Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Release: 1994 Genre: Platformer
Of all the mascot platformers released during the 16-bit era Rocket Knight Adventures was easily one of the best. It was both original and insanely fun, with its fantastic level design and stellar production values. Konami would follow it up with two sequels a year later, one for both the Genesis and SNES. While both titles shared the same name they were different, with the Sega game bearing the official sequel moniker. But even with that Sparkster does not quite live up to the original although it is still a good game.
After the defeat of the Devotindos empire peace returned to the kingdom of Zephyrus. However it would not last as the Gedol Empire has invaded, kidnapping Princess Cherry with the help of Axl Gear. Sparkster is once again called into action. The enemies this time around are lizards rather than the pigs and wolves of the other games which is pretty interesting. It would have been interesting to see other kingdoms based on different animals if the series had continued but oh well.
Konami have made a number of big and small changes to the mechanics that have a major impact. The biggest would be the rocket pack. Rather than holding down the button to build up a charge it does so automatically. This speeds up the game considerably and enables you to stay airborne indefinitely with skill. The meter charges quickly too so that you can use the rocket pack more freely than in the first game. New this time around is a second charge which allows you to rocket forward like a drill. The game relies heavily on this mechanic, signifying its importance.
Other changes don’t work out as well. Sparkster no longer shoots projectiles from his sword. Instead he is left with a slow and clunky sword swing. The wind up to attack is slow and the hit detection makes relying on melee a gamble. This is a shame too as it makes the flaming sword power-up effectively useless. Chances are you will lose it within seconds of finding it which defeats the purpose of its existence. The spinning slash attack is still pretty great so combat isn’t a total wash thankfully.
One of the criticisms you could lobby at Rocket Knight Adventures is that it did not give as much freedom to use the rocket pack as you would like. Most levels were built around particular set pieces, usually in cramped spaces. The key was to use your boost creatively to get around. Sparkster changes that, with wide open levels designed to boost around. You will not find the elaborately designed puzzle rooms of the original. What you do get is a consistently greater dose of action. As I mentioned before the drill move is called on frequently and is pretty cool. Not cool enough to build a game around though. While there is less exploration the game does give some incentive. Scattered in each level is a golden sword. Collecting all six unlocks golden Sparkster and the true ending.
Whether you like it or not is a matter of preference. I rank Sparkster lower than its predecessor because it lacks its creative level design. It has its moments, such as dismantling an airship piece by piece and has better boss battles but the madcap fun of being thrust in one unique situation after another is gone. That is what made the first game so great, and the SNES Sparkster largely continues in that vein. I do not blame Konami playing to the system’s strengths; it just does not work as well here.
Rocket Knight Adventures set a high bar in terms of its presentation. Sparkster does not quite reach the same height, better in some ways and worse in others. Sparkster has been slightly redesigned; his armor is less bulky and more aerodynamic. While his sprite is smaller the animation has been improved. The backgrounds are inconsistent. Some stages like the pyramid are absolutely stunning. But then you will reach stage 5 with its dark, uninteresting castle environment that drags on way too long. Surprisingly Sparkster is light on special effects. Considering the work Konami were doing with the system that year in Castlevania: Bloodlines and Contra: Hard Corps it is a bit of a surprise. But the overall art direction carries the game.
Konami have graced the series with another excellent soundtrack. This time it is a bit more interesting. Although the SNES and Genesis games are different they do share some of the same music. Comparing the synth heavy Sega music to the orchestrated sounds of the SNES is interesting. I actually like both interpretations of the soundtrack and do not prefer either. That might sound like a cop out but they are both that good.
In Closing
Sparkster is a good game although it is missing the spark that made the original great. Sparkster is not in the same league as its predecessor but is still miles better than the majority of generic mascot platformers from that era.
The controls, the normal sword, the fire sword and the attack of the wind and the rocket are not at all slow nor clumsy, they are averages. Although the fire sword and the wind attack are not at all useless in their attacks, also the graphics are average. It seems a shame that this game has not surpassed its predecessor, although it is a very good title (not as good as its predecessor), it is considered a worthy sequel. In addition, the four games in the saga are currently the most valued by collectors, gamers, etc. is a saga that gained popularity in the 90s.