Previous Next

In the far off reaches of the Universe lies a collection of stars forming the Tesla Galaxy. Within this galaxy exists the Latis system, comprising five planets: Eioneus, Lavinia, Kierke, Odysseus and Latis itself. The 100 million year old civilisation has, over the centuries, become highly advanced and prosperous, blessed with an awesome psycho-power known as the 'crush blow power'. This gift enabled them to look into the future, but what they saw was enough to strike terror into the hearts of every inhabitant of the Latis system - total annihilation! This revelation was inscribed onto metal and stone tablets, known as 'The Prediction', but they were lost over the years between the five planets.

Now the time has come for the fulfilling of the prophecy, and civilisation holds its breath. True to the prediction, from a distant galaxy an evil force emerges, envious of the Utopian lifestyle of Latis' inhabitants, intent on their destruction. The forces of the Salamander are on their way...

At the request of Space Archaeologist Van landroth Frehley, Emperor Lars XVIII has sent a fighter ship to infiltrate the approaching Salamander defences. You take the part of the pilot of this vessel, flying into extreme danger in an attempt to save your people. No-one knows if the Latis system can be saved - since the only way to be sure was in the lost 'Prediction' - so it is all in your hands.

The action begins in space, with your craft flying horizontally into a series of caves inside an asteroid, where alien forces lurk. The first enemies encountered fly past in formation, and destroying a complete set of these reveals a 'pick-up' which could be an improvement to your ship or additional fire power. Ship refinement consists of speed-ups and shields and extra weaponry includes missiles, multiples, beam lasers and the powerfully impressive 'ripple guns' which send a devastating circular beam crashing through the aliens. use of these various add-ons is essential to progress through the levels.

After such atrocities as extending claws and regenerating rocks have been overcome, a giant, murderous brain must be destroyed at the end of level one's cave system. This leads on to level two, which consists of a vertically scrolling space scene with a myriad of meteorites to dodge and a humungous spinning-armed nuclear spider to defeat.

Other stages comprise flying sheets of metal and underground volcanoes, with flames leaping from fire pits, before the ultimate battle with the leader of the Salamander forces itself.

I always considered Delta to be the ultimate Nemesis style game on the C64 but now comes Salamander, the official Konami conversion, and it's astoundingly close to the coin-op version. I can barely believe that such an accurate conversion can be made! Even the title screen is arcade-like, complete with Japanese writing.

The amount of work lavished on the graphics is obvious, but speed and gameplay has not given way to pretty colours and definition. The number of sprites on screen at once is very impressive and the pace is extremely frenetic at all times, with bombs and bullets flying in all directions.

The weapons pick-up system is very well presented - each feature having its own token - so there is no confusion about what you are going to get bolted onto your ship. The sense of power gained with three multiples and a ripple laser is phenomenal: you end up daring the aliens to try to attack!

Putting it simply, if you take Nemesis and Delta, combine them and remove their deficiencies, what you're left with is Salamander!

I was pleased with Konami's conversion of the all-time classic Nemesis, which appeared in May '87, but that pales into insignificance when compared with its sequel. From the first few seconds' play, it's clear that Salamander by far surpasses its predecessor, and is an extremely accurate version of the coin-op.

The graphic definition is as close to the arcades as you could get on a C64, and is matched by slick sprite movement across detailed, smooth-scrolling backgrounds. There's no diving for the shift key to activate weapons, as was the case with Nemesis, and the control system as a whole is very responsive. It needs to be!

To call this game hectic is an understatement; the first level is remarkably relaxing once you've played the organised chaos of the later ones. The mayhem is only marginally easier to handle with a full complement of weapons (which gives an awesome visual effect), the screen filled with various types of missiles.

Salamander is easily the best progressive shoot-'em-up I've ever played - this conversion is a must for your games collection!

After so many 'progressive weapon' games being released, you would think that the genre would be wearing rather thin. Not so! Instead, Salamander brings new and vibrant (fnarr, fnarr!!) life to the humble scrolling shoot-'em-up. Bob Stevenson continues to impress with wonderful representations of the coin-op graphics, Io being a promise of what was to come.

Outlandish creatures and diverse spacecraft swarm through the many varied landscapes, tracing complex patterns as they go, all beautifully detailed and carefully shaded. Despatching the Phoenic birds on the third level is almost a crime, they're that well defined!

Visual finesse is not reserved for the bad guys though, especially when combined with your faithful trio of multiples and ripple lasers! Sound is nothing special, but unnoticeable amongst the involved combat, and as such is not detrimental. Most superlatives have no doubt been used many times to describe gameplay and graphics of shoot-'em-ups of the past, but Salamander sets a new standard which others must follow.

It has gorgeous graphics, is astoundingly addictive, and is destined to become another classic C64 shoot-'em-up.

Presentation 86%
Excellent control and 'progressive' weaponry but sluggish multi-load.

Graphics 95%
Brilliant Bob Stevenson graphics are *very* close to the arcade original.

Sound 84%
Powerful spot effects and adequate music.

Hookability 96%
Stunningly gripping from the first shot.

Lastability 92%
Plenty of variety and enough difficult to maintain a lasting interest.

Overall 94%
The best progressive shoot-'em-up to date.