Game: Mercs
Console: Mega Drive
Developer: Sega
Release Date: 1991
Originally a Capcom arcade game, Mercs was brought to home console on most of the computer based systems of the time (CPC, C64, Amiga, ST) as well as the Mega Drive and Master System. The aim of the game is to make it through 7 rounds, shooting at everything in your way including the end of round bosses until the 'Mercs' team's secret mission is complete. Players have at their disposal both regular shots that can be upgraded, and a special attack which causes a large explosion.
Although levels start out fairly short, they increase in both length and difficulty as the game progresses, with new types of enemy appearing also. In certain sections, players are allowed to drive vacant enemy cars and boats to advance through levels and there's some novel ideas for the run and gun genre. The overall time needed to complete the Mega Drive version of the game is around 30 minutes, though completing it on a first try may be difficult as players are only awarded 4 continues.
In addition to the arcade mode of the game, there's also Original Mode which offers some alternative levels and gameplay with the same basic controls as players earn points in order to upgrade their weapons and speed. It's a nice little inclusion and definitely gives the game some replayability, which it needs considering the short length of arcade mode. The game's option menu features three different difficulty settings for both modes, but there's not a huge amount of difference between them; I only got one level further on whilst on easy mode.
An interesting choice is that of taking up a quarter of the game's screen with a stats bar which shows the current mission, score, time remaining, life and special attacks left. While this wasn't in the arcade version and could easily be depicted with icons at the top of the screen, freeing up valuable space, it's not the worst idea ever, especially as the stages seem to be designed with a vertical arcade cabinet in mind.
Graphically the game is good but nowhere near as good looking as the arcade version. Explosions and other effects are noticeably watered down from the arcade too. The variety of environments is fairly impressive as players progress, and there's also a good deal of different enemies to neutralise. Musically the game has an enjoyable and fitting soundtrack that gets a little lost in the action of the game, and takes a few listens to actually process.
Overall Mercs for the Mega Drive retains most of the fun of the arcade version with tight controls, enjoyable gameplay and a good soundtrack. Original mode adds a touch of replayability and changes up the formula somewhat. For a run and gun game it's pretty easy, but not so much so that it's easily completed; practice makes perfect. I'd recommend this as one of the better army themed games of the time.
Rating: 69/100
Grade: C
Game: Mercs
Console: Sega Master System
Developer: Sega
Release Date: 1991
Mercs on the Master System is a rather different affair; while the levels and gameplay are rather similar to the Mega Drive version there are some changes which rather affect its quality as a game. Firstly original mode has been removed, leaving only the arcade mode, players now only have one continue, though the game is far easier than the 16 bit version, and there's no music except for when a boss battle is about to start, leaving the game to be accompanied by gunfire and explosion sounds alone.
The controls too feel much less decisive than the Mega Drive version and make it easier to wander into stray gunfire unintentionally. While there isn't a quarter of the screen being taken up by an information display, I'd rather have that than the delayed firing featured in this version of the game. While it's easy to see that the game had to be watered down for use on the 8-bit console, the gameplay does suffer a little too much for my liking.
Graphically the game is poor, with characters displayed as little more than blobs on the screen, and shots as circles. Even taking the console's limitations into account, this is a pretty poor showing from Sega. Musically there's not much to speak of either, as only the boss theme makes it into the game, leaving levels otherwise silent except for gunfire, which is a shame since the original soundtrack was pretty good.
Overall Mercs on the Master System is a shadow of the Mega Drive version, leaving in only the most basic of gameplay concepts and ideas, with much less polish in terms of control, graphics and soundtrack. Players looking for a good run and gun experience may well be better off looking elsewhere.
Rating: 46/100
Grade: D
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