
STORY / GAMEPLAY
In the computer version of Lethal Weapon, you play the role of Martin Riggs and need to complete three missions in order to go on to the forth and final mission. In mission one, a gang of international criminals are attempting to smuggle the vast profits from their racketeering activities out of the country, and Riggs must infiltrate their dockside and prevent the money leaving the city. In mission two, suicidal group of fanatical terrorists are planning to hold the city to ransom by planting a huge bomb in the underground system in the city's sewers, so it is Riggs job to stop their plans. The third mission goes to deep in the depths of an old factory, where a police informant is being held by terrorists, and Riggs must gain access and rescue the hostage. Note that, in the Nintendo versions (NES, SNES, Game Boy), the player chooses one of the two Los Angeles police partners, Martin Riggs or Roger Murtaugh and follow a bit different story, while gameplay remains the same.
Your ammo clips get used up to an alarming rate, so keep an eye out for spares - they can be hidden almost anywhere on the screen. Of course if you run out of bullets and can't find any more there is always the old kick and punch trick, but a variety of some extra weapons would be more than welcomed, but missing. Most of the levels have moving parts like in the first mission were lifts, or little hungry sharkies swimming on and off the screen waiting to eat you up, or swinging cranes and rolling barrels ready to knock you over and squash you flat. Each level (mission) has its own threats to avoid and obstacles to interact with.
Overall Lethal Weapon is a great little action platform game, though it can get a little boring at some stages.
GRAPHICS / SOUND
The graphics are, without a doubt, an impressive part of the game. Apart from being amazingly colorful and intricately detailed they're also superbly animated and super smooth in the Amiga version, in contrast to the Atari ST version. Each stage sports up to 32 colors on screen (16 for the ST) and although the color palette is dark, it does a good job. Notice the big difference between the two versions in the background sky's color. The combination of game styles here works well, and the package is held together by well polished graphics and top class sound effects and music!
Oh yes, sound effects and music are well matched to the game's atmosphere in the Amiga version. There are plenty of standard boom type sampled explosive noises here, along with the (again sampled) spot effect of your pistol, accompanied by some high quality and nicely composed rock tunes, unique for each level.