Not the most complex or feature-rich shmup, but it is so appealing, carefully-tuned, and confident in its design, I don't find myself wanting anything more while playing it.
- The HUD is spare, classy and totally unobtrusive, the opposite of which is frequently a huge annoyance in computer games from this era, and especially unwelcome in a shmup where screen real estate is important
- The look is phenomenal - you don't see a lot of mid-90s PC games going for a somewhat photo-realistic style (especially not in this genre) without doing pre-renders or scanning in paintings. Everything here appears to be hand-pixelled and with a crazy amount of (carefully and deliberately unobtrusive) detail. The only cartoonish elements are, appropriately, the many projectiles flying around. This is crucial for the legibility of the moment-to-moment gameplay and immediately nullifies a huge problem of many of its contemporaries (hello TYRIAN). This has gotta be one of the best looking PC games of 1994
- An especially excellent aspect of the graphical presentation that ties directly into gameplay is the level backgrounds, which are more destructible than any other shmup I've played (full disclosure - I haven't played all of them (yet)). Just about every building down there can be blown up, and although they're laid out in simple sprite grids, there are seemingly thousands of unique tiles making it seamless and natural. The reason for the rigid layout is the destructibility itself, as blowing up one segment can cause chain reactions in larger structures that create immensely satisfying waves of destruction as you pour fire through block after block, explosions radiating out and engulfing enemy emplacements, shanties, bridges, cars, people on the ground, and whatever else. It's wonderful. And in addition, there are a lot of carefully integrated enemy turrets, special animated sections, and interactive bits that keep it from just seeming like a backdrop. The levels feel alive and fully yours for the annihilating
- The music is somewhat unusual, especially for a shooter, with few-to-no wailing leads or soaring melodies, but instead short, simple, repetitive tracks that suggest moods (desperation, apprehension, etc.) without getting old or irritating. Some of them are so rudimentary or brief they seem like they may have been done by an amateur, but if they were, I'm glad of it, because they work perfectly and establish a unique tone for the game, especially when laid relentlessly under the also-great and punchy sound effects for the endless gunfire and explosions. It's got a bit of a synth-y Top Gun feel (but much more downbeat), which of course works great for this
- The very, very understated story is exactly the right calibration of seriousness without being '90s edgy. You're a mercenary who fights for money and blows up warring corporations. It's got a dash of cynicism, but maintains just the right distance to keep it from being too much, and with the aforementioned realistic and moody presentation, confers a pretty successful 'cool' vibe
- Weapons are fun and unique. There aren't a ton of them, but the progression as you buy them through the story mode is satisfying and fits very well with the difficulty curve. As long as you save your game you can just restart missions and you won't lose them, and you can sell them back, meaning you can learn the game and experiment with different loadouts at your own pace
- Enemies are all consistent in design with each other and the rest of the look of the game, but all have unique silhouettes and attributes that are easy to learn. Overall, there are many fewer than in other shmups, but each is more impactful, dangerous, and important to reckon with in the moment. And they aren't particularly bullet sponges either - just well realized and carefully placed. Also they are preceded onto the screen by their shadows, which is a useful bit of design
This is by far the best western-made shmup I've ever played (again, not an expert), and I think it should get more love. If you ever play it, please avoid the "2010" and "2015" editions sold on GoG and Steam, and seek out the original DOS version - it runs easily and perfectly in DOSBox. The other ones are compromised quite significantly. Also, switch the sound card to Soundblaster in setup, that is the correct music and the other cards are trash. (Compare them on YouTube if you must - accept no substitutes.)
- The HUD is spare, classy and totally unobtrusive, the opposite of which is frequently a huge annoyance in computer games from this era, and especially unwelcome in a shmup where screen real estate is important
- The look is phenomenal - you don't see a lot of mid-90s PC games going for a somewhat photo-realistic style (especially not in this genre) without doing pre-renders or scanning in paintings. Everything here appears to be hand-pixelled and with a crazy amount of (carefully and deliberately unobtrusive) detail. The only cartoonish elements are, appropriately, the many projectiles flying around. This is crucial for the legibility of the moment-to-moment gameplay and immediately nullifies a huge problem of many of its contemporaries (hello TYRIAN). This has gotta be one of the best looking PC games of 1994
- An especially excellent aspect of the graphical presentation that ties directly into gameplay is the level backgrounds, which are more destructible than any other shmup I've played (full disclosure - I haven't played all of them (yet)). Just about every building down there can be blown up, and although they're laid out in simple sprite grids, there are seemingly thousands of unique tiles making it seamless and natural. The reason for the rigid layout is the destructibility itself, as blowing up one segment can cause chain reactions in larger structures that create immensely satisfying waves of destruction as you pour fire through block after block, explosions radiating out and engulfing enemy emplacements, shanties, bridges, cars, people on the ground, and whatever else. It's wonderful. And in addition, there are a lot of carefully integrated enemy turrets, special animated sections, and interactive bits that keep it from just seeming like a backdrop. The levels feel alive and fully yours for the annihilating
- The music is somewhat unusual, especially for a shooter, with few-to-no wailing leads or soaring melodies, but instead short, simple, repetitive tracks that suggest moods (desperation, apprehension, etc.) without getting old or irritating. Some of them are so rudimentary or brief they seem like they may have been done by an amateur, but if they were, I'm glad of it, because they work perfectly and establish a unique tone for the game, especially when laid relentlessly under the also-great and punchy sound effects for the endless gunfire and explosions. It's got a bit of a synth-y Top Gun feel (but much more downbeat), which of course works great for this
- The very, very understated story is exactly the right calibration of seriousness without being '90s edgy. You're a mercenary who fights for money and blows up warring corporations. It's got a dash of cynicism, but maintains just the right distance to keep it from being too much, and with the aforementioned realistic and moody presentation, confers a pretty successful 'cool' vibe
- Weapons are fun and unique. There aren't a ton of them, but the progression as you buy them through the story mode is satisfying and fits very well with the difficulty curve. As long as you save your game you can just restart missions and you won't lose them, and you can sell them back, meaning you can learn the game and experiment with different loadouts at your own pace
- Enemies are all consistent in design with each other and the rest of the look of the game, but all have unique silhouettes and attributes that are easy to learn. Overall, there are many fewer than in other shmups, but each is more impactful, dangerous, and important to reckon with in the moment. And they aren't particularly bullet sponges either - just well realized and carefully placed. Also they are preceded onto the screen by their shadows, which is a useful bit of design
This is by far the best western-made shmup I've ever played (again, not an expert), and I think it should get more love. If you ever play it, please avoid the "2010" and "2015" editions sold on GoG and Steam, and seek out the original DOS version - it runs easily and perfectly in DOSBox. The other ones are compromised quite significantly. Also, switch the sound card to Soundblaster in setup, that is the correct music and the other cards are trash. (Compare them on YouTube if you must - accept no substitutes.)