Released: December 16, 1990 Developer: Quintet  Publisher: Enix

What is ActRaiser?

ActRaiser is strange gem among the vast Super Nintendo library. ActRaiser takes two different styles of games and smashes them together. Side scrolling platformer and top down strategy like Sim City. At first it seems like a strange combination, though it works very well. You drop into the platformer to fend off boss monsters, then return to the top down to help the people grow there society. 

Want To Play God?

The top-down segments play very much like Sim City. You direct the people on where to build their settlement while fending off creatures trying to destroy the settlement. You play as a fallen angle there to help ward off the evil monsters that have had control over the land. You have a set of abilities and commands that help you along, like creating lightning to burn down trees, bushes, and destroy rocks. The main objective in the top-down segment is to expand the village, level up, and seal off all the monster spawn points. It is very rewarding gameplay, as well as entertaining. While the people are building you are fighting off the monsters that spawn in the overworld with your heavenly bow. This keeps the game entertaining by eliminating the “sit and wait” you have in Sim City.

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Platforming

The side-scrolling segments of ActRaiser consist of platforming and fighting monsters. The levels flow well, and the controls are tight. I feel like an entire platforming game would have been among one of the best on the SNES. At the end of the level you will encounter a boss monster that is keeping the village of the over world from growing. You must defeat the boss for the story to continue. But worry not, the boss fights are not overly intense but deliver the right amount of challenge.  After beating the boss, you can move back to the overworld to see what awaits you next.

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In Conclusion

ActRaiser is simply one of the better games in the Super Nintendo lineup. It is an interesting combination of game genres, with great gameplay that keeps you engaged. If you have never played ActRaiser I strongly suggest trying it out. You can find the game at a decent cost on Amazon, or, find another way to play it, if you know what I mean. Overall this game gets an A out of 13.5.