Three Wonders

Game Details:

The game's most unique feature is its "three-in-one" gameplay model. The most popular of these is the first part, *Midnight Wanderers*, where players take on the role of the elven archers Lou or Siva, jumping and shooting through fantasy-themed levels. Its art style and details even influenced the later *Metal Slug* series.

Following that is *Chariot*, a direct story continuation, in which the protagonists take to the skies in a flying machine, heading for the moon. The gameplay shifts to a fast-paced shoot 'em up, featuring two-player co-op and charge attacks. The third part, *Don't Pull*, takes a sharp turn in art style, adopting a cute and charming aesthetic. Players must push carts or blocks to eliminate enemies, demanding quick reflexes and strategic thinking. This three-in-one design was not only highly competitive commercially at the time but also showcased Capcom's versatile development prowess during its peak in the early '90s.

Game Guide:

• Action Shooter: Weapon Selection: Prioritize getting the "Big Dagger" or "Homing Missiles"; the former has a high rate of fire and wide coverage, while the latter is effective against agile grunts.
• Armor Mechanic: When your character takes damage, they lose their clothes, and getting hit again in this state results in death. Remember to look for card chests in the levels, as collecting specific cards allows you to summon a helper sprite.
• Jumping Tips: Many levels feature multi-tiered designs. Making good use of the "slide" can help you dodge most high-hitting attacks.
• Shoot 'em Up: Charge Shot: Don't just fire continuously; release the button at the right time to fire a powerful charged cannon, which is key to quickly defeating a boss's different phases.
• Tail-Gun Upgrades: Collect enhancement parts for your tail-gun. It not only provides side or rear firepower but can also act as a shield to block enemy bullets to some extent.
• Puzzle: Chain Reactions: Try to push an entire row of carts at once. If you can crush multiple enemies simultaneously, you'll get more high-score item drops.
• Using the Borders: Enemies will bounce off the edges of the screen. Use this pattern to predict their movements. Pushing carts towards intersections in advance is an essential technique for expert players.