Space Harrier!
May 18, 2017 19:46:37 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2017 19:46:37 GMT -5
This game rules. A top five favorite of mine. Why? For starters, it's aged beautifully. The graphics and overall performance utilized every square inch of processing power available in '85. The result is a perfected approach to the whole "fast paced third-person shooter" genre an entire decade before games like Star Fox even came into existence. Ahead of its time, and still remains so great (even now). Yet Space Harrier is left utterly forgotten by comparison... and that's a real shame. Don't miss this one!
The gameplay itself is fuckin' nuts. Fast, frantic, hyper-speed mania with bright trippy colors and a real rocking soundtrack. Though the sound of shooting (and exploding) is what you'll hear most. Because there is one objective to Space Harrier, and one objective only: kill everything that moves. It's the arcade simplicity that makes it so damn fun. Want to skip long, drawn-out introductions or lengthy dialogue screens? Tired of MMORPG-style grinding? Throw this on and BAM! Thrust into action at 100 mph and just slam the shoot button! Instant awesomeness.
The explosions are really satisfying too in that immediately gratifying "oh yes!" sort of way (a byproduct of pure sadistic annihilation I'm quite sure). Also, there are indestructible celery trees and giant mushrooms that will try to kill you. You die by running into them so fast you fall flat on your ass and break your face. So there's that.
Things start off easy. But each stage gets progressively harder (and weirder) than the last. Projectiles speed up, along with the landscape. To the point where (about mid way through) it feels like you're watching a VHS tape on fast-forward. Crazy stuff. Each level ends with a quick boss fight too. It's a small touch, but I love the approach the bosses take. At first you can only see something small way out in the distance. The projectiles come closer... "what is that?" Then quickly it flies right up into your face and 'woah' damn! Each boss is interesting and a little different than the last. Which makes fighting through each level all the more exciting. "What comes next?"
The original arcade version is the best of course. You can download the ROM and play it through M.A.M.E. (multiple arcade machine emulator). There's also a Sega Saturn and Sega 32X port (both are very well done). As well as a Nintendo 3DS version. Hunt it down one way or another.
And hey, how 'bout that soundtrack? Evokes a warm fuzzy feeling of joy only possible through the magic that is pure 80's cheesiness:
The Squilla boss theme is especially great also. And hey, speaking of bosses. The final stage? A huge boss compendium! I love games that end with a huge epic battle and this doesn't disappoint there. When you hear this, you know shit is about to get real (prepare your pants):
Anyway, this game really defines the 80's and is a standout decade highlight I think. A true classic that really feeds off the effectiveness of simplicity. Though the reply value is high, even once you've learned the pattern of the spaceships/other enemies. Which takes a while. The YouTube players make it look easy, but in reality you die. A lot. And the landscape always changes as you dodge from side to side. Which means the terrain obstacles remain unpredictable and will still kill you (even after dozens of playthroughs).
Anyway, that's enough nerdgasm gushing from me. Carry on.
The gameplay itself is fuckin' nuts. Fast, frantic, hyper-speed mania with bright trippy colors and a real rocking soundtrack. Though the sound of shooting (and exploding) is what you'll hear most. Because there is one objective to Space Harrier, and one objective only: kill everything that moves. It's the arcade simplicity that makes it so damn fun. Want to skip long, drawn-out introductions or lengthy dialogue screens? Tired of MMORPG-style grinding? Throw this on and BAM! Thrust into action at 100 mph and just slam the shoot button! Instant awesomeness.
The explosions are really satisfying too in that immediately gratifying "oh yes!" sort of way (a byproduct of pure sadistic annihilation I'm quite sure). Also, there are indestructible celery trees and giant mushrooms that will try to kill you. You die by running into them so fast you fall flat on your ass and break your face. So there's that.
Things start off easy. But each stage gets progressively harder (and weirder) than the last. Projectiles speed up, along with the landscape. To the point where (about mid way through) it feels like you're watching a VHS tape on fast-forward. Crazy stuff. Each level ends with a quick boss fight too. It's a small touch, but I love the approach the bosses take. At first you can only see something small way out in the distance. The projectiles come closer... "what is that?" Then quickly it flies right up into your face and 'woah' damn! Each boss is interesting and a little different than the last. Which makes fighting through each level all the more exciting. "What comes next?"
The original arcade version is the best of course. You can download the ROM and play it through M.A.M.E. (multiple arcade machine emulator). There's also a Sega Saturn and Sega 32X port (both are very well done). As well as a Nintendo 3DS version. Hunt it down one way or another.
And hey, how 'bout that soundtrack? Evokes a warm fuzzy feeling of joy only possible through the magic that is pure 80's cheesiness:
The Squilla boss theme is especially great also. And hey, speaking of bosses. The final stage? A huge boss compendium! I love games that end with a huge epic battle and this doesn't disappoint there. When you hear this, you know shit is about to get real (prepare your pants):
Anyway, this game really defines the 80's and is a standout decade highlight I think. A true classic that really feeds off the effectiveness of simplicity. Though the reply value is high, even once you've learned the pattern of the spaceships/other enemies. Which takes a while. The YouTube players make it look easy, but in reality you die. A lot. And the landscape always changes as you dodge from side to side. Which means the terrain obstacles remain unpredictable and will still kill you (even after dozens of playthroughs).
Anyway, that's enough nerdgasm gushing from me. Carry on.
