MysticFormula (1993) PC Engine CD/Turbo CD [Long Play] [First Play] [Full Clear]

Enhancements: None

Emulator Used: Geargrafx

Machine: PC Engine CD (System Card 3.00 USA)

Developer: Micro Cabin
Publisher: Micro Cabin

Played:
Completed the game.

Thoughts:
MysticFormula (Yes there is no space) is a game by Micro Cabin. They are not that well known in the west as most of their games came out on Japanese computers. They are known for the Xak series, Fray, and Daisenryaku. Not too many games by Micro Cabin were run and guns. Despite that MysticFormula is not that bad of a game. The story takes place on a mostly desert planet that has regions controlled by the Empire. A group of our heroes who are four treasure hunters decide to spelunk a cave after hearing of a treasure worth one million credits. The game starts by deciding on who you want to play as. Only two characters are good and only two characters are terrible, I'll explain. The mech and the blonde elf chick are the best characters to choose as they have a wide shot and their charged attack can home better. The black haired theif\assassin chick and the blued haired guy have longer range, but the width of their bullets are pretty terrible. Their charged shots also don't either don't track at well or at all.

Some of the powerups in the game are a mystery to me. I only really figured out for sure what a few of them did. The O icon lets one of your treasure hunters tag along with you firing randomly behind you with really crappy firepower. This one is next to worthless. The color of the icon depends who you get. For instance the green color will net you the elf while the blue one will let the blue hair guy tag along. The scroll looking icon is a bomb. You start with three and can pick up more scrolls to get more. There are two driving stages to this game where you have to jump on a motorbike that fires missiles. While on the bike two hits kills you instead of one. One other thing to mention is that you can pick up power suits in the game. These modify your bullets making them better or worse depending on your character you chose and let you absorb a hit without dying. These are incredibly rare though and are always in the same location in a stage.

Overall I say this is a fun game to play once. This game was never ported or rereleased as far as I know. Not sure if I'd play it again though. I will say though the last boss looked like Red Falcon's cousin!