Monday, August 1, 2022

Turrican Anthology Vol. 1 & 2

This isn't the first attempt at reviving the Turrican franchise, but it sure as heck is the best. These two separate action packed anthologies come filled to the brim, and fit to bust with an overabundance of features and games. Each anthology harboring several series entries per bundle including the staple numerically ordered releases as well as the Super, and Mega spin-offs. You even get some rare editions of some of the titles including director's cuts, and score attack editions. All games, of which, host a fight of good versus evil and man versus the machine. An intergalactic tale of universal destruction, and slavery stopped only by a lone soldier in a Turrican Assault Suit who answers the call no matter how far away it may be. 

Turrican, the series, spans a few different retro console generations with it's roots being the Amiga, and it's final entries being that of Super Nintendo, and Master System ports. No matter which game you play the pixel perfect arcade action holds up even to this day though some games definitely show their age with a more stiff presentation. Complete with one of the most memorable soundtracks of the era, and mechanics that seem to have inspired many games that followed Turrican once again delivers mechanized badassery just as it did all those years ago. As the series protagonist, a man sporting a Turrican Assault Suit, weapons and abilities depend solely on whichever entry you are playing. It is with those weapons that you fight through galaxy after galaxy confronting the oppressive evil of "The Machine". Battling hordes of aliens, and robots in an attempt of thwarting an all out extinction agenda.

To begin with Turrican, the original first game, is a challenging timer and score based action platformer with run and gun mechanics, and a power-up system not unlike that of a shmup. As the man inside the legendary suit you can shoot a gun with different projectile types, utilize a damaging multi-directional laser, blast nukes, roll in a spike ball, and plant mines. This of course plays into the Metroidvania-like stages which require you to defeat enemies, dodge hazards, and best bosses. All while you collect crystals for bonus points along with power-ups that play into the gunplay side of things. 

As Turrican has evolved past the first iteration so too did the added mechanics. Changing the function of the alternate multi-directional laser, the power-up system, and adding in a grappling mechanic for swinging past pitfalls or vertically ascending structures. In one of the more recent games the laser acted as a freezing ray that would temporarily freeze enemies instead of dealing damage like in the first game. In another game they also added vehicles which the Turrican wielder could man as he traversed planetary terrain dealing with what needed to be dealt with. Needless to say from Turrican to Turrican 3, and into the Supers and Megas the series kept things fresh. Changing the nature of the environmental set pieces, and how stages were to be approached. Adding newer visuals as the transition to better hardware became available. 

Between the two anthologies, each standing on it's own according to packaged content, is a mixed and oddly matched pairing of titles that do not necessarily stick to any order. Anthology I, for example, contains the original Turrican, Super Turrican, Super Turrican Director's Cut, Turrican 2 and Mega Turrican Score Attack. Five fully fledged titles made all the more content heavy by including features available outside of the games themselves. You'll find a rewind button, save state, and unlockable cheat feature. You'll also find detailed screen filters, different color palettes, a soundtrack Jukebox, a manual, and all the cover art available for each title including Factor 5's Strictly Limited Games cover art. That, and screen ratio/size selections for those who are into a specific viewing experience. This of course carries over into Anthology II.

Turrican Anthology 2,as it were, continues the trend of packing games with a load of extra quality of life additions. In it you'll find Turrican 3, Super Turrican 2, Super Turrican Director's Cut, Super Turrican Score Attack, and Mega Turrican. These five titles seem to be the more diverse of the lot. The more obscure of the series. Completely rounding out the anthology offerings, and presenting them in a modernized translation of both anthology's included roster of games.

When it comes to anthologies the Turrican duo by ININ Games, and Ratalaika Games hits the nail on the head, especially when it comes to getting more bang for your buck. While they'll set you back $34.99 per anthology, or more if you want to splurge on a Strictly Limited physical Collector's Editions these packaged deals more than make up for the price asked. I took the time to play all the games for review sake, and try out all the features. I can say, having done this, that I personally can back it as a buy worthy purchase as it is a game worthy of fan praise, and fit enough for the collections of retro enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this one!!! Whether you go digital, or physical. It does retro proud!!! Wish I were back in the 80's ...




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