Darius Gaiden (SAT, 1995)(1-player)
Graphics-8 Sound-8 Control-8 Challenge-10 (default settings)
Level Design-8 Frustration-9 Fun-8.5 Originality-6
Overall Score-8.5
+
2-player co-op
Alternate paths between levels (see previous games)
Good bosses overall (multiple forms, large detailed sprites)
Hidden items
Can make mini-bosses fight for you by grabbing their gem
Mini-bosses
Some cool effects (entering the atmosphere, warp drive)
Destructible obstacles
Smart bombs
Very upgradeable weapon
Difficulty options
Funny boss names
Pretty intense later on
+/-
Opera vocals in some music tracks
Pretty short levels
-
No speed adjustment (your ship is too slow to dodge some things without memorization)
Heavy trial & error
Very hard to survive if you lose your firepower before a boss
Minor slowdown
Steep difficulty curve
Reused backgrounds and enemies in many levels
Somewhat muffled sfx
No alternate weapons (though the beam changes when you're upgrading)
A lot of small and non-descript enemies that blend into the background (desaturated colors)
Somewhat tacky level transitions (fade effect)
Level Design-8 Frustration-9 Fun-8.5 Originality-6
Overall Score-8.5
+
2-player co-op
Alternate paths between levels (see previous games)
Good bosses overall (multiple forms, large detailed sprites)
Hidden items
Can make mini-bosses fight for you by grabbing their gem
Mini-bosses
Some cool effects (entering the atmosphere, warp drive)
Destructible obstacles
Smart bombs
Very upgradeable weapon
Difficulty options
Funny boss names
Pretty intense later on
+/-
Opera vocals in some music tracks
Pretty short levels
-
No speed adjustment (your ship is too slow to dodge some things without memorization)
Heavy trial & error
Very hard to survive if you lose your firepower before a boss
Minor slowdown
Steep difficulty curve
Reused backgrounds and enemies in many levels
Somewhat muffled sfx
No alternate weapons (though the beam changes when you're upgrading)
A lot of small and non-descript enemies that blend into the background (desaturated colors)
Somewhat tacky level transitions (fade effect)