Hook (Mega CD / Sega CD review)

Developer: Core Design
Publisher: Sony Imagesoft
Released: 1993

Hook is an action game that was released on numerous systems including the Sega Game Gear and Sega Genesis in 1993.

+ Good level design with a nice mixture of scrolling types / locales, and the narrated cut-scenes push the narrative forward.

+ Weapons-based combat has a satisfying thud, and your limited ability to fly adds depth and tension to the gameplay.

+ Overworld map gives your quest a sense of scale, and the boss battles feature some well-designed attack patterns.

- Controls are unrefined and despite the need for precise movements your directional inputs are sometimes ignored.

- Suffers from an infuriating amount of cheap hits from enemies / objects that are just out of your field of view.

- Peter Pan walks incredibly slowly and the lack of checkpoints in some areas can set you back a considerable way.

- Has long load times and the CD 'enhancements' (such as 1-2 second FMV clips) add little to the overall experience.