Overall=8

The game is fluid and action filled. It is like headbanging meets fighting meets computers. There are all kinds of platforms that you can stand or hang from and you can use these to traverse the landscape in the game to advance or to avoid combat. The story is pretty crazy which I will explain later and will explain what I mean in the overall review. The game is fun and well paced and the bosses are challenging without being sadistically hard or overpowered.

Graphics=8

The graphics are good for the system and is colorful. You can see the layout well and can tell what is what,such as enemies,power ups,platforms. The hair whip attack looks good and the gameplay is fluid.

Sound=8

The music and sound are good,the stage music is catchy without being grating. The sound effects are crisp and are distinct. The hair whip attack does sound like rustling leaves or paper,but since you cannot hear a hair whip,the effect is appropriate. The sub-weapon effect I could live without,but it is not a big gripe.

Addictiveness=7

The game is fun and you want to see how well you do the next run through. But with any game,once you learn the layout and patterns that does kill the fun after a while.

Story=8

This is a weird story. An unknown entity has taken over the nuclear missile controls. The backups are being blocked by the entity and now people are scrambling to restore control before the weapons are used. An experimental Image Transfer System can theoretically convert solid matter into binary language and reassembled in the computer. You play a military officer that volunteers for the mission and becomes the first person to be encoded into a computer. But you do not go in as you plan. You become a Kabuki actor,actors in Japanese traditional theater. It is explained that your great grandfather was a fan of Kabuki and it was imprinted into you. You wear a white outfit,that is somewhat like a kimono. Your hair is replaced with a long,red,mop of hair that is used to attack your foes. Your mission is to eradicate the presence of this entity and restore control.

Depth=6

Not much to say,go to the right and navigate each stage,either fighting or avoiding a battle,scale climbable walls,and jump around on certain platforms. Some allow you to jump throughout the stage as long as you do not mistime your jump. You also have hazards that you wish to avoid like pits and spikes.

Difficulty=8

The game is a good challenge and is doable,not overly hard or unforgiving. The controls are solid and work well. You may feel there is a slight delay with your hair attack,but I think that is us used to instant attacking. Your hair attack reaches about half your height and can nail a foe before he hits you. Your crouch attack is a kneeling punch that does work,but the enemy has to be near on top of you. The sub weapons are varied and give you longer reach or more attack power. The bosses are a challenge but once you study them,you can beat them. This is a bit of an overlooked game in a sea of similar titles. I think you may enjoy playing it if you like this kind of gameplay. The hair attack is your main attack and does not consume resources. (I am not going to say "mane" attack as in a lion's mane. Do you get my reference in the overall section about headbanging meets fighting meets computers?)
 

Oldschool777 : Man you bring me back. I forgot all about this game til I saw the title. Good times, and great obscure choice for a review.

I never played it when it first came out and I think I had a Nintendo Power (insert tear here) that detailed the game. It is a good if underrated game. NES games focused mainly on fun for the most part. I think maybe I will do a review for The Guardian Legend. Thank you for your reply.