This is an arcade compilation done right. But now we want more.
The game plays like a typical side-scrolling Capcom beat-em-up would, with a number of attacks (including a dash move) and the occasional ability to use a secondary weapon you pick up over the course of the game. You'll break away from the action to make choices on your next mission (cross through the moat and face more enemies, or take the longer route and have less hassle – that sort of thing) and level up your character. Oh, and there's plenty of loot. It's not epic looting on the same plateau of Diablo III, but we'll take it.
Some levels are tougher than others, but you can change up how you play through both Tower and Shadow effectively, and it almost feels like something fresh around the corner each time you go in – which is a startling thing for an arcade brawler. It's this freshness, along with being able to level up, that makes Chronicles of Mystara stand out from others in the pack, though we'll always be fond of X-Men and Simpsons Arcade. This takes it to a whole new realm, though – especially once you find one of the special in-game items.
For the visual treatment, Iron Galaxy went all out on the HD front. The games still appear a bit aged compared to contemporary RPG's, but they maintain that classic Capcom arcade spirit from long ago, while featuring some decent textures on top. The music is vintage arcade themes, just as good as it was on the Saturn as well. It's definitely worth venturing to.
