MFGG - Mario Fan Games Galaxy

Review Information

Game Reviewed	Super Mario Bros: Ztar Turmoil, by Hello
Review Author	Dim_Yimma_H
Created	Jan 5 2013, 11:53 AM

General Commentary and Game Overview

SMB Ztar Turmoil is a hard game, with unusually fancy graphics FX. The only downside is the gun-play with a couple of glitches, yet it's a welcome addition to platforming.

Pros	+ Lighting effects. + Music is impressive 4 of 5 times. + Hard levels, on a reasonable level. + Rocket launcher is awesome. + Somewhat parodying dialog (laugh at Mario games)
Cons	- Bland story dialog (like in Mario games) - Conflict between the gun fire and run key. - Rocket launcher is the only awesome gun, a bit unbalanced.

Impressions

Gameplay 7 / 10	The second thing that strikes me, is the conflicting Ctrl key for using guns and running: it's the same key so it's impossible to carry a gun and run without also firing the gun. Although this conflicting key has been present in Mario games since NES with the fire flower, it becomes much more concerning with continuously firing rifles =P The level design is either the best of the usual Mario setup, or simply applies several inspired ideas. We recognize the find and fetch a spring for the sky-high wall, and the tunnel that is blocked-by-bricks and needs to be bombed. Ztar Turmoil has these challenges with several variations. There are also some newer elements; both the fire dragons and the flamethrower rifle in level 5 changes the ice platforms by melting away ice blocks. So think fast, hurry up and stay cool on these =) Beware that every level takes between 20 and 30 minutes to play through, so prepare for a hard-core serious game session each time. There are save positions, but it's still hard. Beware that the rocket launcher is awesome, both when you use it, and when enemies use it against you. The rocket explosions usually kill in one hit. Use this weapon! GLITCHES: - Jumping from a rope/ladder does not work if holding or tapping the up arrow key. - Jumping from a climbable fence in level 8 does not work while climbing upwards for the same reason. So if you're climbing, stop climbing before trying to jump off.
Graphics 9 / 10	The first thing that strikes me when taking my first steps in this dark game, are the lighting effects! The level rectangular tiles are overall dark and moody, but are lit up by lamps and fires here and there, giving a smooth shaded surface. Then when enemies fire fireballs towards me in level 3, they glow and light up the level a bit more. That is not the only GFX highlight though; later in level 4 and 7 there are thunder lightning effects that are awesome. And the disco style star powerup is gorgeous groovy. The only odd thing about the graphics is the un-fancy health meter on enemies, I thought it was a scanline glitch to start with.
Sound 8 / 10	The first thing about the sound that strikes me are some gross sound effects. When squishing an enemy it sounds like sucking on a spaghetti. Unsure if it's good for being gross X) Most music tracks of the game are really good, wub-wub and athmospheric techno music. The boss music sounds impressive and starts a bit before reaching the boss of the level, so it works like a warning. There is one music track that is a downside; it plays in level 4 is very noisy and not much of a melody, rather it sounds like a gunshot-scratching DJ. Not nice, crazy!
Replay 6 / 10	The game can be replayed as either Mario or Luigi. The playthrough time is over 3 hours, so it may not feel fresh by just changing character. But there are secrets hidden in the levels and they're really hard to get.

Final Words

I had fun! As the overall experience is rewarding hard and rich with different guns - Even if there are several small glitches. The graphics FX are very fancy.

Report This Submission

Comments

No comments have been left.

Pages: | Last Unread