Rush'n Attack
DOS - 1989
Rush 'N Attack (known as Green Beret outside the
U.S.) is a fun side scrolling platform combat game that sets Konami's
standards for excellent military action titles. While not up to the
standards of later games (e.g. Contra and Metal Gear), Rush 'N Attack still provides a decent gaming experience.
The plot is simple - you play a Green Beret who has parachuted behind
the enemy lines with one goal: destroy the enemies' secret weapon. Your
must slash your way through six tough stages to reach the enemies main
base, where the secret weapon - the Death Laser - is waiting. Strangely
enough, the only weapon you have at the beginning of the game is a
combat knife (perhaps you are Rambo's son?). You can pick up other
weapons as you go, but they're very scarce, and ammo is always limited.
There is a decent selection of enemies: foot soldiers, karate
soldiers, pistol soldiers, machine gun soldiers, artillerymen,
paratroopers, and the yellow soldiers who look just like your Green
Beret. When you kill a yellow soldier, he'll drop a weapon - the
Bazooka, the Grenade, the Pistol, or the Lucky Star, which grants you
invincibility. The other weapons all have limited ammo - the Bazooka can
only carry three rounds at a time, and you can only carry up to nine
Grenades.
The game plays a lot like later Contra, but there is one big difference between the two - the controls. Simply put, the controls in Rush 'N Attack
are terrible. For example, you'll be in a particularly tricky spot,
with soldiers coming at you from both directions. You'll take some out
on one side, then turn around to get the others and accidentally press
Up. You then get to watch your Green Beret jump right into the oncoming
soldier, which kills him instantly! Since getting hit by anything kills
you, and you only have five lives and no "continues" with which to
complete the game, you will get frustrated by this annoying control
flaw.
If you can master the controls, though, Rush 'N Attack can
be a fun, if challenging, game. A constant barrage of enemies keeps you
on your toes, and the bosses are very difficult. Recommended only for
the most confident of all joystick experts