Hook [Sega CD]

[lisalover1]

My favorite Sega CD game is one that I just recently tried, and had absolutely no hope for previously: Hook. I played the NES version, which was terrible, so I had pretty much put it in the vast mental category of awful movie games, and moved on. A couple months ago, I decided to try the Sega CD version, just on a random whim. Holy crap. EVERYTHING about this game is better!

Never have I seen more apt use of Sega CD hardware. The FMVs are well-encoded and tactfully done [Not laden with endless movie footage like some games], and they are mostly quite short. The voices are pretty good for the Sega CD, and there's not really much to say here. The music... I could go on about the music for hours. The game uses a beautiful orchestrated soundtrack that sounds impressive even with mono audio, and is positively ear candy in stereo. This is what CD game music was meant to be! In fact, I think it's safe to say that many PS1 or Saturn games can match the impressive audio in Hook. It's far superior to the SNES and Genesis versions of Hook, and not even in the same league as the NES version. The Master System version had some okay audio, though. It should be noted though, that the NES version was a completely different game, and what a shame that it was.

Anyway, the gameplay is rock-solid, with tight controls, forgiving jumps, and fun boss battles. The controls in this game are so good, that they reach that point at which all that can be said is that if you die, it's your own damn fault for being so clumsy. The level designs are interesting and make good use of all the game's gameplay mechanics, so you will not easily become bored. The only real major hiccup I encountered in the game comes near the end levels, in which if you lose all your lives, and have to continue, you also lose all your health power-ups, which can make the last few levels absolutely impossible. Still quite fun though; it truly hits that sweet spot in difficulty where the game does make it angering and difficult for you, but not enough to make you stop playing. Think of the game as Donkey Kong Country, distilled. It may not have as many levels as the latter, but they are certainly fun enough to compensate, and certainly are of the same caliber.

The graphics are very fresh and detailed, at least matching the SNES version, with crisp, colorful backgrounds and smoothly-animated sprites that make the game a joy to behold. The Sega CD/Genesis' color palette are put to creative use in Hook, and it just gives the game a sense that the developers knew what they were doing, and cared a lot about it, too. It makes Sonic CD look like an early Turbografx game. As I said, the FMVs are not obtrusive, and are in fact quite tasteful in the context of the game; a rarity on the Sega CD. They may not be the best quality possible on the system, but they are certainly above average. If you want to see some great 2D graphics on the system, play this game; you will not be disappointed.

Hook is a marvelous game on the Sega CD, and is one of my most-played games on the system. It was from that magical era of gaming in which movie games actually had a chance of being great, like any other game. We just don't see that kind of thing anymore, and it's a real shame. Anyway, here's my final scores for the game:

Sound: 9/10
Graphics: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 8.5/10
Fun: 10/10
Overall: 9/10

[Anayo]

Thanks for this review. I already had a list of Sega CD games to look out for (Terminator, Final Fight, Snatcher, Sonic CD, etc.), but it looks to me like I'll add this one to it.

[Xonticus]

Impressive, I need to try this out

[Dakinggamer87]

I will have to check this title out sometime.

[jfe2]

I played the hell out of the SNES version of this game when I was a kid. Does the Sega CD version have that cave level with the flame that you have to lure around to light your way?

[the7k]

I loved Hook, the arcade game. It was made by Irem, of R-Type/Undercover Cops fame.

As fun as it is odd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFtf4ciodMU

[emwearz]

I did a review awhile ago on HOOK on the NES, man that version of the game sucked really big balls.

[jeree]

Sound: 9/10
Graphics: 8.5/10
Gameplay: 8.5/10
Fun: 10/10
Overall: 9/10

LOL thanks thats all i need xD

i have this game, got bored of it and moved on lol
thans for the review!