Incoming verbose onslaught... for Monster Bash HD - Let's begin -
Monster Bash is a masterclass 90s PC platformer that encourages methodical play in-between bursts of action. Level flow shifts from attacking patrolling monsters, to travelling or platforming to another part of the level, to lapping up the remaining score potential on a level, and between the game's level design and its engine, it handles this exceptionally well.

Originally released in 1993 for MS-DOS systems, the new 2021 HD version has updated the graphics from EGA to VGA, additional color support, and the removal of some longstanding bugs such as unintended enemy respawning. One of the more obvious intentional differences between the original and this version is the removal of the lives system in favor of a modern level selection, allowing the replay of any level reached. Now the Johnny voodoo dolls award a large sum of points, and indeed Monster Bash has always been a point-chaser game. As your penalty for dying, you lose potential bonus points. Some may take issue with this, but it feels as a step-up from save games and allows you to pick any level to master and work on collecting its items. Also it prevents running short on lives and scraping by one level but being forced to complete the next with your final life. That said, you can still test yourself with a one-life level completion...

New additions include an all-new Nightmare difficulty unlocked after beating an episode, which adds new monster and trap placements unseen on Hard and the level MUST be completed on one life. There is the special Rokket Mushroom hidden deep in one spot somewhere, as is standard for Emberheart Games (unlocks a Gore quantity slider). Finally, take your revenge on Big Red whom tried to make Johnny soup post-Episode 1, in a new secret level! There are two secret levels so far, with one for Episode 3 likely on its way.

Armed with his trusty slingshot, Johnny must rescue his pet Tex and all the other stolen pets from the evil Count Chuck! You move at a moderate speed and can shoot monsters by aiming up at a 45 degree angle or while crouching/jumping, as well as bouncing shots off walls (a necessary trick to get through later levels unscathed). These rebound shots can also free pets and move/break environmental objects from angles not immediately obvious. Being a 90s PC platformer, it was designed with keyboard control in mind and while controllers are now supported, using a keyboard feels very comfortable and handles tightly. Johnny does have a skid animation after running a distance but can be cancelled with most key presses; while jumping is also very precise and has solid air control.

Bash's design and pacing is in stark contrast to another great 90s PC platformer of the day, Jazz Jackrabbit (still love ya Jazz!), where in that game you have unlimited shots, risk running into enemies since you simply move very fast, and specifically cannot shoot enemies off-screen. Johnny can only have 3 shots in the air at one time (except collecting special ammo / depleting a powerup bypasses this) so you'll be left vulnerable if you miss. You are also encouraged to blast enemies from off-screen if you can take the shot to reduce risk. Instead of flying backwards on getting hit, you clip through enemies but with a VERY short invulnerability window.

This version adds a variety of well-thought out achievements, many with clever names even. These range from your standard kill X number of an enemy or activate Y number of checkpoints, but include challenges such as racing Frank Lloyd in E1M1, killing a boss under certain conditions, or smashing a monster with a stone block. There is even one just for entering in the original infinite lives code. There is also a slew involving collecting all candy, shooting every skull, etc, so completionists have their work cut out. Monster Bash isn't an easy game but it's fair in that it gives you all the tools to complete its challenges.

It's often relaxing just flipping through the level tome and selecting any level and tackling it in a new way - are you going for even more points this run, maybe running through to set a new best level time, or working towards an achievement? Each level tracks candy completion, skulls, par time beaten, Johnny dolls taken, and chests broken. These stay checked once completed (don't worry, each level resets fully when you come back next time) so say you forgot some candy but got everything else, you just need to go for candy next time to complete your level checklist. Of course, if you want maximum points in a level, you must do everything in one go, ideally collecting hearts at full health for a huge bonus! However score is not required for 100% within the game.

Finally, another great addition is the comprehensive level creator. You are able to use any block and enemy from the episodes, even bosses, to make your own custom level. It takes some learning, but its documentation is always improving. Overall MBHD is a standout example of how to properly do a soft remake / port of a classic game, and making it properly accessible in the modern era. Sure it is still sprite art, not actual 3D, nor actual HD as in HD textures, but what needed to be refined has been refined, with all of the classic gameplay intact. Even the little things like including both SoundBlaster and original PC Speaker sounds (which were crafted to be unique and not just simple beeps) and being able to select menu items by pressing the first letter of the item are still here. I also must applaud that the original game is still available on Steam which is rare when oft-times a re-release is produced, the original is swiftly removed. If you want a challenging, comprehensive, under-the-radar retro platformer that balances player execution, collecting, and platforming in a solid little package, I highly recommend Monster Bash HD to you.