Shadow Squadron

Shadow Squadron
North American cover art
Developer(s) Sega
Publisher(s) Sega
Director(s) Katsunori Yamaji
Koji Tsuchida
Youichi Shimosato
Producer(s) Hiroshi Asoh
Designer(s) Kimitoshi Yamane
Koji Tsuchida
Programmer(s) Shigeru Yoshida
Toshiyuki Kuwabara
Artist(s) Tomohiro Maki
Composer(s) Masaru Setsumaru
Teruhiko Nakagawa
Platform(s) Sega 32X
Release
  • JP: April 26, 1995
  • NA: May 25, 1995
  • EU: June 1995
Genre(s) Space flight simulator
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Shadow Squadron is a video game published in 1995 for the Sega 32X, known in Japan and Europe as Stellar Assault.

Gameplay

The player controls one of two star fighters; like Star Wars Arcade and Star Fox, the ships are built with polygons. The player can control the tilt of the ship, and fly in any direction. There is a target locking system that helps the player find enemies quickly, as well as shows which enemies are closer by a number at the target's side. Besides lasers, both ships also have their own type of torpedo. An energy shield can be turned on and off when needed, to save energy. A circular radar display appears at the bottom of the screen, which also tilts as the ship does. A next target arrow shows the player which direction the nearest enemy is.

There are two main type of enemies, fighters and carrier ships. Both types must be destroyed before the current mission is complete on some levels; on others only the carrier ships must be eliminated. There are Easy and Hard settings, and an object viewer option to get a closer look at enemies. If the player chooses the second fighter they will have the option of choosing auto-pilot, which allows the computer to fly and the player to concentrate on fighting. In two player mode player one controls the gunner and the second controls the pilot. There are six missions, and before each a tactical display shows the player's ship and all targets.

Story

The player controls a recently promoted flight officer of the squadron charged with defending the critical "Outpost 51" from an invading alien fleet.

Reception

The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave Shadow Squadron a unanimous score of 5 out of 10, assessing it as no more than a thinly veiled upgrade of Star Wars Arcade with primitive graphics and dull gameplay. They argued that the free-roaming movement and multiplayer mode, while fun additions, do not make a fundamental difference to the gameplay.[1] GamePro also regarded the game as a Star Wars Arcade upgrade, but give it a more mixed review. They criticized the music but praised the graphics and controls as a considerable improvement over Star Wars Arcade.[2] Next Generation commented that the game has poor presentation, citing sound effects similar to those found on 8-bit consoles and an overly monochrome color scheme, but good gameplay and controls, particularly the ability to fly in any direction. They gave it three out of five stars.[3]

Sequel

A sequel to Shadow Squadron, Stellar Assault SS, was released for the Sega Saturn in 1998 by SIMS Co., Ltd..

References

  1. ↑ "Review Crew: Shadow Squadron". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 71. Sendai Publishing. June 1995. p. 36.
  2. ↑ "ProReview: Shadow Squadron". GamePro. No. 82. IDG. July 1995. p. 46.
  3. ↑ "Shadow Squadron". Next Generation. No. 7. Imagine Media. July 1995. p. 69.
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