C&VG


Final Blaster
By namco
PC Engine (JP Version)

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #109

Final Blaster

This time those devious, plotting, alien slime have gone too far! Just when the Earth Council were planning their next diplomatic move for intergalactic peace, those double-crossing xenomorphs sneaked into our armoury, destroyed most of the fighter fleet and made off with all our highly advanced weaponry!

Only one squadron of patrol craft escaped the catastrophe, and is now ready to chase the thieving aliens home, and give them a blasting they won't forget!

Luckily, the stolen weaponry is still in transfit, so if you torch a container ship you can catch a weapons pod and bolt it onto your own craft. Two types of these power-ups are on offer. One produces extra fire, whilst the other issues a more deluxe version of the bog-standard laser bolt, including rear fire and multiples. Alternatively, you can drain off the batteries of any extra weapon and use the power in one enormous super-destructo space-blast which nukes everything on the screen.

Final Blaster

All tooled up with nowhere to go? You may find that the enemy have one or two nasty tricks up their slimy sleeves, not least the nightmare-like end-of-level guardians!

PC Engine

Another vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up? Yawn... But hey! Wait a minute! Final Blaster ain't 'alf bad, chief! Okay, so it isn't in the Gunhed realms of complete brilliance, but it's pretty damn addictive nontheless with plenty of levels to keep you occupied. The extra weapons (including a Battle of the Planets-style Fiery Phoenix!) are many and varied including vicious side cannons that power-up to Salamander-style multiples!

The end-of-level bosses are pretty evil too, and there's always a nasty surprise in store for you! The graphics are well-defined with scrolling that's as smooth as silk. The sonics are also pretty groovy, with ear-blasting effects and decent tunes.

The game doesn't really represent much of a challenge though, and hardened shoot-'em-up fiends will find the going a bit too easy. Recommended, nonetheless.

Richard Leadbetter

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