GG Aleste (GG, 1991)
Graphics-7.5 Sound-8.5 Control-8.5 Challenge-6.5/7* Story-6
Level Design-6.5/7.5* Frustration-6/7* Fun-6.5/7* Originality-5
Overall Score-7
*Hard
Respawning on the spot while only losing 1 of each weapon level
Good weapon system (4-5 levels for the main weapon, 6 upgradeable special weapons - laser, wide/spread, napalm, homing, splitter (spreads after reaching a certain point), D - orbiting flames/spinning fireballs shield which also shoots projectiles at level 3)
Difficulty options (normal and hard/special only - post death bullets and sometimes more aggressive enemies on hard)
Mini-bosses
Some good boss intros
Decent level 4 boss and pretty good final/level 8 boss (4 forms, some are easy though). Generally good bosses on hard
Pretty intense action overall on Hard (occasionally on Normal)
Decent variety
The level 6 boss briefly swoops in and attacks you during one of the sub levels
Pretty good ending and decent intro cutscenes
+/-
Unlimited continues
Pretty easy to rack up extra lives
Some invincibility time after picking up a power up
No smart bombs
No shield power up
A bit weird how the main shot upgrades into a narrower one that then gets a bit wider+gains a minor spread instead of just getting wider - the second version makes the level 4 boss a bit hard to hit
Bonus levels that test your accuracy using only the main shot - good idea but too easy. Pretty easy on hard as well
No speed adjustment - not needed but would’ve allowed for more variety
No weapon inventory but power ups are very frequent besides during boss fights
-
Slowdown - severe at times (oddly enough there are various hectic parts with little slowdown). Also can’t fire only one weapon at a time to help with it while still attacking
Some boring/uneventful parts on Normal
The splitter weapon is pretty bad
Some trial & error (fast attacks from behind or the sides, some later bosses, adjusting to some post-death bullets on hard - the laser backwards fire is less useful and napalm is less useful)
Easy first three bosses and level 6 mini-bosses+level 7 bosses on Normal. Level 2, 3 and 6 bosses are pretty easy on hard as well, Easy level 5 on hard
Can hit power chip containers too soon making them drop fewer chips
Somewhat generic art direction at times
Level Design-6.5/7.5* Frustration-6/7* Fun-6.5/7* Originality-5
Overall Score-7
*Hard
Respawning on the spot while only losing 1 of each weapon level
Good weapon system (4-5 levels for the main weapon, 6 upgradeable special weapons - laser, wide/spread, napalm, homing, splitter (spreads after reaching a certain point), D - orbiting flames/spinning fireballs shield which also shoots projectiles at level 3)
Difficulty options (normal and hard/special only - post death bullets and sometimes more aggressive enemies on hard)
Mini-bosses
Some good boss intros
Decent level 4 boss and pretty good final/level 8 boss (4 forms, some are easy though). Generally good bosses on hard
Pretty intense action overall on Hard (occasionally on Normal)
Decent variety
The level 6 boss briefly swoops in and attacks you during one of the sub levels
Pretty good ending and decent intro cutscenes
+/-
Unlimited continues
Pretty easy to rack up extra lives
Some invincibility time after picking up a power up
No smart bombs
No shield power up
A bit weird how the main shot upgrades into a narrower one that then gets a bit wider+gains a minor spread instead of just getting wider - the second version makes the level 4 boss a bit hard to hit
Bonus levels that test your accuracy using only the main shot - good idea but too easy. Pretty easy on hard as well
No speed adjustment - not needed but would’ve allowed for more variety
No weapon inventory but power ups are very frequent besides during boss fights
-
Slowdown - severe at times (oddly enough there are various hectic parts with little slowdown). Also can’t fire only one weapon at a time to help with it while still attacking
Some boring/uneventful parts on Normal
The splitter weapon is pretty bad
Some trial & error (fast attacks from behind or the sides, some later bosses, adjusting to some post-death bullets on hard - the laser backwards fire is less useful and napalm is less useful)
Easy first three bosses and level 6 mini-bosses+level 7 bosses on Normal. Level 2, 3 and 6 bosses are pretty easy on hard as well, Easy level 5 on hard
Can hit power chip containers too soon making them drop fewer chips
Somewhat generic art direction at times