Summary
- Release Year: 1986
- Genres: Arcade, Platform, Strategy
- Platforms: Commodore C64/128/MAX
- Developers: Addictive Games Ltd
- Publishers: Addictive Games Ltd
Arac (1986): A Retro Shoot-Shmup Classic
Introduction
Arac is a vertically-scrolling shoot-shmup arcade game developed and published by Electrocoin in 1986. The game is set in a futuristic world where the player controls a lone spaceship tasked with defending Earth from an alien invasion. Arac was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best shoot-shmup games of its era.
Gameplay
Arac is a vertically-scrolling shoot-shmup in which the player controls a lone spaceship that must defeat waves of enemy ships and other obstacles. The player’s ship can fire a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player can also collect power-ups that grant them additional abilities, such as increased firepower or invincibility.
Arac’s gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, and requires the player to have quick reflexes and good hand-eye coordination. The game also features a variety of enemy types, each with their own unique attack patterns. This keeps the player on their toes and forces them to adapt their strategies constantly.
Graphics and Sound
Arac’s graphics are colorful and detailed, and the game’s backgrounds are varied and interesting. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, and features a variety of catchy tunes that add to the game’s overall atmosphere.
Legacy
Arac was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best shoot-shmup games of its era. The game was ported to a number of home computers, and has been included in several retro game compilations. Arac has also been praised for its innovative gameplay and its beautiful graphics and sound.
Conclusion
Arac is a classic shoot-shmup game that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced gameplay, challenging difficulty, and beautiful graphics and sound make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a great retro shoot-shmup to play, then Arac is definitely worth checking out.
Here are some additional details about Arac:
- The game was developed by a small team of just three people.
- Arac was one of the first shoot-shmup games to feature a rotating screen.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Tim Follin, who is also known for his work on other classic video games such as R-Type and Gradius.
- Arac has been ported to a number of home computers, including the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC.
- The game has been included in several retro game compilations, including the Taito Legends series and the Sega Genesis Collection.
If you’re interested in playing Arac, you can find it on a number of different platforms, including:
- The Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/Arac_1986_Electrocoin
- Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/344440/Arac_Attack_of_the_Space_Sharks/
- GOG.com: https://www.gog.com/game/arac_attack_of_the_space_sharks
Review Score
8/10