Bionic Commando Rearmed

Bionic Commando: Rearmed
Developer(s)	GRIN
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Designer(s)	Ben Judd (producer)[1] Simon Viklund (creative director)[1]
Composer(s)	Simon Viklund
Engine	Diesel Engine
Platform(s)	PlayStation Network, Xbox 360 (XBLA), PC
Release date(s)	PSN JP 13 August 2008[2] NA 14 August 2008[2] EU 15 August 2008 XBLA 13 August 2008[2] PC 14 August 2008
Genre(s)	Platform game
Mode(s)	Single player, Deathmatch, Co-op (local)
Rating(s)	CERO: B ESRB: M PEGI: 18+
Media	Download
System requirements	Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2)/Microsoft Windows Vista Intel Pentium 4 2 Ghz/AMD XP 2200+ 1GB RAM 650 MB free hard drive space 128 MB DirectX 9c compatible card/ nVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT/or ATI equivalent DirectX 9 compatible sound card
Input methods	Gamepad, Keyboard and mouse

Bionic Commando Rearmed (バイオニック コマンドー マスターD復活計画, Bionic Commando: Master D Resurrection Project in Japan) is an enhanced remake of the 1988 Nintendo Entertainment System version of Bionic Commando, developed by GRIN for the PlayStation 3, Windows and the Xbox 360.^[3] A direct sequel was released in May 2009.^{[citation needed]}

Description

Bionic Commando Rearmed is an update / homage to the classic 8-bit NES game. Originally scheduled for release in May 2008, the game was delayed until August.Developed by GRIN in cooperation with Capcom, the game features updated graphics, new areas, additional features and online leaderboards. Capcom has revealed that former Capcom employees who worked on the original NES version will serve as consultants for the new release. In keeping with the western release of the original Bionic Commando, the references to the Nazi party which were prevalent in the original Japanese title are not featured in Rearmed. However, as is also the case is the original, the final boss of the game still clearly resembles Hitler, and is now referred to as "The Leader". The extremely gruesome scene of his head exploding at the end is, ironically, featured in the North American version and is censored in Japan. This scene is the only reason the game is rated M.^{[citation needed]}

Bionic Commando Rearmed gameplay screenshot.

Bionic Commando Rearmed retains the basic 2D platform game of the original NES title. The player plays as Nathan "Rad" Spencer, a soldier who has been enhanced through a bionic arm that includes a grappling hook that he can fire to reach distant objects. In each game level, the player must navigate to an end goal, facilitated by using the bionic arm to swing across gaps or climb to higher ledges. Often, the player must make a series of grappling actions in a row to successfully traverse the level; a wide gap may be crossed by repeating grappling and swinging on the roof above it. The player can use Spencer's equipped weapon to fire on foes; new weapons are earned after defeating bosses that are at the end of some levels. There are also objects that must be found before certain areas can be entered; for example, the player must locate flares that can then allow Spencer to pass through dark areas. Throughout the areas are communications rooms where the player can contact friendly headquarters or hack into the enemy computer system to learn more information about the level.

The levels are presented to the player as a tactical map showing each friendly and enemy area. The player controls a helicopter to move between areas, and then can select to land in that level. Simultaneously enemy convoys will also move between areas; if the player lands on a space occupied by a convey, they will need to fight their way through the convoy before proceeding.

[edit] Gameplay enhancements

Whilst mostly remaining true to the original NES title, a number of gameplay enhancements were made to the game

• A health bar replaces the previous system, meaning players collect health items from enemies to restore health, as opposed to gaining more hit points.
• Players can now shoot their arm to grab barrels and throw them at enemies. The arm can also be enhanced to grab enemies and use them as human shields. The bionic arm can also be used to deflect most projectiles.
• Weapons can now be changed during gameplay, with each weapon having stronger or weaker impact depending on the enemy. (For example, the default Revolver is effective against human enemies, but weaker against robots.)
• Boss battles have been remade from scratch. The final boss of the original game is now a fully fledged level.
• A cooperative mode is featured, with the enemy and boss AI changing to accommodate the extra player.
• Hacking into the enemy network now involves navigating a three-dimensional puzzle to hack into the enemy's communications. Extra points are awarded upon completion if the player's health bar is full, otherwise a health bonus is awarded.
• The game also features challenge rooms which involves using the bionic arm to get from start to finish in the fastest time possible.
• Numerous competitive multiplayer modes are added, including 'Don't Touch the Floor" in which only hitting the very bottom of the level kills the player, and weapons only knock the player back.
• Force feedback has been implemented when using the bionic arm, firing weapons, and other events
• In-game art designed by Shinkiro

Development history

On February 19, 2008 the official Bionic Commando website ran a poll asking gamers to decide between two possible pricepoints for Rearmed - ten or fifteen dollars. Producer Ben Judd stated, "Personally, since the goal is to make this game for the fans and to get the world to see what makes Bionic Commando so special, I want to sell it for about US$10." However, more senior Capcom employees believe that the game has enough features and polish to sell well enough at $15 to warrant that price. Final pricing was settled on $10 for the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network versions, and $15 for the Windows version.

The PSN version supports Remote Play on PSP and trophy support will be added in a future patch. The PC version will feature additional PC-only challenge rooms added with a patch to compensate for its higher price.

Reception

Bionic Commando Rearmed has been very well received by game critics. In their review, IGN described the game as "the best downloadable game to date on XBLA and PSN". They also say that it is still the same basic game as the original but in some areas the developers have taken inspiration from the NES title but have done something new as well. The game's graphics were described as "gorgeous" and its AI as the best seen in a side-scrolling game. A criticism was made of the control system in that the directional pad on the Xbox 360 controller "is not always the friendliest thing" and that the arm does not always go in the direction you'd expect or on occasion, does not work at all. 1up.com called the soundtrack "exceptional" and said that the $10 downloadable game "should go down in history as one of gaming's best deals."

There were over 130,000 sales of the game across all three platforms during the first week of its release.

Soundtrack

Bionic Commando Rearmed (The Soundtrack)
Soundtrack by Simon Viklund
Released	27 May 2008
Genre	Video game soundtrack
Label	Sumthing Else Music Works
Producer	Simon Viklund

Bionic Commando Rearmed - The Soundtrack is the soundtrack of video game music from Bionic Commando Rearmed. It was released on May 27, 2008 by Sumthing Else Music Works. The music was composed by Simon Viklund.

Track listing

1. "Bionic Commando Rearmed (Main Theme)" 3:32
2. "Heat Wave" 3:50
3. "Power Plant" 3:38
4. "Leap of Faith" 2:42
5. "Rise of the Albatross" 4:59
6. "BCR Menu Theme" 3:22
7. "Prologue & Epilogue" 3:02
8. "OK, We'll Move" 2:29
9. "Meet the Enemy and Descend" 2:00
10. "Killt's Hidden Treasures" 2:30
11. "Amongst Allies" 1:20
12. "Intruder Alert" 3:28
13. "Suzuki's Heroes" 2:00
14. "One Man, One Bionic Arm" 1:40
15. "Go Go Bionic" 0:18

A Japanese trailer for the game was revealed at San Diego Comic-con 2008, done in the style of an anime opening with a theme song sung by Ichirou Mizuki, titled "Go Go Bionic". It is considered a parody of anime opening theme songs since the remake is deliberately over-the-top. The song is not featured on the soundtrack.

See also

• Bionic Commando (arcade game)
• Bionic Commando (NES)
• Bionic Commando (2009 video game)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/bionic-commando-rearmed/credits
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Bionic Commando Rearmed Release Date: Confirmed for Next Week!". Bionic Commando Newswire Blog. 2008-08-07. http://www.bioniccommando.com/us/blog_entries/view/331.
3. ^ Gearoid Reidy (2008-01-17). "Rearmed and Ready!". Capcom. http://bioniccommando.com/us/blog_entries/view/40.
4. ^ "Top Secret" Podcast #16, final ten minutes
5. ^ Game overview by Capcom
6. ^ "Bionic Commando Rearmed Release Date: Confirmed for Next Week!". Bionic Commando Newswire Blog. 2008-08-07. http://www.bioniccommando.com/us/blog_entries/view/331.
7. ^ Stephen Totilo (2008-02-25). "‘Bionic Commando: Rearmed’ PS3 Will Run On PSPs Thanks To Remote Play". MTV. http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/02/25/bionic-commando-rearmed-ps3-will-run-on-psps-thanks-to-remote-play.
8. ^ Diamonon, John (2008-07-09). "Bionic Commando Rearmed PSN features revealed". Sony. http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/07/09/bionic-commando-rearmed-psn-features-revealed/comment-page-1/#comment-83708. Retrieved on 1008-07-11.
9. ^ Plunkett, Luke (2008-08-12). "Relax, Bionic Commando: Rearmed on PC has more stuff". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5035866/relax-bionic-commando-rearmed-on-pc-has-more-stuff. Retrieved on 2008-08-12.
10. ^ ^{a b} Jeremy Parish (2008-08-13). "Bionic Commando: Rearmed Review". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3169338&p=37. Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
11. ^ Dan Whitehead (2008-08-13). "Bionic Commando Rearmed Review - Page 1 // Xbox 360 /// Eurogamer - Games Reviews, News and More". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=212207. Retrieved on 2008-08-13.
12. ^ "Gamespot: Bionic Command Rearmed". http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/bioniccommandore/index.html?tag=related-game.
13. ^ "Gamespot: Bionic Command Rearmed". http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/bioniccommandore/review.html?tag=related-game.
14. ^ ^{a b} Hilary Goldstein (2008-08-11). "Bionic Commando Rearmed Review". IGN. http://uk.xboxlive.ign.com/articles/897/897976p1.html?RSSwhen2008-08-11_160000&RSSid=897976. Retrieved on 2008-08-13.
15. ^ Judd, Ben (2008-08-24). "BC Weekly Field Report: #12". Capcom. http://www.bioniccommando.com/us/blog_entries/view/354. Retrieved on 2008-08-25.
16. ^ "Bionic Commando Rearmed Soundtrack : Sumthing Digital". https://www.sumthingdigital.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?albumid=3664