Kiaidan 00 for PCE CD

Image: MobyGames

Kiaidan 00

Voltron got some charged up weapons

Genre: shooter - horizontal

Publisher: Telenet Japan

Year: 1992

System: PCE CD

Gameplay Score: 4

Gameplay Notes:

Now this is an interesting one. At first glance it's a standard shoot em up with no powerups, but the selectable weapons are literally a game changer. There are five weapons, including two melee weapons. On their own the weapons are fairly standard (laser, wave, seeker, etc.) but the gimmick is what happens when you fire a charge shot. Holding down on the button gives you auto-fire but when you let go a meter fills. It only takes a couple of seconds to fill (much faster than Super R-Type, for comparison), and then firing shoots an awesome attack. There's a laser sword that swings around the entire screen, a wide column of electricity, a powerful heat seeking fist, and a crushing ball and chain that remains out until you release the button. These attacks are fun to use and make for some strategic gameplay. Slow projectiles make for some satisfying bullet hell moments.

Level Design Score: 4

Level Design Notes:

Stages are quite long and feature a mini boss and a final boss. There are few environmenal hazards but a huge variety of enemy patterns means there's never a dull moment.

Theme Score: 3

Theme Notes:

This appears to be a Voltron clone. Kaiju monsters are attacking and a mech is dispatched to stop the invasion. A long cutscene introduces the action (all in Japanese, of course) and frequent in-game dialogue is displayed to further the story. These interactions happen at each mini boss and stage boss. I have no idea what's happening but I'm here it, if only for the sheer campiness it exudes.

Art Style Score: 2

Art Style Notes:

Easily the weakest aspect of this game. The graphics aren't terrible but have an early gen quality to them. They remind me of Ultraman, and not only because of the theme. Backgrounds are flat and thoroughly uninteresting. Sprites have no animation, not even yours. the whole thing looks like an amateur project. The only half-way decent visuals come courtesy of the powered up weapons, but even these feature minimal animation.

Audio Score: 4

Audio Notes:

Music is shockingly good. Sounds are a touch too loud but don't completely overshadow the bombastic tracks playing in the background. A lot of Japanese voices play when taking damage or during cutscenes. Not my favorite thing but they serve their purpose of keeping the narrative front and center.

Overall Score: 75

Review ID: 11061