Werewolf: The Last Warrior

Released for the NES in 1990, Werewolf: The Last Warrior is one of those action games that feels a little strange at first, but becomes much more interesting once you understand what makes its main character special. Developed by Data East, the game puts you in control of War Wolf, a warrior with the ability to transform into a powerful werewolf and take on the forces of the evil Dr. Faryan.

The game is a side-scrolling action platformer, but simply running forward and punching everything isn't enough. War Wolf begins in human form, where his abilities are fairly limited. Finding the right power-up allows him to transform, giving him greater strength, faster movement, higher jumps, wall-climbing abilities, and a powerful shockwave attack. Collecting special energy orbs can push him even further into Super Werewolf form, turning him into a much more dangerous fighter for a limited time.

There are five main stages, each filled with traps, enemies, platforming challenges, and a boss guarding the path toward Faryan. The level design makes good use of the werewolf's unusual movement abilities, particularly wall climbing and powerful jumps.

What really gives Werewolf: The Last Warrior its personality is the combination of a dark science-fiction setting and an over-the-top werewolf hero. The game can be difficult, especially when you're still learning how its transformations and movement work, but mastering those abilities makes the experience much more satisfying. It's an unusual and memorable NES action game that deserves more attention than its relatively obscure reputation suggests.