3RRSG Ranger X

A platformer for shooting fans…and vice versa.

This game received absolutely no media recognition, credit, or
anything else it deserved at the time of its release. Considering what
this game can do, this is an absolutely stunning title. It's not only a
sleeper hit, it's just a plain hit if you ask me. This game is incredible on
so many levels, and yet it just kind of sat there. No one really knew it;
no one really wanted to. Just like the ranger you're about to become.

Post-apocalyptic earth. You are a mysterious ranger in a special suit
out to save what's left of the Earth from the forces of evil-which
basically means you go around blasting the bejeezus out of everything
that isn't you. And I love it. The story is clichéd, but this game
integrates two major categories for one helluva game. It's a
platformer, as you walk around on foot and on cycle shooting things at
you as they approach, but you can also hover into the air and blast
flying enemies on both sides, making it a shooter. It completes both to
perfection.

One thing to get out of the way, this is a technical masterpiece on the
Genesis. Animated backgrounds. No big deal, right? WRONG. With so
many things going on on-screen, it's amazing that backgrounds can
contain smoke swirling into the sky and fires burning in buildings. All in
the background while utter chaos is circulating during the game. It
amazes me how over 12 fully animated hovering droids, you, your
cycle, a charger, and hundreds of little missiles and lasers can be on
screen without any slowdown. It's absolutely amazing. By the way, did I
mention that the graphics are fantastic? Your soldier looks especially
badass with his huge gun and motorcycle tailing him as he walks
along. Animation is awesome, and everything moves with great ease.
On the second boss level, as you walk by long hallways, they move
from side to side while you're walking. That's rotation (or at least a
damn good illusion!), my friends. Also, things come out of these
hallways. That's scaling, my friends. And oh my, there's more: each
level is preceded by a scaling vector-graphic map intro screen. This
game looks phenomenal and is truly one of the best, if not the best
effort ever on the Genesis.

The music is pure adrenaline. Plenty of blood-pumping tunes to
increase the intensity level, complete with synthesized drums, low
bass, techno sounds that I've never even heard before on the Genesis.
Each weapon, laser, missile, and robot has their own sound, all moving
along with the game fluently without hesitation. The music is catchy,
and especially the intro music really grabs my ear.

This game is pure mayhem right from the start. (Warning - Bad Duran
Duran play on words ahead) This game's AI is hungry like the wolf.
(Sorry, had to put it in!) They toss you into insanity right from the bat,
and you need to blast everything that moves to get past it. There's
plenty of strategy involved as well, such as discovering weaknesses
for bosses and sub-bosses, experimenting with different weapons,
where and when to use your cycle… the list goes on and on. Speaking
of which, there are plenty of weapons that you can use to fire the
enemy into a living pulp with at your disposal. You can use your
ordinary fire, or you can use flamethrowers, laser grenades, spreading
lasers, attack hawks, the list keeps going, and each of these weapons
illuminates the screen with “I'll kill you”… except it doesn't really say
that. Well, you get the idea.

Another really neat aspect is the fact that you can crouch into your
companion, which is basically a motorcycle with one wheel. This has
its own separate health and everything, so if your player is getting
worn, or if you need to switch special weapons, strap yourself in and
fire homing lasers at your opponents while you find a recharge station.

This game is truly a gem in the Genesis library, and should not be
overlooked. While it is a sleeper, it is, in my opinion, one of the best
games for the system, and definitely deserves a spot in any gamers'
library.

Grades

Gameplay: 100%

Kill everything that isn't you. Chaos, mayhem, insanity, whatever you
want to call it; it's an all-out blast-athon, and you shouldn't miss it
because it's ridiculously fun and satisfying.

Graphics: 100%

A technical marvel on the Genesis, I'm surprised it could handle
anything close to this. So much action on screen, fully animated and
attractive backgrounds, smooth animation, and vector graphics with
no slowdown; are you kidding me?

Sound: 95%

Everything has it's own sound, and everything fits the mood perfectly.
Adrenaline-pumping, hardcore techno, mind blowing sound effects, this
game has it all.

Presentation: 90%

Nice intro, catchy intro music, vector graphics to map each level, this
game is fantastic from when you start it to when you end it.

Replay Value: 100%

It's a great challenge, and trust me, you'll keep coming back for more.

Overall: 100%

*The Overall rating is not an average of the preceding scores.

Review by: IronKnux