Galaxy Force (video game)

Galaxy Force
Japanese arcade flyer of Galaxy Force
Developer(s) Sega AM1[1]
M2 (3DS)[2]
Publisher(s) Sega
Composer(s) Koichi Namiki
Katsuhiro Hayashi
Platform(s) Arcade, Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, FM Towns, Sega Saturn, PlayStation 2, Virtual Console, PC, ZX Spectrum, Cloud (OnLive), Nintendo 3DS
Release Arcade
Mega Drive/Genesis
Genre(s) Rail Shooter
Mode(s) Single-player
Arcade system Sega Y Board

Galaxy Force (ギャラクシーフォース) is a sprite-scaling rail shooter arcade game, released by Sega in 1988 and built upon the Sega Y Board. The game is in the tradition of Sega's Space Harrier series. Galaxy Force was replaced almost immediately in arcades with a sequel, Galaxy Force II, which added two stages, fixed bugs, and changed some gameplay elements[7].

The game was ported to numerous home computers and consoles including the Mega Drive, the Atari ST, and the Sega Saturn. All home ports of the game are based on Galaxy Force II and are titled as such, except for the Sega Master System version. Much later, ports were released for the Virtual Console and the Nintendo 3DS.[8][9]

Plot

The evil Fourth Empire, ruled by Halcyon, begins a campaign of galactic conquest having lain waste to almost all of the star systems in the galaxy. An interstellar organization, known as the Space Federation, launches Galaxy Force, an elite starfighter corps specializing in space combat to free the galaxy from the oppressive rule of Halcyon and the Fourth Empire. A lone fighter wages a one-man war against Halcyon and his forces.

Gameplay

The player takes control of the TRY-Z spaceship, navigating through several missions on different planets, shooting lasers and missiles at enemies and obstacles. The ship's protective shield decreases with each collision. The ship has a limited quantity of energy; when this energy is fully depleted, the game is over. The game has only a single type of power-up, which increases the number of missiles a player may shoot in a single volley.

At the start of the game, the player may select any one of five planets:

  • Megaleon (Man-Made world): This is default start level. The first half consists of combat in open space, slowly approaching a fortress inside the planet. Enemies include fighter ships, with the only obstacle being an orbital construction site.
  • Ashutar (Volcanic world): Here, the player must traverse through two fortresses.
  • Malkland (Plant world): Obstacles here include a fast growing plant which entangles your ship. Like Ashutar, two fortresses must be traversed.
  • Sara (Desert world): The player here must avoid tornadoes and surface-to-air fire.
  • Orthea (Cloud world): This stage contains large formations of enemy fighters. Two fortresses must be traversed.

A sixth and final planet may be accessed only once the other five have been overcome:

  • Hyperspace (Final): This is the stronghold of the enemy forces.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
CVG91% (Master System)[10]
Eurogamer8/10 (3DS)[11]
Nintendo Life (3DS)[2]
Nintendo World Report9/10 (3DS)[12]
Sinclair User10/10 (Arcade)[13]
Commodore User8/10 (Arcade)[5]
Mean Machines59% (Mega Drive)[14]
Mega31% (Mega Drive)[15]
Award
PublicationAward
Sinclair UserShoot 'Em Up of the Year (1988)[16]

Reviewing the Nintendo 3DS version, NintendoLife commented that even though Galaxy Force II doesn't contain a single polygon, the impression of rushing through space, avoiding collisions with asteroids and dodging incoming enemy fire is so intense that it puts many modern 3D titles to shame. They deemed the game as "arguably the culmination of M2's 3D Classics range".[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Sega 3D Classics Collection Developer's Interview Part 2". SEGA Blog. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Damien McFerran (December 13, 2013). "NintendoLife's Review: 3D Galaxy Force II (3DS eShop)". NintendoLife. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  3. ↑ http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=galaxy-force&page=detail&id=3697
  4. ↑ http://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=429
  5. 1 2 http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arcade_reviews/270/145/galaxy_force_review.html
  6. ↑ http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=galaxy-force-ii-deluxe-model&page=detail&id=19586
  7. ↑ http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/galaxy-force/
  8. ↑ "Galaxy Force Plays Real Soccer at a Pirate Party". Nintendo of America. 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  9. ↑ "3D Galaxy Force II Release Information for 3DS". GameFAQs. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  10. ↑ Computer and Video Games, Complete Guide to Consoles, issue 1, page 56
  11. ↑ http://www.eurogamer.pt/articles/2013-12-27-3d-galaxy-force-ii-analise
  12. ↑ http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewmini/36223/3d-galaxy-force-ii-nintendo-3ds
  13. ↑ http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arcade_reviews/108/145/galaxy_force_review.html
  14. ↑ http://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:MeanMachines_UK_15.pdf&page=149
  15. ↑ Mega rating, issue 17, page 64, February 1994
  16. ↑ http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arcade_reviews/112/145/galaxy_force_review.html

Galaxy Force

Galaxy Force II

3D Galaxy Force II

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