Valis III

The platforming in this game is surprisingly tight and responsive, with each character's attack feeling distinct. The femme fatale cast really adds to the atmosphere, making the action feel more urgent. I've been playing through it and the anime cutscenes are a great reward after tough sections.

The anime cutscenes are gorgeous and really draw you into the story, which is a nice break between the fast-paced platforming. The action feels tight and responsive even on the PC Engine CD ROM.

The boss fights get relentlessly tough, but the mix of frantic side-scrolling action and those gorgeous anime cutscenes makes every cheap death worth it. I’ve played through it three times already and the pacing never drags. A true hidden gem on the PC Engine CD.