The lighting effects look spectacular and unlike Gradius IV the game never slows down. The bosses may seem familiar in their designs (and some are) but they slot in nicely among the returning roster. Like Ikaruga the game uses dramatic camera shifts to create a sense of spectacle not usually reserved for the genre. Despite that it still looks fantastic overall. You spend more time in outer space among derelict space stations and mechanical war ships than planet side. But outside of a biological level the art direction feels sterile. You would usually visit a lava planet, a plant environ, and the requisite Moai stage. Previous titles featured a mix of worlds. One of the first things you will notice is the change in art direction. So even though you have less choice initially you still have options (heh). The second array (dubbed directional) with a laser equipped will allow you to control the laser like a hose or whip for instance. It offers a high degree of control that is necessary in every stage. Depending on the weapon array you can freeze them in place, change their firing angle, and widen their formation to cover more of the screen. Multiples have an alternate control option using R1. In fact the force field increases although you can survive three hits as a tradeoff. The Vic Viper’s hit box is significantly smaller it is the cockpit of the ship! With this you can brush up against massive ships or squeeze through tight passages without dying. Mechanically there are a number of changes that drastically change the gameplay. You will find seven types of missiles, four lasers like the ripple and even long forgotten weapons like the flamethrower. The options available are expansive which makes the initial selection that much more disappointing. Unfortunately weapon edit does not become available until you complete the game once which is a tall task. These configurations are very limited, with the biggest changes between them being the type of missiles, double shot and the positioning of multiples (options). Gradius V initially allows you to select from four predetermined weapon load outs. Those who have grown accustomed to the weapon edit feature in the later games in the series will be disappointed. I will just say the plot involves time travel and comes full circle in an unexpected yet satisfying manner. The Vic Viper is called in to action once again but is not strong enough on its own. But a few cells managed to survive and through the years have regrown into an army big enough to threaten the galaxy again. Long ago the Gradius army reduced the Bacterian army to nothing. The story in Gradius V is simple yet incredibly satisfying. The game is hard as nails but worth mastering for the sheer creativity and spectacle. But Konami gave the series another chance with a little assistance from G.Rev and Treasure and blessed us with the fantastic Gradius V. Couple that with the near death of the shooter genre in America and it was reasonable to think we would never destroy a big core again. Aside from the solid Gradius Galaxies there was nothing. Developer: Treasure Publisher: Konami Release: 09/14/04 Genre: Shooterįor a while in the mid-2000s it looked like Gradius was sent to the graveyard where once popular intellectual properties reside.
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