Generations Lost is a science-fiction fantasy, puzzle platform game released for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive by Time Warner Interactive (formerly known as Tengen) in 1994.
When I first played this during the mid-1990s, I thought it was weird. No wonder many gamers in my country did not like it. Now, I have come to appreciate its greatness. It is only for those who play with their brains.
The Story
Guide Monobe, of the blood of Keptan, a lone adventurer of Generations Lost. Go through many intricate levels, strung across the 6 sectors of a lost world. Get odd clues and strange powers that you must grow to understand. Seek the truth of the Generations Lost. It is the quest for the identity of all. A strategy adventure in a riddle and a gaming experience that rewards.
The Graphics and Sound
The opening cutscene really sets the mood and looks good. There's good detail in the environments and character models. Some of the backgrounds look nice and there is scrolling a bit. But there are really only about 3 different-looking environments. So things get somewhat repetitive quickly. And the later areas are kind of bland. Dark with a little color and everything within each level looks very much the same.
The ambient sound effects work as they should, although the humming that is active whenever you go into an area where you can swing can become annoying. However, those areas are only a few.
The soundtrack is quite good. A great mix of styles from tribal music to techno beats. It really fits the game well.
The Gameplay
You play as Monobe, the tribesman who is told by the village elder that he must go outside of the village and discover the mysterious past of his people. The elder gives him a special energy suit with a wrist-mounted laser. It also creates a beam of energy which he can use to pull himself up to ledges and swing around like Spider-Man.
You have three buttons for controls. The A button fires your plasma laser and lets you use it as a climbing rope, the B button is your punching and kicking attacks, and the C button for jumping. The controls are responsive and smooth.
Instead of placing emphasis on speed and quick reactions, this game rewards a slow but sure pace. The best way to accomplish something in the game is to proceed carefully and explore everywhere. There are lots of monsters out to get you, and you’ll have to defend yourself always, as well as there being boss fights. The game starts off almost linear, but by the later levels, you are given some choice on where to go in the levels. The game can be quite difficult though, and even on the easy mode, you can get killed quite easily if you’re not careful. There are many puzzles to solve, and they’re still quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, the game is quite short but still fun.
Replay isn't good. There's no incentive to go back and replay once you have beaten it.
My Verdict
Generations Lost is a fun, underrated game with an interesting plot and some great puzzle and platformer gameplay. If you want a platform adventure game that makes you think, then this one is for you.
Play it on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive console or play it on some reliable emulator.
Let's keep on gaming in the free world!
