Summary

• Release Year: 1982
• Genres: Arcade, Shooter
• Platforms: Atari 8-bit
• Publishers: System 3 Software Ltd.

Colony 7: A Pioneering Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up

Released in 1981 by Taito Corporation, Colony 7 is an arcade shoot ’em up that combines elements of Space Invaders and Missile Command. It was one of the first games to feature microtransactions, allowing players to purchase different weapons and power-ups during gameplay.

Gameplay

Colony 7 is a top-down shooter in which the player controls a spaceship that must defend a futuristic city from waves of alien invaders. The game is played on a single screen, and the player’s ship can move in all directions.

The aliens attack in waves, and each wave is more difficult than the last. The player must use their weapons to destroy the aliens before they reach the city. The player can purchase different weapons and power-ups during gameplay using microtransactions.

Weapons

Colony 7 features a variety of different weapons, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. The player can purchase these weapons using microtransactions.

• Laser: The laser is a basic weapon that fires a single shot in a straight line. It is the weakest weapon in the game, but it is also the most accurate.
• Spread: The spread weapon fires a spread of three shots in a cone shape. It is more powerful than the laser, but it is also less accurate.
• Homing: The homing weapon fires a missile that homes in on the nearest enemy. It is the most powerful weapon in the game, but it is also the most expensive.

Power-Ups

In addition to weapons, the player can also purchase power-ups during gameplay. These power-ups can give the player a variety of advantages, such as increased speed, firepower, or invincibility.

• Speed: The speed power-up increases the player’s ship’s speed. This can be useful for dodging enemy fire or for getting into position to attack.
• Firepower: The firepower power-up increases the player’s ship’s firepower. This can be useful for taking down enemies more quickly.
• Invincibility: The invincibility power-up makes the player’s ship invincible for a short period of time. This can be useful for getting out of a difficult situation or for taking down a powerful enemy.

Legacy

Colony 7 was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the most influential arcade shoot ’em ups of all time. It was one of the first games to feature microtransactions, and it helped to popularize the use of this monetization model in video games.

Colony 7 has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Commodore 64, and the Atari 2600. It is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it remains one of the most popular arcade shoot ’em ups of all time.

Conclusion

Colony 7 is a classic arcade shoot ’em up that combines elements of Space Invaders and Missile Command. It was one of the first games to feature microtransactions, and it helped to popularize the use of this monetization model in video games. Colony 7 is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it remains one of the most popular arcade shoot ’em ups of all time.

Review Score

7/10

Art

Cover Art

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