Elemental Master

"2D shooters? More please!"

This is my new standard for what a 2D shooter should be. It is really the best one I have ever played.

Introduction
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Ok, basically, there are 5 levels. You can choose the first four. But once you finish your last level, it's on to the boss level. Ok, first, in this game you do not collect weapon power ups. Instead, after you beat a level, you get a new shot type. Also, it's not 1 hit dead. You have bars of health and each hit takes one off. Also, there are several power ups. You have your shield, which absorbs three hits. Your berries, which refill two health bars. Your trophies, that add a bar of health, permanently. Your mirror, that makes two shadow images of you that shoot a single shot. And those are the items you can get by shooting open a treasure chest.

Graphics - 10/10
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For it's time, this game had terrific graphics, and if you're a fan of 2D, they will probably still appeal to you. Tons of 2D sprites on each level. Although the animations aren't the best, the colors of the games are very well done, and the bosses are incredible.

Sound - 10/10
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The best kind a 2D shooter can have, pumpin' techno music! The gun shots aren't annoying, and the enemies just explode and make a little explodey-thingy noise. Also, the music varies each level, which is very nice, it's really fitting for the game.

Control - 10/10
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Spot on controls, you press left, you go left. You press one button to change your shot, and one button to shoot. And it's VERY responsive. You won't find yourself cursing at your game for not moving fast enough or not firing that shot in time.

Gameplay - 10/10
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I love the weapon and health system of this game! Normally, having up to 7 health bars would make it seem easy, but it's really very balanced. And the guns you get at the end of each level are all useful at different situations, it's not just increasingly powerful each time. And the system with the treasure chests is much better, in my opinion, than having them fall off of random enemies.

Overall - 10/10
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Yes, this really is my favorite 2D shooter, going just beyond my other favorite, Gunbird 2. I can only think of one game that might be better than this - Radiant Silvergun, but I've not played that yet.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/02/03, Updated 03/02/03