Caravan Shooting Collection
The 80s called. They want their shooters back.Genre: shooter - vertical
Publisher: Hudson Soft
Year: 1995
System: SFC
Gameplay Score: 2
Gameplay Notes:
Compilation of the NES versions Star Force, Star Soldier, and Hector. The gameplay in the first two is fast and engaging while Hector has a much slower, and in my opinion, far worse pace. As early shooters these have limited gameplay features. Star Force doesn't even have any power ups outside of a very welcome auto-fire pickup. Star Soldier adds a backwards shot and eventually a 6-way spread. However it has a weird mechanic where certain back or foreground elements prevent you from shooting. I couldn't figure out what exactly caused it and this deserves only to confuse and then frustrate me. Ultimately these were obviously influential and innovative games for their time, but they haven't aged well.
Level Design Score: 3
Level Design Notes:
The levels themselves are destructible although this is mostly cosmetic. Bosses are trivial in the first two games, with those in Star Force being almost non events. Enemy waves have enough variety to keep you on your toes, although they're insanely difficult in Hector. The other two games are far more approachable.
Theme Score: 3
Theme Notes:
Great early compilation. There's a single menu where you pick from the three games and after doing so a message states "Go back to 1985". Very cool
Art Style Score: 2
Art Style Notes:
It's a collection of early NES roms so that's what you're going to get visually. Very simple sprites, minimal backgrounds, and no interesting effects. Having said that, the performance is great with no flicker or slowdown, so at least it's got that going for it.
Audio Score: 4
Audio Notes:
Lovely and lovely tracks play throughout and the sounds are pure nostalgia.
Overall Score: 50
Review ID: 1565
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