Skeleton Krew (1995)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 7 minutes read

Summary

Skeleton Krew: A Bone-Chilling Run-and-Gun Classic

Released in 1995 for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, Skeleton Krew is a side-scrolling run-and-gun game that quickly became a cult classic. Developed by the now-defunct American studio Probe Entertainment, Skeleton Krew is known for its fast-paced action, over-the-top characters, and unique art style.

The game takes place in the year 2062. A villain named Moribund Kadaver has seized control of a cryogenics plant near Monstro City. Kadaver, a former mortician with a penchant for cryogenics, has created an army of mutants called Psykogenix and plans to unleash them on the unsuspecting populace.

In response to this threat, the Military Ascertainment Department (MAD) assembles a team of the world’s deadliest mercenaries: the Skeleton Krew. Players can choose to play as one of three characters: Spine, Joint, or Rib. Each character has their own unique weapons and abilities.

Spine is a heavily armed cyborg with a powerful shotgun and a rocket launcher. Joint is a nimble ninja with a katana and a grappling hook. Rib is a muscular brawler with a flamethrower and a pair of claws.

The objective of Skeleton Krew is to fight through four planets on a mission to stop Kadaver’s evil plans. Along the way, players will encounter a variety of enemies, including mutants, robots, and cyborgs. Players must use their weapons and abilities to defeat their enemies and progress through the game.

Skeleton Krew is known for its fast-paced action and over-the-top characters. The game is also notable for its unique art style, which combines elements of anime and cyberpunk. The game’s soundtrack is also highly praised, and features a mix of heavy metal and electronic music.

Despite its critical acclaim, Skeleton Krew was not a commercial success. The game was released at the end of the 16-bit era, and was overshadowed by more popular titles such as Donkey Kong Country and Super Metroid. However, Skeleton Krew has since gained a cult following among retro gamers and is considered to be one of the best run-and-gun games ever made.

Gameplay

Skeleton Krew is a side-scrolling run-and-gun game in which players control one of three characters: Spine, Joint, or Rib. The game is played from a third-person perspective, and players must use their weapons and abilities to defeat enemies and progress through the game.

The game features a variety of levels, each with its own unique enemies and challenges. Players must use their weapons and abilities to defeat enemies, solve puzzles, and find hidden items. The game also features a number of boss battles, which require players to use all of their skills to defeat powerful enemies.

Skeleton Krew is known for its fast-paced action and over-the-top characters. The game is also notable for its unique art style, which combines elements of anime and cyberpunk. The game’s soundtrack is also highly praised, and features a mix of heavy metal and electronic music.

Characters

There are three playable characters in Skeleton Krew: Spine, Joint, and Rib. Each character has their own unique weapons and abilities.

  • Spine is a heavily armed cyborg with a powerful shotgun and a rocket launcher. He is the slowest of the three characters, but he can deal the most damage.
  • Joint is a nimble ninja with a katana and a grappling hook. He is the fastest of the three characters, and he can use his grappling hook to reach high places and avoid enemies.
  • Rib is a muscular brawler with a flamethrower and a pair of claws. He is the strongest of the three characters, and he can use his flamethrower to burn enemies and his claws to tear them apart.

Weapons and Abilities

Each character in Skeleton Krew has their own unique set of weapons and abilities.

  • Spine can use his shotgun to fire powerful blasts at enemies. He can also use his rocket launcher to fire homing missiles at distant targets.
  • Joint can use his katana to slice and dice enemies. He can also use his grappling hook to reach high places and avoid enemies.
  • Rib can use his flamethrower to burn enemies. He can also use his claws to tear enemies apart.

In addition to their unique weapons and abilities, each character in Skeleton Krew can also use a variety of power-ups. These power-ups can give characters increased speed, strength, or firepower.

Levels

Skeleton Krew features a variety of levels, each with its own unique enemies and challenges. The levels are set in a variety of locations, including a futuristic city, a jungle, and a spaceship.

In each level, players must use their weapons and abilities to defeat enemies, solve puzzles, and find hidden items. The game also features a number of boss battles, which require players to use all of their skills to defeat powerful enemies.

Bosses

Skeleton Krew features a number of boss battles, each with its own unique challenges. The bosses are large and powerful enemies that require players to use all of their skills to defeat them.

Some of the bosses in Skeleton Krew include:

  • The Butcher is a giant mutant with a cleaver.
  • The Mad Scientist is a mad scientist who uses his inventions to attack players.
  • The Cyborg Dragon is a giant cyborg dragon that breathes fire.

Conclusion

Skeleton Krew is a fast-paced, action-packed run-and-gun game that is sure to please fans of the genre. The game features a variety of characters, weapons, and levels, as well as a number of challenging boss battles. If you’re looking for a classic run-and-gun game to play, Skeleton Krew is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

7.5/10

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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