POPFUL MAIL
ぽっぷるメイル

MAKER: NEC HOME ELECTRONICS / FALCOM
RELEASE DATE: 12 AUGUST 1994
STYLE: ACTION ROLE-PLAYING
FORMAT: SUPER CD-ROM / ARCADE CARD CD-ROM
RATING:

 

Overview
A strange hybrid between a role-playing and platform game, Popful Mail is yet another entry in Falcom's list of classics. Naturally taking the fantasy setting common to games of this ilk, the player is cast in the role of fiery red-headed warrior girl Mail. The game proper is sort of similar to Sorcerian, in that it's side on and presented in a simpler style than out-and-out action games. That's not to say that there isn't any action - it is very much a platformer, with many gaps to jump and enemies to dispense with. The attack method is a little different to the norm, as you can damage enemies by either landing on them or by making contact while jumping. This seems strange at first, but you soon get used to it and it does make for some frantic moments in the game. As you progress, puzzles have to be solved and bosses have to be defeated, as you'd expect.

Comment
As mentioned, the presentation is simpler than pure platformers - the sprites are very small and the backgrounds are a little 'blocky'. But that doesn't seem to matter as the graphics are generally well drawn and use some lush, bright colours making them attractive enough to look at. Presentation is top notch, with high quality opening scenes and additional snippets throughout the game. One piece of trivia for voice acting buffs is that one of the characters is voiced by Akira Kamiya, who voiced Ryo Saeba in the City Hunter anime and Shutaro Mendo in the Urusei Yatsura series (among other things). He also voiced Guy Kazama in the Japanese version of Telenet's Red Alert (Last Alert). Popful Mail is a fun and addictive little game that is well worth hunting down.
sunteam_paul

 

 

Screens

 

Visual Scenes

Images
Front CoverBack CoverCDReg Card FrontReg Card BackAddendumCharacter picture

 

Midi Tracks
Track 1