Son Son II

~ SON SON II ~

NEC Avenue / Capcom

HuCard

1989

The first thing I really liked about Son Son II was its soundtrack, which definitely ranks among the catchiest in the PCE library. I was truly surprised by just how awesome the melodies are, as cartoony platformers of Son Son's ilk usually feature merry little jingles that just aren't my thing. The first stage's track is pleasant enough, but then comes Stage 2 with a fantastic hook, Stage 4 with a wonderful bass-heavy number, and the final board with a fast-paced classic that had me pumped for the entire final stretch. The bright, colorful graphics pull their weight too. They reminded me a bit of Tiger Road's at first, but with emphasis on vibrancy rather than grittiness. In fact, early on I was concerned that the whole picture would come off as just too darn "happy," but the areas are so appealing that it's practically impossible not to enjoy them, from Stage 4's snow land to Stage 5's orange skies, and from Stage 6's cloud castles to Stage 7's grand fortress.

So the superficials are great, but what really makes SS2 not only an extraordinary platformer but also an elite PCE game is the exploration aspect. Before long, the levels become absolutely enormous, offering many different roads for you to travel down. And lethargic sightseeing is unacceptable here, as you'll constantly be leaping, falling, dashing, climbing, and peeking around for secrets (of which there are loads). Those might sound like the genre's traditional actions, but the impeccable stage design propels this experience to an entirely different level. You'll continually need to contemplate your next step or leap, think about which corridors or niches to approach first to make the going a little easier and more cost-efficient, and make wise use of shops and the various spells and items they offer. Item management can mean success or failure here: for instance, you must be careful when deciding when to swing away with your limited-use block-smashing glove, as you have to know when it's beneficial to unearth a hidden bonus and when it's best to save that swipe for another time, when it can reveal an even more-precious reward (and you'll also have to familiarize yourself with the spots where you can replenish the all-important glove's uses). You can totally see what the designers were thinking with item, shop, and enemy placement; this is one remarkably well-planned adventure.

And it's a good thing that thorough level investigation is so enjoyable here, because it's absolutely essential. "Exploration" in many mascot-type run-and-jumpers means strolling around as you find your eighty-second extra life or forty-seventh bonus round, but Son Son II rewards you with veritable necessities, such as keys to the next area, significant upgrades for your weapon, and trinkets that can be traded for valuable pieces of equipment later on. Many of these important objects are cleverly hidden, so you'll have to be extremely careful as you poke around. Not only does the game keep you constantly active, but it keeps you constantly thinking and memorizing as well. But the memorization isn't a chore at all; it comes naturally as you have a blast with the action and secret-uncovering. Adding more fun to the mix is that you get extra cash at the end of a board if you complete it quickly, so there's additional incentive to really know the ins and outs of every expansive stage. Conversely, if you spend too much time blundering about a single level, a rather mean enemy will show up to annihilate you.

Actually, the enemy cast on the whole is a rather tough lot. You'll face all sorts of bad guys, including bouncy blobs; reptilian ogres; odd rolling Octorok-like things; sneaky flytraps; Castlevania-type bone throwers; and most fearsome of all (despite their tiny stature), drifting ghosts that can shove you off platforms or simply knock you around endlessly, dealing enormous damage in the process. You must learn when each breed is coming and figure out which countermeasures work best in each situation. Perhaps you'll know that three blobs are about to bound towards you at once, so you'll need to position yourself for an optimal initial strike and then have the wherewithal to change your position and finish them off. Thankfully, you have cool spear-like weapons with which to combat your strong, skilled foes and a bit of magic power if necessary--which it likely will be for at least some of the boss confrontations. You'll probably need to resort to sorcery to defeat a brutal fan-wielding woman who loves to slam you into walls. Elsewhere, you might find yourself hopping atop a cloud, gaining the ability to soar about the playfield as you deal with a giant axeman.

And at the end of it all, you'll feel awfully good, as this is a very tough game, as well as an amazingly fun one. It's also one of the greatest HuCards ever made.