AKI Man
Legend
Final Fight, is the first of 3 games in the action series created by Capcom. It is a port of a game that was originally in arcades. I have not personally tried the arcade version, but I feel the Super Nintendo version is very well done. It is a great beat ‘em up game that was ported in the early nineties, and was one of the best of it‘s kind. Throughout the years since I first bought this game, I have played it many times over, and enjoyed it just as much each time through. It is a great game, and would be an excellent edition to any actions fans library.
The game is set in Metro City, which is governed by Mayor Mike Haggard. Gang action is heavy in the city, which has been the crime capital of the world for years. The Mad Gear gang, the heart of crime in the area is increasing in power day by day. The newly-elected mayor, a former street fighter has vowed to track down, and arrest each member of Mad Gear. Hearing of this plan, the leaders of Mad Gear take offence to this idea, and decide to kidnap his daughter, Jessica. Mayor Mike learns of this through a phone call, telling him that Jessica will remain safe, and he will be given a monthly bonus, as long as he co-operates with Mad Gear, and gives up on his plans to get rid of crime. Fearing for his daughter’s safety, Mike Haggard, and her boyfriend Cody set out to rescue her.
The game takes you through 5 regions of Metro City, each being one level. You have the choice of using either Mayor Mike Haggard to save Jessica, or her boyfriend Cody. Both characters are fairly good, but have slightly different fighting styles. Mike is a power-house, and Cody is a more agile boxer. Levels contain side-scrolling action, and many enemies that you will encounter along the way to beat up. At the most, there are only 3 enemies on screen at a time, so it is still a challenge, but a challenge that can be overcome. Each level is generally broken up into 3 to 4 short rooms that lead to a boss who is waiting for you at the end of the stage.
Along with using your regular fighting moves, there are three different weapons you can acquire at different points to use. Weapons can be found under boxes, or barrels that you need to destroy, or they are sometimes dropped by enemies. The list of available weapons includes knives, swords, and steel pipes. The sword, and steel pipe are fairly similar in fighting style, and are power weapons that can knock most enemies down in one hit. The knife is a weaker weapon, but can be thrown at the enemy from a distance. All weapons can only be used until they leave your hands, so you better work hard to protect yourself, and not get hit while holding a weapon.
There are other goodies hidden throughout the level. Just like the weapons, these items are hidden under crates, under boxes, under piles of tires, or under barrels. These items that can be found are either regular items, which give you extra points, helping you get extra lives faster, or food, which recovers your health.
Scattered between the five stages is two bonus stages. Each stage allows you a chance to increase your points, helping you gain extra lives faster. The first bonus stage is fairly fun, and gives you the chance to demolish a car, using your hands, feet, or a nearby pipe. The second bonus stage has hanging panes of glass which you have to destroy. Both bonus stages have a short time limit, so the faster you can complete them, the more points you receive.
The graphics in this game are very good for a game that is as old as this is. Characters and enemies are fairly well designed and contain good detail. Bosses look very good, showing a lot of muscle, and good detail to their outfits. Backgrounds reflect the gang setting in town very well, but are also fairly bright and colorful. Many places that you travel through look fairly run down, and have graffiti all over the walls, and the other surfaces around the area. There are also spots around the town with trash, and other objects lying around.
The music is excellent. I love listening to the music in the game. It does not wear thin very easily, since there is a new theme for each level. This basically means that you will be listening to one piece of music for only 10 to 15 minutes at the most.
Sound effects are great. There are a ton of them throughout the game and for many different things. There is a very small amount of voice acting. Characters and enemies all make distinct noises when they become injured, and bosses have different sound effects, like laughing, or whistling for back-up. There is also one small spoken line in the bonus stage. These are all fairly well done. Other sound effect include those made with the various attacks, including the quick sound made when you are punching up a storm, the sound of attacks making contact with the enemy, either physically, or with a weapon, and the sound of the a character or enemy getting smashed into the ground. There are also accurate sound effects made when an object is destroyed, like a box, crate, barrel, or glass. There are various other sound effects heard including the sound of the train riding by, the sound of charging enemies
Control is very easy to pick up. Within a few minutes of using a character, you will feel at ease with their arsenal of moves. Each character has different techniques to use based on their background. Both characters have the standard punching, and jump kicks, but that is all that is similar between them. Mike Haggard, having a street-fighting background uses wrestling moves like head butts, lunges, back drops, and pile drivers. Cody has techniques which come from his boxing background and include shoulder throws, flying kicks, knee drops, and knee bashes. The character that you choose really depends on the style you prefer, so I suggest playing around with each character, and figuring out which style you find better for dispatching the enemies around you.
The balance of difficulty is pretty good in most parts of the game. Overall I would consider the difficulty level to be medium. Most minor enemies in each stage can be taken care of fairly easily. Most enemies will be simple to defeat, but there will be some that are there to frustrate you. Enemies have different patterns, which you should be able to pick up fairly quickly, and determine a fighting style to avoid those patterns. Bosses are the truly difficult affair. Each boss is more difficult than the previous, and will be quite a feat to tackle. It is best to keep your distance from bosses if possible, as most can easily hit one special move that will take out nearly a whole life. To make it more difficult, there are usually three standard enemies accompanying each boss at all times. These enemies can also be used to your advantage, if you manage to stay away from the boss, and throw enemies at the boss.
Overall, this is a really good game, and a lot of fun. It will provide you with some good beat ‘em up action for many hours. The levels are well designed, graphics are great, and the sound is excellent. It is easy to get started, but difficult to finish, so it will provide a fairly challenging experience no matter how many times you play it. Since it is an old Super Nintendo game, it can most likely be found fairly cheap. I would definitely recommend buying this game if you ever get the chance.
Gameplay - 10/10 - great action, and a lot of fun
Graphics - 9/10 - it is a Super Nintendo game, but the graphics are still great to look at
Sound - 10/10 - music is excellent, and very enjoyable, and sound effects are well done.
Control - 10/10 - Controls are very easy to pick up quickly
Difficulty - Medium - semi-easy minor enemies, but very difficult bosses
Buy or Rent - definitely buy it, you will love it
The game is set in Metro City, which is governed by Mayor Mike Haggard. Gang action is heavy in the city, which has been the crime capital of the world for years. The Mad Gear gang, the heart of crime in the area is increasing in power day by day. The newly-elected mayor, a former street fighter has vowed to track down, and arrest each member of Mad Gear. Hearing of this plan, the leaders of Mad Gear take offence to this idea, and decide to kidnap his daughter, Jessica. Mayor Mike learns of this through a phone call, telling him that Jessica will remain safe, and he will be given a monthly bonus, as long as he co-operates with Mad Gear, and gives up on his plans to get rid of crime. Fearing for his daughter’s safety, Mike Haggard, and her boyfriend Cody set out to rescue her.
The game takes you through 5 regions of Metro City, each being one level. You have the choice of using either Mayor Mike Haggard to save Jessica, or her boyfriend Cody. Both characters are fairly good, but have slightly different fighting styles. Mike is a power-house, and Cody is a more agile boxer. Levels contain side-scrolling action, and many enemies that you will encounter along the way to beat up. At the most, there are only 3 enemies on screen at a time, so it is still a challenge, but a challenge that can be overcome. Each level is generally broken up into 3 to 4 short rooms that lead to a boss who is waiting for you at the end of the stage.
Along with using your regular fighting moves, there are three different weapons you can acquire at different points to use. Weapons can be found under boxes, or barrels that you need to destroy, or they are sometimes dropped by enemies. The list of available weapons includes knives, swords, and steel pipes. The sword, and steel pipe are fairly similar in fighting style, and are power weapons that can knock most enemies down in one hit. The knife is a weaker weapon, but can be thrown at the enemy from a distance. All weapons can only be used until they leave your hands, so you better work hard to protect yourself, and not get hit while holding a weapon.
There are other goodies hidden throughout the level. Just like the weapons, these items are hidden under crates, under boxes, under piles of tires, or under barrels. These items that can be found are either regular items, which give you extra points, helping you get extra lives faster, or food, which recovers your health.
Scattered between the five stages is two bonus stages. Each stage allows you a chance to increase your points, helping you gain extra lives faster. The first bonus stage is fairly fun, and gives you the chance to demolish a car, using your hands, feet, or a nearby pipe. The second bonus stage has hanging panes of glass which you have to destroy. Both bonus stages have a short time limit, so the faster you can complete them, the more points you receive.
The graphics in this game are very good for a game that is as old as this is. Characters and enemies are fairly well designed and contain good detail. Bosses look very good, showing a lot of muscle, and good detail to their outfits. Backgrounds reflect the gang setting in town very well, but are also fairly bright and colorful. Many places that you travel through look fairly run down, and have graffiti all over the walls, and the other surfaces around the area. There are also spots around the town with trash, and other objects lying around.
The music is excellent. I love listening to the music in the game. It does not wear thin very easily, since there is a new theme for each level. This basically means that you will be listening to one piece of music for only 10 to 15 minutes at the most.
Sound effects are great. There are a ton of them throughout the game and for many different things. There is a very small amount of voice acting. Characters and enemies all make distinct noises when they become injured, and bosses have different sound effects, like laughing, or whistling for back-up. There is also one small spoken line in the bonus stage. These are all fairly well done. Other sound effect include those made with the various attacks, including the quick sound made when you are punching up a storm, the sound of attacks making contact with the enemy, either physically, or with a weapon, and the sound of the a character or enemy getting smashed into the ground. There are also accurate sound effects made when an object is destroyed, like a box, crate, barrel, or glass. There are various other sound effects heard including the sound of the train riding by, the sound of charging enemies
Control is very easy to pick up. Within a few minutes of using a character, you will feel at ease with their arsenal of moves. Each character has different techniques to use based on their background. Both characters have the standard punching, and jump kicks, but that is all that is similar between them. Mike Haggard, having a street-fighting background uses wrestling moves like head butts, lunges, back drops, and pile drivers. Cody has techniques which come from his boxing background and include shoulder throws, flying kicks, knee drops, and knee bashes. The character that you choose really depends on the style you prefer, so I suggest playing around with each character, and figuring out which style you find better for dispatching the enemies around you.
The balance of difficulty is pretty good in most parts of the game. Overall I would consider the difficulty level to be medium. Most minor enemies in each stage can be taken care of fairly easily. Most enemies will be simple to defeat, but there will be some that are there to frustrate you. Enemies have different patterns, which you should be able to pick up fairly quickly, and determine a fighting style to avoid those patterns. Bosses are the truly difficult affair. Each boss is more difficult than the previous, and will be quite a feat to tackle. It is best to keep your distance from bosses if possible, as most can easily hit one special move that will take out nearly a whole life. To make it more difficult, there are usually three standard enemies accompanying each boss at all times. These enemies can also be used to your advantage, if you manage to stay away from the boss, and throw enemies at the boss.
Overall, this is a really good game, and a lot of fun. It will provide you with some good beat ‘em up action for many hours. The levels are well designed, graphics are great, and the sound is excellent. It is easy to get started, but difficult to finish, so it will provide a fairly challenging experience no matter how many times you play it. Since it is an old Super Nintendo game, it can most likely be found fairly cheap. I would definitely recommend buying this game if you ever get the chance.
Gameplay - 10/10 - great action, and a lot of fun
Graphics - 9/10 - it is a Super Nintendo game, but the graphics are still great to look at
Sound - 10/10 - music is excellent, and very enjoyable, and sound effects are well done.
Control - 10/10 - Controls are very easy to pick up quickly
Difficulty - Medium - semi-easy minor enemies, but very difficult bosses
Buy or Rent - definitely buy it, you will love it