Tagged: layer section

Soukyugurentai (Saturn) – an underrated classic

Soukyugurentai (aka Terra Diver) happens to be one of my all-time favourite games. Originally a 1996 Japan-only arcade shoot ’em up developed by Raizing, it was later ported to the Sega Saturn. Why do I love it so? Simply put, Soukyugurentai looks, sounds and plays like a dream. The gameplay is fast and furious, but not brainless; the game requires strategy and thought to master. Your ship handles great, with fluid and responsive controls. Last but not least, Soukyugurentai feels uniquely cinematic, with a dramatic musical score by Hitoshi Sakimoto and a striking visual style that holds up wonderfully to this day. Continue reading →

Shooting “the living piss” out of mechs in Shienryu (PS1)

You think I’m joking with this post’s title? I’m not, and you can tell because I’m quoting Sony. This is the official description of Shienryu (aka Gekioh Shooting King), as found on the North American PSN store:

Shienryu one of those great shooters you go to again and again cause its [sic] so much fun to shoot the living piss out of every mech coming at you. If you don’t laugh as you blast the Red Octopus boss in stage 3, then you really should have your humor honed. It’s a game that will surely keep your fingers tapping and your heart racing.

Seriously, how did they let “the living piss” slip through? Was Google Translate playing up that day? Clearly someone noticed it because the description was sanitised for the UK PSN store: Shienryu is merely described as “one of those great shooters you go to again and again cause its [sic] so much fun.” Boring. Who wants to play that? I want to shoot some living piss! Continue reading →

Layer Section aka Galactic Attack aka RayForce aka Gunlock (Saturn)

Who are you? A game? What are you really? Did Taito, your creator, realise the profound philosophical implications of creating you? Every name you adopt is a puzzle, a joke designed to make us question the nature of identity. How very fitting and profound given that one of your names refers to layers: perhaps if we uncover all of the layers we might find the real you, or perhaps not.

Two human-piloted ships in space, one red and one blue. Scores of bad alien guys after your blood. It’s certainly a daring and original concept, but what does it play like? Continue reading →