BlackFalcon
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Metareview: After Burner
The playable version of Sega's After Burner: Black Falcon at GDC left me more than a little underwhelmed. Now that the final game is out, critics seem to have mixed praise for Planet Moon's latest PSP exclusive: GameDaily (80/100) loves the old-school revival: "The studio captured the old-school feeling of the arcade original while, at the same time, adding enough originality and excitement to make it feel like a cool modern-day action game." IGN (79/100) enjoyed the game, even with its poor multiplayer options: "Lots of games have tried to bring an arcade feel to their next-generation efforts, but it's rare to see someone nail it like After Burner has." Electronic Gaming Monthly (47/100) agrees with my quick first-impressions the most: "After Burner sports merely decent graphics while managing to suck all the fun out of a once-great franchise." While I didn't enjoy my time with the game, the critics at GameDaily and IGN seem to have enjoyed the arcadey feel of After Burner. Maybe it's one of those games you learn to love? The game is out now.
Planet Moon's After Burner is lookin' good
Planet Moon Studios, developers of MDK, Giants, and the PSP-exclusive Infected, have been working hard at reviving a old Sega classic. After Burner: Black Falcon is yet another PSP-exclusive endeavor from this respected developer, and 1UP has the exclusive scoop on the game. They talked to Bob Stevenson on the game, and he explains: "We were interested in taking a classic arcade game like After Burner and adding a bit of artistic license, Planet Moon-style. We were careful not to go too crazy as the game has its own essence that we didn't want to mess with."The classic game will be getting some unique story and character development, something the team at Planet Moon has always been good at. With 30+ single player missions and extensive multiplayer modes planned, you may want to keep your eye on this one on its journey to a Spring 2007 release.
Sega teams with Planet Moon to unleash After Burner
Back in August, we revealed that Planet Moon would bring one of Sega's classics to the PSP. Well, they announced said game, and it just so happens to be After Burner: Black Falcon. "As huge fans of the original After Burner, we are delighted to re-imagine this classic arcade franchise," said Planet Moon Studios CEO Bob Stevenson. "Most importantly, it's approximately 9000% more portable than the original arcade cabinet."The game, which is due out in 2007, will feature ad-hoc versus and co-op modes and will allow feature 19 licensed fighter planes. Also, Planet Moon has gone the extra mile by throwing in a storyline into the game. Yeah, I guess those are important nowadays. Apparently it will be up to you to stop Black Falcon, group of mercs that have stolen 13 war planes.Let's hope Planet Moon can give this series the kind of loving care it deserves.
