay is one to master and enjoy. On first glance its a simple side-scrolling run & gunner but its much deeper than that. There are many combos & moves to pull off and these really help make the game less repetitive. This ain't another button smasher, those who go into the game thinking that won't get too far. You can also level your character up in whatever way you choose, sometimes if you compare your character with another gamers, you'll find that both are different.
Graphically its one of GBA's best but sadly there is a little slowdown here and there but its not too distracting from the game. The artwork is said to be a perfect repesentation of the animated series and the sprites are very well animated. Like other Treasure action titles there are huge bosses and you can see some real good graphical trickery at work. The sound is equally as good and its clear that it pushes the GBA's sound abilities.
Its not a perfect game, some of the levels feel a little rushed, as if the teams had little time left to work on them. Also its a very short game, most seasoned gamers will finish this within a couple of hours, though you can play the levels again for various extras. Regardless of these factors it is another great GBA actioner, if you have enjoyed Treasures other side scrolling games and you haven't played this one then I suggest that you get this game NOW. This game came out around the same time as Sonic Teams PS2 Astro Boy game. That game was pretty awful and goes to show the talent of Treasure & Hitmaker. Treasure have been known to take a license and get the most from it, which they have continued to this day with the DS/Wii Bleach games. /p>
Game Synopsis said:Invisible enemies are revealed with his x-ray vision, his Arm Canon discharges explosive firepower, his hearing is unparalleled, and his strength is no less than 100,000 horsepower. With his superior, electronic brain, he decodes robotic languages and secret codes. Help Astro uncover his full potential through 10 non-linear, interactive areas, including a volcano, outer space, underground, and the city.
#1332 - Astro Boy - Tetsuwan Atom (Eurasia)
#1569 - Astro Boy - Omega Factor (Venom)
#1901 - Astro Boy - Omega Factor (Endless Piracy)
Genre: Side Scrolling Action
Publisher: SEGA
Dump Date: 16/12/2003 (J), 13/07/2004 (U), 17/02/2005 (E)
ROM Size: 64Mbit
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