Night Striker isn’t exactly the first game I think of when it comes to Shmups. Heck, it wasn’t even on my radar until M2 announced a sequel to the Arcade and Mega CD original, Night Striker GEAR, featuring gameplay like Space Harrier and a cyberpunk setting. I was all in on this one to drop some quarters and dish out some street justice.
Good Luck Chief, you’ll need it!
Night Striker GEAR is a completely unique sequel to the original title developed this year by some of the greatest minds in the Shmup genre. Hiroshi Iuchi, being the main mind behind the game, famous for many of TREASUREs titles such as
Ikaruga and
Radiant Silvergun, so you know there is a certain pedigree here that you wouldn’t get elsewhere, especially when you add M2 ShotTriggers into the mix.
The concept is quite a simple one: you drive the Inter Grey, a car that can take to the skies when needed and even become a Mech called a GEAR when needed, the streets are riddled with enemy forces and would you guess, you’re the only person for the job so you start up the Inter Grey and navigate the zones of this futuristic cyberpunk city and beyond, shooting down enemy mechs and looking stylish while you do it.
Night Striker GEAR while being a Shmup it has a lot more in common with the “Rail Shooter” genre. Instead of being horizontal or vertical, the game perspective is from behind the Inter Grey and has you driving towards the horizon. This was once quite a common style, especially with 80/90s Sega, but one that seems to have died out in recent years, and this really helps Night Striker GEAR stand out from the get-go from its peers.
Mech’ing a mess!
The unusual perspective does bring along some teething issues. It can be tough to gauge how close enemy shots are to hitting you and where your shots are actually going. Again, those familiar with the games I’ve mentioned previously shouldn’t have any issues jumping right back into the seat, but it’s worth pointing out for newcomers to this style of Shmup.
You have the option of free movement across the screen, and flying does somewhat change your route. By default, the game will snap you back to the center of the screen, but I turned this off quickly opting for full freedom of movement. You have a standard shot and when you’ve picked up enough GEAR, pick-ups, and destroyed enough enemies, you can access GEAR mode where you become a destructive mecha with homing shots, ideal for taking down the games plethora of mini and main bosses.
Choices, Choices, Choices.
Enemy waves come in thick and fast, and usually involve one of them being red, which is the commander. You can take out a whole wave of enemies just by taking them out; essential knowledge for those of you wanting the true ending of the game, as this requires a 100% destruction rate on any stage.
The pick-up and play gameplay of the game, coupled with the relatively quick runtime with eleven stages picked through multiple choice at the end of a level, means it’s an ideal palate cleanser for some, and quick enough to jump right in for one more go at getting further on one credit and climbing that online leaderboard.
In terms of modes, you have standard arcade with three difficulties: a Pacifist mode that disables your shot and makes the focus solely on dodging; perfect practice for those struggling; and there is also a B-Side mode that is unlocked through beating the game, with the True Last Boss beaten in the hidden G-Zone. There are more than enough modes to keep you chipping away at the mean streets.
This is fine!
The presentation in Night Striker GEAR is in my firm opinion, top notch, the clever use of sprites and sprite scaling create an amazing 3D effect, and absolutely oozes love for the 1980/90s arcade scene. Textures are crisp and it has all the auditory feedback you could want from the genre, all set with a bumping soundtrack that nails the “futuristic” style and keeping in line with the kind of soundtrack you would expect from the genre as a whole.
Night Striker GEAR is a labour of love from M2 ShotTriggers for an often overlooked Shmup that time forgot. Yes, it runs a little on the short side and could have done with a little more stage variety, but these are minor nitpicks on what is frankly an amazing sequel to a game I didn’t even know existed until this was announced!
Land and Sky, Justice Is Served!
It’s a tough title with lineage just oozing out of every pour, but as tough as it is, it feels rewarding every time you play it. You’ll discover new techniques and your preferred route through the game, and if all else fails, just hit up Pacifist Mode and learn to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge!
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Sprite work heaven. It might not be for everyone, but I found it to be visually pleasing and a nice change from either super HD sprites or 3D models.
There could have been a little more stage variety throughout, but what is here works well enough. |
While it make take a while to adjust, there is plenty here to chip away at for any budding Shmupper. Various unlockable modes and difficulties will keep you picking this up time and time again. |
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It sounds like the arcade being brought into your living room, it’s loud music and constant explosions are an certain taste, you’re not going to get life changing vocal songs here, but instead a nostalgia trip to the arcade era. |
If you’re a fan of the genre you’ll sink right into the gameplay loop, trying to reach the top of the online leaderboards and discover everything each stage has to offer.
It’s an ideal pick up and play game, it only demands your attention for a short time and rewards players greatly. |
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Final Verdict: 8.0
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Night Striker GEAR is available now on Nintendo Switch and PC.
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2.
A copy of Night Striker GEAR was provided by the publisher.
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