If you were already a gaming enthusiast 25 years ago, chances are you have might come acrossed or even played Bionic Commando for the NES system. What makes this game such a hit in those days is the unique gameplay that uses an innovative grappling system to maneuver around a level. Many of you have probably wondered what it would be like if this game were to be revived with today’s technology. Well that question has been answered by Capcom, giving the classic title a very modern translation with high-definition graphics. And the best part is that Capcom has kept most of the original gameplay intact.

Bionic Commando Rearmed plays a lot like its predecessor, using the jump button as your main grappling tool. But the unique structure for getting around different parts of a level is what makes Rearmed completely new. This involves stringing together multiple swinging actions or trying to cross platforms in order to reach the stage of the next level. This aspect of the game is quite thrilling but in terms of controls, the response is sometimes questionable. During a shooting sequence, the controls don’t always follow the direction you’re trying to aim no matter how hard you press on the directional pads. Thankfully, the grappling mechanism is on the up and up and you could always count on it to get you out of a sticky situation.

The enemies here are easy prey and fun to mow them like persistent weeds in your backyard; however what makes them relatively difficult to pin down is that they are often out of reach due to some obscure camera angles. With this obstruction, you are susceptible to heavy damage, and the only way to handle this kind of predicament is to memorize the locations. Once you’re familiar with each location, you can anticipate your enemies’ attacks and be able to mobilize a more effective counter measure. The general gameplay hasn’t changed all that much in 20 years; character movement is relatively smooth but interaction with the environment such as climbing the ledges and picking up barrels is a bit slow.

Graphically, the game is impressive, especially as a traditional side-scroller that has been reincarnated after 20 years in virtual cocoon. The character models are nicely detailed with large textures and very smooth animation. Backgrounds are sharp with incredible definition of surfaces and environmental objects, such as the surrounding walkways and ledges. What makes the presentation that more compelling is the amazing light effects that flickers all over the screen, creating the illusion of a modern warfare. Graphics alone will not make your MS tokens worthwhile. The game also prides itself with interesting multiplayer modes.

You and a friend can certainly team up offline. The game is definitely more exciting to play with a friend going in bullet-rampage together. It’s really interesting to see how the screen splits dynamically in case one of you wanders off the track. It’s certainly a catchy concept that keeps you together no matter where you guys are. Besides the two-player co-op, there is also a four-player competition. This mode is basically a free-for-all mayhem wrapped in a specifically designed stage to wage war against your friends. Overall, Bionic Commando Rearmed is an amazing retouched of the original, complete with sleek graphics, enhanced gameplay, and bonus multiplayer features. Those fans looking for some classic Bionic reruns would definitely be in for another memorable experience with Commando Rearmed.