PANG (GX4000)
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a.k.a. Buster Bros.
Publisher: Ocean. Developer: Capcom. Released: 1990. Genre: Platform shoot 'em up. Other versions: CPC; AMI; SPC; C64; AST; GB. Posted 5th September 2013. By Chris Weatherley © 2013 |
Only 25 official titles were produced for Amstrad’s forgotten 8-bit uncut diamond, this is the game that stands up and shouts aloud that the machine could have been capable of greatness. It’s voted the best game on the system among fanboys, given an approving nod by the more mainstream gamers, it offers near 16-bit quality presentation, plays like a silky smooth dream that is as challenging as working out the square root of 2049*. And it’s all about bursting balloons! Capcom’s arcade romp Buster Bros got given the customary European name-swap and Pang was the result. Faithful cabinet port’s impressed on the Amiga and Atari ST, and the Spectrum produced a very fine effort too, but the 8-bit rendition on the GX4000 was a sheer masterstroke of programming. Unquestionably one of the best 8-bit games ever produced, it has everything a top ranking 16-bit title could demonstrate. Often dismissed by many due to the abject failure of its parent platform, Pang ticks all the right boxes that a gamer could yearn for. Get your harpoon out people, passports at the ready and let’s save the world from the attack of the killer balloons!
At its heart, Pang is a shoot ‘em up-come-platformer; where accurate marksmanship, vigilant planning and platform acuity are all of vital importance. The action takes place in single screens much akin to titles like Bombjack or Manic Miner. As a certified harpoon-toting adventurer, you are tasked to travel to 17 countries around the world comprising of 3 stages apiece to obliterate the invasion of the belligerent balloons. It’s no children’s birthday party or water bomb fight either. These balloons come at you in 4 different sizes which multiply upon bursting. A single giant balloon will split 3 times before you can destroy it. They vary in speed, colour and bounce, but all are deadly upon a single touch. No energy bar here, it’s insta-death time! The object is crystal; destroy all the balloons and move on to the next stage until the Earth is rid of these gas-filled rapscallions. Sounds pretty easy right? Well, chuck in a myriad of platforms, ladders, power-ups and interfering wildlife and it becomes a very tough, enjoyable and surprisingly engaging challenge indeed.
At its heart, Pang is a shoot ‘em up-come-platformer; where accurate marksmanship, vigilant planning and platform acuity are all of vital importance. The action takes place in single screens much akin to titles like Bombjack or Manic Miner. As a certified harpoon-toting adventurer, you are tasked to travel to 17 countries around the world comprising of 3 stages apiece to obliterate the invasion of the belligerent balloons. It’s no children’s birthday party or water bomb fight either. These balloons come at you in 4 different sizes which multiply upon bursting. A single giant balloon will split 3 times before you can destroy it. They vary in speed, colour and bounce, but all are deadly upon a single touch. No energy bar here, it’s insta-death time! The object is crystal; destroy all the balloons and move on to the next stage until the Earth is rid of these gas-filled rapscallions. Sounds pretty easy right? Well, chuck in a myriad of platforms, ladders, power-ups and interfering wildlife and it becomes a very tough, enjoyable and surprisingly engaging challenge indeed.
Too much sherbet can result in such an expression sticking for days
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Mount Fuji has never looked so picturesque
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By taking a mere glance at the screenshots, you can see this game is UTTERLY gorgeous to look at. Let's get this straight; these are 8-bit graphics, but they could easily pass as 16-bit, and some of the best I have ever came across in a lifetime of third generation gaming. It has connotations to the SNES’s graphically outstanding Donkey Kong Country in some respects; it just doesn’t look like it belongs to the platform it’s on. From the intro screen through to the many iconic backdrops you visit, Pang is a joy to behold. There are many visual highlights to laud; the individual scenes are typically 8-bit but so well drawn and balanced, they are instantly recognisable and offset cleverly with the sprites. They are mostly all different too, only a couple of palette-swapped copies are sneaked in, but this is scarcely noticeable. The sprites themselves are equally glorious; excellently represented, with smooth edges and vivid, contrasting colours, never any hint of colour clash. A textbook example of how to program magnificent 8-bit visuals. The little added inclusions are fun too, the between level screens are bold, the map screen fitting. I also particularly like the way the character crazily jumps out of the game screen upon sustaining a fatal blow. A smile-inducing touch to counter the disappointment of an untimely demise.
The same can be said about the audio arrangements. Catchy and jolly tunes accompany each stage, again all different and in theme with the light-hearted nature of the game. The effects are placed and synced well and sound great, with some nice, familiar tones for the popping and shooting actions. The full capability of the GX’s hardware is used here in both aspects of the aesthetics to brilliant effect, the only slight niggle would be the SFX encroaching on the BGM now and then. This becomes rather unnoticeable after a several minutes of play, because thankfully the gameplay is also totally, totally awesome.
The same can be said about the audio arrangements. Catchy and jolly tunes accompany each stage, again all different and in theme with the light-hearted nature of the game. The effects are placed and synced well and sound great, with some nice, familiar tones for the popping and shooting actions. The full capability of the GX’s hardware is used here in both aspects of the aesthetics to brilliant effect, the only slight niggle would be the SFX encroaching on the BGM now and then. This becomes rather unnoticeable after a several minutes of play, because thankfully the gameplay is also totally, totally awesome.
Tetris blocks receive a rude awakening after encroaching on Pang
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Despite apocalyptic weather, dress code offers no leeway for the hero
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This is the major pulling point of Pang; it’s just so much damn fun to play. Never do you feel aggravated by lacklustre controls, never do you feel aggrieved when losing a life. You always feel it was your fault should you slip up, giving no thought to blaming the game mechanics. This is due to pixel perfect collision detection, active and responsive controls, smooth and faultless animation and well judged learning curve. There is barely a criticism of the way this game plays I can think of. The only thing maybe of a slight bug whereas a tiny balloon may get trapped in an area you cannot reach. This can happen on only two stages, and can be prevented if you play the level in the right way. This aside, the bubble bursting action flows consistently, variably and encourages you to knuckle down and concentrate. With each level comes a different strategy and differing tactics. With increasing amounts of platforms that mean higher bounces, quicker reactions in the later stages, destroyable blocks that have to be removed at the right times and power ups that have to be thought about with care. Added for good measure are the random factors; the helpful crab, the manic woodpecker or weapon-stealing whelk appear at regular intervals, adding yet more contemplation and challenge. Capping off a great single player experience you have the option of a co-op two-player mode, which changes the dynamic considerably. It becomes a real mission to work with your partner, shooting the right targets at the correct points or letting the right player receive a power up. Failure in cohering together with result in deaths blamed on the other person, with balloons dropping on your head when your buddy should have wasted it. Arguments can occur, reviving past toddler fights about whose Disney balloon is whose. Great stuff!
With a total of 51 stages of increasing and exasperating difficulty, coupled with the absorbing gameplay, Pang has the life of a near immortal. In the many years I have owned my copy, I have only completed it twice, and never in two-player mode. The sheer special nature of the graphics, the joyful music and the rather flawless playability makes it a game that can be returned to at any time, often making you think why the hell you stopped playing it the last time. It’s somewhat a simple premise, but my word it’s executed in the most exceptional and addictive manner. Without a doubt, the best title available for the GX4000, and for any hardcore retro gamer, it’s worth buying the console just for this game alone. Balloon-popping, harpoon-shooting 8-bit wonderfulness!
*45.265881, just so you know.
With a total of 51 stages of increasing and exasperating difficulty, coupled with the absorbing gameplay, Pang has the life of a near immortal. In the many years I have owned my copy, I have only completed it twice, and never in two-player mode. The sheer special nature of the graphics, the joyful music and the rather flawless playability makes it a game that can be returned to at any time, often making you think why the hell you stopped playing it the last time. It’s somewhat a simple premise, but my word it’s executed in the most exceptional and addictive manner. Without a doubt, the best title available for the GX4000, and for any hardcore retro gamer, it’s worth buying the console just for this game alone. Balloon-popping, harpoon-shooting 8-bit wonderfulness!
*45.265881, just so you know.
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VERDICT
Visual: 10/10
Audio: 9/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Longevity: 9/10 OVERALL: 10/10 |