Avenging SpiritAvenging Spirit is, simply put, one of the most underrated games to be released ever. I'm not kidding. Shouldn't we, as a gaming industry, be praising the games like Avenging Spirit? With it's surprisingly dark story, (especially for the Game Boy, holy crud,) fun gameplay, interesting mechanics, replayability and cutesy but refined presentation, Avenging Spirit is a game we all need to play. But, alas, this is the game that will be forgotten by most. So, why should you play it in detail? Here's why.
Story:
I'm impressed with Jaleco for using a dark story for the Game-boy version. Basically, you're taking your girlfriend out on a date. During the date, you're SHOT DEAD by a group of gangsters who kidnap your girlfriend too. Luckily for you, that girlfriends dad is a paranormal expert of sorts. So, he allows you to abduct any body you want in order you want. Again, the story is surprisingly dark, and works. It may be nothing more that the "save the girlfriend" type story, but it uses some twists to make it its own and make it good. 7/10.
Graphics:
These are pretty nice graphics for the Game boy. The overall presentation has a cutesy feel to it, (ironic taking into consideration it's story.) But, it uses the cutesy presentation for its advantage. Because it's not as realistic as some other Game-boy games, it can refine the textures pretty easily, making this a very polished game graphically. Overall, this is a nice game to show off the Game-Boys' power. 8/10.
Sound:
The weakest part of the game in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, the sound isn't horrible. But, ONE song is played during the training sequence AND the first level. And it's a looping track with REALLY high notes. You guys don't know this, but I can't STAND insanely high keyboard notes in songs. It's just painful to the ears. The sound effects aren't horrible, but not memorable. The music does get better, but that one track has to lower the score. Overall, the sound gets a 6/10. It's not the worst-sounding game, but it could've done better.
Gameplay:
Here's where the game gets interesting. You have the ability to possess anyone in the game by going up to them and pressing "B." When that happens, you literally play as them. You can attack as them and everything. However, with each person, they have their own life bar. When that runs out, the person dies, and you have to find another person. Quickly too. You have a PK bar, and when it runs out, you vaporize. The combination of interesting mechanics and straight-up fun platforming, avenging Spirit scores HIGHLY in this category. 9/10.
Interesting thing about this game:
This game is an Arcade port. You'll also find this game on the app store on, more recently, on the 3DS via the EShop.
OVERALL:
This game is a perfect arcade port, and definitely worth your time and viz. You'd have to look hard to find a better Game-boy game that isn't first-party. Play it now. 8/10.
Graphics
8 Sound
6 Addictive
9 Depth
6 Story
7 Difficulty
7