G-Darius HD

by Mikhail Jun 13, 2022 | 1 Votes | 58 Played | 0 Reviews

10 rate

Genres:

Shooter , Action , Arcade

Graphics:

Labels:

Shooting , Futuristic Setting , Bullet Hell , Space Games , Aliens

Platforms:

Publishers:

ININ Games G-Darius HD is the high-definition port of the original G-Darius sidescrolling shooter arcade game. As the pilot of the Silver Hawk, you’ll engage in combat against the hordes of enemies under the banner of the evil Thiima Empire. With a multitude of features, it’s guaranteed to give you a legitimate arcade experience on the Switch. Play Now Similar Games

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Summary Plotline Gameplay Community Graphics/Sound Conclusion

Summary

The 90s were the golden age of top-down and sidescrolling shooters. We’ve seen the likes of Strikers 1945, R-Type, and Raiden. There were many other games, but most of them didn’t make it past Japan’s borders until today. Though they were well-loved in Japan, western audiences never had a chance to play them.

G-Darius was one of those games. This sidescrolling shooter was a fixture in Japanese arcades, and even if it was in the PlayStation back in 1997, it didn’t gain a lot of footing. However, its loyal fanbase - and those who have played it before - would be happy to know it has been ported with improved visuals such as G-Darius HD.

We’ve spent a considerable amount of time playing it, and we can say it’s a true-to-form no-nonsense arcade shooter. It’s the same kind of game you may have gotten your hands on at the local arcade. With this in mind, should you give the game a shot? Before you decide, let’s check out what it has to offer:

Plotline

G-Darius HD puts you in the middle of the war between two factions in the far future. You’ll play as a pilot fighting for the Amnelia Kingdom and go up against the unstoppable and ruthless Thiima Empire. Your forces are getting hammered, but you can turn the tide. This is thanks to the arrival of the Silver Hawk fighters, made with Thiima technology. As one of the pilots of the hybrid craft, you’re tasked to perform a decisive strike against the main Thiima base.

Gameplay

G-Darius HD is a 2D sidescrolling shooter, though many of its assets are in 3D. Like most arcade games, it involves a lot of shooting and dodging and is a bullet hell. Enemies are plenty, and you’re alone (or with a friend via couch co-op) taking them out. It’s incredibly challenging, considering it’s a title you’d find in your local arcade aimed at making players spend as many quarters or 100 yen coins as possible.

Enemies in G-Darius HD are like those in other bullet hell 2D shooters. They move in various patterns, launching their projectiles or doing kamikaze dives toward you. However, it’s important to note that some of these are colored, coinciding with buffs you use to strengthen your ship. Blue corresponds with your shield, while green and red enhance your combat capabilities by improving your bomb and missile shot. Finally, purple adds a charge to your capture ball.

Speaking of the capture ball, this is G-Darius’ most unique feature. In a nutshell, it lets you catch enemies and use them as assets in battle; they each have unique attack patterns and capabilities that can assist you. Some may be used as shields to block incoming fire, while others can follow you around and release projectiles that can devastate enemy ranks. Meanwhile, stronger enemies like gigantic fish-like robotic beings fire massive shots and act as sponges for enemy attacks. Capturing them can be tricky since you have to weaken them first.

The game’s controls are simple: you can move around via the left joy-con while Y lets you rapidly shoot. Press B or X to capture enemies, and if they’re almost out of HP, you can cause them to explode like bombs via the same buttons. G-Darius’ rather crowded user interface has a purpose: it shows you vital aspects of your ship, its weapon counters, your captured enemies’ HP, and the bosses’ state and weak points.

G-Darius HD’s boss fights are incredibly frantic and challenging. Every boss has a varied attack pattern and different quirks. There was one who could use portals to teleport to areas around the combat zone, while one could fire massive laser beams.

Another thing that sets G-Darius apart is its levels. Players can pick which route to go, and each has a different boss, adversaries, and quirks. In turn, this makes the game highly replayable, which is a joy on the Nintendo Switch.

Community

G-Darius HD can be played via couch co-op, which means you can give a friend one of your joy-cons, and you can then play together. There is no online multiplayer, but you can submit your high scores to see where you match up with other players online.

Graphics/Sound

In terms of presentation, G-Darius HD is, of course, dated. However, the HD remaster, and improvements are noticeable - the game looks great on the Switch, and the 3D models and backgrounds rival that of modern shooters. However, there are noticeable framerate drops and stutters during demanding events, though it’s more of a nuisance than an actual problem.

Conclusion

Overall, G-Darius HD is a decent arcade sidescrolling shooter and a must-have for gamers who love a challenge. Though it is a relatively short game, it has high replayability thanks to its multiple levels, and players are free to choose from as they progress.

So, do you think you have what it takes to fly the Silver Hawk? If you think you are, G-Darius HD is now available on the Nintendo eShop.

New Game Added: G-Darius HD

by Mikhail Jun 13, 2022

G-Darius HD is the high-definition port of the original G-Darius sidescrolling shooter arcade game. As the pilot of the Silver Hawk, you’ll engage in combat against the hordes of enemies under the banner of the evil Thiima Empire. With a multitude of features, it’s guaranteed to give you a legitimate arcade experience on the Switch.