I'm a Bit Beside Myself...
So, I was taking a break from other projects today and, for no particular reason other than it's been on my mind lately, I decided to fire up Jekyll & Hyde for another run. Most times, I only ever get to about Stage 4 or 5 before the b.s. of randomness slaps me back to reality and, after an hour or so of failing to make progress, I give up.
But today was somehow different. Admittedly, I think some of it was sheer luck (luck being a hugely influential factor at several points in this game) but I quickly powered through the oft-troublesome stages and made it to Stage 6! The final stage was, itself, a huge obstacle to overcome. Those damned barrels caused more aggravation than I was prepared for. I decided I wanted to explore the Hyde route and with the help of extreme patience, I was able to get Hyde to the rooftops and reach the end!
With the benefit of my time spent with the game, it must be said that I don't think Jekyll & Hyde is deserving of "worst NES game ever" hype that is often thrown at it. I also don't think it's "challenging" in the traditional sense (but more on that later). Let me be clear: it is not a great game, maybe not even a "good" game but there is an odd sort of charm there...when it's not making you red in the face with frustration. While the later Jekyll stages can be unbearably cruel at times, the Hyde stages are actually pretty fun, once you get your bearings. While the player's progress with Jekyll is, at times, much more about luck than any form of skill (which can be maddening), progress with Hyde often feels much more fair, as the player seems to have more input and control and benefits from the ability to develop actual strategy. The irony, of course, is that under most circumstances, you're supposed to play the Hyde stages as infrequently and quickly as you possibly can.
Perhaps the biggest, most crippling flaws of the game are born of a combination of two factors: a) the poor controls and b) the random obstacle elements. While Hyde controls more fluidly than Jekyll, both characters suffer from the inability to control the height of their jumps. Super Mario Bros. this is not. Especially in the final stage, when the barrels begin hurtling across the screen, Jekyll's poor jumping controls will be responsible for most of your failures. This is made worse by the fact that many obstacles (especially those damnable barrels) are often triggered in purely random non-patterns. The spiders, running townsfolk, dogs, gravedigger's dirt and fat lady's musical notes so often behave at random. This removes much in the way of potential strategy...because you can't strategize against random distribution. This also accounts for most of the game's reputation for difficulty. Here, though, it's the worst kind of difficulty...not difficult because it demands strategy and skill...but difficult because it requires patience and luck.
The graphics, while certainly pedestrian in design and subdued in color, are actually quite detailed and look good for the NES, setting the tone of the game. I love the contrast of the "Hyde-world", where everything is gloomy and disheveled. The music is charming, even if there isn't a whole lot of it and I particularly enjoy the title theme. Also, even though the game play falls short of its potential, the core concept of the game is really interesting. The attempt to feature the duality of Jekyll's psyche as the focus of the game was a fascinating idea. The Jekyll stages are frustratingly restrictive, while the Hyde stages are much more active and rewarding to play. There are little touches (like paying off the singing lady, or ducking to absorb(?) the bees, or entering houses to avoid obstacles) that hint at a greater potential; the seeds of a more competent game.
With only a few adjustments, I think Jekyll & Hyde could have been a solid, middle-of-the-road platformer for the NES. As it is, it's certainly full of quirks and flaws that limit its appeal and betray its lofty ideals...but I honestly think it's not as bad a game as many believe it to be. There's something strangely cathartic about playing it that sticks with you past the frustration and the sore thumbs, past the shock of bewilderment and disbelief. Something deep inside you that sees through the pallid flesh and into the very soul of the thing...that sleeping soul of reverent and unspoiled nature.
But today was somehow different. Admittedly, I think some of it was sheer luck (luck being a hugely influential factor at several points in this game) but I quickly powered through the oft-troublesome stages and made it to Stage 6! The final stage was, itself, a huge obstacle to overcome. Those damned barrels caused more aggravation than I was prepared for. I decided I wanted to explore the Hyde route and with the help of extreme patience, I was able to get Hyde to the rooftops and reach the end!
With the benefit of my time spent with the game, it must be said that I don't think Jekyll & Hyde is deserving of "worst NES game ever" hype that is often thrown at it. I also don't think it's "challenging" in the traditional sense (but more on that later). Let me be clear: it is not a great game, maybe not even a "good" game but there is an odd sort of charm there...when it's not making you red in the face with frustration. While the later Jekyll stages can be unbearably cruel at times, the Hyde stages are actually pretty fun, once you get your bearings. While the player's progress with Jekyll is, at times, much more about luck than any form of skill (which can be maddening), progress with Hyde often feels much more fair, as the player seems to have more input and control and benefits from the ability to develop actual strategy. The irony, of course, is that under most circumstances, you're supposed to play the Hyde stages as infrequently and quickly as you possibly can.
Perhaps the biggest, most crippling flaws of the game are born of a combination of two factors: a) the poor controls and b) the random obstacle elements. While Hyde controls more fluidly than Jekyll, both characters suffer from the inability to control the height of their jumps. Super Mario Bros. this is not. Especially in the final stage, when the barrels begin hurtling across the screen, Jekyll's poor jumping controls will be responsible for most of your failures. This is made worse by the fact that many obstacles (especially those damnable barrels) are often triggered in purely random non-patterns. The spiders, running townsfolk, dogs, gravedigger's dirt and fat lady's musical notes so often behave at random. This removes much in the way of potential strategy...because you can't strategize against random distribution. This also accounts for most of the game's reputation for difficulty. Here, though, it's the worst kind of difficulty...not difficult because it demands strategy and skill...but difficult because it requires patience and luck.
The graphics, while certainly pedestrian in design and subdued in color, are actually quite detailed and look good for the NES, setting the tone of the game. I love the contrast of the "Hyde-world", where everything is gloomy and disheveled. The music is charming, even if there isn't a whole lot of it and I particularly enjoy the title theme. Also, even though the game play falls short of its potential, the core concept of the game is really interesting. The attempt to feature the duality of Jekyll's psyche as the focus of the game was a fascinating idea. The Jekyll stages are frustratingly restrictive, while the Hyde stages are much more active and rewarding to play. There are little touches (like paying off the singing lady, or ducking to absorb(?) the bees, or entering houses to avoid obstacles) that hint at a greater potential; the seeds of a more competent game.
With only a few adjustments, I think Jekyll & Hyde could have been a solid, middle-of-the-road platformer for the NES. As it is, it's certainly full of quirks and flaws that limit its appeal and betray its lofty ideals...but I honestly think it's not as bad a game as many believe it to be. There's something strangely cathartic about playing it that sticks with you past the frustration and the sore thumbs, past the shock of bewilderment and disbelief. Something deep inside you that sees through the pallid flesh and into the very soul of the thing...that sleeping soul of reverent and unspoiled nature.
Comments
Originally posted by: gutsman004
That was a very awesome read,one of the most well thought out reviews I've read in a while. I shall try out this game tonight
Thank you! The experiences of finishing the game and of writing this review have been really remarkable in their own ways. I used the term "catharsis" in reference to the game itself and I also found dissecting and examining my own experience with it equally cathartic. I'm not calling Jekyll & Hyde a "hidden gem" or anything (oh, heavens, no!) but I think more people should really give it an honest attempt (meaning more than 5 minutes) before choosing how they wish to label it going forward.
Originally posted by: Tulpa
At what point in the last level can you deliberately transform into Hyde and then get to the rooftops/final boss area and get the full ending? Is it from the start or do you have to progress as Jekyll a certain distance?
I'm not for certain at this point (perhaps something to test in future runs) but, early in the final stage, the first several buildings are "low buildings", meaning the entire building fits on-screen. A few buildings in, they suddenly get taller and extend past the top of the screen. When you reach the stage as Hyde, you have to travel a short distance before reaching the tall building and leaping up to the rooftops. For safety's sake, I would advise most folks to get Jekyll to the "tall buildings" (which doesn't take long at all) before transforming to Hyde, just in case.
This game is actually a lot better than people give it credit for, and had some pretty cool mechanics and ideas once you actually realize what is going on.
Knowing that you are not one to freely give out compliments on games,your comment really says a lot.
This game is actually a lot better than people give it credit for, and had some pretty cool mechanics and ideas once you actually realize what is going on.
Knowing that you are not one to freely give out compliments on games,your comment really says a lot.
I am going to buy it now......
It is worth a try, though. The Famicom version is harder to come by, but features different levels (the US version just repeats certain ones.)
It is unique, and a refreshing change from the standard run/jump platformers. But there are some overly frustrating aspects to it that hold it back.
It is worth a try, though. The Famicom version is harder to come by, but features different levels (the US version just repeats certain ones.)
The Famicom version can also be a tad harder in it's own way, primarily because the length of bomb fuses seems to be random. In the US version, the fuses get consistently shorter with each stage. On the Famicom, there's no such consistency.
I think a lot of people saw AVGN's review and rolled with the idea that this game was a hard peice of shit. It's very challenging, but once you figure out the mechanics, it begins to make sense. Still challenging, but it's not a bad game.
this. I notice a lot of people say "[blank] gets a bad rap" when really all they mean is AVGN reviewed it so it's bad. AVGN is entertainment, not educated critique. And I've enjoyed plenty of games he's reviewed
I think a lot of people saw AVGN's review and rolled with the idea that this game was a hard peice of shit. It's very challenging, but once you figure out the mechanics, it begins to make sense. Still challenging, but it's not a bad game.
this. I notice a lot of people say "[blank] gets a bad rap" when really all they mean is AVGN reviewed it so it's bad. AVGN is entertainment, not educated critique. And I've enjoyed plenty of games he's reviewed
Yeah,he bashed TMNT and Simon's Quest and those are definitely not terrible games in my opinion.
I think a lot of people saw AVGN's review and rolled with the idea that this game was a hard peice of shit. It's very challenging, but once you figure out the mechanics, it begins to make sense. Still challenging, but it's not a bad game.
this. I notice a lot of people say "[blank] gets a bad rap" when really all they mean is AVGN reviewed it so it's bad. AVGN is entertainment, not educated critique. And I've enjoyed plenty of games he's reviewed
Yeah,he bashed TMNT and Simon's Quest and those are definitely not terrible games in my opinion.
also Friday the 13th, Bart vs the space mutants, Fester's quest, Ghostbusters 2, mckids, top gun and jaws. All games that aren't that bad
I've had a much easier time using Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde. The latter just seems to uncontrolled and his attacks are just about as worthless as Dr. Jekyll using his cane.
The pissed off cat makes me laugh though.
this. I notice a lot of people say "[blank] gets a bad rap" when really all they mean is AVGN reviewed it so it's bad. AVGN is entertainment, not educated critique. And I've enjoyed plenty of games he's reviewed
James has admitted that several of the games he's famously ripped apart are actually dear to him and he doesn't consider them objectively "bad games". He's an entertainer (and quite good at his schtick) who enjoys tapping into our collective inner, controller-throwing, curse-spewing adolescent and using that sympathy to make us laugh.
So I've been playing this game for a bit. I guess I'm on level 3. I've gotten to the singing lady but zi have no idea how you get past her.
I've had a much easier time using Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde. The latter just seems to uncontrolled and his attacks are just about as worthless as Dr. Jekyll using his cane.
The pissed off cat makes me laugh though.
There are three (and only three) ways to deal with the singing lady: 1) walk past her very carefully. She won't hurt you if you touch her, just the musical notes she spews. That said, because the non-pattern of her notes is erratic and she spews them so rapidly, this is incredibly difficult to do (in fact, I've only done it once). 2) If you have collected at least 8 coins from the monsters in the "Hyde-world", when you touch her, she will stop singing. Again, sometimes just getting close enough to shut her up can be insanely difficult but patience is your only weapon here. 3) If you transform into Hyde while she is on-screen and then revert back to Jekyll again, she will be gone. This is probably the easiest and most reliable way to get rid of her.
Take a little time to learn the pattern of the Psycho-Wave attack and the patterns of the enemies. Once you do, the Hyde segments actually become mostly easy and often pretty fun on top of it. Also note that there can only be one Psycho-Wave on-screen at any time. Remember this and avoid shooting randomly. Learn the travel pattern and time your shots for accuracy. Then Hyde becomes a wrecking machine.
And yeah, when the cat flips out, it's pretty funny!
Also keep in mind that the bomb explosion can piss off both the dog and the cat. The dog will run two thirds of the screen, turn around, run half way back, and turn around again before running off. You can usually jump back to avoid its first charge, then leap over it as it leaves.
One thing that's odd is some times the people just are all running for no reason and other times they are cool. Like stage 4,(I think) I've started it several times to vilagers running...like all of them....and other times they are all walking. (except for the bastard with the sling shot)
And is the attack with your cane supposed to do...anything?! I've never damaged anything with it.
I guess NoA must have overlooked this game in terms of censorship as there are water fountains of little boys pissing and birds dropping big amounts of chocolate soft serve.
One thing that's odd is some times the people just are all running for no reason and other times they are cool. Like stage 4,(I think) I've started it several times to vilagers running...like all of them....and other times they are all walking. (except for the bastard with the sling shot)
And is the attack with your cane supposed to do...anything?! I've never damaged anything with it.
Cane only works against bees, and you have to be dead on.
Level four is where everyone runs around with a New York minute to spare. Watch out if you're close to a door. They will bum rush you to get inside it, for some odd reason.
I didn't realize you could shoot fireballs. I was just punching,or trying to. Once I realized this those stages are way easier and the J/H meter mechanic is actually pretty cool...
...And is the attack with your cane supposed to do...anything?! I've never damaged anything with it.
Yes, Hyde's punch is basically worthless. I never use it, even if an enemy is right in front of me. Psycho-Wave all the way.
The only effect the cane has is against the bees and even then, it's very tricky to hit them. They have to be just slightly lower than the level of the cane for the attack to hit. Honestly, there's a much easier and more reliable way to take out the bees: just duck. If you're ducking and a bee flies into you from the front, it will vanish. Doesn't work if it flies into you from above or behind, though. I'm not sure why this happens (what exactly is Jekyll doing? Is he eating the bee?) but it works.
And I swear the intro theme is stolen straight from Rygar when you meet one of the wise men.
Rygar and Jekyll & Hyde actually share the same composer: Michiharu Hasuya. It is indeed mostly the same composition and Hasuya reused it but with what sounds like slightly different instrumentation or a higher pitch. Good stuff.
Rygar has one of my favorite soundtracks on the nes,so I guess that's why I recognized it.
The severe randomness in the game is nice but also terrible. I love how crummy it is. Its not a bad game, just the game design wasn't great. Its just a very slow... slow... slow game.
The beginning of the 4th level can be so freaking hard, and that level is really long too.
The severe randomness in the game is nice but also terrible. I love how crummy it is. Its not a bad game, just the game design wasn't great. Its just a very slow... slow... slow game.
Definitely noticing the 4th level craziness. Once I figured out that I could shoot projectiles as Hyde I cruised to the 4th level where things have come to a screeching halt.
Originally posted by: gutsman004
Originally posted by: guitarzombie
The beginning of the 4th level can be so freaking hard, and that level is really long too.
The severe randomness in the game is nice but also terrible. I love how crummy it is. Its not a bad game, just the game design wasn't great. Its just a very slow... slow... slow game.
Definitely noticing the 4th level craziness. Once I figured out that I could shoot projectiles as Hyde I cruised to the 4th level where things have come to a screeching halt.
Its actually easier to beat it with the good ending too. Once you get to the last level, you need to get a feel for getting hit with the bomb so you gain as much Hyde meter and lose as little life as possible to do the last Hyde stage. Another thing that sucks is that the last level has like 3 different pre-set enemy placements and you can get creamed right in the beginning. So its a combination of getting into that level with enough Hyde and THEN getting a good enemy spawn pattern.
Happy trails.
Now I have to get a copy. Amazing analysis, OP! Very eye-opening.
I haven't spent any time with this game other than testing out my cart and dying very early in the first level. I'll get to it someday!
Also, congrats for beating this game!
Also, congrats for being this game!
Heh, you don't just beat Jekyll and Hyde, you become it.
Also, congrats for being this game!
Heh, you don't just beat Jekyll and Hyde, you become it.
Lol, I think that was one of the most fitting typos I've even written! I went back and fixed it anyway.