My Played Video Games Review: Vectorman for the Sega Genesis

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Vectorman is the first of a 2 part series of run and gun platform games developed by California-based BlueSky Software and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive console in 1995.

Before this game came out, I thought the Sega Genesis was incapable of 3D sprite-based graphics like the Super Nintendo (SNES). Too bad it was released when the SNES had several 3D like games and gamers' attention was on the emerging 32-bit consoles like the Sega Saturn and Sony Playstation.

Cover box art for the Sega Mega Drive. (Image source)

The Story

It is the year 2049. The Earth became a toxic wasteland. Humankind has fled into space leaving behind an army of robots to clean up the mess. But when their leader, WarHead, became too smart and starts a robot rebellion.

Only a lonely, obscure bot named VECTORMAN can stop them. VectorMan can change form! Change into a train, a power drill, mecha fish, or a dune buggy. Overthrow the rebel bots with cool weapon power-ups! Eye-popping 3D effects and smooth animation await the true gamer!

Carton box, cartridge and manual of the game. (Image source)

The Graphics and Sound

Game graphics-wise, it is one of the top 5 Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games for that category. Vectorman pushes the console to the limits. It looks great, the levels are nice eye candy, and the enemies look alive. When the screen fades from the level to the bonus levels, Vectorman gives off a great glow, and it looks cool.

Excellent music is found in this game. It has catchy and easy listening tunes. That is why Sega released a music CD with all of the music from the game, so you know it is good. The sound effects are great as well. There's a sound effect for everything in the game. From the enemies' angry grunts to Vectorman's quotes, everything has a sound.

Gameplay video sample of Vectorman. Watch in 360p for near TV resolution of that time.

The Gameplay

This one has simplistic controls and game play for a game that is just tricky. You start out on the title screen where you can move and shoot with the title character. Once you press start, you then move on and start the game.

Vectorman is a tricky game that can be easy once you have enough experience playing it. Certain jumps require your jump booster, certain enemies can only be damaged in certain spots, etc. The game is good fun though, as each level is special and has its own unique attributes, as well as the extra items that you may pick up (like health refills, weapon changes, or multiplayer bonuses). One great feature of Vectorman is that Vectorman himself can transform into a variety of objects, from a vehicle to a drill, to a rocket.

The replay value is good. This game is hard to beat at first, but eventually, you will get the hang of it and succeed. Aside from cheating, there is no way to progress in the game from where you left off, so you must start from the beginning every time you turn it on. Playing on an emulator lets you have save-states, so you start off where you last progressed.

My Verdict

Vectorman is a great game that anyone with a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive would be surely insane not to own. The game has it all, good graphics, excellent music, and nice game play. A collectible gaming gem for sure.

Play it on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive console or play it on a dependable emulator.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!