Asterix and the Secret Mission (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Sega CS2
Publisher: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Released: 1993

Asterix and the Secret Mission is an action-platformer that was also released on the Sega Game Gear (1994).

+ Playing as either Asterix or Obelix yields entirely different layouts, and even some of the shared puzzles are modified.

+ Unique abilities of both characters give you distinct ways to tackle the stages, especially as Obelix can't double-jump.

+ Secret areas / hidden items are in abundance and it's fun exploring off the beaten path to see everything available.

+ Has a more comprehensive finale compared to the previous Asterix game (1991, SMS) and it packs a greater challenge.

- Slowdown is rampant from the opening level and it causes platforming issues when the action keeps fluctuating in speed.

- Layouts are by-the-numbers and exhibit little of the clever stage design and playfulness found in the preceding game.

- Special weapons are no longer used in interesting ways to navigate the environment, and there's some collision issues.