Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Nexus
- Publishers: Firebird Software
Earthlight (1988): A Pioneering Shooter with Parallax Scrolling and Shadow Effects
Earthlight is a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up game released in 1988 for the ZX Spectrum. It was developed by Rainbow Arts and published by Ocean Software. Earthlight is notable for its use of parallax scrolling and shadow effects, which were very impressive for the time.
The game is set in the year 2042, and the player takes control of a spaceship called the Earthlight. The Earthlight is on a mission to destroy an alien invasion force that is threatening the Earth. The game consists of eight levels, each with a different environment and enemies.
Earthlight’s gameplay is similar to other vertically scrolling shoot-’em-ups of the era. The player controls the Earthlight and must shoot down waves of enemies while dodging their fire. The Earthlight can be upgraded with different weapons and power-ups.
One of the things that sets Earthlight apart from other shoot-’em-ups is its use of parallax scrolling. Parallax scrolling is a technique that creates the illusion of depth by moving the background at a different speed than the foreground. This gives the game a more immersive and realistic feel.
Earthlight also makes use of shadow effects. When the Earthlight fires its weapons, the shadows of the bullets are cast on the ground. This adds to the game’s realism and makes the action more visually appealing.
Earthlight was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its impressive graphics, smooth gameplay, and challenging difficulty. Earthlight is considered to be one of the best shoot-’em-ups ever released for the ZX Spectrum.
Gameplay
Earthlight is a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up game. The player controls the Earthlight spaceship and must shoot down waves of enemies while dodging their fire. The Earthlight can be upgraded with different weapons and power-ups.
The game consists of eight levels, each with a different environment and enemies. The levels are set on Earth, in space, and on alien planets. The player must defeat a boss at the end of each level.
The Earthlight can be upgraded with different weapons and power-ups. These include lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player can also collect power-ups that give the Earthlight temporary invincibility or increase its firepower.
Graphics and Sound
Earthlight’s graphics are very impressive for the time. The game uses parallax scrolling to create the illusion of depth, and the shadows of the bullets are cast on the ground. This gives the game a more immersive and realistic feel.
The game’s sound is also very good. The music is catchy and the sound effects are realistic.
Difficulty
Earthlight is a challenging game. The enemies are tough and the levels are long. However, the game is also fair and the player is given plenty of opportunities to upgrade their ship and collect power-ups.
Overall
Earthlight is a fantastic shoot-’em-up game. It features impressive graphics, smooth gameplay, and challenging difficulty. Earthlight is a must-play for fans of retro gaming and shoot-’em-ups.
Review Score
8/10
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
