Summary
- Release Year: 1986
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG), Simulator, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
- Platforms: Apple II, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Mac
- Developers: Omnitrend Software, Inc.
- Publishers: Omnitrend Software, Inc.
Universe II: A Retrospective
Universe II is a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up arcade game developed and published by Namco in 1986. It is the sequel to the 1983 game Universe, and features improved graphics, sound, and gameplay.
The player controls a spaceship that flies through a field of stars, shooting down enemy ships and avoiding obstacles. The game is divided into five stages, each with its own unique boss.
Universe II was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best shoot-’em-ups of all time. It has been ported to a variety of home platforms, including the NES, Commodore 64, and Atari ST.
Gameplay
Universe II is a vertically scrolling shoot-’em-up in which the player controls a spaceship that flies through a field of stars, shooting down enemy ships and avoiding obstacles. The game is divided into five stages, each with its own unique boss.
The player’s spaceship can fire in eight directions, and can also drop bombs. The player can collect power-ups to increase their firepower, speed, and bomb capacity.
The enemy ships in Universe II come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some enemies fire bullets, while others drop bombs or kamikaze into the player’s ship. The player must use their wits and reflexes to avoid enemy fire and defeat the bosses.
Graphics and Sound
Universe II features colorful and detailed graphics for its time. The backgrounds are filled with stars and nebulae, and the enemy ships are varied and well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with catchy tunes that add to the excitement of the gameplay.
Legacy
Universe II is considered to be one of the best shoot-’em-ups of all time. It was a critical and commercial success, and has been ported to a variety of home platforms. The game’s legacy is also evident in its influence on other shoot-’em-ups, such as R-Type and Gradius.
Critical Reception
Universe II was praised for its graphics, sound, and gameplay. Critics praised the game’s fast-paced action, challenging difficulty, and variety of enemies and bosses. The game was also praised for its innovative use of power-ups, which allowed players to customize their spaceship to their own play style.
Universe II was a commercial success, selling over 200,000 arcade cabinets worldwide. The game was also ported to a variety of home platforms, including the NES, Commodore 64, and Atari ST. The home versions of the game were generally well-received, although they were not as graphically impressive as the arcade original.
Influence
Universe II has been influential on a number of other shoot-’em-ups, such as R-Type and Gradius. These games borrowed many of Universe II’s gameplay mechanics, such as the use of power-ups and the vertically scrolling levels.
Universe II is still enjoyed by gamers today, and is considered to be a classic of the shoot-’em-up genre. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, challenging difficulty, and excellent graphics and sound make it a timeless classic.
Conclusion
Universe II is a classic shoot-’em-up that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging difficulty, and excellent graphics and sound make it a timeless classic. If you are a fan of shoot-’em-ups, then you need to check out Universe II.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
