The original Last Ninja was never
released on the Spectrum, reportedly due to it not being up to
standard. The Spectrum had legions of isometric type games, the
Commodore versions, although just as good in many instances, never
brought anything more to the table, except for maybe a better tune.
This time however, it happened the otherway around, the Commodore
version was produced first. Instead of monochromatic graphics we get
graphics in full color, showing just how much more the Commodore was
capable of. The Commodore beat the Spectrum at home as it were, the
computer that saw Knight Lore didn't have the upperhand anymore in this
type of game.
The game is divided into seven levels, the park, New York streets, the
sewer, the basement, the offices, the island, the palace and the final
battle. You get different types of weapons to fight the baddies with,
in this case even pole swinging policemen, you have to solve puzzles
and find ways to gain entry to the next levels. The fighting is
implemented well,it adds to the game, the character animations are
first class. The Commodore version also includes some amazing tunes and
nice graphics introducing every new level.
Now comparing the two versions, the Spectrum version is not bad, the
Commodore version however kicks butt. It's color garphics versus mono,
it's also brilliant atmosheric tunes versus silence.
There is no competition really, the Commodre wins hands down, the
isometric bogey is put to rest. Light Force I'm
including this game due to it making the top games lists on the
Spectrum, it didn't really feature on the Commodore.
The game is a vertical scroller, you
upgrade you weapons as you progress. Nothing special just implemented
well. The Spectrum doesn't have much color clash on this one, always an
advantage on the machine. The Commodore has loads of game in this
genre, Slapfight , Flying shark and Terra Cresta springs to mind. In my
opinion all these games are better the Light Force.
Not much to say really, the Commodore plays a nice tune while the
Spectrum spaceship looks like a desk with a tower-case and monitor. WTF
were the programmers thinking?
The Commodore wins on acount of the game presentation, specifically the
sound and spaceship, being better.
