Article 49257 of rec.games.video:
Path: uwm.edu!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!ccwf.cc.utexas.edu!geurink
From: geurink@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Josh Geurink)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Chakan: The Review
Date: 1 Feb 1993 19:55:05 GMT
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX
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Reply-To: geurink@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Josh Geurink)
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Originator: geurink@sleepy.cc.utexas.edu

Chakan: The Forever Man out for Genesis...

	Back in 1990 (or so) RAK graphics produced a graphic novel
detailing the "last" adventure of a warrior cursed with immortality,
forced to live wearing the face of Death until all Supernatural creatures
lie dead.  At the GenCon game fair in Milwaukee, Sega caught wind of this 
saga and began the creation of a game featuring an immortal hero.

	When I first heard of Chakan for the Genesis, I wondered how
Sega would handle a game where the hero simply can not die.  I found out
soon enough; Sega made Chakan: the Forever Man INCREDIBLY difficult.

	Basically, Chakan travels around first the terrestial and then the 
elemental planes of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water armed only with his paired
rune swords and a rudimentary mastery of Alchemy, slaying all horrors in
his path.  Each terrestrial plane includes one new weapon and every stage
includes potions for Chakan to mix.  Most STAGES (three stages = one plane)
feature a "boss" monster at the end -- the boss of the third and final
stage in a plane is the dread horror representing that plane.

	As I said, this game is HARD.  Its game play is identical to
Revenge of Sinobi -- horizontal + vertical scrolling, an extra flip-jump
to gain extra height and distance, a spinning attack from that spin
(no distance attack) -- and the graphics are just as excellent.  Screen
flicker is non-existant, and the music is slightly above average.

	As in many games, Chakan has a time limit per plane, which looks like
a small hourglass with the "sands of time" slipping away.  When the sand stops
falling, the plane RESETS, and you must start the entire PLANE over again.
Thankfully, one of the alchemies "turns over" the hourglass, thus extending
your gameplay.

	Most games just CAN'T hold me at bay for over a week.  I beat Revenge
of Sinobi in two days.  Sonic lasted one day, Sonic 2 EXACTLY one week.  
Mystic Defender lasted @ 2 hours.  I like a challenge, and HIGHLY 
recommend this one.

	Graphics: A
	Sound: B
	Gameplay: A+
	Challenge: A+++	

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