Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast

Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast

🎮 System: Sega Mega Drive
🎥 Developer/Publisher: Sunsoft (in collaboration with Software Creations and Disney Software)
🗓️ Release Date: 1993 (United States Exclusive)
🧾 Genre: Action Platformer
👤 Players: Single-player

Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast is a captivating 2D action platformer set in the magical world of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Released exclusively for the Sega Mega Drive in 1993, the game tells the tale of the Beast defending his castle from Gaston and his mob of townspeople, while striving to break the spell that binds him. This game, aimed at boys, was released simultaneously with Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Quest, which was targeted at girls.

Storyline

The game follows the familiar story of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast:

• The arrogant prince has been cursed to live as a Beast, his servants transformed into enchanted household items.
• When Belle’s father, Maurice, gets lost and imprisoned in the Beast’s castle, Belle offers herself in exchange for his freedom.
• Meanwhile, Gaston incites the townspeople to storm the castle.
• As the Beast, players must protect Belle and their home, overcoming the attacking mobs and other dangers to break the curse and return to human form.

Cutscenes between stages progress the story, adding cinematic depth to the gameplay.

Gameplay Overview

Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast features side-scrolling platformer mechanics with unique abilities tailored to the Beast’s character:

• Basic Controls:

  • Move: Left/Right
  • Jump: B Button
  • Attack: A Button
  • Crawl: Down + Left/Right
  • Roar: B Button (stuns enemies; limited to 3 uses per stage)

• Special Moves:

  • Crawl Attack: Attack while in crawling posture.
  • Pounce Attack: Press A after jumping for a leaping strike.

• Health and Tries:

  • The Beast’s health is displayed as mirrors in the screen’s top-left corner.
  • Hazards and enemies reduce health, while falling into pits results in an instant loss of a try.
  • Game over occurs when all tries are lost.

• Progression:

  • The game spans multiple stages, each featuring unique hazards, enemies, and challenges.
  • Health is carried over between stages, adding a layer of resource management.

Items

Throughout the game, players can collect items to restore health or gain advantages in their battle against Gaston’s forces.

Stages

The levels include diverse environments such as forests, the castle interior, and dungeons. Each stage is populated with enemies, obstacles, and puzzles that test the player’s platforming skills.

Production Quality

The game’s visuals and sound design reflect Sunsoft's commitment to delivering a cinematic and engaging experience:

• Graphics:

  • Beautifully detailed sprites and environments faithful to the film’s aesthetic.
  • Dynamic cutscenes enhance storytelling.

• Soundtrack:

  • Memorable music inspired by the movie’s themes.

Challenges and Subtleties

✅ Resource Management: Limited uses of the Beast’s roar add a strategic element to combat.

✅ Platforming Precision: Players must carefully navigate challenging jumps and avoid bottomless pits.

✅ Variety in Enemy Types: From townspeople to environmental hazards, each level introduces new challenges.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Faithful adaptation of the Beauty and the Beast story.
• Diverse gameplay mechanics centered on the Beast’s abilities.
• Cinematic cutscenes that enrich the narrative.

Cons

• Limited replayability due to straightforward level design.
• Difficulty spikes in later stages may frustrate casual players.

Why Play Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast?

🎮 Disney Magic: Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Beauty and the Beast.
⚔️ Action-Packed Adventure: Play as the Beast in a battle to save his castle and Belle.
🕹️ Classic Platforming Fun: Relive the golden era of Sega Mega Drive action games.

Conclusion

Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast stands out as a nostalgic gem for fans of Disney’s timeless tale and retro gaming enthusiasts. Its mix of action, platforming, and storytelling makes it an engaging experience for players of all ages.

🎮 Ready to defend the castle and break the curse? Step into the Beast’s paws and embark on this epic journey today! 🦁✨