Developer: Sunsoft Publisher: Sunsoft Released: 09/20/91 Genre: Action
In the days before the internet we had to rely on video game magazines for all of our news. While the information was usually out of date their previews of upcoming titles were not. It is interesting to look back at old issues of Nintendo Power and EGM to see games that were scheduled for release but were cancelled or only released in one market. Ufouria was one such title that intrigued me due to its graphics and because it was from Sunsoft. For reasons unknown it never came to the US which is a shame. The game is excellent and a true gem in the NES library.
Bop-Louie and his friends stumble on a crater and decide to pear inside. Everyone except Bop-Louie that is. Unfortunately they fall in and Bop decides to follow. He wakes up in a strange new world alone and must find his friends and hopefully a way back home.
Ufouria follows in Metroid’s footsteps and is an open world adventure except with a multi-character twist. As you explore the world you will find and bring your friend’s back to their senses, at which point you can switch character’s at any time. Everyone has their niche; Freeon Leon can walk on ice whereas everyone else stumbles repeatedly and can swim. Shades can jump the highest and floats after. Gil is the only one who can walk underwater which opens up the game tremendously. He is the last to join to avoid sequence breaking.
As you rescue each of your friends the game gives you a brief breakdown of their strengths and weaknesses. This is an incredibly effective way of helping to guide players although it is not so obvious at first. Initially Ufouria will guide you with arrows to your first friend, Freeon Leon and point you toward the next. After that it stops. But by that point you will have crossed enough terrain to remember to revisit prior areas that were impassable. The ultimate goal is to find three keys needed to open the gate back to your world, a task that is easier than done.
The overall map is huge and split into multiple separate areas. I would say it is about the same size as Metroid even though it does not use the same room by room structure. As you explore you will come across a variety of upgrades such as health restoring medicine and life containers. Ufouria does not go as far as the game it takes after with its items; there are only four life containers and one water of life that restores everything once. Every character has at least one secret weapon but outside of two they are all optional. The game moves at a brisk pace so that despite its size it isn’t very long. This is a compact experience next to similar titles on the system which makes It easier to recommend.
The multiple playable characters add an interesting dynamic to this style of game. Despite certain characters being necessary depending on the terrain more than likely Bop Louie will be your default. The way their skills are integrated is well done and the game gives each their spotlight. It isn’t until close to the end of the game that the game leans on frequent character switching and it becomes annoying. Outside of that and maybe better integration of the special items I have no complaints.
Usually Metroid style titles are pretty easy due to an overabundance of items and such. That also applies here but for different reasons. Even if you do not find the four life containers the game has a sparse population of enemies. Just as in Metroid there are enemies that respawn infinitely so you can refill health if need be. The few boss battles are relatively simple, even the final boss is a pushover. This is in stark contrast to Blaster Master, a similar title from the same publisher.
As with nearly all Sunsoft works on the NES Ufouria looks great. The sprites are large and well animated, especially the bosses. It is not on the level of Gimmick! but then again few games are. Ufouria largely avoids the standard video game tropes in its strange world yet still shows a great deal of variety in its environments. Despite the simple art style the world is highly detailed and well designed if a bit strange at times. The true star is the fantastic soundtrack but that is to be expected; Sunsoft were absolute masters on the system.
In Closing
Ufouria is a great game and an absolute gem for the NES. Sunsoft rarely missed and Ufouria is another feather in their cap of great titles. Fantastic production values, intuitive gameplay, and a medium length quest make this a winner.
