Soukyugurentai

• Release Date: 1997
• Genre: Shooter
• Style: Vertical Scrolling Shooter
• Similar Games: 1942 (Arcade)

Game Description

Soukyugurentai is a 2D vertically scrolling shooter that gives players an illusion of 3D through the use of sprite scaling, multiple layers of scrolling and rendered backgrounds. Players can fight through the stages with one of three ships, or two players can go at it together in a simultaneous cooperative game.

Each of the game's playable ships is unique in handling and weapons capabilities. Soukyugurentai uses a simple weapon power-up system based on collecting one type of icon. Collect enough of these icons and the ship's guns will be upgraded, and each ship can have its weapons upgraded several levels. In addition, bomb icons can be found and added to the ship's bomb arsenal. These bombs can then be used to deliver a great deal of damage to one area of the screen.

Each ship is also able to project several web patterns. Enemy ships caught in the web pattern are targeted with a lock-on sight, and when players release the button, homing shots follow the locked-on enemies. Players can switch between the web patterns at will, and the lock-on web can even target enemy units that are above or below the player, outside the range of the normal weapon's shots. The disadvantage to using the ship's web pattern is that during the locking process, players cannot fire their guns.

Roots & Influences

Soukyugurentai takes elements previously used in past vertical scrolling shooters, such as Raiden and Xevious, and weaves them together.

Review: Overall

Released at a time when scrolling shooters have been witnessing a decline in popularity, Soukyugurentai easily distinguishes itself as one of the best modern shooters on any platform. Without being radically innovative, the game manages to distinguish itself through very refined and intense style of play.

The graphics will blow you away, not with complexity or special effects, but through sheer volume. At times, when you're being attacked by enemies that spray shots, you'll see two hundred or so missiles, ships, and other graphic elements all interacting with each other and scaling in or out with virtually no slowdown. Even though Soukyugurentai is a 2D vertical shooter with sprite graphics, it has a 3D feeling thanks to a variety of visual tricks.

Some levels have 3D polygonal backgrounds being viewed from an overhead perspective, giving you a sense of depth through the way the individual buildings move past. Other levels use multiple layers of scrolling to simulate a 3D background, such as having several layers of asteroids all moving around under you independently.

The game also takes advantage of the Saturn's scaling capabilities to have enemies moving in and out of the screen from above and below your ship as well as around the screen's plane. Even when the enemies are not on the same plane as you, they can still be targeted with your homing web, making the scaling effect more than just visual candy.

While the sound effects don't enhance the game, they do complement its fast-paced nature. The music also ranges from adequate to good. Some tunes are so muted and forgettable that you may not even notice them, while others are on the verge of being catchy.

Soukyugurentai shines in the gameplay department. It doesn't flood you with many different power-ups or bewilder you with a huge array of options; instead it just takes the basic fly-and-shoot concept, adds the standard bomb attack and an interesting homing web, and refines that so well that playing the game is an experience on par with that of playing any classic shooter.

With many enemies shooting at you from all directions, as well as enemies flying under and above you, the game manages to create a constant state of tension. A variety of enemy and level designs work together to keep you interested in the game, and some of the boss characters have interesting designs and attack patterns.

The game also has some of the most responsive controls you'll see in the shooter genre, almost giving you the sense that you and your ship are one. If you die, it's not going to be because of slow controls or the computer forcing you, since with enough practice you can navigate your way out of even the tightest of bullet swarms. It will be your bad judgment or lack of skill that kills you in the end.

Perhaps the only real problem with Soukyugurentai is how its default controller scheme is set up. By tapping the A button you can shoot your basic gun, but when you hold the A button down you project your homing web. Because it can be dangerous to project your web while enemies are swarming around you, you'll be spending a lot of time tapping away on the A button and blistering your thumb. The game does give you the option to assign a rapid-fire button, making this problem a non-issue unless you never bother with setup screens.

Soukyugurentai is one of the gems of the scrolling shooter genre, a game that no shooter fan should be without. Even if you're not a shooter fan, you should still give the game a try. With its refined gameplay and the way it manages to perfectly balance all the elements of shooter design together, you may quickly become a convert.

Review: Enjoyment

Soukyugurentai gets everything right in the scrolling shooter genre, making for a very enjoyable playing experience.

Review: Graphics

Incredible graphics with things scaling and rotating everywhere.

Review: Sound

The sound and music complement the gameplay's tempo well.

Review: Replay Value

Each of the game's three playable ships feels different and has its own set of lock-on webs.

Review: Documentation

Average documentation.