Snes - Demon's Crest Review

Created by Capcom. Demon's crest is a game related to Gargoyle's quest on the gameboy which features Firebrand. Firebrand returns in this game but for some strange reason few call this a sequel. Whatever the case is, if you are a Megaman or Megaman X fan but want a dark and gothic game you will love this. Regardless of the fact that many of the ideas were borrowed from Megaman, I think it should be a classic.

Gameplay: 8/10
As with most Capcom platform games, Demon's crest main character is stunted. Like Megaman, Firebrand, can not crouch and just like Megaman X, Firebrand, can cling to walls. Unlike Megaman however, Firebrand can actually fly.
Initially he can only fly left and right, hover or drop to a lower level but obtaining a certain power up you can turn into another form which will allow you to fly upwards.

So, what are the power-ups in the game like? Well first of all, the story is that you are Firebrand who was beaten by the Demon Phalanx. Many many many years ago, six crests were distributed across the land. Who ever obtained them all would become the ultimate fighter capable of defeating everyone. Firebrand managed to collect all but was ambushed by Phalanx.
Now Firebrand has returned to seek revenge.

Each of the crest will give you a different body and skill. For example, you start off with a piece of the Fire crest which allows you to shoot fire and head butt things. Later you get the ground crest which takes away your wings when you switch to it but you do get an attack which travels along the ground and the ability to dash.

Obtaining more crests you will obtain new skills and new bodies. Just like Megaman.

You also get potions and spells along with Talisman's which do various things like increase the damage you deal or decrease the damage depending on which talisman you choose.

While the ideas are great, you do get annoyed by the low jumps, inability to crouch and to fly upwards. Also having to switch back and forth between forms to complete such tasks is just annoying to no end.

Graphics: 5/5

While not exactly containing high end 3-D graphics like Killer Instinct or Donkey Kong Country what Demon's Crest has is detail and very scary looking backgrounds and monsters. Seriously, you can count the number of bones on an enemy skeleton and see the rivuets of slime on a slime monster. Everything is monstrous and there are no "cute" things like in other games to lighten the dark brooding graphics.

Sound and Music: 5/5

The score for this is very old and you have a lot of organ playing. Long sonorous notes and depressing. Very fitting to the atmosphere of the game especially when you are in the castles and dungeons.

Game design: 3/5

Like Megaman, this game is tough, very tough and while the levels are relatively short, you find yourself having to return to find that one power-up you missed which is actually hidden in another area you have never seen before. Thankfully all the locations are different and the artwork fabulous to keep your moral up.

You can not actually save, rather you are given a password which requires you to fill in 16 squares, just like Megaman. This is very annoying.

Perhaps one of the downpoints (or up points if you like a challenge) is that to see the best ending you have to collect all the power-ups. As a bonus however for doing this you do get a seventh crest turning you into the Ultimate Gargoyle.

Longevity: 4/5

Because of the several different endings and so many hidden areas. You will probably be playing this for a long time to come. Of course, it requires a huge dose of patience if you are new to the scene but if you've lived through the whole of the Megaman series, the Marvel series and the Ghouls and ghosts series this should be no different.

For: Ability to change form and become different. Good plot. Great graphics. Scary music

Against: Can not crouch. Requires a lot of patience. High difficulty level.