Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Arcade
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE
- Publishers: Lankhor
G.nius (1988)
G.nius is a shoot-em-up game developed and published by Hewson Consultants for the ZX Spectrum. It was released in 1988 and is the third game in the “G” series, following Vroom and Dark Sector.
The player controls a spaceship that must fly through a series of levels, shooting enemies and avoiding obstacles. The game is known for its fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music.
Gameplay
G.nius is a vertically scrolling shoot-em-up in which the player controls a spaceship that must fly through a series of levels, shooting enemies and avoiding obstacles. The game features a variety of different enemy types, each with their own unique attack patterns. The player must also avoid obstacles such as asteroids, mines, and laser beams.
The player’s spaceship has a variety of weapons at its disposal, including a laser cannon, a spread gun, and a homing missile. The player can also collect power-ups that will increase the ship’s firepower, speed, or shield strength.
The game is divided into five levels, each with its own unique boss enemy. The levels become increasingly difficult as the player progresses, with more enemies and obstacles to contend with.
Graphics and Sound
G.nius is one of the most visually impressive games on the ZX Spectrum. The graphics are colorful and detailed, and the animation is smooth and fluid. The game also features a catchy soundtrack that adds to the overall atmosphere.
Reception
G.nius was released to critical acclaim. Critics praised the game’s fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies.
However, the game was also criticized for its difficulty. Some critics found the game to be too challenging, especially the later levels.
Legacy
G.nius is considered to be one of the best shoot-em-ups on the ZX Spectrum. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music have made it a favorite among retro gamers.
G.nius has also been ported to a number of other platforms, including the Commodore 64, the Atari ST, and the Amiga.
Conclusion
G.nius is a classic shoot-em-up that is still enjoyed by retro gamers today. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Tips for Playing G.nius
- Use the spread gun to take out large groups of enemies.
- Use the homing missile to target specific enemies.
- Collect power-ups to increase your ship’s firepower, speed, or shield strength.
- Don’t be afraid to use your bombs to clear the screen of enemies.
- Practice makes perfect! The more you play G.nius, the better you will become at it.
Trivia
- G.nius is the third game in the “G” series, following Vroom and Dark Sector.
- The game was originally going to be called “Genius”, but the name was changed to avoid confusion with another game called “Genius” that was released in 1983.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by David Whittaker, who also composed the music for Vroom and Dark Sector.
- G.nius was ported to a number of other platforms, including the Commodore 64, the Atari ST, and the Amiga.
- The game was a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies.
Review Score
7.5/10
