Blaster Master: Enemy Below review

Blaster Master: Enemy Below review: Blaster Master: Enemy Below was released in 2000, but it might as well be 1991 as this is very similar to the NES original.

Once again, you play as Jason who shoots down enemies either on foot or from the comfort of his combat vehicle, Sophia the 3rd. Indeed, it is inside the latter that you will be most comfortable as you hop around the 2D subterranean environments.

If you make it through to the later areas you'll earn upgrades for Sophia, including one that enables her to drive up walls.

But it's Jason who might drive you up the wall when he leaves Sophia and battles on foot - he can't walk diagonally, which makes combat awkward and even shooting down the first of eight bosses is far more difficult than it needs to be.

It doesn't help that you're dumped way back at a distant checkpoint when you fail. Exactly how much enjoyment you get out of Blaster Master: Enemy Below depends on how much you relish rock hard games. It tests your skills to the max but many will find it too punishing.