Summary

• Release Year: 1991
• Genres: Shooter
• Platforms: 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, Arcade, iOS, PlayStation, Sega CD, Wii
• Developers: Namco, Panasonic
• Publishers: Namco, Panasonic, Sega

StarBlade: A Space Shooter Classic

Released in 1991, StarBlade is a 3D rail shooter arcade game developed and published by Namco. The player takes control of a “GeoSword” fightercraft and must shoot their way through waves of enemy ships to reach the final boss, the planet Redeye. StarBlade was one of the first games to use 3D polygon graphics, and it was praised for its innovative gameplay and stunning visuals.

The game is set in the year 2366. The United Galaxy Space Force (UGSF) is fighting a war against the Gradius Empire, an evil alien race. The player takes control of a GeoSword fightercraft, one of the UGSF’s most advanced starfighters. The GeoSword is equipped with a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs.

The player must use the GeoSword to fight their way through waves of enemy ships. The game is played from a third-person perspective, and the player can move their ship up, down, left, and right to avoid enemy fire. The player can also lock onto enemy ships and fire their weapons automatically.

StarBlade is known for its fast-paced action and challenging gameplay. The game features a variety of enemy ships, each with its own unique attack patterns. The player must constantly be on the move to avoid enemy fire and stay alive.

In addition to the main game, StarBlade also features a number of bonus stages. In these stages, the player can collect power-ups and extra lives. The player can also use the bonus stages to practice their shooting skills.

StarBlade was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, stunning visuals, and catchy music. StarBlade was also one of the first games to use the Namco System 21 arcade system, which allowed for more powerful graphics and sound than previous arcade games.

StarBlade was ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992. The SNES version of the game was not as graphically impressive as the arcade version, but it was still a solid port. The SNES version also included a number of new features, such as a new level and a new boss.

StarBlade was also ported to the PlayStation and 3DO in 1994. The PlayStation and 3DO versions of the game featured updated graphics and sound, as well as a new “enhanced” mode. The enhanced mode featured fully textured polygons and a fullscreen view.

StarBlade is a classic space shooter that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and stunning visuals make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Gameplay

StarBlade is a 3D rail shooter game. The player controls a GeoSword fightercraft and must shoot their way through waves of enemy ships to reach the final boss, the planet Redeye. The game is played from a third-person perspective, and the player can move their ship up, down, left, and right to avoid enemy fire. The player can also lock onto enemy ships and fire their weapons automatically.

The game features a variety of enemy ships, each with its own unique attack patterns. The player must constantly be on the move to avoid enemy fire and stay alive. The player can also collect power-ups to increase their firepower and speed.

In addition to the main game, StarBlade also features a number of bonus stages. In these stages, the player can collect power-ups and extra lives. The player can also use the bonus stages to practice their shooting skills.

Graphics

StarBlade was one of the first games to use 3D polygon graphics. The game’s graphics were groundbreaking at the time, and they still hold up today. The game’s environments are detailed and varied, and the enemy ships are well-animated.

The PlayStation and 3DO versions of the game featured updated graphics. The updated graphics are more detailed and textured than the original arcade graphics. The PlayStation and 3DO versions also feature a fullscreen view, which removes the black bars on the sides of the screen.

Sound

StarBlade’s soundtrack is composed by Namco composer Shinji Hosoe. The soundtrack is a mix of electronic and orchestral music. The music is fast-paced and exciting, and it perfectly complements the game’s action-packed gameplay.

Legacy

StarBlade was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, stunning visuals, and catchy music. StarBlade was also one of the first games to use the Namco System 21 arcade system, which allowed for more powerful graphics and sound than previous arcade games.

StarBlade has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), PlayStation, and 3DO. The game has also been released on a number of compilation discs, including Namco Museum Volume 5 and Namco Museum Archives Vol. 2.

StarBlade is a classic space shooter that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and stunning visuals make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots