Summary
Last Duel: Inter Planet War 2012 is a vertically-scrolling shoot ’em up arcade game released by Taito in 1988. The game is notable for its unique gameplay mechanic, which sees the player controlling a land-based vehicle instead of the usual spaceship or aircraft.
Gameplay
The player controls a land-based vehicle called the “Duel Fighter” through a series of vertically-scrolling levels. The goal of each level is to reach the end while defeating all of the enemies and avoiding obstacles. The Duel Fighter is equipped with a powerful laser cannon that can be used to destroy enemies. The player can also collect power-ups to enhance the Duel Fighter’s firepower and speed.
One of the unique features of Last Duel is the ability to jump. The Duel Fighter can jump over obstacles, such as pits and walls, to avoid taking damage. This ability adds an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay, as the player must carefully time their jumps to avoid falling into pits or colliding with walls.
Levels
Last Duel features a total of eight levels, each with its own unique set of enemies and obstacles. The levels are set on a variety of different planets, including Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. Each level is progressively more difficult than the last, and the player must use all of their skills to survive.
Enemies
Last Duel features a wide variety of enemies, including spaceships, tanks, and robots. Each type of enemy has its own unique attack patterns and weaknesses. The player must learn to identify each enemy type and develop strategies to defeat them.
Power-ups
Last Duel features a variety of power-ups that can be collected to enhance the Duel Fighter’s firepower and speed. These power-ups include:
- Speed Up: Increases the Duel Fighter’s speed.
- Power Up: Increases the Duel Fighter’s firepower.
- Shield: Protects the Duel Fighter from enemy fire.
- Bomb: Destroys all enemies on the screen.
Reception
Last Duel was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its unique gameplay mechanic, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics. Last Duel is considered to be one of the best vertically-scrolling shoot ’em ups of all time.
Legacy
Last Duel has had a lasting impact on the shoot ’em up genre. The game’s unique gameplay mechanic has been imitated by a number of other games, including Super Pang (1990) and Metal Slug (1996). Last Duel is also considered to be one of the first games to feature a land-based vehicle as the player character.
Conclusion
Last Duel: Inter Planet War 2012 is a classic shoot ’em up that still holds up today. The game’s unique gameplay mechanic, challenging difficulty, and impressive graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8/10
