Each successful hit knocks a plug from the bottom of the level, lowering the water level. In the water level a shark dashes across the screen as you dodge, and then grab as it comes in for a deliberate attack. The lack of attack options means you’re looking for how to grab the enemy. Review the pattern, and attack when the moment is right. By the time you reach the first boss the games pace has made that clear. Patience is rewarded in the game.īosses are creative encounters. Level designs require the precise controls to work through series of traps and enemy waves. Solving the layout of the levels and the puzzles/traps within is the challenge, not timing jumps across tricky platforms. Ristar achieved the impossible by being more fun swimming than walking.įunctionally Ristar is closer to puzzle platformers like the original Prince of Persia (but way less punishing and far more fun), than its cousin Sonic. Rayman controls well underwater, but like Mario the other levels are always better. Mario’s water levels are okay, but pale next to other great level designs. I’ve never felt that way about a water level in any platformer. It might be my favorite level in the game. Not thought, “This was decent.” I enjoyed a water level. Weighty controls and thoughtful gameplay helped with something I never imagined possible, I enjoyed the water level. How and when you attack an enemy becomes part of the navigation challenge in Ristar. The maintained momentum allows you to reach higher areas. After the hit, Ristar bounces off the enemy. Ristar grabs onto enemies, and launches himself into them for a damaging attack. It’s a simple setup, but the game uses the limited input to its fullest. Ristar’s inputs are directions, jump and grab. Most of the game is making careful movements to avoid hazards and defeat enemies. This shooting star move isn’t required to complete the levels, but it provides a burst of speed for a change of pace. There are moments where Ristar can turn into an invincible shooting star rocketing around the screen. Precision a large part of the game design. Grabbing onto barred walls and ceilings, you always know precisely where Ristar will move with a single tap of the d-pad. Ristar is the polar opposite of Sonic the Hedgehog’s chaotic speed. One that could release on Steam today, and is available there for download. Playing this Sega Genesis classic for 90 minutes was a breath of fresh air, despite being 25 years old. Sonic’s popularity allowed the franchise to languish through mediocre and bad games for over a decade, while Ristar faded into obscurity.
There’s been no talk of a sequel or Sonic Mania style release here, despite it being the arguably better Team Sonic developed title. Despite this, Ristar remains a hidden gem of the Sega Genesis library. Type Ristar into YouTube, and a dozen reviews pop up.
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