Guardian Heroes is the latest Treasure game to get a digital reboot, following hot on the heels of Radiant Silvergun, Gunstar Heroes and Ikaruga. And like those games, it’s an instant must have, even though it clicks on an entirely different level. Think of it as a game with the RPG prowess of Final Fantasy, mixed with the side-scrolling combat of Castle Crashers (but not as goofy) and the leveling structure of Outrun, branching into various paths and, as a result, making you run into everyone from egotistical old religious nuts to large Real Steel-like robots. The game puts you in control of one of five various heroes – including a brash swordsman named Samuel, a ninja-like Ginjirou and a magician with the plain name Randy M. Green – as you battle through king’s armies and other strange enemies, with an undead warrior by your side devoted to serving his duty.
The fact you never control the warrior directly – he’s an AI partner at best – makes him an interesting ally as the screen fills up with enemies. You can fend them off with Street Fighter-ish attacks and magic techniques, building up XP as you go along and leveling up after each stage is finished. It’s madness, but appreciative madness. It’s also Treasure, which means the gameplay remains engaging and fun throughout. Being able to mix up attacks and try new techniques keeps it from getting dull, and you can also team up with friends through Xbox Live, not only in the story campaign, but also in battle arenas. These are crazy fun as well, especially when you get six people going at once. The sixth character? A killer rabbit, straight out of Monty Python. Dibs. Guardian Heroes has improved greatly over its Sega Saturn brethren. The “original” mode is included here, but you can also play the game in a polished high-definition mode, which is highly recommended if you have a newer TV.
The animation is superb and the backdrops look exquisite. Also, the frame rate barely dips, though there are times that it sets in when twenty or so knights are hacking away at you. Hey, it happens. The music is still classic, with plenty of dramatic tones and weird rock themes. It’s just as diverse as the game itself. Aside from Gradius V and some other Japanese titles you may have never heard of (among them, Rakugaki Showtime), we’ve now got a huge selection of Treasure titles to choose from on Xbox Live. And though the other games are worthwhile on their own merits, Guardian Heroes is a party you shouldn’t miss. It’s the kind of accessible RPG/action game that deserves a look, even if you’re not a fan of either genre. Plus the leveling up and debug-style reward system, complete with badass gamer pictures, will keep you coming back and trying something new. Try doing that with any other given beat-em-up.
