Started playing this last night, but I just couldn't get into it. I really wanted to like it, becuase it does have a really cool, gothic/horror style to it.
But it's just such an ugly looking game, even by PS1 standards. It looks like a box of crayons, and generic crayons at that, puked all over the screen and just kind of blobbed together.
If the game was fun, that might be forgiven. Unfortunately, it's not. The enemies are few and far in-between. And the battle-system, yikes, you have to placed just right, and facing in just the perfect direction that the game wants, or else you will be hacked to death while completely missing the enemy (even though it looks like you should be hitting them). The level-design really is non-existant, you just go until you get to the next area.
So disappointed. The EGM review of this game sounded so promising. Must have been paid-off for that review.
Now this on the other hand...oh man am I having fun with this game! This is easily one of the best platformers on PS1. I was playing last night, and I didn't even realize how much time had gone by, I look up at the clock and it's 10:00 and I haven't even eaten dinner yet; now that's a sign of a great game!
Smooth and simple controls. 2.5D platforming with you basic running and jumping. And you have this grappling hook made out of energy. You can use it to swing from objects (ala Bionic Commando), you can use it to grab enemies and then proceed to pummel them to death or lead them to some fire, spikes, grinders, whatever happens to be around. Or you can use it to power certain objects in the game. So much fun.
And the level-design is just fantastic. Enemies can be used to solve puzzles, such as throwing them on spikes using your energy beam, and then using them as stepping stones to get across the spikes.
Check this one out, if you haven't. It's worth it, especially for the cheap price it goes for. Definitely an overlooked PS1 gem.