FYI: Gynoug and Wings of Wor are the same game. To get a NA Copy, look for Wings of Wor
Wings of Wor is horizontal SHMUP with a unique personality, varied level design, and great production values throughout. It is also conviniently easy for newcomers to pick up and be exposed to this relatively obscure genre to get into. The difficulty is just right at it's default, slowly creeping as you get along through the game. With this difficulty does come some issues, such as the occassional peculiar projectile that blends into the background, or enemy that pops out of nowhere from the frame. These are few in between, due to the art direction of the game which clearly has much love kept into it.
If you want the jist, you play as an angel fending off an invasion of mutants. It is supplemented with a great soundtrack, a nice clash of uptempo beats against what one could consider dreary conditions. The graphics hold up quite well with well-done sprite work. These mutants all have unique designs in each level, and seldom repeated in either their action or patterns. In addition, the bosses you can encounter fortunately suffer the same affect. Their name of mutants rings true, but they are also adaptable. In one level, you will encounter a castle, with it's Castlevania inspiration quite apparent. In another, you encounter a sea creature as you fly into the abysses of the deep ocean. Their bosses reflect it, with unique patterns that also can be considered a homage to the environment. It adds a memorability to each stage. Unfortunately, the bosses themselves in their difficulty are a mixed bag. Some are a joy to defeat, with fun yet not unfair patterns not beholden to unwelcome suprises. Others, are bullet sponges, taking forever to defeat and offering no real challenge. Why they are in the game is something I have no clue about. It is also unfortunate that the final boss tends towards the latter. Nevertheless, the production value of this game can not be dismissed.
The gameplay is a standard SHMUP fare, with unique things such as combinations of letters leading to more powerful power-ups (ie 3 Os stronger than 1 O). Red and blue orbs encapsulated in Silver scattered and given affectionately throughout these levels are helpful if you want some more firepower (Red) or cover all your bases in case of surprise attacks (Blue), which unfortunately happen occasionally. It's a shame that hitting the floor also costs a life, something that even Sol-Deace and Elemental Master have wisened up to. Irrespective of this, the gameplay is accomodating to many players, with difficulty levels that actually matter. If you are new to SHMUPs, you will be greeted with generous orbs that will give immunity to hits in the form of non-capsulated orbs. If you want a challenge or feel more risky, increase the difficulty for a more challenging, and more rewarding experience. Either way, I find the experience to be well worth its 1 hour runtime.
Gynoug / Wings of Wor is an underappreciated SHMUP from the early years of the Genesis, shortly before Sonic would dominate the system. It is a stellar, fairly unique experience that is unlike other SHMUPs from it's time period, and a good starting point for those new to the genre.
Wings of Wor is horizontal SHMUP with a unique personality, varied level design, and great production values throughout. It is also conviniently easy for newcomers to pick up and be exposed to this relatively obscure genre to get into. The difficulty is just right at it's default, slowly creeping as you get along through the game. With this difficulty does come some issues, such as the occassional peculiar projectile that blends into the background, or enemy that pops out of nowhere from the frame. These are few in between, due to the art direction of the game which clearly has much love kept into it.
If you want the jist, you play as an angel fending off an invasion of mutants. It is supplemented with a great soundtrack, a nice clash of uptempo beats against what one could consider dreary conditions. The graphics hold up quite well with well-done sprite work. These mutants all have unique designs in each level, and seldom repeated in either their action or patterns. In addition, the bosses you can encounter fortunately suffer the same affect. Their name of mutants rings true, but they are also adaptable. In one level, you will encounter a castle, with it's Castlevania inspiration quite apparent. In another, you encounter a sea creature as you fly into the abysses of the deep ocean. Their bosses reflect it, with unique patterns that also can be considered a homage to the environment. It adds a memorability to each stage. Unfortunately, the bosses themselves in their difficulty are a mixed bag. Some are a joy to defeat, with fun yet not unfair patterns not beholden to unwelcome suprises. Others, are bullet sponges, taking forever to defeat and offering no real challenge. Why they are in the game is something I have no clue about. It is also unfortunate that the final boss tends towards the latter. Nevertheless, the production value of this game can not be dismissed.
The gameplay is a standard SHMUP fare, with unique things such as combinations of letters leading to more powerful power-ups (ie 3 Os stronger than 1 O). Red and blue orbs encapsulated in Silver scattered and given affectionately throughout these levels are helpful if you want some more firepower (Red) or cover all your bases in case of surprise attacks (Blue), which unfortunately happen occasionally. It's a shame that hitting the floor also costs a life, something that even Sol-Deace and Elemental Master have wisened up to. Irrespective of this, the gameplay is accomodating to many players, with difficulty levels that actually matter. If you are new to SHMUPs, you will be greeted with generous orbs that will give immunity to hits in the form of non-capsulated orbs. If you want a challenge or feel more risky, increase the difficulty for a more challenging, and more rewarding experience. Either way, I find the experience to be well worth its 1 hour runtime.
Gynoug / Wings of Wor is an underappreciated SHMUP from the early years of the Genesis, shortly before Sonic would dominate the system. It is a stellar, fairly unique experience that is unlike other SHMUPs from it's time period, and a good starting point for those new to the genre.