Code Name: Viper (NES review)

Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Capcom
Released: 1990

Code Name: Viper is an action-platformer that's heavily inspired by Rolling Thunder (1986, Arcade).

+ Unlike Rolling Thunder, you can reposition yourself while in mid-air, as well as having the flexibility to shoot while jumping.

+ Lots of verticality to the stage design, with cleverly arranged layouts and obstacles that force you to rethink your strategies.

+ The need to locate hostages who provide the required bomb weapon encourages you to explore every inch of the stages.

+ Letter that continues to fill-in once you rescue hostages in each level is a great way to invest players into the narrative.

- Relies on its inspiration far too heavily throughout and brings little new to the table in terms of gameplay mechanics.

- Doors can blend into the background and unless you're being super diligent it's easy to miss some of them.

- Enemies have an irritating tendency to shoot from off-screen, and there's no bosses until the final showdown.