City Hunter on PS5 is a retro revival of a 1990 title originally released on the Japanese PC Engine. Based on the long-running manga and anime series, the game follows private detective Ryo Saeba, a man whose investigative skills are only rivalled by his relentless attempts to flirt with anything that moves. The franchise itself has enjoyed decades of adaptations – from anime to live-action films – so the idea of revisiting its early gaming outing has a certain nostalgic appeal. Unfortunately, nostalgia can sometimes be rather optimistic about the past.
Gaming Heaven
To begin with the positives, the presentation is genuinely impressive for a game of its era. The pixel art is remarkably detailed, with beautifully illustrated cutscene stills that capture the style of the anime perfectly. The soundtrack is also memorable, filled with energetic synth and bass-driven tunes that feel wonderfully “16-bit”, even if they occasionally sound like they wandered in from a late-80s pop album.
The remaster itself has been handled with care. Players can choose between an “Enhanced” version that smooths out technical issues and a more challenging “Hard” variant that adjusts enemy behaviour and damage values. Modern conveniences such as rewind, save states and multiple display options make the experience far more forgiving than the original. There’s also a gallery filled with artwork and music, which may well end up being the most frequently visited part of the game.
Gaming Hell
The problem is that beneath all this polish lies a rather ordinary game. City Hunter is essentially a slow-paced side-scrolling shooter where you wander through maze-like levels filled with identical corridors, staircases and enemies. Progress boils down to finding the boss while repeatedly firing the same weapon at the same handful of opponents. Without character progression or mechanical variety, the gameplay becomes repetitive remarkably quickly.
The experience is also very short, clearly designed to be finished in a single sitting. Odd enemy placements and occasional awkward interactions – such as being spun around when shot – add a touch of frustration to proceedings.
Final Judgement
This PS5 version of City Hunter is easily the best way to experience the game, thanks to thoughtful enhancements and generous extras. The trouble is that the original title simply wasn’t especially compelling. Gorgeous pixel art and a lively soundtrack can only carry so much weight when the gameplay itself is little more than a wandering shooting gallery. It’s an interesting curiosity for fans of the series, but most players may find their detective work finished rather quickly.
