Product Review

Combining the action elements of a game like Shinobi with the strategic elements of a game like Zillion, Cyborg Hunter puts players in the role of Paladin, a bounty hunter who is part man, part machine. The task at hand is to punch and otherwise kill cyborgs prowling within the halls of the enemy base, which is a maze of connected sectors and floors linked by elevators. The screen is divided into three sections: map, close-up first-person view, and side-view, where the action takes place. Beating each sector boss gives players a key for use in entering the next sector. To help achieve the daunting task of beating this game (there is no password for saving progress), players possess a super-powerful psychic punch and can pick up bombs, shields, a jet pack and other useful items. Despite sluggish jumping and awkward interfacing (two controllers are required), this is an intriguing game with sharp graphics, futuristic music, and a nice marriage of action and strategy.