Developer: Red Company Publisher:Bullet Proof Software Release: 06/94 Genre: Action RPG
In the US RPGs were few and far between during the 8-bit era. But by the midpoint of the 16-bit generation localizations were picking up. Both Square and Enix and their American branches had a steady flow of releases, sometimes curiously not the best from their home publisher. But there were a lot of smaller publishes localizing many lesser titles. Spike McFang is a game that flew under my radar. I remember the Game Players review but never saw it on store shelves. This was hard to find yet Paladin’s Quest was free to derp it up in stores. Before I give the impression that this is some hidden gem let me stop you now. Spike McFang is an at times charming game but suffers due to brevity and grinding due to meddling. While the game is decent you are not missing much by skipping it.
The land of Vladamasco enjoyed a time of peace thanks to its three rulers: Vampra, Von Hesler, and Dracuman. That peace shatters when Von Hesler unexpectedly mounts a coup on the other rulers. With an army of undead and garlic at his side he takes over all three kingdoms. Vampra’s daughter Camelia manages to escape and finds Dracuman’s son Spike McFang, who happened to be on a training journey, and enlists his help to save Vladamasco.
Spike McFang is an action RPG with simple mechanics. Your primary attack is a spin move with your cape. You can repeatedly spin to produce a wider swing but it leaves you dizzy and vulnerable for a few seconds. Spike can also throw his hat for ranged attacks which changes depending on the hat equipped. In addition you can buy cards that have a variety of effects, from basic healing to full screen attacks and demon summoning. Throughout the journey Spike will usually have a companion at his side. These friends will (sometimes) assist in defeating enemies but are under AI control. Unfortunately the AI is not very smart and is generally useless.
At first glance Spike McFang presents itself as an expansive adventure like Zelda: A Link to the Past. The reality is anything but. The simple mechanics are endemic of the game’s design. The dungeons are straightforward with no puzzles beyond finding keys. You do not have an inventory of items beyond the cards you collect either. I can respect a game that boils its experience down to the basics. But I will admit that the game’s simplicity and lack of depth do cause it to become boring, especially due to issue’s introduced in the US localization. More on that later.
If there are any strengths in Spike McFang is that it is oddly charming despite its simplicity and brisk pacing. I like that the game generally does not dawdle in one location too long. The script for what they have to work with makes the characters likable. The game has a tone that sets it apart from other often dour SNES action RPGs like Brainlord and Illusion of Gaia. It feels like a Saturday morning cartoon adapted in to a video game. You can see how the game is supposed to be accessible for newcomers to the genre as its basic design should have no friction to turn them away. Unfortunately it suffers from the worst kind of padding to lengthen its run time and suffers for it.
Spike McFang was released during an era where video game rentals were extremely popular. The original Japanese version, Chō Makai Taisen! Dorabotchan is short, extremely easy and over in about three hours which is brief for an action RPG. To combat this Bullet Proof Software increased the difficulty in a few ways. The enemies have significantly higher defense, making even the simplest onions in the opening a slog to kill. It only gets worse as you progress. You also do not regain your full health when leveling up, necessitating constantly returning to the shop keeper to buy items. This is a game where you need to level up as it is the only means to raise attack and defense. Now however it is a tedious grind designed to extend the length of the game. It does so but ruins the experience in the process.
In Closing
The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang is a fun little oddity in the SNES library. This one is more of a curiosity than a must-play. If you enjoy charming, offbeat games and do not mind a short, lightweight experience, it is worth trying. But if you are looking for deep mechanics or emotional storytelling, better action RPGs are available. I enjoyed my time with it but I feel this one is low on the priority list compared to its competition.
