From Issue #13 (Fall 2009)

Legend of Wukong

Platform: Sega Genesis
Developer: Super Fighter Team
Release Date: December 2008

Super Fighter Team recently released their second Sega Genesis and Mega-Drive title, Legend of Wukong. Originally released only in Taiwan, the game has been translated, enhanced and recently published worldwide. The packaging is true to the original style of Sega releases of the period, complete with plastic case and full-color manual. Furthermore, it was darn nice to pop a new plastic cartridge into my rapidly aging Genesis.

The story is simple enough, but engaging enough to entice you to play it through to the end. The tale begins with the innocent and naive Wukong visiting his neighbor. While this would usually not cause alarm, Wukong’s neighbor is Dr. Tang, a brilliant scientist. A brilliant scientist who is ecstatic that he just completed his time machine. A brilliant scientist that apparently is not brilliant enough to warn Wukong to keep his distance. In the blink of an eye, Wukong is transported to feudal China. He awakens to discover that the time traveling device has been plundered and that he is stranded!

His adventures span through six lengthy levels during which Wukong befriends a sexist swine known as Pigsy as well as Wujing, a demon-slayer seeking revenge for her mother’s demise.

The Legend of Wukong is a traditional turn-based role-playing game. Assign each character to attack using a chosen implement of destruction or by casting magic, and then watch each battle ensue from a horizontal perspective.

The enemies are varied, but never named. I would have liked to know what or whom I was battling. Sure, there were the usual standbys such as skeletons wielding swords, but for each easily recognized enemy, there was also a mysteriously vague and perplexing adversary. Many times I found myself battling what looked like a shark out of water, escargot, a werewolf in blue jeans, boulders with a dozen eyes, numerous disembodied heads and even a tree stump!

There are abundant weapons and articles to upgrade by purchasing from vendors in shops or discovering through level exploration. One major game design flaw is the inclusion of a casino where you can gamble to raise more riches. Within minutes you can max out your funds to get you through the entire game. More stringent limits should have been employed pertaining to money and asset management.

The writing in the game is excellent, and the translators should be applauded. The clever banter keeps the player involved, and I found myself giggling repeatedly throughout the course of the game. My best friend that actually introduced me to the Sega Genesis so many years ago is from Taiwan. For over two decades I have heard him grump and complain about how miserable a place his homeland truly is, so I about keeled over when Wukong told a curious villager that he was from “Taiwan, the most beautiful place in the world.” While this may not be a joke to others, especially others from Taiwan, it had me on the floor. The politically incorrect comments made by Pigsy concerning Wujing are a stitch and the town of poets is not to be missed!

Be prepared to give up a full day of your life, as the game will encompass about 24 hours to complete. Upon completion, you will likely find yourself humming the catchy battle tune for well over a week! I have so many games in my personal collection that if I lose interest I just move on to the next. I have many Sega CD and Saturn RPGS still in the shrinkwrap waiting to be played, so for me to continue playing a game to completion says a lot for the overall quality of a title. Give Wukong a try and you will be pleased!
- Michael Thomasson