We've all played some weird games in our time, but this one really takes the cake. A Japanese import (and all their strange humor) has made it to our shores, a shooter called Silhouette Mirage. You play a Female (Mega Man wanna be) robot messenger named Shyna Nera Shyna who has lost her memory (this happens a lot in video games?) and like most games, she must save the world. (A computer generated world that is)
You fight evil creatures excluding; Evil Dollies and Watermelon Jack-o-lanterns. To bosses like; a bratty Giant Monster Fish with a little girls head to a snobby man in a limo with a psycho driver. The game basically plays like Mega Man. You shoot little bad guys and then you shoot major bosses. You also can buy new weapons from the white rabbit. (place your own Alice in Wonderland joke here) What make Silhouette Mirage different for other shooters is the Silhouette/Mirage effect. One side of Shyna is Silhouette the other is Mirage, and you have to face your enemy from the left or right depending on their weakness. (this can be a major pain) Shyna has several abilities that can help. From Magic Spells, A Reflect Shield, Dash moves, Power Punches and more.
The Graphics are 2-D but have effects that are beautiful to look at. Vary colorful and vary Anime. The animation plays vary smoothly and even though it's goofy, it's really fun to watch.
The one thing that would have made this game a little better, is more in between levels Anime FMV. The sound effects and music are again goofy and some of the weapons are hard to get due to the high prices and the vary little chance to get money. You can mug enemies for money, but when five to ten bad guys are beating you senseless this can be tough to pull off. (except for the giant revolver boss. get all you can a lot on this level) This game was created by the same people who made games like, Gunstar Heroes, Mischief Makers and Guardian Heroes. If you liked any of those games you might want to give this game a look. Overall Silhouette Mirage is a fun renter, especially if you love shooters. Rent it, get a few laughs and then decide if this game is for you.
Will Shyna Nera Shyna be the next Mega Man hero??.......Delete, Delete, Delete.
PUBLISHER: WORKING DESIGNS
GRAPHICS: 7 MUSIC & SOUND: 6 CONTROL: 9
SECRETS: 8 ORIGINALITY: 8.5 FUN & REPLAY: 7
OVERALL: 7.5