Nostalgia and fan service to the fullest
First of all, note that we tested City Hunter on PlayStation 5 by finishing it in 1 hour 30 minutes in its normal mode. From the outset, arriving on the title screen with the legendary music of Jean-Paul Césari who literally rocked our childhood – now in our thirties or even forties for some – we must already say that it has its little effect. Nostalgia therefore works, and know that even the options offer to change the music with “French Nicky Larson” and “French City Hunter”. Enough to have the choice between the music of Jean-Paul Césari, or simply the original credits. Obviously, one thing to emphasize, the game is entirely in French, but may disappoint in the rest.
Because in the bonuses present in City Hunterplease note that you can initially have access to the virtual game box. This is stupidly the original box of the game released in 1990 on PC Engine, its original instructions written in Japanese, as well as the 3D cartridge that can be viewed. Either something of a gadget in the end, especially since, unfortunately, this notice is not even translated into French… So of course, there is always the possibility of translating instantly by taking a photo and using Google Lens, but frankly, a direct translation would have been very welcome.
For the rest of these famous bonuses, you will have the presence of the entire soundtrack of the game. You can listen to around fifteen tracks in total, including “Get Wild” and therefore the French Nicky Larson theme song, enough to put some music in the background to have a good time. Finally, note that an image gallery is also available on this outlet. Mainly, you will be able to view images from the eponymous manga, and an old notice of the original game released on PC Engine, in 1990, more precisely. Small bonuses which are certainly nice, but we would have liked a little more than that.
In the other new features that we can notice in this remastered version of City Hunternote that there is the possibility of changing the display mode. In addition to being able to add a small CRT filter, old cathode TV style, you can also change the display of the game as you wish. Between native, wide screen, pixel perfect or 4/3, you can personalize your gaming experience. Red card on the other hand on the wide screen mode, which makes the display stretched to the maximum, and which in our opinion is the most unsuccessful. To choose from, the other three options offer optimal playing comfort, for a release that is ultimately quite neat for a game from 1990. The pixel perfect mode also embellishes the cutscenes and the overall visuals. What’s more, if there is recycling on the four available levels, it is clear that the software is not technically so ridiculous for the time. You have to believe that the little guys at Sunsoft had the desire to religiously respect the spirit of City Hunter, and it works. By the way, note that there are three game modes with enhanced, original and difficult.
The first is a version improving the behavior of enemies, and especially maneuverability. And after having tested the original version at length, it must be said that apart from some slight adjustments to the hitbox or the overall responsiveness, the differences with the improved mode are quite minimal. Finally, hard mode is just a mode with tougher and more painful enemies. Note that there is a password system, but it is of no use. Indeed, you can select the level you want, and save your progress in another way. On the other hand, if you die, know that you can restart the level, but with your progress intact. A way of not frustrating the players, unaccustomed to the games of the time, but leaving others on the sidelines… We feel, however, that the Red Art Games team had the emulator side a little too easy for our taste, with the ability to be able to “rewind” the levels if necessary, and that is a bit of a stain.
Nicky Larson fears no one
Now that the improvements have been scrutinized, what is the game really worth today? To be honest, we are clearly staying with a traditional game of the time. Roughly speaking, we play Nicky Larson in an adventure where our hero must in the first level find a certain Olivier who has mysteriously disappeared, until we discover the unsavory actions of a megacorporation. Nothing transcendent in the story, it’s a bit as if we were finally following an episode of Nicky Larson (or City Hunter for those who prefer to call it that).
Regarding the gameplay, we don’t expect flashes for a title released on PC Engine. Either the possibility of running, jumping, shooting, changing weapons that we find by progressing and talking to the characters, then a directional key from the top to go up the stairs or through doors. It’s obviously ultra-limited in terms of playability, and you should already know that the game is super short, the guy not exceeding an hour and a half of play in its original mode (normal mode). Purists may want to try the title again on hard mode, but honestly, there’s less interest in returning to it.
Furthermore, the gameplay loop in the levels will be identical each time. Nicky Larson will have to destroy the enemies in his path using his famous magnum or other weapons he finds on his way while talking to the protagonists (bazooka, laser gun, remote-controlled missiles). Then, while you vaporize your opponents on your way, you will have to search all the levels by going from door to door, and thus talk to specific characters. These will give you a key or a master key to access other previously blocked doors, or talk to other characters to unlock specific dialogues, and advance in the game.
You will have understood, it is hyper repetitive in the background, sometimes labyrinthine to increase the lifespan, and know that the finality of the levels of City Hunter will almost always be on a roof (except the last level) where you will have to face a boss. The technique will just be to jam the shooting button while avoiding his attacks, and hoping not to die stupidly. The game is pleasant at the beginning, but quickly boring at the end since you spend three quarters of the time doing the same thing. All with an annoying hitbox and enemies who attack you like nags, making you lose your life unfairly like the few traps, which are vicious from time to time.
At least, apart from a soundtrack that is still nice but quickly hits the system with a loop that repeats itself constantly, the fan service is not neglected. Nicky Larson obviously being a big pervert, the latter will be able to recover health by going to a specific room with a nurse, or by going through the wrong doors. In other words, if you arrive in a room with a very undressed lady, not only will you be called a big pervert (logical in short), but you will also regain life. The developers of the time at least retained the legendary displaced spirit of Nicky Larson.
The only existing City Hunter game was decent to say the least, without making an impression either. Although there are game mechanics which of course play the fan service to the fullest, it must be said that this release from the PC Engine version of City Hunter is just there to above all strike the nostalgic chords of fans of the manga. Because with its rikiki lifespan and its pleasant gameplay at the beginning but quickly going in circles in addition to being sometimes frustrating, it must be said that this game City Hunter is just adequate, without breaking any bricks. And concretely, it will not be the few improvements that will save the furniture, the latter being very minimal like the bonuses. Certainly, they have the merit of being there, but that remains anecdotal. However, we will not shy away from our pleasure with the French theme music of Nicky Larson present in the menus. Now, beyond that, €24.99 for a few bulk additions and a fairly short game hurts a bit. Besides, tell yourself that it’s not the worst, the software being sold between 40 and 70 € in its boxed and collector’s version.