MadCap's Game Reviews - "DuckTales Remastered"

I wasn't old enough to be privvy to the Disney Afternoon at the height of its majestic power and grace (or so I'm told) no, sadly, I got the tail end of it (literally) with the Mighty Ducks and Bonkers cartoons.  However, thanks to reruns and the prevalence of this marvelous thing we have called the internet, I'm no stranger to Ducktales - the legend of Huey, Dewey, and Louie in the care of the gruff Scrooge McDuck as they seek out treasure to help the shining paragon of the one percent get even richer.  However, unlike the faceless corporate goons we're so happily quick to demonize nowadays, McDuck had a heart that was much like the coins in his money bin, and his good nature tended to win out more often than not...even as he managed to accumulate more wealth for his vast fortune.

So, naturally, at the height of the show's popularity, Disney decided to capitalize on the idea and had an NES game made.  It was a hit, much like the show itself, selling over a million copies and is still considered today to be one of the best games of the NES.  Last year, WayForward Technologies and Capcom released a fully remastered version of the game onto Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and the Wii U.  One would question the sudden want to do such a thing now, but that can largely be chalked up to nostalgia, which this game is more than happy to cart out.  Trading in 8-bit visuals and sound for 2.5D graphics and HD sound, the game is like a role call of all the show's heroes and villains (with their original voice actors providing voices, no less!) bringing in the likes of the Beagle Boys, Magica de Spell, and even McDuck's longtime rival Flintheart Glomgold (all of whom play major roles in the story).

The story begins in Duckberg (where life is like a hurricane), with Scrooge being alerted by an alarm to his famous Money Bin being robbed.  In a short tutorial level, we are introduced to the major mechaincs of the game.  Scrooge can leap onto enemies with the use of a pogo stick, which can also be used to destroy objects directly below him, or to activate switches.  With his cane, Scrooge can send certain objects flying in order to hit enemies that he otherwise cannot, or to knock down treasure chests from places he otherwise couldn't reach. Upon saving his nephews from certain peril, Scrooge defeats the leader of the Beagles and learns that they were not after his fortune, but instead a painting that was hanging on the wall.  Finding a strange cipher in it, Scrooge runs it through the computer and learns of the keys to a vast fortune hidden away.  All one has to do is gather certain items from all across the world.

The game is, from there, set up into various missions with Scrooge's office existing as a hub world (complete with a fully functioning Money Bin, which you can dive into for an achievement!) as Scrooge and the gang travel to the Himalayas, the Amazon, Transylvania, and even to the Moon in search of this elusive fortune. I will say one thing I enjoy about the game is that, while the enemies are often defeated in the same manner (i.e., jumping on their head), the levels themselves are all very nicely varied and have their own unique flavor and charm to them.  Quite frankly, it's just fun to play this game!  It tickles that little part of the gamer brain that craves exploration and finding secrets, something that it does reward you for when you do find said secrets.

Unlike many modern games, DuckTales: Remastered doesn't hold your hand.  You're free to explore and discover and fail at your own pace anywhere within the worlds that you can reach.  Not even a hand to point the way.  Scrooge is given an objective, you go and complete it - such as having to search for three pieces of a fuel regulator for Launchpad's plane in the Himalayas.  Really, the style puts me in mind of the old Mega Man games, a unique and different environment followed by a boss fight to cap it all off.

The music and the voice acting also deserve some praise, both being excellent.  With the 8-bit sprites traded in for the hand drawn versions of the characters, it helps to make them mesh and make this game almost like an interactive episode (or, indeed, even an arc) of the show.  And, of course...that theme song.  Y'know, the one that is right up there with "Go! Go! Power Rangers!" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" in terms of "Dear God, Dear God! Please get it out of my head!". That one.  Yep, that's played loud and proud over the title screen and the end credits, as one might expect.

The game also has special features including character profiles that can be purchased with money from the Bin (scored from the levels by finding precious gems - I did mention this was about the one percent getting even richer, didn't I?), as well as other asides.  And what luck! The game locks levels upon completion in story mode, but unlocks them once you've completed them.  Perhaps a chance to fill up that money bin? Well, when I pick this up again, it'll be to enjoy the game further, not to go for the high score (seriously, who cares about scores anymore on consoles? Name three people).  In summation, to paraphrase Mr. McDuck himself, I wouldn't miss this game for all the scones in Scotland...and neither should you.

DuckTales: Remastered is now available from Wayforward Technologies, Capcom, and Disney Interactive Studios for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Microsoft Windows, and the Wii U.

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