Shooter fans will have a lot
to celebrate this winter as Konami releases Gradius V, a brand new installment
for the PS2. The return of this venerable series looks likely to please
hard-core veteran players with its incredible visuals, inspired level designs
and simultaneous play, GV should push the series forward while retaining its 2D
roots. With new power-ups and gameplay mechanics underlying the traditional
gameplay, this looks to be an exciting release. Join us for some old-school fun
as the legendary Vic Viper flies again.
Gradius
has always been one of those gold-standard series that defines its genre and
remains one of the most beloved franchises in gaming. The first game was
released in 1985 for the NES and was many American players’ introduction to
the modern shooter with its extensive power-up system and infamous
"Konami" code. As years went by, Konami released several outstanding
sequels on a variety of systems ranging from Life Force on the NES, to the
excellent Gradius III on the SNES. The series proved quite popular with gamers
and spawned numerous imitators including Konami’s own Parodius series, which
sadly saw only limited audience in the states as an import title. Sadly, aside
from a compilation of the third and fourth Gradius titles released for the PS2
at the console’s launch, the series has been essentially dormant for several
years. Of course, the falloff in the interest in shooters probably had something
to do with this, but it was disheartening to see so many formerly powerful
franchises suffer neglect. This changed two years ago with the release of the
excellent Gradius Galaxies for the GBA, and its warm reception from gamers and
critics probably had something to do with the newest installment set for release
this winter.
One of the most popular areas at this year’s E3 was Konami’s booth, and
while bigger budget titles such as Metal Gear Solid 3 and the new Castlevania
took the lion’s share of attention, Gradius V was displayed to an appreciative
audience of hardcore gamers. After playing the game extensively at the show, we’re
happy to report that this looks to be a solid, engaging installment that is pure
Gradius in spirit and play. Players worried that the series won’t stay true to
its roots should be reassured that Konami went with Treasure in developing GV.
In addition to pleasing gamers in recent years with brilliant shooters such as
Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga, Treasure also features many members who worked on
the original Gradius titles, so any worries should be minimal. After playing the
game at E3, our impression is that the traditional Gradius feel remains very
much intact. Veteran players will find the same tight controls, trademark option
power-up system and devious enemies they’d expect, though now the game is
wrapped up in a gorgeous new package. Gradius V will feature seven massive
levels to shoot through, with a sophisticated level design that should make for
an intense gaming experience.
The
coolest thing about Gradius V is that it while stays true to the original
gameplay, the 2D graphics have undergone a significant upgrade. While many
long-running 2D franchises such as Rygar, Spy Hunter and Shinobi have attempted
to bring their classic gameplay into 3D worlds, Gradius V takes a more
traditional approach. There are some minor 3D elements that give objects such as
rocks and asteroids depth, but the gameplay will exist largely on a 2D plane. GV
will also take advantage of new techniques such as lens-flares, shadow lighting
and vastly improved weapon designs plus other special effects to create the best
looking title in the series to date. Players will glide through asteroids,
gigantic fireballs and strange alien cities as they fight the alien hordes. The
inventiveness of the designers when it comes to enemies has always been one of
its main appeals, and the design of GV carries on that tradition. Players will
face a wide variety of bosses and environments already look quite impressive by
any standard. The detail of the Vic Viper was excellent and the silky-smooth
animation and frame rate should propel the gamer into a beautiful, yet dangerous
series of deep space missions through exotic alien environments.
While Gradius V’s gameplay is largely traditional, Konami is promising a few
twists to keep things fresh. The biggest change from previous titles is the
additional of co-operative play. Here two players can pilot two independent
vipers and take on the enemies simultaneously. This should allow for some
interesting gameplay possibilities with level and enemy design. Players will now
be able to fight bosses together, and simultaneously pummel its weak spot. This
is definitely a cool idea and should make for some really cool battles. It’s
been a long time since the last battle, and the Vic Viper itself has undergone
some changes as well. While there’s still going to be all the traditional
weapons, such as the options, shields and missiles, new weapons such as a new
option bomb and option stock. The option system itself has undergone a facelift
and will allow players a greater dexterity in which weapons they use and how
they use them. In all, Konami is promising no fewer than 12 unique upgradeable
weapons in the new game, which should offer more than enough diversity and
firepower to keep players happy. Gradius V’s additions should build on the
series’ proven formula without diminishing the solid gameplay mechanics that
have stood the test of time for nearly two decades.
By
staying true to its 2D roots while adding enough new elements to keep things
fresh, it looks like Konami has a definite winner on its hands with Gradius V.
The improved visuals look amazing with excellent enemy designs, animation and
special effects should hook veteran players. Konami should please fans of the
series by keeping traditional Option power-up interface and many classic weapons
and adding new ones onto the existing mechanics. The addition of co-operative
play and an improved AI system can only make this even better. This is
definitely high on The Laser’s most wanted list and the only bad thing we can
think of to say about Gradius V is waiting until the winter for the game to come
out domestically seems tortuous.
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