Summary
- Release Year: 1993
- Genres: Arcade, Shooter
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS
- Developers: Bloodhouse
- Publishers: Bloodhouse, Daze Marketing, Housemarque
Stardust (1993): The Legendary Shoot-Em-Up That Defined a Genre
Released in 1993 for the Amiga 500, Stardust is a legendary shoot-em-up that wowed critics and gamers alike with its tight controls, solid gameplay, and stunning technical achievements. Developed by the Bitmap Brothers, Stardust set a new standard for the genre and has been cited as an inspiration for many subsequent shooters.
Gameplay
Stardust is a vertically scrolling shoot-em-up in which the player controls an upgradable starship equipped with various weapons, missiles, and shields. The playfield “wraps,” so if anything goes off-screen, it reappears on the opposite side.
The game features five different worlds (all connected by 3D hyperspace tunnels) and 30 action-packed levels full of asteroids, enemies, and bosses bent on destruction. Each world has its own unique look and feel, and the enemies and bosses become increasingly challenging as the player progresses.
Technical Achievements
For its time, Stardust was a technical marvel. The game featured ray-traced graphics, full-screen animations, and 3D hyperspace tunnel sequences. The ray-traced graphics gave the game a sense of depth and realism that was unmatched by other shooters of the era. The full-screen animations were used for cutscenes and boss battles, and they added a cinematic flair to the game. The 3D hyperspace tunnel sequences were a technical tour de force, and they gave the player a real sense of speed and excitement.
Legacy
Stardust was a critical and commercial success, and it has been cited as an inspiration for many subsequent shooters. The game’s tight controls, solid gameplay, and stunning technical achievements set a new standard for the genre. Stardust is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it remains one of the most beloved shoot-em-ups of all time.
The Evil Mutant Penguin
One of the most memorable things about Stardust is its villain, the evil mutant penguin Professor Schaumund. Schaumund is a mad scientist who is bent on destroying the universe. He first appears at the end of the game, and he makes his escape. This sets the stage for future Stardust games, in which Schaumund returns to wreak havoc on the galaxy.
Conclusion
Stardust is a legendary shoot-em-up that defined a genre. Its tight controls, solid gameplay, and stunning technical achievements made it a must-play for fans of the genre. Stardust is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it remains one of the most beloved shoot-em-ups of all time.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Stardust
- Stardust was originally going to be called “Star Wars.” However, the developers changed the name to avoid legal problems with LucasArts.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Tim Follin, who is known for his work on other classic Amiga games such as Shadow of the Beast and Alien Breed.
- Stardust was one of the first games to use ray-tracing technology. Ray-tracing is a rendering technique that simulates the way light travels through a scene. This gives the game a sense of depth and realism that was unmatched by other shooters of the era.
- The game’s full-screen animations were created by using a technique called rotoscoping. Rotoscoping is a process of tracing over live-action footage. This gave the animations a smooth and fluid look.
- The game’s 3D hyperspace tunnel sequences were created using a technique called voxel rendering. Voxel rendering is a process of creating 3D objects using small cubes called voxels. This gave the tunnel sequences a sense of speed and excitement.
- Stardust was a critical and commercial success. The game sold over 1 million copies worldwide.
- Stardust has been cited as an inspiration for many subsequent shooters, including Halo and Gears of War.
- The game’s villain, Professor Schaumund, is a mutant penguin. This is a reference to the fact that the game’s developers are based in the UK, where penguins are often seen as a symbol of the country.
- Stardust has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
- The game is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it remains one of the most beloved shoot-em-ups of all time.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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