Overall 7.4 Graphics 8 Sound 9 Addictive 9 Story 5 Depth 7 Difficulty 7
8
Jewel Master - A Classic on the Genesis Tommyspud
Ah, yes, the year of 1991. The year when Sega began to break out, mainly thanks to their number one star, Sonic the Hedgehog. I was 2 then... and still, I had a Sega Genesis, and rules be cursed if I wasn't going to get my hands on it. However, in my parent's shopping, a title, unlike any other, fell into my lap. Sonic was still there, but then... there was this Jewel Master game. Little did I know, I had my first encounter with a game that would be one of my most played games ever.
Jewel Master is a sidescrolling action adventure. Numerous games are like this, however, some end up being terrible, All the Sonic ripoffs... But, this game was different. It was a game, where you play as the Jewel Master (Let's call him Bob). Bob has to defeat Jardine (He's Mean), the demon king, the one who has taken over the kingdom of Mythgard, and defeated the 12 masters of the elements. Seems like a decent story, but really, it's the Gameplay that makes this thing different.
The Gameplay is a new twist on an old favorite, because you use a combination of rings to put together your attacks. There are 12 rings total, 3 levels of the 4 elements(Fire, Wind, Water, Earth), but you only start with the first level Fire and Water Rings. You have to collect the rest, by going through 5 levels, that are pretty good graphics-wise for the Genesis era. You collect these rings by defeating the subboss and boss of each level. Let me explain the Ring System.
Various things are nice to have in the ring system, like Fire and Water cancel each other out, and so do Earth and Air. Let's say you have your four rings filled out. On your left hand you have the Level 2 Fire, and the Level 1 Water, while on the other hand you have level 3 Earth and level 3 Air. On your left hand you have now Level 1 Fire(which is like a fire punch), and on your right you have nothing. The elements have simple things, Fire by itself is fire punching, Water by itself is barrier, Air by itself adds speed or jumping ability depending on the level, and earth is earthquake, that stuns some foes. But, when you begin tossing in combinations, you get the most interesting attacking Fire+Air=Fireball Water+Earth=Ice Boomerang(called Ice Dagger in the game), Fire level 3 + Water Level 3 on left hand with Air Level 3 + Earth Level 3 on right hand is the Elemental Blade, a very powerful blade that projectile damages everything in it's path with elemental damage. Let's just say you get that at the end of stage 4, and it can be a lifesaver. Especially with the epic boss battle at the end, and the journey to get there, is a rare fun occurrence that stands up there today. However, an issue is here, you have a life bar, well, sort of a life bar, but if you die, you start at the beginning of the stage. You can delay this by finding hidden things that can increase your bar (or in the case of level 1, something standing right in front of you). Starting at the beginning of the stage is an annoyance, yes, but you keep all the rings you collected in the level, which makes it easier.
The game is not to difficult as to make you throw a fit, but it's not easy enough to be a walk in the park. Enemies will attempt to kill you, but if you are a decent gamer, you should be fine, till at least the end of level 2. However, you have to coordinate your attacks and jumps (A is left hand, B is right hand, C is jump) carefully. Because, things will fly at you, run at you, various enemies pop out of the water. Some of these enemies (Flying Locusts and Dug scorpion things), can get annoying, but if you ever played Contra, you can deal with it. The gameplay does have some flaws, but really, when you take for account everything, the game is actually really good, and a hidden gem. But the sound makes it even more so.
The music and sound really sets this game very well. It's done by the same guy that did the music for Shining Force II. Each song is very well made, and I ripped most of them to my PSP. Yes, I know, it isn't Sonic music, but it's still very good. This game is a very good game, there are a few annoyance flaws, but the game is obviously one of the most underrated games in the history of the Sega Genesis. Especially considering it didn't have a sequel, at least, that I know of. The game has been fun to play for all these years. Happy 19th birthday, Jewel Master. I still remember.
Yes, I know the game is kind of low in the story department, but really, it's the game experience that counts, and this game delivers it for me in spades. It's as addicting as one of those Castlevania games, and when you finally make that no death run, you'll want to try to go through and do it with less health.
I recommend that you play it. Or, at least watch the Youtube speedrun of it online.
Graphics 8 Sound 9 Addictive 9 Story 5 Depth 7 Difficulty 7
Review Rating: 4.5/5
Submitted: 04-29-12
Review Replies: 3