An underrated gem that deserves more love!
Check out Part 2, Dragon Quest VI, here.
Demon's Crest is a sidescrolling action game with slight RPG and Metroidvania elements, developed and published by Capcom in late 1994. Despite Capcom’s well-known reputation, better known for Street Fighter and Megaman, this game has largely been forgotten in larger videogame circles in the preceding three decades. Still, this is an SNES classic that every gamer should try.
The story is simple and focuses on Firebrand trying to find six stones that, when united, join together to form the mighty Demon’s Crest, the epitome of power.
The controls take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of them, you'll likely fly through the levels. While I enjoyed the ability to interact with things in the background, trying to hit enough skulls in a mini-game within Demon’s Crest only town is infuriating and takes a lot of patience and attempts, and is the most egregious example of questionable controls.
In one of the game's only faults, there are only five levels, and they tend to be easy to get through. What makes them easy is the fact that you can fly through a lot of the levels. One aspect that makes up for the low challenge is the abundance of sidepaths and hidden secrets along the main path. As you progress through some of these levels, there is occasional slowdown that sometimes seems to benefit you, but more often than not, it will hinder you.
When this happens during a boss fight, it can be particularly vexing. The bosses you meet in Demon’s Crest can be hard and sometimes downright brutal. The secret boss is, to this day, one of the hardest bosses I’ve ever beaten in a game, standing toe to toe with Hollow Knight’s last boss.
The light Metroidvania elements are the various crests you find, which allow you to get to previously unreachable places in older levels.
Various talismans boost stats such as defense and strength, especially useful for some late-game bosses and the secret boss, who, again, is an absolute terror. Have fun with that if you decide to give it a go, and really, it is a must!
Finally, there are life extensions, 20 total, that you can find to increase your health meter, and probably the most RPG-like aspect of the game.
The graphics are stunning in this game, some of the best the SNES has to offer. Firebrand is huge, and the enemies he faces off against are often even larger and more detailed. But bosses are what take the prize in this game. They are immense and, granted, they’re grotesque, but highly detailed and look amazing. Don’t get distracted by the backgrounds either, as much of a pleasure as they are to gawk at, this is still an action-packed game where reflexes will be put to the test!
The music in this game has a very gothic feel, with a lot of organ, and is slightly reminiscent of Castlevania. It certainly creates a unique atmosphere not seen in many games on any 16-bit system. This is one of the more exceptional SNES soundtracks and creates a dark, foreboding tone.
While Demon’s Crest is not as well-known as Megaman and not as hard as Ghouls and Ghosts, it deserves as much love as both and is much more accessible than the latter while still providing a challenge. If you have not given this game a try, now is as good a time as any; seek it out now and give it a shot!
Wayback Wednesday Volume 1: Final Fantasy 7 and Chrono Trigger.
Wayback Wednesday Volume 2: Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Wayback Wednesday Volume 3: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Wayback Wednesday Volume 4: Secret of Mana and Wild Arms
Wayback Wednesday Volume 5: Illusion of Gaia and Grandia
Wayback Wednesday Volume 6: Breath of Fire 3 and X-Men Legends
Wayback Wednesday Volume 7: Star Ocean: The Second Story and Super Mario RPG