An excellent game from
(where did they go to?)
I got a reply to that question on 5-7-97. Click here to read about it!
I also got another reply on 10-7-97 Click here to read more!
Forget all of the bright and colorful games you've played in the past..
Somehow when I got this game, l just knew it would be a hit...
Not only is it a hit, it has become a legend!
Once upon a time, there was a young little
witch named Ripple. Not only was she extremely young and innocent to the many dangers
of witchcraft, but she also had to learn to use witchcraft properly. She was quite
an energetic young girl with plenty of problems to cause...
*Oh No!* What have you done Ripple?!? You have knowingly broken a promise
you made to your schoolteacher, and opened the forbidden book of Sleeeping Demons!!
Just what are you going to do now? You can either stay around here and get into some
major trouble.. possibly even get kicked out for good (!) or ... what are you looking
at me for? Hop on that enchanted broom of yours, grab a couple of your Star Maiden
friends, and get those Demons back where they belong! Forget about the weather outside
and the dangers! Things are certainly much better when you're not a toad!
Straight from Quest(r) comes the tall tale of a witch, star maidens, and a flying
broomstick. This is no ordinary ugly and experienced witch, but instead it's a very
young, in-experienced, colorful and just-plain-cute witch named Ripple out to save
herself from getting into some major trouble by her old witch teacher (and are talking
one literal *witch*!). So between you, Ripple, the star maidens, an good 'ol Jack
Pumpkinhead, can you get through this quest? Piece of pumpkin pie :)
The Magic of the chase-
My first thought of the game was purely "Wow!" because not only was the
scenery breathtakingly beautiful, bright, and multi-layered as well, but so much
was happening on the screen at once, that it was the best I could do to keep up!
Did I have a hit like the already legendary Lords of Thunder on my hands this early
into the game? Yes! Magical Chase is nothing short of a revolution in cartoony shooting
games. The graphics are very pleasing to the eyes, and colors you may never have
seen before on any other Turbo game are used for the neatest effects!
Based on a standard setup for shooting games, Magical Chase does not have a high
learning curve. The setup is quite comparable to other games you may be used to;
ie. fly through the sky, shoot the enemies, block the bullets with shields of some
sort, grab larger and more powerful weapons for both your viehcle as well as your
helpers, and dive towards a passing store whenever you see one. Although it may be
set up this way, the game is much different overall than anything I've seen before!
In Magical Chase, the fun is entirely the way you control everything. Being that
the standard Turbo controller is made up of 2 standard buttons, a bit of creativity
was added. This creativity is the fact that you can't use the rapid-fire feature
because presssing the fire button twice will immediatly make use of one of Ripple's
supplies that you buy at the store. Not only that, but the controls of the Star Maidens
can be very useful to you if you can become their master!
Those stars in
the skies...
The Star Maidens can work for you, or work against you in Magical Chase depending
entirely on how well you know them! Being of the Elf Star origin, they are always
happy to help out when they are needed by friendly witches (like Ripple). Being that
their movement is entirely based on the way Ripple moves, they may be very confusing
to you at first! Take heart! They are here to help as long as you can provide a use
for them. When Ripple moves up, the Star Maidens immediatly swing down under her
while adjusting their shot direction to also face down to protect her from any dangerous
shots and characters coming her way. When Ripple moves back, the Star Maidens once
again know their job well, and they move in front of her while taking aim at the
characters in front. Most of the time, you may want them to stay right where you
see them so they can help ward off anoying magical bullets from the demons out to
get her. To do this, simply press the I button, and they will stay in the same spot
until the end of the level. When they are in this position, they will still spin
around depending on the direction Ripple moves in order to save her from those nasty
enemies! Because the Star Maidens have such an appreciation for music, they may get
zapped for a split second by magical melodies sung by some of the enemies. When this
happens, the Star Maidens will break formation temporarily or until you hit button
I again.
The Formations you assign the Star Maidens to can be quite critical to the success
you may have in Magical Chase! I find that if they are both smack dab in front of
Ripple, you won't have quite as many problems as you could have, although I have
found that one in front of Ripple, and the other in back works quite niceley as well!
Other times it is suggested that you have them in a slanted position - perfect for
blocking incoming shots and firing at the many creatures as well! Star Maidens aren't
always able to block shots though. Some shots are entirely too big, and penetrate
right on through to hit Ripple! To help rid you and the Star Maidens of this problem,
stop by at a local shop and pick up the Hyper Star for stronger firepower and stronger
bullet protection (yay!). It lasts for about 15 seconds (boo..) but it's extremely
useful when you have 2 bosses with explosive firepower out to get you! Along the
way, you can also buy stronger weapons for your Star Maidens to use.. but that is
an entirely different subject..
A Pumpkin in the Skies!
Yes, and a pumpkin it is! Somehow I couldn't imagine a pumpkin-head character in
any other shooting game, but for some reason, when I see that pumpkinhead balloon
floating around during the levels, I, for some reason, think nothing of it, and immediately
proceed to visit a favorite character of mine in Magical Chase: the forever smiling
Jack the Pumpkin-head character (very similar to the 'Jack the Pumpkin-head' in the
'OZ' series for all 'OZ' fans out there).
What I've noticed about many other games, is that many characters just don't have
... character. That is not the way it is with Jack the Pumpkin-head! He acts and
talks the way I would imagine a cheerful Pumpkinhead would. His purpose in the game
is to sell weapons as well as many other much-needed power-ups for your long quest.
Don't worry one bit about the prices because they are low enough to make the game
even more enjoyable, although prices seem to raise between each level, so buy everything
in the earlier stages and enjoy the luxury of almost-endless riches during the last
levels. So what does Jack have in store for you..? ( Hint: if an item is expensive,
you're 'gonna need it!)
The weapons in Magical Chase are actually quite standard when compared with all of
the other shooters out there, but they are also quite different when compared to
what you may be used to. The standard weapon for your young witch consists of straightforward
shots which are extremely flimsy against the enemies in the first level. Jack will
help you out with that one by providing a choice between a strong, straightforward
shot that can be quite powerful when used in a practical manner, and a 3 way weapon
that will shoot weak shots in 3 directions thus disabling many of your foes on the
screen at once! After you complete a level, usually your weapons from the previous
level will be quite useless and weak against the new horde that's out to attack.
Don't take these weapons for granted because they are designed for the different
situations you will run into on each level. Because Magical Chase has a wide variety
of weapons, you will not find yourself lacking better firepower, but instead you
will certainly have at least one new weapon each level should you choose to spend
a few crystals. Other weapons include wide bursts of magic bolts, exploding bubbles,
and guided shots which usually hit their target!
So when was the last time you went to go pop in your favorite shooter, and you found
it to be quite cartoon-like with brighter colors and more detail? Quite rare I'm
sure. Not only do this game look like a cartoon, it looks like a pretty decent cartoon
besides! The backgrounds are extremely detailed with multiple layers all going their
own pace, and the game colorful. It is also filled with some of he neatest animation/effects
that I have yet to see in any other Turbo game! Bosses will suddenly pop out and
demonstrate new 3D-like effect along with stereo sound to match it! Also seen is
actual real-time shadows on level 4- seldom seen on even the newest 32-bit games!
Some levels may look like they are made up with toys, while other levels have a literally
breathtaking background that you are sure to miss unless you pause the game for a
moment like the level 5 background which slowly twists and turns the way thick billowing
clouds normally would. If you own the game, you will also notice that great detail
has been added to the animation of Ripple. When you pause the game, Ripple will immediatly
perch sideways on her broomstick and take a small nap, and when you pause the game
after she gets hit, she will suddenly turn towards the screen and look at everyone
like she is stressed out major!
The amount of skill required by Magical Chase is actually quite demanding for first
time players. It is best to start out with the easy mode for first time playing,
then switch over to medium for better and longer play time. I have found that once
I have become experienced with the controls and the game, I am able to beat the game
much easier and much faster. It soon becomes quite easy.. after that, you may just
be ready to step up and beat the mega hit Super CD game Lords of Thunder!
If you can get a good idea of the quality I'm talking about, you may want to know
if the music and sound matches up to the video... right? Well, Jack the Pumpkinhead
wouldn't have part in a game that has poor quality music an sound! Trust me, he's
better than that! In fact, the music in Magical chase is incredibly great..actually
better than some CD's I've heard! Instead of using NES styled instruments like you
may hear on some other games, the instruments used are purely unique and fitting
for Magical Chase! Besides the music being good, it always fits the level, and the
tunes are extra long and enjoyable to listen to all the way through as well. The
sounds are all extra fitting as well and have a hauntingly witchy sound to them.
Last I heard, this one is going to become rare at any time now, so you may have to
do some looking around to get this title safely in your own hands! I'm just glad
I snagged the copy I did! I commonly end up playing another round of Magical Chase
as opposed to other enjoyable shooters just because this game is so well done and
purely enjoyable!
So how do I know if a game is good? Well, let me tell you that some games just don't
need an explanation... this one is just pure Magic :)
Review, layout, graphics, and design by Bob Frasure. Send e-mail to [email protected]
