Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth

"Save your money. There are far better overhead shooters out there."

For an overhead action game, it`s decent enough. You pick a ship, fly around, and kill things. The problem with this game is that it doesn`t come close to meeting standards set by better, more challenging overhead shooters. The game is far too easy, with the sole exception of Master mode, which can be conquered within a few short hours with some minor persistence.

Story

Believe it or not, the game has a story to it, albeit a weak and clichéd one. The earth is on the verge of destruction, and you have to fly around in your little spaceship through a few levels to save it from being destroyed completely, for the sake of mankind. We`ve never heard that one before, have we?

Throughout the game`s levels, you inch closer and closer to earth, until you finally battle on the planet itself, before finally saving the world. Go you.

Gameplay

This is my big gripe with the game. It is FAR too easy to beat the game, even considering that if you get shot once, you lose a life. It is too easy to get extra lives, and the ship that you are controlling can be given temporary moments of invincibility through roll dodging and Ex Arms attacks. Granted, the Ex Arms attacks are good eye candy, but they make the game even easier than it already is, thanks to instant death to practically anything in the game within two Ex Arms shots, as well as the fact that your ship is invincible during one of these attacks.

To compensate, there is an unlockable Master mode within the game for those of us that get bored with beating the game on easier settings. This is fine, but after an hour of fooling around with Master mode, the game winds up being too easy again. The only thing that Master mode really adds is that you need to roll dodge more.

Graphics

The game is on the N64, so the graphics are a plus. This is one of the few areas of the game that I can say positive things about, though there are only so many things that a game can deliver within the overhead shooting style.

Music

I would say something nice about the music, if there was anything that actually stood out. As things currently stand, however, this is not possible.

Overall: 2/10

Graphically, the game isn`t bad, but that`s the only good thing that I can really say. The game is too short, and too easy. It only takes about 20 minutes to beat the game normally, and it barely takes any extra time at all to beat it on Master mode. I wouldn`t tell anyone to buy this game. In fact, I wouldn`t even let anyone rent the thing.

For real overhead shooter action, visit your local arcade. You`ll find overhead shooters actually worth spending some money on, unlike this steaming pile of garbage. At least the overheads in the arcade present somewhat of a challenge.

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 12/12/03