classicgames.org - Tyrian

Stop me if you've heard this one: fly your spaceship back and forth over a big, smooth-scrolling level. Shoot some things, dodge some thing, shoot some more things. Repeat as necessary.

Even if the formula is not terribly original, it works. The game features high production values, with attractive hand-pixeled VGA graphics and genre-appropriate music. The upgrades to your ship are varied and produce suitably impressive explosions. Even a little strategy of a sort comes in to play. Your ship's generator will recharge the weapons or shields, but not both at once-- a nice touch that recalls the energy management in Solar Winds.

The authors curiously decided to reveal the plot through "data cubes" that you can collect with other power-ups within the levels. Unless you're far more diligent than I at grabbing them, you'll be treated to a few cryptic non-sequiturs about your missions. I did get the impression that a large corporation was involved, and-- are you sitting down?-- they may be evil.

But who gives a rotten womble about the plot? This game is about blowing things up, and that never goes out of style.

Posted by Kevin on 2005-09-06

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