Summary
- Release Year: 1992
- Platforms: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Jorudan
- Publishers: Vic Tokai
Imperium (1992)
Imperium is a vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up game developed by Vic Tokai and published by Kemco for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was released in Japan in 1992 as Kidou Soukou Dion, and in North America and Europe in 1993 as Imperium.
The game is set in the year 2202, and follows the story of a group of space explorers who are sent to investigate a mysterious alien artifact. The artifact is found to be a powerful weapon, and the explorers are attacked by an alien race known as the Imperium. The explorers must fight their way through the Imperium’s forces and destroy the artifact before it can be used to destroy Earth.
Imperium is a fast-paced and challenging shoot ’em up game. The player controls a spaceship that can fire lasers and bombs. The player must use their weapons to destroy enemy ships and bosses, while avoiding being hit by enemy fire. The game features a variety of different enemies, including small fighters, large bombers, and powerful bosses.
Imperium is known for its colorful graphics and smooth gameplay. The game’s soundtrack is also highly regarded, and features a mix of electronic and orchestral music.
Gameplay
Imperium is a vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up game. The player controls a spaceship that can fire lasers and bombs. The player must use their weapons to destroy enemy ships and bosses, while avoiding being hit by enemy fire.
The game features a variety of different enemies, including small fighters, large bombers, and powerful bosses. Each enemy type has its own unique attack patterns, and the player must learn how to defeat each type of enemy in order to progress through the game.
Imperium also features a number of power-ups that can help the player to defeat their enemies. These power-ups include:
- Speed Up: Increases the player’s ship speed.
- Power Up: Increases the player’s firepower.
- Bomb: Drops a bomb that destroys all enemies on the screen.
- Shield: Gives the player’s ship a temporary shield that protects it from enemy fire.
The player can collect power-ups by shooting them with their lasers. Power-ups will also appear randomly throughout the game.
Graphics and Sound
Imperium is known for its colorful graphics and smooth gameplay. The game’s backgrounds are detailed and varied, and the enemy ships are well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also highly regarded, and features a mix of electronic and orchestral music.
Reception
Imperium was released to positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and smooth soundtrack. However, some critics found the game to be too difficult.
Overall, Imperium is a well-made and enjoyable shoot ’em up game. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and smooth soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Legacy
Imperium has been cited as an influence on a number of other shoot ’em up games, including Treasure’s Radiant Silvergun (1998) and Cave’s DoDonPachi (1998). The game has also been ported to a number of other platforms, including the PlayStation Portable (2007) and the Nintendo Switch (2018).
Trivia
- Imperium was originally released in Japan as Kidou Soukou Dion. The game was renamed to Imperium for its North American and European release.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Manabu Namiki, who also composed the soundtrack for the Super Nintendo game Super Castlevania IV (1991).
- Imperium was one of the first Super Nintendo games to feature Mode 7 graphics. Mode 7 is a graphics mode that allows for the creation of 3D effects.
Tips for Playing Imperium
- Use your lasers to destroy small enemies and bosses.
- Use your bombs to destroy large groups of enemies.
- Collect power-ups to increase your firepower and speed.
- Learn the attack patterns of each enemy type.
- Be patient and don’t give up!
Review Score
7.5/10
