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adaml · Staff Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 616 Location: In the VIP

A month or so ago I was telling Skrybe how I found a game called Metal Force among the new releases in the latest GoodNES. It's an unlicensed Korean game by Open Corp. that is a pretty decent Mega Man knockoff. Skrybe reminded me that Open Corp. was also responsible for Buzz & Waldog and we agreed the game needed some exposure.

Now even though both games are by Open Corp. and feel quite similar in gameplay, nobody listed in the Buzz & Waldog credits (check them out here in one of TheRedEye's old youtube vids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeeZD_n_nKg ) is found in the credits to Metal Force.

As you can see from the above pic, the game really does look like a Krion Conq...err, Mega Man rip off. The level layouts, colorful backgrounds and creative looking enemies will make you feel like you are playing a real laymen's Mega Man game.

What action/platformer wouldn't be complete without one of those annoying, slippery ice levels thrown in.

Many of you who have enjoyed Buzz & Waldog would probably agree that Open Corp's two released games (as far as I know) are head and shoulder's above most of the other unlicensed garbage that is out there and they easily match some of the licensed games.

One of the cool mech enemies found in the game.

Not that I ever expect much from a pirate/unlicensed game, especially after playing through most of the Sachen library, but this game would have been a lot cooler if you got to acquire the level bosses' weapons after defeating them. That being said, you get a boomerang and some kind of wave weapon that can be upgraded a bit during gameplay that are pretty bad-ass.

Final boss: The Flying Hippo

The music is decent in Metal Force. For those aficionado's of game tunes, G.D. Hwang is the composer here. Not sure if he is well known in the field, since my knowledge of video game music consists of knowing anything by Capcom is good and the Follin brothers are well respected.

Wow, there's actually an ending sequence?

I've been telling Skrybe for the last month that I would post something on the game and luckily got a few minutes tonight to bang something out. Wish I could have put more time into it, but the wife and kids just got home and my free time is at an end. Check out the game yourself:

Metal Force (K)

Also, here is a youtube video someone put up awhile back:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cb59kDacNhQ

Thanks to Skrybe for the help and for being a great host.

TheRedEye · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:21 am Post subject:

I like obscure things!

mrdomino · Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 167

does this one have anything to do with open corp? i guess the korean text in the bottom left of the cart is the maker's name, i dunno if that's open or not. its based on the korean movie "the general's son", but i think innovation planned to release it in the US under some generic title like "street warriors" or something, and i'm pretty sure the rom isn't dumped (or if it is, its not widely available)

Smeg · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 11:32 am Post subject:

Thanks for this, Adam. Now I have something to do today!

TheRedEye · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject:

ArnoldRimmer83 · Staff Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 540

This game is actually pretty fun, and well made. Between this and Buzz and Waldog, I'm starting to get a lot more curious about Open's Nes games.

Sardius · Staff Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 508 Location: Austin, TX

I really like this. I had a lot more fun with it than some of the later Mega Man games, even. Why did Open Corp put so much effort into their games? It's even got listenable music and a good demo loop, which are the kinds of things you just expect unlicensed developers to completely screw up as a matter of tradition.

Too bad it's not all original. Check out the Mouser boss at the end of the first level. Oops.

Skrybe · Staff Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1610

TheRedEye · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject:

I got a game over at level seven, how close to the end was I?

jbholio · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

adaml · Staff Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 616 Location: In the VIP

Yeah, it only took me a month and a half to post it. I would have given it more of a "review" if I had time to play through it again. I forgot about that mouser boss.

Glad to have the game outed anyway.

Blitzwing · Staff Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 288 Location: las vegas

I tried putting it on my ds emulator to play at work (on lunch of course!) does it use an obscure mapper like buzz and waldog did?

(didn't seem to work unfortuatnly)

Skrybe · Staff Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1610

kap · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:11 am Post subject:

Hey, I quite enjoyed this game. Nice find guys.

Smeg · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:40 am Post subject:

So who's gonna rip an NSF? Gil? Covell?

Tongueman · Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 631 Location: Japan

I'm working on a rip, though there are a few banks to deal with, so it'll take a little time...

Smeg · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:20 am Post subject:

Ha, you rule dude. Take your time.

KlarthAilerion · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:57 am Post subject:

Slightly off topic, but following with the NSF thread...

Does anyone know if an NSF for The Last Starfighter was ever made yet? I haven''t seen it on the web, and I didn't see mention of it in that big NSF Requests thread on the NES Music forum on NESDEV.

Gil-Galad · Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 39

Gil-Galad · Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 39

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