G-Darius

Last updated
G-Darius
G-Darius arcade flyer.jpg
Arcade flyer
Developer(s) Taito
Publisher(s) Taito
Series Darius
Platform(s) Arcade, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Windows
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: June 1997
PlayStation
  • JP: April 9, 1998 [1]
  • NA: September 16, 1998 [2]
  • EU: September 18, 1998 [3]
Genre(s) Scrolling shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade system Taito FX-1B

G-Darius [lower-alpha 1] is a horizontally scrolling shooter arcade video game released by Taito in 1997. It is the fourth arcade installment of the Darius series and the first with three-dimensional polygonal graphics. A port to the PlayStation was published as G Darius.

Contents

Gameplay

Much like previous installments in the Darius series, G-Darius is a horizontally scrolling shooter. While the game uses three-dimensional polygonal graphics, the gameplay is two-dimensional. The player controls a spaceship named the Silver Hawk and must battle enemies and avoid obstacles throughout the game's stages (referred to as "zones" in the game). The ship is armed with forward-firing missiles, small aerial bombs, and a protective force field. These can be upgraded by power-ups, in the form of large orbs, that are dropped by specially-colored enemies when they are destroyed. When the player reaches the end of a zone, a boss appears, which must be defeated to proceed. Once the boss of a zone is destroyed, the player is given a choice of which zone to play next via a branching path. [4] [5] There are 15 zones in total, numbered using the Greek letters alpha to omicron, but the player only needs to complete five in a row to reach one of five alternative endings. Each level also has two alternative routes that the player can choose about halfway through. Some of these are duplicated in later stages but result in the bosses appearance and attack sequences being slightly different.

Among the player's arsenal is the 'capture ball', which the player can launch to capture enemies. Once captured, the enemy will follow and aid the player's ship. [6] Each enemy contains a unique enhancement; some will act as extra turrets and others will act as shields. Additionally, the player can detonate their captured enemy as a bomb. [7] The captured enemy will continue to follow the player until either they are destroyed after taking enough damage, the player's ship is destroyed or the player 'absorbs' them to utilize a special ability. [4] [5] [6]

"Beam-dueling". The blue beam on the right is the player's. Gdarius beamduel.jpg
"Beam-dueling". The blue beam on the right is the player's.

New to the series is beam-dueling. The player can absorb a captured enemy to fire a powerful laser beam over a short period, which will instantly destroy nearly every enemy it comes into contact with. This is primarily used during boss fights. Every major boss in the game has an equivalent laser beam. If the player and the boss fire their lasers simultaneously, a 'duel' between the two will initiate. The player must overwhelm the boss' laser by repeatedly tapping the fire button as quickly as possible. If successful, the boss' beam will eventually dissipate and the player's beam will multiply in size (as well as in power) and severely damage, if not kill, the boss. [4] [6] Some bosses have multiple beams and if the player counters all of them, their own beam can multiply up to four times. Some enemies and large bullets are invulnerable to the beam, allowing bosses to shield themselves. Familiarity with a boss's attack patterns is thus vital for the successful use of the beam dueling mechanic.

An upgraded version of the game, G-Darius Ver. 2, added a beginner mode in which the player's power-up level goes down only one rank upon death, and the game ends after completing only 3 zones. [8]

Plot

G-Darius is a prequel story that revolves around a conflict between the humanoids of Amelia and cyborg/chimera biovessels known as the "Thiima" (meant to mean simply "deliverer of death"). The Thiima had been aroused by the Amnelian army's use of the weapon A.N. (All-Nothing) to annihilate the world Blazer, whom Amelia had been at war with over jurisdiction over the moon Mahsah. Determined to protect their existence, and long ago programmed to protect the universe from just such threats as A.N., the Thiima swarmed Amelia. Although the armed forces were badly ravaged, Amnelian scientists and engineers were able to make use of both A.N. and reverse-engineered Thiiman technology/life systems to create the Silver Hawk fighters. Ultimately, two pilots—Same-luck Raida and Lutia Feen—are chosen to perform a decisive attack on the main Thiima base: Kazumn, a satellite of the planet Darius.

Ports

G-Darius was ported to the PlayStation as G Darius [4] and released in 1998 for Japan on April 9 by Taito, in Europe on September 11, and in the United States on September 17 [9] by THQ. [4] The PlayStation port is based on the "ver. 2" arcade release. [7] The original arcade version of G-Darius was later re-released on the PlayStation 2 port of Taito Legends 2 , a compilation consisting of several arcade games by Taito. [10] The Windows 95 version, based on the PlayStation port, was published by CyberFront Corporation, MediaKite, and Sourcenext in 2000–01.

A port for Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation 4 was released in 2021 worldwide digitally. It contains the standard resolution version, as well as a new HD version of the game. In the US and Europe, it was also released as a physical edition. In Japan, the physical release is part of the compilation Darius Cozmic Revelation . This compilation was released internationally by Strictly Limited Games. G-Darius HD Steam version was released on March 30, 2022. [11] An update to the Switch and PS4 ports on the same date added G-Darius Ver. 2, G-Darius Ver. 2 HD and G-Darius for Consumer (the Japanese PlayStation port).

Reception

The PlayStation port received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. [12] Next Generation said that the game was "fun for those fogies who can stomach it, but the average gamer will be bored to death". [19] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40. [15] Also in Japan, Game Machine listed the arcade version in their August 15, 1997 issue as being the fourth most-successful arcade game of the month. [21] Five issues later (November 1), however, the magazine demoted it to being the tenth most-successful arcade game of the month. [22]

In a 2014 retrospective, Euro-gamer called the game "one of the greatest shooting games ever released". [23]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: Gダライアス, Hepburn: Jī-Daraiasu

Related Research Articles

<i>Darius II</i> (video game) 1989 video game

Darius II is a 1989 arcade shooter video game developed and published by Taito. It is a direct sequel to the 1987 title, Darius. It was later released as Sagaia in Japan in 1991 for the Game Boy as well as non-Japanese ports. A remake was released for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² as Super Darius II in 1993.

<i>Soul Edge</i> 1996 video game

Soul Edge is a fighting game developed by the Namco team Project Soul and published by Namco as the first installment in the Soulcalibur series of 3D fighting games. Introduced at the JAMMA trade show in November 1995, the full arcade game was released in early 1996, while later in December an upgraded and expanded version of the game was ported to the PlayStation. The PlayStation version was renamed Soul Blade in North America, Europe, and Australia.

<i>Arkanoid</i> 1986 video game

Arkanoid is a 1986 block breaker arcade game developed and published by Taito. In North America, it was published by Romstar. Controlling a paddle-like craft known as the Vaus, the player is tasked with clearing a formation of colorful blocks by deflecting a ball towards it without letting the ball leave the bottom edge of the playfield. Some blocks contain power-ups that have various effects, such as increasing the length of the Vaus, creating several additional balls, or equipping the Vaus with cannons. Other blocks may be indestructible or require multiple hits to break.

<i>Darius Gaiden</i> 1994 arcade game

Darius Gaiden is a 1994 horizontal-scrolling shooter arcade game developed and published by Taito. The fifth entry in its Darius series, players control a starship named the Silver Hawk in its mission to destroy the Belsar empire before it wipes out the population of planet Darius. Gaiden adds several new features to the core concepts of its predecessors, including screen-clearing black hole bombs and the ability to capture mid-level bosses. The game has been ported to several consoles, including the Sega Saturn and PlayStation.

<i>Qix</i> 1981 arcade game

Qix is a 1981 puzzle video game developed by husband and wife team Randy and Sandy Pfeiffer and published in arcades by Taito America. Qix is one of a handful of games made by Taito's American division. At the start of each level, the playing field is a large, empty rectangle, containing the Qix, an abstract stick-like entity that performs graceful but unpredictable motions within the confines of the rectangle. The objective is to draw lines that close off parts of the rectangle to fill in a set amount of the playfield.

<i>Darius</i> (video game) 1986 arcade video game

Darius is a 1987 horizontal-scrolling shooter arcade game developed and published by Taito. Players control a starship named the Silver Hawk in its mission to destroy the Belser empire before they wipe out the planet Darius. Its gameplay involves traversing through a series of scrolling levels while destroying enemies and collecting power-up icons. It is notable for its unique three-screen panoramic display, upbeat soundtrack, and cute anime-influenced graphics.

<i>Nanostray</i> 2005 video game

Nanostray is a vertically scrolling shooter for the Nintendo DS. The user takes control of a futuristic spacecraft against a horde of enemies. A sequel, Nanostray 2, was released in 2008.

<i>Puzzle Bobble 2</i> 1995 video game

Puzzle Bobble 2 is a tile-matching video game by Taito. The first sequel to Puzzle Bobble, it is also known in Europe and North America as Bust-A-Move Again for arcades and Bust-A-Move 2: Arcade Edition for home consoles. Released into the arcades in 1995, home conversions followed for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64, and Windows platforms. The game was included in Taito Legends 2, but the US arcade version was included on the US PS2 version instead. Further ports for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One were released by City Connection alongside Puzzle Bobble 3 in February 2023.

<i>Puzzle Bobble 3</i> 1996 arcade game

Puzzle Bobble 3 is an action puzzle video game developed by Taito. The second sequel to Puzzle Bobble, it was released for arcades in September 1996 and later ported to the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Game Boy, Nintendo 64 and Microsoft Windows. Like its predecessors, the player is tasked with shooting balls at groups of balls, creating groups of three or more, which are then removed from play. Further ports for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were released in February 2023 by City Connection alongside Puzzle Bobble 2.

<i>Xevious 3D/G</i> 1997 video game

Xevious 3D/G is a 1996 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Namco. The eighth entry in the Xevious series, it combines 2D-based gameplay with 3D gouraud-shaded polygon graphics. Players control the Solvalou starship in its mission to destroy a rogue supercomputer named GAMP and the Xevian Forces, using two basic weapon types - an air zapper to destroy air targets, and a blaster bomb to destroy ground targets. The game also features destructive power-ups, new bosses, and two player simultaneous play.

<i>Taito Legends 2</i> 2006 video game compilation

Taito Legends 2 a compilation of Taito arcade video games and the follow-up to Taito Legends. It was published for Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Windows. As with the former collection, it is derived from the Japan exclusive Taito Memories series.

Darius is a shoot 'em up video game franchise developed and published by Taito. The eponymous first game was released in February 1987 for arcades, and has since been followed by six sequels and several spin-offs. The series takes place during the events of a war between humans and the Belsar empire, which plot to destroy all that is left of mankind. Darius is known for its branching stage paths, upbeat soundtrack, and cute sea life-inspired enemies.

<i>RayStorm</i> 1996 video game

RayStorm is a 1996 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Taito. It has been ported to several consoles, including the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Xbox 360. Players control a starship, the R-Gray, in its mission to destroy the Secilia Federation before it destroys Earth.

<i>Metal Black</i> (video game) 1991 video game

Metal Black is a 1991 scrolling shooter arcade video game originally developed and published by Taito. Set in the dystopian future of 2052, players assume the role of rogue pilot John Ford taking command of the CF-345 Black Fly space fighter craft to defeat the Nemesis alien race and save humanity.

<i>JoJos Bizarre Adventure</i> (video game) 1998 fighting video game

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a fighting video game developed by Capcom based on Hirohiko Araki's manga of the same title. The game was developed by the same team who was responsible for the Street Fighter III series.

<i>Ray Tracers</i> 1997 video game

Ray Tracers is an arcade-style auto racing and combat video game developed by Taito and released in Japan and Europe in 1997 and in North America in 1998 for the PlayStation console. It has been compared to Taito's own Chase H.Q. from 1988.

<i>Dariusburst</i> 2009 video game

Dariusburst is a horizontal scrolling shooter developed by Pyramid and published by Taito. Forming part of the Darius series, it was released for the PlayStation Portable on December 24, 2009. Like previous Darius games, Dariusburst is an offbeat sci-fi shooter set in outer space with aquatic-themed robotic enemies. In keeping with tradition, the game also features branching paths instead of the linear progression found in most games of the genre. There are a total of 11 zones in the game, with 5 stages per run.

<i>RC de Go!</i> 1999 video game

RC de Go! is a racing video game developed by Taito, first released to Japanese arcades in 1999 for Taito's G-NET system. It was later released for the PlayStation, with publishing in North America and PAL territories handled by Acclaim Entertainment.

<i>Darius Cozmic Collection</i> 2019 video game

Darius Cozmic Collection is a compilation of Darius scrolling shooter titles. It was released in Japan for the Nintendo Switch on February 28, 2019, and on PlayStation 4 on March 5, 2020. A worldwide release on both platforms followed on June 16, 2020. The Arcade arc of the collection was released in 2021 on Steam.

References

  1. ↑ "G Darius Releases". MobyGames. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  2. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (1998-09-16). "G. Darius Shoots Toward Stores". IGN. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  3. ↑ "Games Norn to be Wild". Daily Record . September 18, 1998. p. 58. Retrieved December 14, 2023. G-Darius//Sony PlayStation
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bartholow, Peter (May 1, 1998). "G Darius Review [Import]". GameSpot . CBS Interactive . Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 Nelson, Randy (September 17, 1998). "G. Darius". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 "G Darius (Preview)". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 19. EMAP. May 1997. p. 94.
  7. 1 2 "G-Darius". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 104. Ziff Davis. March 1998. p. 66.
  8. ↑ Ken Ogasawara; Major Mike (January 1998). "The 1997 Amusement Machine Show: The Year of the Cobra". GamePro . No. 112. IDG. p. 50.
  9. ↑ IGN staff (September 16, 1998). "G. Darius [sic] Shoots Toward Stores". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  10. ↑ Miller, Greg (June 4, 2007). "Taito Legends 2 Review (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  11. ↑ "「ダライアス」シリーズ2作品がSteamで登場！！｜タイトーのゲーム情報". Taito (in Japanese). October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "G Darius for PlayStation". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  13. ↑ Edge staff (June 1998). "G Darius (PS) [Import]". Edge . No. 59. Future Publishing. p. 97. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  14. ↑ EGM staff (October 1998). "G Darius". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 111. Ziff Davis.
  15. 1 2 "Gダライアス [PS]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain . Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  16. ↑ McNamara, Andy; Storm, Jon; Reiner, Andrew (September 1998). "G. Darius [sic]". Game Informer . No. 65. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on October 1, 1999. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  17. ↑ Chau, Anthony "Dangohead"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Higgins, Geoff "El Nino" (June 1998). "G-Darius [Import]". GameFan . Vol. 6, no. 6. Metropolis Media. p. 21. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  18. ↑ Major Mike (October 1998). "G. Darius [sic]". GamePro . No. 121. IDG Entertainment. p. 170. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  19. 1 2 "G Darius". Next Generation . No. 46. Imagine Media. October 1998. p. 128. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  20. ↑ "G Darius". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . Vol. 2, no. 1. Ziff Davis. October 1998.
  21. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 547. Amusement Press, Inc. August 15, 1997. p. 21.
  22. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 552. Amusement Press, Inc. November 1, 1997. p. 25.
  23. ↑ Higham, Rupert (March 30, 2014). "Darius retrospective". Eurogamer . Gamer Network . Retrieved March 31, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.