We can finally enjoy a great collection of one of the best run ‘n gun of all time.
Unfortunately for many followers of such a veteran genre and that has given us so many joys throughout history, such as run ‘n gun , in these times there are hardly any quality titles belonging to this genre. A style of games that have practically been relegated to a marginal plane and to which the only ones who pay attention to it are the independent developers … and not too much. The last great exponent of the genre was probably Huntdown , a work that we analyzed at the time and that we really liked as we reflected in the reviewcorrespondent. Well, given the scarcity of this type of production, Tesura Games and ININ Games have set out to recover one of the best references of its genre in all history: Turrican .
Of course, we are not (unfortunately) facing a new foray into that wonderful series devised and conceived by Manfred Trenz , but what we can enjoy is a compilation called Turrican Flashback . A compilation that we should not confuse with others that will arrive shortly such as Turrican Anthology 1 and 2 , which and as happens with the collection at hand, will appear both on Switch and on PS4. And what games does the aforementioned Turrican Flashback include ? Well, no less than four of the most celebrated and brilliant installments of this franchise, such as Turrican I , Turrican II , Super Turrican and Mega Turrican. An absolute delight for fans of this character, and also for fans of 2D action side scrolling adventures of a lifetime.
Few classic titles in the run ‘n gun genre can match’ Turrican ‘, a Rainbow Arts masterpiece, Factor 5… and the talented Manfred Trenz.
Classic and challenging shooting
For those who do not know the saga too much, they should know that we are facing games that, basically, encourage us to go through more or less extensive scenarios full of rivals that it is necessary to liquidate. And from time to time, it is also necessary to face various battles against mid-bosses and final bosses, confrontations that in some cases have once again seemed really sublime and very exciting.. To this basic proposal in which action and shootings prevail, other elements are also added, such as the platform. All phases have a design that favors exploration in every way, being necessary to make some more or less complex jumps to discover secret areas of the scenarios that usually bring us succulent rewards such as extra lives … or the enhancement of our arsenal.
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A good range of final bosses await us in each title, some of them really good … although it is true that some are repeated between versions.
One of the most striking and attractive features of the entire saga has always been the issue of weapons that can be used to kill rivals, even unleashing lethal special attacks or, one of our favorite functions, becoming a species. ball and roll on the ground like Samus Aran. Yes, Metroid is one of the sagas that inspired Manfred Trenz to design his masterpiece, and the lesser-known action arcade Psycho-Nics Oscar was also the one that had a very palpable influence on what Turrican ended up being.. And to everything that we have just mentioned, other elements are added, such as its high level of difficulty (although the collection includes tricks that can be activated to soften it a lot), the arrangement of certain phases very different from the usual that enrich the development (and that we prefer to reveal ourselves so as not to spoil anything) and a very particular charm .
We can choose from a good number of options to configure the image: CRT lines, curvature, background …
Therefore, all titles continue to enjoy superb playability despite the time that has elapsed since their original release. And to that is added how carefully this collection is displayed, which includes some integrations that are worth highlighting. By attaching a list of tricks that we can enable in the old way (we are shown the way in which we have to activate them and then carry out the corresponding button combination in each case), it is also possible to rewind the action in any time, great for undoing our gaffes. The handling has also been improved and the button mapping has been arranged in a more modern way . And to this is added the possibility of using save states, something that always comes great for depending on what confrontations. There is no lack of customization options for the screen, which are very broad: use CRT lines, simulate the curvature of the screen, change the background for the frames (the image is 4: 3) … Some options that users will appreciate more fans of this type of retro titles.
It is possible to make use of some improvements and advantages such as using save states, activating tricks that are explained in each of the games or even rewinding the game.
Regarding its audiovisual layout, it is amazing how well all the games are preserved despite the time that has passed since their original release. Obviously and although there are differences between some versions and others, in general they all look a good level, especially the most modern ( Super Turrican and Mega Turrican ), enjoying a really good level design. But what we still like the most is the soundtrack. In any case, the German composer Chris Huelsbeck gives us a veritable shower of songs that are still as good as we remembered them at the time. For the most music lovers, just to be able to enjoy their music is already worth getting this collection.
The soundtrack composed by Chris Huelsbeck who accompanies us in the four installments is still a true marvel.
A very careful collection
A saga of the greatness of Turrican deserved a compilation as good as the one that ININ Games and Tesura Games bring us. Four great classics such as Turrican I and II , Super Turrican and Mega Turrican have been seasoned with significant improvements in their control scheme (especially the older ones) as well as a remarkable number of small innovations such as the possibility of making temporary saves or rewinding the departure at any time. And to this is added a large number of options to customize each of the games that go from choosing the shaderturn (very good, by the way) to the wallpaper and other interesting options. But the best part is that it is still pure gold in terms of its playability, since we think that they are almost as good as they were in their day. A proof of the excellent quality that this franchise has always possessed… which many of us miss.
