User:HumanxAnthro/sandbox/Realm

Realm is a shoot 'em up platform video game.

Gameplay
Realm is a shoot 'em up platform video game where the player acts as a bionic solider in 5069, during the 16th Intergalatic Wars, named Biomech, who infiltrates the Extraterrestrial Battle Station of the alien Cyber-Mechs that have invaded Earth (NMS 47 preview) (Nintendo Accion rev). There are four worlds each consisting of several sections that conclude with a boss fight (GamePro rev, NMS 47 preview). The settings contain trees and castle walls for Biomech to traverse (GamePro rev). The rust he is built of makes him vulnerable to water, and several sections involve him riding a vehicle across rivers (NMS 47 preview). Biomech can shoot in eight directions (Mega Fun rev). In addition to a main gun, other guns can be collected as a back-up weapon, including the highly accurate RD350, the plasma beam-shooting TRI, the NA75 which shoots a circle of bullets that are more powerful the longer the shoot button is held, VFA750 which shoots the most powerful and straightest bullets, and the machine gun GSX750 (NMS 47 preview). Ammunition is re-filled by shooting at yellow crystals (Mega Fun rev).

Release
Realm was released in Europe in July according to NMS 47 preview.

Reception
Although widely considered unspectacular and unoriginal, reviews of Realm were generally lukewarm and decent (VGS (de) rev). It was called by GamePro Jan 97 rev and Nintindo Accion rev one of the best SNES titles of the season, and Super Power FI's SIISTI JA HYVÄ and Superjuegos rev a significant improvement over Flair and Titus' other 16-bit entries. Superjuegos suggested its graphics and high amount of levels and weapons made Realm a "serious" SNES title. Given the near non-existent of futuristic shooters on the SNES library besides the Mega Man X, Realm was well-received by GamePro Jan 97 rev, Super Power FI and Nintendo Accion rev as a reminder games like Contra III: The Alien Wars (1992), Super Turrican (1993), and Gunstar Heroes (1993). GamePro Jan 97 rev and Nintendo Accion rev noted its high difficulty, attributed to a high amount of enemies, powerful bosses, and scarcity of ammo and health. Nintendo Power rev criticized it as unbalanced. However, Nintendo Accion rev argued it was too short, and VGS (de) argued its shooting gameplay was repetitive, despite the diversity in enemies and their respective behaviors.

The graphics were Realm's most positively-covered element, Nintendo Power rev enthusiastically stating the game "combines sharp Super NES graphics with constant action". GamePro Jan 97 rev, Superjuegos rev and Nintendo Accion praised the graphics as imaginative and colourful, VGS (de) citing the sprites and backgrounds as particularly well done. Mega Fun and Super Power FI argued the graphics were exceptional in terms of 16-bit games because of its light and shadow effects, citing an example where the sunlight shines through trees. The bosses were also celebrated by Nintendo Accion and Superjuegos rev for their large sizes, transparency effects, and unique attacks. Game Pro Jan 97 rev disliked the unsuitable disco music. He was also critical of the stiff movements of the player character and enemies.