KMGR of "Hero of Sparta"

Image via WikipediaGameloft puts out another 2D fighting game... Except this one tries to do both regular 2D platform (i.e. Mario) vs. 2D fighting (i.e. Double Dragon). The result is rather weird, as you basically devolve into massive OK button mashing. While graphics are okay, it's not as fun as their previous Might and Magic series.

As King Minos of Sparta, who was out leading his men against false Gods and destroying evil followers. They are ready to return home when a wave wrecked their ship and deposited King Minos on an island... And he must fight his way out...

The problem with this game is it relies way too much upon the few buttons that it DOES use. Stand still and your character will block automatically. Hit OK when enemy is far delivers a "strong" attack. His OK multiple times and you get a series of "quick attack" combos, hit OK when enemy is close to do a "shield bash"... There's quite a few more combos, like jump attack, but you really don't have time to do them, not when you're usually in the thick of enemies... So you end up mashing the OK button as many times as fast as you can... and thus, no defense at all, so you basically avoid being hit. You can perform "fatalities" by hitting the right combo.

The perspective shifts a bit as it changes from 2D plane to 2D platform, and back. It requires you to adapt, and it's just weird playing the game that way. And not too far into the game, the challenges started to get almost impossible. The "bad habits" you learned (quick OK button mashing) no longer works, and you can't tell what you're supposed to learn.

On the other hand, the graphics are good, action is fierce, and weapons are upgradeable by pumping in those "experience" you've been collecting. However, when you're surrounded by a bunch of Centaurs with more backstabbers, you know you'll need a bit more than that for you to keep playing the game...

Overall rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: lots of action, good graphics, fast
Cons: too MUCH action, controls degenerate into button mashing speed contet