January 27, 2024

38. Screaming chicken Shm’ups

We're back with a whopper! Today, we're diving into Shoot 'em Up territory with special guest Mark.

Before we jump into our game picks – GG Aleste 3 (Game Gear), The Last Defender (Commodore 64), Inviyya (Amiga) and Satazius Next (Dreamcast) – we chat about game cosmetics and cool retro discoveries like the Nirvana engine, KeeperFX, and the Ayaneo Retro Mini.

Plus, we'll share some favorite shoot 'em up memories and food talk. Get some popcorns, headphones and relax!

0:00:00 2:58:24
  • GG Aleste 3
    |
    47.38 GBP
    | Get it here

    GG Aleste 3 a recent addition to the famous shooter series, impresses with its intricate mechanics and diverse landscapes. The game, developed by M2, showcases a vertical shoot ’em up style with a spaceship.
    Players engage in intense bullet-dodging, emphasizing the importance of pickups for upgrading primary and secondary weapons.
    The game offers various secondary weapons, each with specific uses, and big P chips for upgrading special level weapons. Small P chips are crucial for enhancing the primary shot, adding depth to the gameplay.

    As the difficulty ramps up significantly after the initial levels, with the later stages offering a substantial challenge, you really start to appreciate the technical marvel this game is. Bosses in GG Aleste 3 are creatively designed, featuring unique mechanics like stealing the player’s sub-weapon or navigating through bubbles that slow down movement. This design excellence reflects the involvement of seasoned developers in the game’s creation, however, the Gradius problem of being downgraded upon death can make progression tough, especially in bullet-filled screens.

    This incredible shooter showcases stunning graphics and music, pushing the Game Gear to its limits, sometimes causing slowdowns and flicker. Interestingly, these slowdowns are integrated into the gameplay, aiding in bullet-dodging.

  • The Last Defender
    |
    Name your own price
    | Get it here

    Developed by LC Games (Luca Carminati) for the Commodore 64, The Last Defender emerges as a noteworthy title in the shoot ’em up genre. The game, a vertical shooter without scrolling, features a hero fending off an alien invasion with a laser gun. Players navigate at ground level, moving sideways and shooting upwards.

    Challenging yet not overly frustrating, the game balances difficulty adeptly. The game has a visual cue system, indicating impending alien attacks and showing the number of hits needed to clear a level. This aspect, coupled with varying enemy resilience, demands strategic shooting. Additionally, the game’s laser gun features a recharge speed mechanic, emphasizing conservative use of ammunition. This design choice, along with bonus points for accuracy, differentiates it from traditional shoot ’em ups where indiscriminate shooting is common.

    Despite its impressive gameplay, this title has its drawbacks. The lack of background music, only featuring noise effects, might be due to technical limitations or time constraints. The game’s visuals, while adequate, seem a bit repetitive, with backgrounds appearing “samey”. However, what it presents is polished, including a pulsating horizontal line whose purpose remains unclear.

  • Inviyya
    |
    12.00 USD
    | Get it here

    This shoot’em up for the Amiga, created by Tiger Skunk, is a visually stunning and pays homage to classic titles while incorporating modern elements. The game features horizontal scrolling with intricate level designs, demanding precise navigation and shooting. Players control a spaceship, progressing through levels with increasing complexity and enemy variety. The game’s art style is heavily influenced by Bitmap Brothers and Agony, with well-drawn levels and enemies that showcase the Amiga’s graphical capabilities.

    Despite its visual appeal, the game presents a steep learning curve, especially at the beginning due to the slow speed of the spaceship. This aspect can make initial survival challenging, but as players collect speed upgrades, control becomes more manageable. The game lacks a variety of power-ups, focusing instead on a few key upgrades that change the dynamics of gameplay. The absence of bombs or charge beams simplifies the mechanics, making it accessible yet challenging.

    The soundtrack is a mix of techno and disco tunes, with the first level’s music standing out for its adrenaline-inducing quality. Sound effects, particularly the explosions, add to the game’s immersive experience, although some may find the shooting sounds a bit tinny.

  • Satazius Next
    |
    34.90 EUR
    | Get it here

    This Dreamcast shoot’em up delivers an engaging shoot ’em up experience with its intricate gameplay mechanics and diverse level designs. Embodying the classic horizontal scrolling shooter style, reminiscent of beloved titles like R-Type and elemts from Ikaruga players navigate through various levels filled with unique challenges and enemy patterns. The game offers a wide array of weapons and power-ups, allowing for strategic choices and gameplay variation. As players progress, the difficulty ramps up, demanding skill and precision to overcome each level’s obstacles.

    Visually stunning, this shooter impresses with its detailed sprite work and smooth animations, showcasing the Dreamcast’s graphical capabilities. The game’s visuals evoke a retro charm while incorporating modern design elements, creating an immersive gaming experience. Complementing the visuals, the game’s soundtrack adds to the overall atmosphere, enhancing the excitement and intensity of the gameplay. Together, the visuals and sound design elevate it to stand out as a standout title in the Dreamcast library.

    Satazius Next has received positive reception from both fans and critics alike, praised for its challenging gameplay and captivating visuals. While the game’s difficulty may present a challenge for some players, its fair balance ensures an enjoyable experience for shoot ’em up enthusiasts. As a quality title for the Dreamcast, this title contributes to the console’s legacy of hosting exceptional shoot ’em up games.