Popful Mail is a classic sidescrolling anime-styled action rpg for the Sega CD.  Given its great graphics, anime cut-scenes, groovy soundtrack, but most importantly its solid, metroid-vania-esque (though maybe a little more linear + level-based) 2d gameplay, this is widely regarded as one of the greatest games on the sega cd and one of the best side-scrolling action rpgs of all time.  It does not hurt at all that the main character is a cute anime person either.  

Set against an epic fantasy-like backdrop, Popful Mail tells the story of a girl bounty hunter and the quest she quests.  There is sort of a duality to the game, the background to the game is very serious with an epic fantasy soundtrack as if composed by Basil Poledouris or something, but then the title screen and the extended opening cartoon make it clear that this game, like the main character, has a light/silly side too.  A little bit like Trigun, how Vash the Stampede is silly and goofy but every once in a while he gets serious and kicks major bee-hind.  

Graphics 9
Unlike some Sega CD games that try to take full advantage of the CD platform with psychedelic, rotational 3d backgrounds and the gameplay gets lost in the process, Popful Mail has its priorities in order with bright, colorful, beautiful but most importantly functional graphics.  You will notice scrolling, colorful backgrounds and cute, varied enemies who die in a well-animated puffs of smoke.  The main character is animated beautifully also and can run at a speedy pace, which helps with hit detection, with smooth, easily controlled platforming, it helps the pace of the game and gives the game an entertaining foundation.  However, when you are playing you will not see many sights that would seem out-of-place in a Genesis game, graphically (at least to the untrained eye... like mine).  

I should point out in the graphics section, though, that for a cartoony, game cutscene, the opening movie is animated very well and is a great and effective use of the cd-platform.  It falls short of Pixar quality maybe, but it is fully animated in the important parts at least and is a great introduction to the main character and the quest she must quest.  

Sound 9
In addition to the great voice-acting throughout, this game features a great soundtrack that varies from the dramatic and intense to the light and fluffy, like an anime drama/comedy or something.  Enjoy the great music and sound!

Addictiveness 10
Popful Mail will pull you in immediately.  It is so important that an action rpg has a solid foundation of play control and a learning curve and boy does this game have that!  The first enemy you meet stumbles forward like a Mario Goomba, waiting to be smacked with your sword (which causes it to pause in place as if waiting for another strike!).  However, do not be fooled into thinking it will be that easy forever.  There is a strong and growing incentive to participate in the character-building RPG elements of the game and charge up your character to survive the game's later parts.  

Story 9
As already discussed, Popful Mail has a great duality about it, silly goofiness and comedy amidst a dramatic, fantasy backdrop.  This game would have scored high on story for the impressive cutscenes alone, though fortunately the game also excels at introducing twists and turns along the way, introducing new characters and situations even in the middle of levels (all with cd voices of course!).  

Depth 9
Like many rpgs, there are multiple approaches to this game--grind and be cautious, uncover every secret, or charge till the end.  As such there is quite a bit of depth and variety on display here.  

Difficulty 8
Do not be fooled, this game will get quite difficult before the end.  Though the learning curve is gradual and forgiving and you will never feel unprepared for what the game throws at you.  

I was surprised to see the low number of plays in the retro game room.  Do people not know about this awesome game?  This further renews the anger that sparked my somewhat troll-like rant, in my Vizzed youth, when I said sonic CD sucks.  Compared to Popful Mail, sonic cd does suck!!!  Yes, it's apples and oranges, but it's stupid shallow mindless-Sonic-gameplay apples to top-tier Popful Mail action-rpg excellence oranges!!    j/k  But I digress...  Enjoy this great game!  Thanks Vizzed for hosting the Sega CD, games like this prove it's worth it!!

GenesisJunkie :