Rush 'N Attack (known as Green Beret outside the U.S.) is a fun side scrolling platform combat game that sets Konami's standards for excellent military action titles. While not up to the standards of later games (e.g. Contra and Metal Gear), Rush 'N Attack still provides a decent gaming experience. The plot is simple - you play a Green Beret who has parachuted behind the enemy lines with one goal: destroy the enemies' secret weapon. Your must slash your way through six tough stages to reach the enemies main base, where the secret weapon - the Death Laser - is waiting. Strangely enough, the only weapon you have at the beginning of the game is a combat knife (perhaps you are Rambo's son?). You can pick up other weapons as you go, but they're very scarce, and ammo is always limited. There is a decent selection of enemies: foot soldiers, karate soldiers, pistol soldiers, machine gun soldiers, artillerymen, paratroopers, and the yellow soldiers who look just like your Green Beret. When you kill a yellow soldier, he'll drop a weapon - the Bazooka, the Grenade, the Pistol, or the Lucky Star, which grants you invincibilty. The other weapons all have limited ammo - the Bazooka can only carry three rounds at a time, and you can only carry up to nine Grenades. The game plays a lot like later Contra, but there is one big difference between the two - the controls. Simply put, the controls in Rush 'N Attack are terrible. For example, you'll be in a particularly tricky spot, with soldiers coming at you from both directions. You'll take some out on one side, then turn around to get the others and accidentally press Up. You then get to watch your Green Beret jump right into the oncoming soldier, which kills him instantly! Since getting hit by anything kills you, and you only have five lives and no "continues" with which to complete the game, you will get frustrated by this annoying control flaw. If you can master the controls, though, Rush 'N Attack can be a fun, if challenging, game. A constant barrage of enemies keeps you on your toes, and the bosses are very difficult. Recommended only for the most confident of all joystick experts. Reviewed by: Underdogs |