Based off of a popular early nineteen eighties coin-operated arcade game, Xevious was one of the first vertical scrolling, first shooter games. Based on the cliche notion of alien population and domination of the planet Earth, a new prototype plane is the only defense the planet has against a varied group of dynamic and static opponents.
The game has vertical appearance, looking from the top downward upon your craft as the ground scrolls continuously underneath. You can pilot your craft in all directions, including all eight compass directions.
Based off of a popular early nineteen eighties coin-operated arcade game, Xevious was one of the first vertical scrolling, first shooter games. Based on the cliche notion of alien population and domination of the planet Earth, a new prototype plane is the only defense the planet has against a varied group of dynamic and static opponents.
The game has vertical appearance, looking from the top downward upon your craft as the ground scrolls continuously underneath. You can pilot your craft in all directions, including all eight compass directions. Your craft also has an appreciable amount of speed, something that does come in hand since opponent population on the screen can be highly compact.
The experimental jet is powered with two weapons: a dual front shot laser
and a limited range ground assault blaster. The laser is effective only against air-borne opponents while the ground blaster is effective against all manner of elements, such as tanks, barriers and buildings. Opponents in the game may or may move, and they may posses the capability to attack or not. So in some cases, building may be just that, building, while at other times they may open up and discharge a volley of surface to air blasts.
At times, the game allows you only enough movement to decide your game play through intense shooting or though very delicate movement through enemies. With a high number of opponents, at times firepower isn't enough and avoiding them altogether may be your only option.
Power ups can be available through the destruction of opponents, so avoiding them may not be the best option. As well, your ability to fire to the side or backwards is highly nullified, so you will need your craft's speed and your own coordination to avoid unexpected attacks from the side and from behind.
The graphics are quite simple but crisp, and the background music is by nature repetitive, though not so intrusive so as to make the game joyless. Gameplay can become intense with boss battles, so the fact that your craft is easily moveable, quick to use it's weaponry with decent range, and is overall, a quick vehicle gives you a good chance at survival. If you enjoy games designed to just shoot and destroy, this is a game for you.
