Gradius for PCE

Image: MobyGames

Gradius

Slow Viper

Genre: shooter - horizontal

Publisher: Konami

Year: 1991

System: PCE

Gameplay Score: 4

Gameplay Notes:

What hasn't been said about this timeless powerup system? Plentiful powerups ensure that you're only a few screens away from a decent build out with multiple options, a powerful laser, and a forward facing shield. The game is tough but fair, and the pervasive slowdown helps to significantly lower the difficulty. Movement is pitch perfect and it's a good thing because enemies fill the screen with projectiles. I consider this the first bullet hell shooter.

Level Design Score: 4

Level Design Notes:

I really wish I could give this a 5, but this game recycles the same boss again and again until the last couple of stages. And the final boss is an absolute joke. There are so many iconic, memorable, and fun moments in this game but the level- and game-end moments are a massive letdown. Also, most of the stages are quite short.

Theme Score: 4

Theme Notes:

Gradius! The Vic Viper sets an epic tone all one it's own, but the stages and eclectic enemies and stages contribute to a "what's going to happen next" atmosphere. The ending is epic as well, with an awesome, but blink-and-you'll-miss-it animation of the Vic Viper flying away from a Death Star-level explosion. But an opening cutscene would've been nice.

Art Style Score: 5

Art Style Notes:

Fantastic for its day. The sprites are top-notch, and there's some clever parallax in the backgrounds which give personality to the black starry sky. There's a fair amount of flicker in the sprites but overall this is an iconic art style that has been copied a million times.

Audio Score: 5

Audio Notes:

Classic tunes. I love the chiptunes and low, pleasant sound effects. Konami were masters of the audio craft, even in the early days.

Overall Score: 84

Review ID: 8059