Ristar (Virtual Console) review

The original idea for Sonic the Hedgehog was to have him grab enemies and slam into them, but this got phased out and refined into the simpler approach we know and love. Not letting the idea go to waste, however, Sega built upon it and, in 1995, released Ristar - a game about a shooting star character who could grab enemies and pull himself around with long extendable arms.The character's spiky form and the high production values makes it easy to forget you're not playing a Sonic game anymore; the temptation to jump on every enemy's head is a hard one to quash, but you'll soon get over it. Ristar's method of attack is to reach out with his arms and slam whatever he grabs into his head. You can reach out not only sideways but upwards, downwards and diagonally too, and using the Wii remote's d-pad provides plenty of precision.Ristar doesn't move anything like Sonic, either; he's slow, gains no momentum at all and can barely jump. But when you start using the various hooks and poles of the environment to grab and swing yourself around, there can be no doubt that Ristar is a very capable character. Swing bars scattered around can also be used to spin and launch you into high-speed flight, sustained for a few moments or until you hit something. These are also found at the end of levels (giving you a final bonus dependant on how high you launch yourself) and as portals to bonus levels throughout the game. Levels also contain secret routes and treasures that you'll need to be clever and skillful to reach.Such rhythm and flow is unfortunately undermined by some bad placement of enemies and traps. Hidden amongst the detailed foreground sprites, enemy critters can leap out or swoop down, stealing precious life stars. With an ordinary four-hits-and-you're-out health system, you're not given much chance for redemption. Level design often annoys with leaps-of-faith and hazards that you can't see until you fall into them - even the end of level bosses use really cheap tricks against you - and you'll be lucky to get anywhere near the end of the game on the first try, not because it's hard, but simply because you haven't the foggiest idea what's about to happen.This being a late release on the Megadrive, it looks particularly luscious. Animation and overall detail are top-notch, and the music is the sort of magic you'll have always wanted to hear from the Megadrive's sound chip; it's got that vibrant Sega vibe running right through it. Levels aren't especially inspired (from forests and deserts to music lands and fire worlds) but they're beautifully designed, if a little bit cluttered. Level two features an underwater section where the screen darkens as you swim deeper - one of many nice touches.Ultimately, Ristar feels a little bit like Sonic leftovers. Not quite enough on its own for that fabled classic status. Regardless, it's lots of fun (when it isn't being frustrating) and one of the better platformers from the era. There are certainly worse things to spend your Wii points on.