Heavy Nova (Genesis)

[The Coop]

But seriously, the question stands: On a system with as many gems as the Genesis/Mega Drive does, how can one justify playing low-end garbage like Heavy Nova?

When it comes to playing the game, I think the user comments all across this site show quite clearly where one can justify playing a game others hate... because that person found it fun, or at least, more fun than others did. There are two people already who have scored HN higher than I did, so obviously it's coming down to personal taste, and how willing they are to put some time into a game that others detested. Hell, we have people here who think Sonic 2 is a mediocre game at best, so it shouldn't be shocking that others found HN to more enjoyable than you did, and find themselves going back to it from time to time.

And really, if someone's going to be reviewing games, it's their "job" to sit down, learn how to play the game, and then play all the way through it. If they can't bring themselves to do just that, then they shouldn't be reviewing. You can't just focus on the good, and pass on the bad as a reviewer. Then you go from trying to inform people, to just playing what you like and saying you like it. Not really a big stretch there. You have to step outside that comfort zone, and give the games you don't like the same level of devotion for its review. You have to be willing to plow through whatever... be it the greats like Vectorman, or garbage like Shadow Blasters.

Dude, where's my fun factor?

Probably in the same place your car is.

[jerry coeurl]

And really, if someone's going to be reviewing games, it's their "job" to sit down, learn how to play the game, and then play all the way through it. If they can't bring themselves to do just that, then they shouldn't be reviewing.

Well, that is your opinion and you are entitled to it, but if someone is just doing reviews as a hobby I don't think there's any "reviewers code" that they have to adhere to. You might find CGR's reviews to be without merit because he doesn't sit down and go over every game with a fine-toothed comb, but I think that most of his reviews are spot on and quite entertaining, to say the least. When a guy is posting new reviews almost daily, I'm willing to cut him a little slack when it comes to games that aren't immediately accessible.

[Melf]

This goes both ways though. He's only doing it for a hobby; no one's forcing him to do it. Why the rush then?
If he can't devote the time needed to each game because he does reviews daily, then maybe he should scale back the updates. It's his work, so no one can complain.

Consider it this way: if you enjoy his stuff now, think about how much you'd enjoy it if he were to devote equal time to each game.

[Kollision]

Good review. It tackles heavily on gameplay and tries to show why people are put off by it.

I personally love the gameplay here, and every once in a while I play a Heavy Nova session just to remember how awesome the game is. It might be slow (the robots are heavy, damn it) but it's fun, stylish and - contrary to what 99% of the haters say - the controls are very responsive.

It also ocurred to me that this might be the review that had the greatest number of comments in a very short time. That says something, huh?

Heavy Nova FTW!

[Thunderblaze16]

The intro of this game makes you think that you are about to play an amazing game with a lone bad ass robot................then you press start...

[knicksfan89]

The intro of this game makes you think that you are about to play an amazing game with a lone bad ass robot................then you press start...

just watch the videos of the worst genesis games of all time and I agree with you, great intro sequence, shame about the game

[oldskool]

I have beat the game several times. I love it.

[SEGA.GENESIS1989]

I have beat the game several times. I love it.

I love to read comments like this. Especially when if goes against popular opinion! You should provide a quick run down as to what aspects of the game you really like, what are some of the game's mechanics that make the game enjoyable, and a quick run down of some of the tactics you use to get past the difficult AI in later stages.

Keep rocking on "oldskool" Heavy Nova god!

[bigladiesman]

I'll have to be careful, here… The general idea of this game is nice enough: some arcade-platforming and much fighting. The platforming segments even manage to be a bit amusing, but the game itself is slow, graphics are bland, controls are unresponsive, and the collision detection is completely off. The music is nice, though.


That said, don't forget to check the options menu: you can choose levels and explore the game.

At first, I was about to compare this unfavorably to Rise of the Robots, but nope. Heavy Nova is better than ROTR.

[knicksfan89]

I'll have to be careful, here… The general idea of this game is nice enough: some arcade-platforming and much fighting. The platforming segments even manage to be a bit amusing, but the game itself is slow, graphics are bland, controls are unresponsive, and the collision detection is completely off. The music is nice, though.


That said, don't forget to check the options menu: you can choose levels and explore the game.

At first, I was about to compare this unfavorably to Rise of the Robots, but nope. Heavy Nova is better than ROTR.

that title screen music is awesome

[BubsyFan1]

The opening scene in general is great. This is one of those games I like to have around when people are looking to play something they have never experienced before. They will watch the opening scene, get pumped up, then be completely let down after they start playing. I like to show X-Perts to people too.

[OverDrone]

The Mega CD version has a full vocal version of the intro track. It's pretty nice. I've got it in my playlist, along with A Rank Thunder, another Mega CD game with a great opening song (although that one's probably from the original anime).

[knicksfan89]

The opening scene in general is great. This is one of those games I like to have around when people are looking to play something they have never experienced before. They will watch the opening scene, get pumped up, then be completely let down after they start playing. I like to show X-Perts to people too.

I agree with you there