Showa's Finest: Ep.1 Astro Boy: The Omega Factor
Welcome to Showa’s Finest. A portion of Games by Showa where I review the best of the best, but under certain conditions…
I had to have played these games
They must have positive reviews overall; An aggregate score of 4.0/5.0, 90/100, or 90% minimum by pro reviewers, plus positive recommendations. Blistered Thumbs is established as pro critics so don’t hassle me just in case.
I have to like the game overall. Positive criticism from other reviewers do not always mean I like the game.
With these conditions met, my first game for this segment and Games By Showa as a whole is………..
Astro Boy: The Omega Factor.
Developer: TREASURE Games/ Hitmaker
Publisher: SEGA Enterprises/ Sony Home Entertainment
Year:2003[Japan] 2004[North America]
Home Region Name: Astro Boy Mighty Atom: Secret of Atom’s Heart [Japan/Region 2]
Original Work/Author: Mighty Atom[Osamu Tezuka/ Tezuka Productions]
Platform: Game Boy Advance
Anyone in anime culture that knows me knows that I love the Astro Boy series. For those who are unfamiliar, Atom the Mighty (Known as Astrro Boy in North America) is the crown jewel of the late Osamu Tezuka. It was published in 1952 , aired as a tokusatsu a year later, and as a cartoon in 1963 in Japan. The series was the first aesthetic embodiment of what we know worldwide as anime. On April 7, 2003, the same as the eponymous hero’s birthday, Tezuka Productions and Japanese cable network, Animax aired a remake to the classic cartoon series, to also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1963 anime adaptation. Sadly the reamke didn’t do too well here in America, but the game being reviewed, exceeded the standard for syndicated tie-ins and games for the side-scrolling beat-em up genre.
Though unlike the plot of the update, the story follows the entire canon from Tezuka’s manga series, if not the entire Tezuka Star System, since his rendition of the 1927 film Metropolis. With that, the in-game story allows you to develop the titular protagonist through interaction with almost all of the characters from Tezuka’s historical calvacade (more on that later). Safely put, the game is a surreal experience for fans on both sides of the spectrum; gamer fans will see a mirror image of a true game of it’s genre, while anime fans will relive the late God of Manga’s universe on the go. In Atsro Boy’s case, the game does a good job in emulating not only his character, but his abilities; the trademarks being a finger laser, arm cannon, super strength and attack power, jet boots, and the people’s personal favorite, rear end gun turrets: all of these armaments and appendages are invaluable and usage of such is compulsory. Another testament of the game’s versatility comes from it’s side-scrolling aerial shooting stages, which come off as tributes to games like Konami’s Gradius and the R-Type series. This variation breaks the monotony of beating up robots before reaching the end.
One other thing to take to consideration is the game’s visuals, which are almost comparable to the 2003 anime and are nothing short of colorful dazzling. Speaking on a personal note, the Marine Express never looked so menacing. Accenting the stages and overall look are the games music and sound effects that keep the game pleasurable
Like most of the Sonic games released since 1999, you can switch between five languages, including the original Japanese, which is an added bonus for fans of the manga and anime franchise. Also, much like TREASURE’s preceding title, Gunstar Heroes, this game is fairly challenging, in some cases unforgiving; even if you were to take away the spotty level designs, the game will still be a big grind. It is noted that the North American release is slightly harder than the Japanese version. Either way, the game more than makes up for this with unlimited continues and an auto save feature. Speaking of a big grind, you will not beat this game in one sit-in, not if you want the true ending. However, if you beat it the first time, level select will be unlocked and the stages you’ve beaten earlier will be free to revisit again and again as you progress with more bonus material.
This brings us back to the subject of character interaction. Throughout the game, you will happen to find some NPC’s scattered randomly in every stage. These NPC’s come from Tezuka’s Star System of characters. Then there is what is called the Omega Factor, or Astro Boy’s Heart (Soul). After you and the character exchange dialog or fulfill certain requirements, that character is placed in a honeycomb full of Astro’s encounters. As mentioned earlier, these encounters help boost his stats, ranging from health to firepower; the increase helps make earlier challenges less difficult as you progress; adding to the replay value.
(Astro’s Omega Factor/ Atom’s Heart)
Ultimately, Omega Factor does an outstanding job as a game and tribute to the classic manga and anime franchise. There were many games like this past and present, but none has ever captured near perfect execution as this handheld gem. If you haven’t got your hands on it, whether as a game worth playing or as a collector’s item, then now is your chance to to do so. Astro Boy Omega Factor is an overall must have and should never be passed up, especially if you’re a fan of the story.
