Silpheed

For many action gamers, playing Silpheed is a thoroughly captivating experience that is hard to forget.

Designed by Thexder designers S. Uesaka and H. Godai and licensed from Japanese company Game Arts by Sierra, this defining moment of the shooter genre is one of the rare games that can sell on the merits of its "bells and whistles" alone: the pseudo-3D graphics is stunning, and the digitized sound and music pushes the limits of tinny Adlib soundcard to create memorable tunes and sound effects.

Note that the gameplay isn't special: you must maneuver the space dogfighter Silpheed through 20 action-packed levels that feature diverse backgrounds, enemies, and very cool power-ups you can keep from level to level to prepare for the ultimate showdown with Xacalite, the evil warlord. Although billed as a "sequel" to Thexder, the only thing Silpheed has in common with that game is the (thin) storyline which isn't why you'd play a shooter to begin with :)

Definitely one of the very few shooters I struggled to finish despite overwhelming odds, and a must have for every action fan.

Review By HOTUD