Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Arcade, Family Computer, MSX, SG-1000, Wii, Wii U
- Developers: Jaleco
- Publishers: HAMSTER, Jaleco, Sega
Exerion (1983)
Exerion is a vertical shoot ’em up released by Jaleco in 1983 and licensed to Taito for distribution in the United States. It was notable for its use of parallax effects and inertia simulation, which were advanced techniques for the time.
Gameplay
The player controls a spaceship that moves up and down the screen, shooting at aliens that appear from the top and bottom. The player has two types of guns: a fast single shot (limited) and a slow double shot (unlimited).
The game is divided into four stages, each with a different background and set of enemies. The first stage takes place in a canyon, the second in a forest, the third in a cave, and the fourth in space.
The player’s ship can be destroyed by enemy fire or by colliding with the ground or ceiling. The player has three lives, and if all three lives are lost, the game is over.
Graphics and Sound
Exerion’s graphics are colorful and detailed, and the parallax scrolling creates a sense of depth and immersion. The game’s soundtrack is also impressive, with a catchy main theme and a variety of sound effects.
Legacy
Exerion was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best shoot ’em ups of the early 1980s. The game has been ported to a variety of home computers and consoles, and it is still available to play on modern platforms.
Exerion has also been influential on other shoot ’em ups, such as Gradius and R-Type. The game’s use of parallax scrolling and inertia simulation set a new standard for the genre, and it continues to be a popular and respected game today.
Review
Exerion is a classic shoot ’em up that is still fun to play today. The game’s graphics and sound are impressive, and the gameplay is challenging and rewarding. If you are a fan of shoot ’em ups, then you owe it to yourself to check out Exerion.
Score: 8/10
Additional Information
- Exerion was developed by Jaleco, a Japanese video game company.
- The game was released in arcades in 1983.
- Exerion was ported to the MSX, NES, and Commodore 64 home computers.
- A sequel, Exerion II: Zorni, was released in 1984 for the MSX.
- A semi-sequel, Exerizer, was released in 1987 for arcades and the NES.
Trivia
- Exerion was one of the first arcade games to use parallax scrolling.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, who later went on to compose music for films such as The Last Emperor and The Revenant.
- Exerion was featured in the 2012 documentary film, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.
Conclusion
Exerion is a classic shoot ’em up that is still fun to play today. The game’s graphics, sound, and gameplay are all top-notch, and it is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8/10
