Game Mechanics - 2/2
Story-line - 2/2
Graphics - 2/2
Soundtrack - 2/2
Replay Value - 1.5/2
Total Score - 9.5/10
Welcome to your weekly video game review from your friendly
neighborhood gamer Zalgo Cometh. I do hope your gaming week has been as
entertaining and fun filled as mine. As cliche as it may sound life Imitates
art; this week I found myself bogged down and stressed out by the hassles of my
IRL (in real life) life. This past week my life really has felt like a
hurricane even if it wasn't all happening here in Duckberg. I take great
comfort in knowing that video games exist both old and new to help your average
gamer like I deal with aforementioned stress. So it was with great pleasure
that I picked up a copy of the newly redone and remastered in HD Ducktales
adventure game. Let me just go on record saying that I am a huge Ducktales
fanboy and I as recently as last year downloaded and watched the entire series
from scratch. Don't judge me. So just what can you expect from this newly
remastered classic? Come along and find out...
DuckTales is an action platformer video game developed by Capcom and based on the Disney animated TV series of the same name. It was first released in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 and was later ported to the Game Boy in 1990. The story involves Scrooge McDuck traveling across the globe collecting treasure and outwitting his rival Flintheart Glomgold to become the world's richest duck. A Remastered version developed by WayForward Technologies, featuring high resolution graphics and the original voice cast from the show, was released on PlayStation Network, the Wii U Nintendo eShop and Steam in North America on August 13, 2013, with a release on Xbox Live Arcade to follow on September 11, 2013. A retail PlayStation 3 version was also released on August 20, 2013. The game is available for the low price of $14.99. Certain gaming media outlets and video game celebrities were fortunate enough to get a copy of a special limited edition release copy of the original game on a golden Nintendo cartridge. Before you even ask; yes it actually works in a Nintendo Entertainment System. I cannot even begin to imagine how awesome it must feel to be chosen to receive one of those cartridges. Only 150 were made so you know its truly special and valued piece of gaming history.
You play as Scrooge McDuck as he goes around the world in search of five artifacts to further increase his fortune. Scrooge can combat enemies and traverse levels using his cane. Pressed up against an object, Scrooge can swing his cane to attack enemies and break open or throw certain objects. While jumping, Scrooge can bounce on his cane like a pogo stick to stomp on enemies from above. This pogo jump maneuver also allows him to reach areas his normal jump could not attain, as well as bounce across dangerous areas that would hurt him otherwise. Along the way, Scrooge can find various diamonds, found in treasure chests or appearing in certain empty areas. These diamonds increase his fortune and add to the total money that the player can use to purchase bonus content from the in-game gallery. Scrooge comes across multiple characters from the series that play various roles, such as providing hints, offering up items and opening up new areas. Even though it is a remake of the classic the game adds story elements that help explain some of the reasoning behind each level. The game has almost identical gameplay as the original, complimented with a few gameplay adjustments, such as a map screen and an easier pogo jump, which can be toggled on and off. DuckTales: Remastered features a new tutorial level, set in Scrooge's money vault, and a new level leading up to the final boss.
You play as Scrooge McDuck as he goes around the world in search of five artifacts to further increase his fortune. Scrooge can combat enemies and traverse levels using his cane. Pressed up against an object, Scrooge can swing his cane to attack enemies and break open or throw certain objects. While jumping, Scrooge can bounce on his cane like a pogo stick to stomp on enemies from above. This pogo jump maneuver also allows him to reach areas his normal jump could not attain, as well as bounce across dangerous areas that would hurt him otherwise. Along the way, Scrooge can find various diamonds, found in treasure chests or appearing in certain empty areas. These diamonds increase his fortune and add to the total money that the player can use to purchase bonus content from the in-game gallery. Scrooge comes across multiple characters from the series that play various roles, such as providing hints, offering up items and opening up new areas. Even though it is a remake of the classic the game adds story elements that help explain some of the reasoning behind each level. The game has almost identical gameplay as the original, complimented with a few gameplay adjustments, such as a map screen and an easier pogo jump, which can be toggled on and off. DuckTales: Remastered features a new tutorial level, set in Scrooge's money vault, and a new level leading up to the final boss.
What’s Good:
Game Mechanics - There is more freedom in this remastered version of the game as well. This freedom includes the ability to choose the level order you progress in, along with an entire prologue level and the ability to dive into Scrooges vault, just like he does in the cartoon series. They also took the time to implement an alternate mode for using Scrooges Pogo jump maneuver which was sometimes a bit cumbersome. Included as well now is a difficulty setting that enables the player to tackle the game as best suited for him. I should also make mention the most important gameplay feature of all that was added; auto saves. No longer does one have to worry about losing all the progress made due to game over or loss of power.
Story-line - The story of the game remains the same with added tips and hints thrown in to flesh out the original story narrative more through character appearances and interactions. The game highlights new elements that further explain some of the motives and reasoning behind each level, such as how Scrooge is able to breathe on the Moon without an astronaut suit for instance.
Graphics - DuckTales: Remastered features a 2.5D presentation, with 2D hand-drawn character sprites and 3D modeled levels. Visuals look clean and crisp, completely revamped and updated from the 8-bit counterparts of yester year.
Soundtrack - I can't even begin to tell you how awesome it was hearing my favorite stage. Before I knew it I was completely sucked in singing along with the game. Not only does the game feature newly remastered songs based on the originals but they also included the original 8-Bit songs from the first game. Once you beat the game you gain the option of switching between the newer ones or the original 8-bit ones.
What’s Bad:
Nothing; this is as good as it gets for a remake of this kind. Brilliantly executed revamp of a series that is sure to touch the hearts of both old and newcomers alike. Capcom and Disney totally got this one right.
What Should Have Been Added:
I can comfortably say there is nothing I would add to this game. It is a perfect remake of a timeless classic that has embodied all my nostalgia and held true to the original. This is as good as it gets and I can only hope that more 8-bit classics are to come in light of how well this game was executed.
Final Thoughts:
If you played the original you should play this, if you know of the Ducktales cartoon series you should play this, if you know someone that knows of the Ducktales series or game you should play this, if you are a fan of Disney in any way, shape, or form; you should play this game. Period. The game is loads of fun, easy level of entry for gamers and non-gamers alike and offers a taste of something that has not been properly executed as per the route of most remakes in this day and age.
