We comment on this compilation that includes four of the most representative games of the Turrican universe
Talking about Turrican is not talking about one more retro game, it is not simply a trip back in time to reconnect with our childhood or expand our borders as players eager to know the classics. To speak of Turrican is to speak of technical and creative excellence, of games that have sat on the technological throne of important machines in the history of video games, of living legends of the environment at the zenith of their powers.
The history of the series, a real giant of the Commodore 64 and the Amiga, is fascinating and for this we invite you to read the complete review of it that Joaquín Relaño did in one of his Returns to the Past, although we will not remove ourselves to speak in this Reviews of some essential points of the saga to put this compilation in its proper context. The first thing to establish is that we are not talking about a complete anthology, which detracts something of value from the whole. Specifically, Turrican Flashback offers us four titles: Turrican I and II (in their Amiga versions), Mega Turrican from Megadrive and Super Turrican from Super Nintendo.
Welcome to Turrican
The selection, although representative and with fantastic titles, is far from complete and is far from what should be required of a compilation with aspirations of making a saga known to new generations that preserve their memory. But there is a singular circumstance that makes the situation somewhat confusing. On the one hand this “Flashback” that offers the four titles mentioned for € 29.95 on Switch and PS4, on the other hand and separately we will have Turrican Anthology also this year, in a compilation published physically by Strictly Limited that is divided into two editions (at € 35 each) and which includes a larger selection: the three Amiga Turrican, the two SNES Super Turrican, Mega Drive Mega Turrican and two Super Turrican “Director’s Cut” and Mega Turrican with restored content which was lost in the original releases. More complete, but at a higher price.
It is true that it is the 30th anniversary of the saga and the opportunity to celebrate it is there and it must be done, because it more than deserves it, but the circumstances seem somewhat confusing. We would not have minded seeing a more harmonized effort, although surely there are circumstances to take into account given the convoluted trajectory of the saga. None of the compilation efforts includes the two emblematic Turrican of Commodore 64, flagship games that took advantage of the 8-bit computer to unsuspected limits thanks to the magic of Manfred Trenz, the original creator of the work and a true legend of 8-bit programming . In a real documentation effort, the original version of Turrican on C64 and its sequel on that machine should be a must for being the roots and because of its place as one of the best games in the system’s history. Also conspicuous by its absence is Super Turrican from the NES, a game different from other versions that combines elements of the C64 titles to create a great adventure on Nintendo’s 8-bit (also created completely alone, including graphics and sound, quite a feat that cements Trenz’s virtuosity).
An incomplete selection
Having commented on these aspects, we focus 100% on the content of this Flashback, with the four titles mentioned. Of the two Amiga Turricans there is little to say; The first takes the basis of the original C64, that virtuous fusion of Metroid and Contra, endows it with the colorful graphics possible on a 16-bit computer and takes advantage of the extra capacity to give a complete soundtrack to the experience of a majestic Chris Huesback (the C64 version only has sound effects in a good part of the game due to having squeezed the machine to the bottom). It is certainly a great game, with huge multidimensional mappings, action in abundance, many secrets and a special setting, an outstanding title that also serves as a prelude to the masterpiece that is Turrican 2.
The version that we find here of the second part, that of Amiga, is undoubtedly the best, a true gem of the legendary computer. Rainbow Arts, which would eventually transform into the ever-remembered Factor 5, worked on Trenz’s pillar to put all her resources and talents into creating a game that raised the bar previously set. More huge levels full of secrets, more variety of enemies and situations that made exploration more satisfying, superb visual work, impressive final bosses and even luxuries like perfectly executed Space Shoot ’em Up phases. And to top it off, one of the best soundtracks in video game history, the soundtrack that earned Chris Huelsback immortality, making Paula (Amiga’s sound chip) sound like few have been able to, with a variety of records and an overall quality that remains on top from start to finish. I said, a master jewel that you have to play and that remains young before any 2D action-adventure game of our days.
Of course, neither of the two Amiga titles are precisely easy or accessible. They are not the most difficult of the time at all and Turrican 2 is easier than the first, but the bar for the difficulty of 35 years ago was not the same as it is now. In addition, Turrican in these versions has some peculiarities of its own, such as that contact with enemies or projectiles does not generate any reaction or impact, nor does it create windows of temporary invulnerability to give us a break. If we allow ourselves to be a few seconds in damage position, our life bar will drop dramatically and it is not that there is no lack of waves of enemies or unfavorable terrain situations to make things difficult for us. For those who want to move faster, Flashback includes both the ability to save at any point and the option to “rewind” the action and reverse fatal errors on our part. They are very useful tools for those who do not want to go through the spartan routine of mastering the levels and situations that we will encounter. Those who want a challenge will have the “Trophy” modes, in which we can try to unlock the tests that the team has devised (yes, without tricks).
Great games, better music
These options are extended to Mega Turrican and Super Turrican, two versions that reached the 16-bit consoles of Sega and Nintendo respectively and that represent a change of course compared to those of computers with a more linear and arcade approach, although maintaining different signs of identity of the saga and creating in the process two other fantastic titles with some of the best graphics and music from their respective platforms. The greater linearity and certain considerations with the console user in mind make these games somewhat more affordable, but they are still tough nuts to crack and authentic Run’n Gun classics, with a more marked Contra influence than Metroid with respect to the versions. of Amiga.
All four adaptations have been done with care and taste, with a very clear interface and a reworked control system that works very well. Graphically they remain fresh thanks to a work that continues to be influential today for a whole generation of indie developers. In the first, the roots as the original title of Commodore 64 are noted, but in Turrican 2 and in the console versions the entry into the team of Andreas Escher as a graphic designer is noted, leaving aesthetically brilliant games, among the best that those could offer. machines then. The emulation is impeccable and a filter with very effective and configurable scanlines has also been incorporated (including screen curvature and different types of matrices) that will allow us that extra touch of authenticity depending on how our screen is and our own tastes.
If it is for the quality of the games, Turrican Flashback is an outstanding by virtue of the fact that its four games are and remain valid in our day. They are four masterful titles and as enjoyable yesterday as today. If we analyze Flashback as a compilation, it is clear that it is not even close to the level at which other examples are on the market, both for the amount of content and the documentary support of it. We return to what we said at the beginning, the situation between this Flashback and the future Anthology, which will come out in a few months, is confusing, especially if we do not know if Anthology will have a digital version. We understand the theory that Flashback remains the “cheap” and accessible version so that a larger public can access it, leaving Anthology for fans, but the difference in content between the two offers is high and leaves us with the impression that many people would be more convinced with a more intermediate offer with a greater variety of games (at least the inclusion of Super Turrican 2 for completing the pentalogy).
CONCLUSION
We are lucky to have these reissues of Turrican. The situation with the saga has always been very delicate in terms of licenses, with serious disagreements (to put it mildly) between some of those responsible. That the rights belonging to Rainbow Arts could be bought from the ashes of THQ is a small miracle, especially the bizarre situation with the resurrected Factor 5. The truth is that Turrican, year by year, has never had much luck and his status as Legend is not backed by its luck in the market, conditioned by wild piracy in microcomputers or poor console distributions, so it does not seem appropriate to get too exquisite now that we have a chance to celebrate. The games are really worth it, the whole is well executed and the four titles will give us many hours of high level fun and better music, especially if we go for the trophies. It is a representative sample of what makes the saga great, with exceptional titles. We only trust that Anthology can also reach the digital format and not remain in a small physical launch, since it presents a more attractive and improved set of titles, even at a much higher price.
THE BEST
- Four masterful and historical games
- Good emulation, with well thought out options and a clear interface
- A great excuse to re-enjoy Hülsbeck’s hymns
WORST
- Insufficient selection, at least Super Turrican 2 should have been included
- No absence of documentary material and celebration of the saga
- Confusion with the presence of Anthology
Okay
It meets the expectations of what a good game is, has quality and does not have serious flaws, although it is missing elements that could have taken it to higher heights.
