I'm trying, but I really can't say a bad word said about Ranger X. If only all MD games looked as good!
You control a robot, complete with booster rocket for flying, who is armed with a rather big gun. Several big guns, in fact. With heaps of other big guns in the support craft. These weapons come in handy, because you aren't the only one with a big gun! There are enough enemies to start up an ice hockey league and they're hard enough to skate with the best! You'll be taking on robots that scale the landscape like the Walkers out of Return of the Jedi, plus flying military ships that are seeking you out with an aim to destroy.
The support system allows you to choose from one of 7 different types of kick-booty fire power. There are Bombs, Thunder Laser Beams, Wide Beams, as well as Buster Beams that act like smart bombs but suck more power out of you than an Atari Lynx! And finally there are Fire Flame Thrower, Shield and Metal Bird, which is like a heat seeking missile. Sounds impressive but its use is restricted, as your power supply is punished upon use. Your power back-up system can be recharged by solar power. In some underground levels, this is a problem. You have a short term energy meter that restricts your immediate flying distance, because every move you make depletes it. But if you stop moving you will regain lost energy. Your support system (the Ex-Up) also functions as a motor bike, and you can use it to get through narrow paths, or even gain height if you stand on it the right way.
One noteable feature is the use of colour. Thanks to new programming techniques (not special chips, which is an important difference), programmers have used 128 on-screen colours rather than the usual Mega Drive maximum of 64, and this is quite noticeable in the backgrounds. There's nothing quite so special for the sound effects, but there's no sloppy explosions here either! All the rounds are challenging and enjoyable. There are 8 stages in all, with each round having an excellent intro showing
you your next target. Round 1 has you destroying cannons that are shooting upon a distant village, then heading underground to destroy the enemy's power grid. You'll go through underground passages, through the woods and into fierce cities in the course of your mission. It all looks brilliant but you'll have no time to admire the scenery as this is a rock hard game. This one is real tough. No wimps need apply!
I'm trying, but I really can't say a bad word said about Ranger X. It offers a long-lasting challenge, originality, and heart-pumping, adrenalin-charged action. Don't just get this to impress your friends. Get it to impress yourself!
Brian Costelloe
As printed in Hyper magazine #1