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I vaguely recall the Spectrum publisher Red Shift as primarily being involved in 1980's wargaming, with its Apocalypse suite and, perhaps, the more well-known Rebelstar Raiders. So, when I heard about a game called Redshift, I assumed it would be a turn-based strategy game. I also thought it might be based on Mars due to The War of the Worlds, but that would be Red Weed, which unsurprisingly confused me. This game couldn't be further from all of that. It's an all action vertical scrolling shooter, with some comparisons to Light Force.

Based in Argentina, Ariel Ruiz has been involved in making more than fifteen ZX Spectrum games since 1988 under the World XXI Soft Inc (Argentina) label. His more recent titles include the three Max Pickles platform based games from 2018.

First, you need to choose if you want to play in Spanish or English text. Then a catchy tune starts up as you are taken through the storyline via some stylish cut-scenes and text. The plot revolves around the fact that a war between humans and aliens has gone on, having an actual pilot in a ship is an innovative move against enemy AI.

"Redshift", a spacecraft, is created and you are the pilot. If you fail in your mission the human race will be wiped out. No pressure there then, not that much at stake!!

As you try to digest fully the task at hand the main menu pops up with several options, start being the most obvious. You can also change the controls and redefine keys, alter an extensive range of audio options, re-select the language and check out the game credits. After selecting start you are asked to select a universe. The difference being some are harder than others. Options are NNZBRADYONIC (Easy), GNYLUXONIC (Normal), GNXTACHYONIC (Hard). You also have the option of choosing the last selected universe.

Most things in the game move on or can be skipped at the press of a button. It doesn't sound like much but it's a simple thing that many other games in the past have lacked. Once in your spacecraft, you are treated to a launch sequence, which can also be skipped, before entering into the battle.

On the right of the screen is a status panel showing your current score, the high score, your energy, in the form of rings around your craft, bombs and support. It's not long before ground appears and swarms of enemies are on the attack. They come in a variety of different shapes and sizes with different attack patterns . Larger, slower, less erratic craft tend to require more hits to destroy and fire out a shed load of bullets at your spacecraft. Ground turrets come in small and large versions, the latter requiring more hits.

Your space craft is equipped with bombs, which damage a large area of the screen, and calls for support craft, which appear and blast alongside you. On blasting some of the ground features, medals appear which you can collect for a bonus at the end of each level. Shooting a satellite several times produces a power up which can be guided missiles, extra wings which give wider fire power, extra bombs, extra support, extra medals and full shields. The energy of your shields builds back up slowly over time too.

The traditional end-of-level bosses appear on cue and need the most hits to destroy. The type of boss you have to defeat varies with the difficulty of the level you have selected.

At the end of each level you are given a stats break down of destruction caused as a percentage (%) x 10,000, medals collected x 200, unused bombs x 1000, unused supports x 1000, and then total bonus and total score.

Then it's on to the next level with new enemies and new landscapes to wreak havoc upon. When you complete a level, you proceed on to the next, more difficult one, automatically. And, after Hard, you play Easy again.

The graphics are fabulous. Everything in the game has those tiny little details that make them sparkle. Everything is easy to see, including enemy bullets, which isn't the case in some shooters, and it's even more remarkable considering the fact that although the game is colourful, it's mainly in monochrome. The audio is excellent, featuring some nice in-game tunes and during cutscenes and menu selection. The game's spot-effects are also well balanced and suitably satisfying when you blast stuff, and there's a lot of customisation in the sound menu options.

Each level seems like it's the perfect length. You neither find yourself thinking "Is that it?" nor "This is starting to drag on a bit now". Such awesome sprites and graphics, really cool. In-game sounds and tunes are a joy to listen to. They add that extra something special to an already great game. Redefining the keyboard controls so you can use your joystick/gamepad is awesome. Without a joystick it just wouldn’t work as well. It's really fast and furious gaming. The speed at which you play is wonderfully exhilarating.

I love the colour schemes even if it is monochrome, something so cool about those nostalgia looking backgrounds. The enemy sprites from small fighters to big bosses are awesome. The extra weapons and bonuses you pick up for your spacecraft are terrific.

The game is so much fun that it's a shame it doesn't have more levels.

It's difficult to find anything missing from this vertically-scrolling shoot 'em up. Every element from the old school arcade shooters is there and, considering it's on the humble Spectrum, it's all quite something to behold. I recall that even some commercial Spectrum games from the Eighties were quite sluggish and ordinary to play. But Redshift is the complete opposite. Overall, it's simply a wonderful shoot-'em-up!