User login
Site Search
Online users
- clok1966
Mark plays.... Space Megaforce / Super Aleste (Snes) - episode 5
A new sersies of small videos, not really reviews but just some games I happen to really like.
Game: Space MegaForce (NTSC), Super Aleste (PAL)
Publisher: Toho 1992 (JAP & EU), 1993 (NA)
Platform: Snes
One of my favourite shmups for the Snes, Space MegaForce or Super Aleste. In this game you fly a spaceship across about 12 levels which are filled with baddies. The Snes is put to work with transparency layers, mode 7 rotation and zooming effects and tons of sprites and because of that you will have to work hard as well.
I find the shooter not as difficult as it looks, constantly choosing the optimal weapon out of the 8 possible power ups you'll encounter is the key way to be able to win the game and is also a key element in the gameplay other Aleste incarnations on various platforms share.
* Multiple Shots: is the weapon you start out with. Not very powerful although it is possible to set up various dispersement patterns.
* Lasers: lightning gun, which is slightly more powerful and gives you a broader base of attack.
* Multi-Direction Shots: is providing you with plasma balls which are fired in the direction your spaceship is flying, it enables some nice shooting to the side and back for you.
* Missiles: My favourite weapon as this gives you the widest and broadest attack range and also defends you against incoming missiles and projectiles. It is posisble to avoid all the other upgrades and just go on with Missiles. You'll see me doing this in the video.
* Circles: shooting multiple shots (the first weapon) and rotating green spheres. The spheres are protective and destructive at the same time. You can make them stop.
* Power Shots: a combination of the first weapon (multiple shots) and a charging power shot that is released after you release the fire button. Similar to the power shot found in another favourite shooter of mine 'R-Type' by Irem.
* Scattering shots: bombs exploding into bullets when hitting something. Direction of their movement is adjustable.
* Sprites: Your ship will fire single shots together with an array of small spaceships accompanying your vessel and also shooting single shots. It is possibel to lock their positions around your ship. Very much like the 'Option' found in R-Type and another favourite Shmup of mine 'Gradius'.
The Japanese version is thought to have different content than the European and US versions. The title screen is more elaborate, more game art and a real 'Game Over' screen.
I acquired this game in a bargain bin sale and it only cost me 2,50 euros.
Nice graphics and music! Also, nice work on the video end, Mark!
This is one of my favourite shmups on any platform. It is weapons overload - but each weapon has its place somewhere in the game. I often cited this game as proof that the SNES needn't have suffered in comparison against the Megadrive with its faster clock speed. This game was a technical triumph - no slow down at all and great use of Mode 7.
You could really crank up the difficulty - there was a rearranged mode with different patterns and all enemies released bullets to be avoided after being destroyed (like Ikaruga)!