Firebrand a-go-go!
PLAYERS: 1
PUBLISHER: Capcom
DEVELOPER: Capcom
GENRE: Action/adventure
RELEASE DATE: October 1992
I’ve always found it odd for game developers to begin a series on one console, then bring the sequel to a completely different console; even in the early 90s when there weren’t well-established “rules.” What if the audience didn’t follow from one console to the next? Gamers were younger and thus poorer then, and couldn’t be expected to shell out money just at the drop of Capcom’s whimsical hat! What am I blathering on about, you ask? Gargoyle’s Quest was a top-down action game with lite RPG elements for the Game Boy. Gargoyle’s Quest II is obviously on the NES, otherwise I wouldn’t be reviewing it. I just think it’s odd that Capcom would move the series over to the NES, in what I’m assuming was an attempt to increase the series’ popularity and get more money…? I could speculate all day, but why waste everyone’s time? To the review!
The Gargoyle’s Quest series, beginning with the original Game Boy game and ending with Demon’s Crest, was a spin-off from Ghosts and Goblins starring the crag-mouthed demon, Firebrand. Gargoyle’s Quest II, like its predecessor, is a sometimes top-down, sometimes side-scrolling affair that hinges on your ability to precisely maneuver Firebrand. If you can’t make him float as precisely and as accurately as he needs to; if you can’t make him latch on to the side of platforms, he will fall and likely take damage or straight up die. This game, like Ghosts and Goblins, takes little pity on those who desire a straightforward gaming experience. What seems like a relatively simple exercise – float from platform to platform – actually takes great skill in timing. If you can handle this, you can handle the entire game.
I’d like to say that Gargoyle’s Quest II is a fun and fulfilling experience, but it lacks any sort of variety that would have increased its replayability. It’s certainly enjoyable while you’re playing and you can tell from the overall polish of the game that Capcom took great relish in updating its spin-off series from gray-and-green to hi-fi color. Still, I was expecting something more than a series of timing exercises. Let’s call it, “heart.”
B-
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9 replies on “#248 – Gargoyle’s Quest II”
Good points. I like it, but yeah, it’s almost like it takes its strength (“hm let’s make the side-scrolling parts challenging exercises) and… beats that drum rather hard.
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There I said it. And I’m happy to see you back doing what you do best. One of the things anyways. Just so you know, I’m heading on over to the other one as soon as I’m done posting this comment. Let’s hope I’m not disappointed…
I loved the first game, played it to death and borrowed this from a friend. Great graphics, in fact on replaying it recently I noticed background stuff I hadn’t noticed as a kid. This game was just as fun as the original IMO.
It kinda sounds like you played half an hour of it, but yeah, it’s a bit repetitive I guess. The first one had better bosses, and music.
It sounds like you’re making rash judgments. Also, B- is not a bad score
I thought that gargoyle looked a lot like the red devils in ghost and goblins.
Agreed, a b- is considered a decent score. Even excellent titles get A-, because A and A+ are for the truly great games.
One of my favorite NES games.. It is flawed for sure, but there’s something that keeps me coming back. Perhaps I just love the game’s gimmick/mechanics, much how I enjoy Metal Storm. It’s funny how the RPG elements are pretty shallow, and on the surface one might think “well good, get me to the good stuff!” but in the end you’re left with more of a “what’s the point” feeling. The NPC’s are kinda blah, the only things you buy are health and lives, the final stage/boss isn’t much of a challenge, and even in 1992 the game still suffered from awkward translations.. But man, the atmosphere.. The graphics and sound, the play-control, the “mostly” balanced challenge.. That sweet sweet level-design… I love me some GQII!
Fantastic game. All 3 games in the series are hidden gems.
“Gargoyle’s Quest was a top-down action game”
False. It had a top-down world map, but the main gameplay was sidescrolling platforming/action.