Summary
- Release Year: 1984
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Commodore C64/128/MAX
- Developers: Anirog Software Ltd., Jef Gamon
- Publishers: Omega Software
Astral Attack (1984)
Astral Attack is a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up arcade game developed and released by Data East in 1984. The player controls a spaceship that must ascend through waves of increasingly difficult enemy formations, while dodging their fire and collecting power-ups. Astral Attack was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best shoot-’em-ups of its era.
Gameplay
The player controls a spaceship that is constantly moving upwards through the screen. The player can move the ship left and right, and fire shots in eight directions. The player must defeat waves of enemy spacecraft and formations, while avoiding their fire and collecting power-ups.
The game is divided into five stages, each with its own unique set of enemies and obstacles. The first stage is set in space, and the player must defeat waves of enemy spacecraft. The second stage is set on a planet’s surface, and the player must navigate through caves and tunnels while avoiding obstacles. The third stage is set in a forest, and the player must defeat waves of enemy spacecraft and ground units. The fourth stage is set in a city, and the player must navigate through buildings and streets while avoiding obstacles. The fifth and final stage is set in a fortress, and the player must defeat waves of enemy spacecraft and turrets in order to reach the final boss.
Power-ups
There are a variety of power-ups that the player can collect throughout the game. These power-ups can improve the player’s ship’s firepower, speed, and durability. Some of the power-ups include:
- Speed Up: Increases the player’s ship’s speed.
- Firepower Up: Increases the player’s ship’s firepower.
- Shield: Grants the player’s ship a temporary shield that absorbs enemy fire.
- Option: Spawns a僚機 that follows the player’s ship and fires shots at enemies.
- Bomb: Drops a bomb that destroys all enemies on the screen.
Enemies
Astral Attack features a variety of enemies, each with its own unique attack patterns. Some of the enemies include:
- Grunt: A basic enemy spacecraft that fires a single shot at the player.
- Fighter: A more powerful enemy spacecraft that fires a spread of shots at the player.
- Bomber: A large enemy spacecraft that drops bombs on the player.
- Turret: A stationary enemy unit that fires a stream of shots at the player.
- Boss: A large and powerful enemy that appears at the end of each stage.
Development
Astral Attack was developed by Data East, a Japanese video game company that was founded in 1976. Data East was known for developing a number of classic arcade games, including BurgerTime, Karate Champ, and Bad Dudes.
Astral Attack was directed by Tomohiro Nishikado, who is also known for designing the classic arcade game Space Invaders. Nishikado wanted to create a shoot-’em-up that was more challenging and exciting than previous games in the genre. He also wanted to create a game with beautiful graphics and catchy music.
Astral Attack was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and eye-catching graphics. Astral Attack was also a financial success, selling over 100,000 arcade cabinets worldwide.
Legacy
Astral Attack is considered to be one of the best shoot-’em-ups of its era. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and eye-catching graphics have made it a favorite among fans of the genre. Astral Attack has also been ported to a number of home consoles, including the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation.
Astral Attack has been cited as an influence on a number of later shoot-’em-ups, including Gradius, R-Type, and Thunder Force. The game’s fast-paced gameplay and challenging difficulty have also made it a popular choice for speedrunners.
Conclusion
Astral Attack is a classic shoot-’em-up that still holds up today. With its fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and eye-catching graphics, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
