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Revision as of 18:03, 20 July 2005 by Pagrashtak (talk | contribs) (Added infobox CVG, broke into sections, added links)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) 1991 video game| U.N. Squadron | |
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| File:Area 88 box art.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Capcom |
| Publisher(s) | Capcom |
| Platform(s) | Super Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Release | 26 July 1991 (JP) September 1991 (NA) 10 December 1991 (EU) |
| Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
U.N. Squadron (Area 88 in Japan), a shooting/action video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System by Capcom. It is based on the anime/manga Area 88. Although it doesn't bear any resemblance to the original history, it still uses the many of the characters and place setting.
Gameplay
In this game the player can choose between three mercenary pilots: Shin Kazama, Mickey Scymmon and Greg Gates. Their mission is to stop a terrorist group known as Project 4. Each character has different strengths and weaknesses: Shin levels up his firepower the fastest but takes a while repair his plane, Greg doesn't increase levels as quickly but can repair his plane almost instantly and Mickey is balanced in those two aspects and has more attack power with special weapons.
The levels are chosen on a map. Not all of the levels can be chosen at first but they will open when the previous ones have been cleared. In addition, there are enemy squadrons that threaten the main mercenary base. If they reach the base, the player is forced to clear the attacking squadron level until they are defeated. The map level is reminiscent of Bionic Commando, also by Capcom.
Before entering the level the player has the oppurtunity to purchase new aeroplanes and special weapons in the shop. Different aeroplanes have different types of main gun and can mount varying special weapons. For example: the F-14 specialises in a forward-firing gun and mostly air-to-air straight firing special weapons whereas the A-10 has a downward firing gun and largely air-to-surface weapons. Your character earns money for this shop by destroying enemy planes and vehicles during levels and, when the level is finished, any unused weapons are converted back into money.
Once the level had been entered the game is similar to Defender and R-Type in form: the player is viewed side-on, flying right as enemies approach from many directions. Land, sea and air units are encountered in the various stages. The player's main gun has infinite ammunition and can be upgraded by picking up power-ups. As gun power increases more power ups are required to reach the next level, similar to the use of experience points (XP) in RPGs. Special weapons, on the other hand, are limited in ammunition and have no ability to upgrade in level. Unlike Raiden the player's aircraft could take a number of enemy hits before being destroyed but had a brief period of vulnerability after each hit, this was then was "repaired" to a lower health level. This made the game a little less frustrating. Also unlike Raiden the player would return to the level select screen after being destroyed, making the player replay the whole level again.
Like many shooters, the game was very challenging. Levels frequently included large numbers of enemies atacking at once, with subsequent vast amounts of firepower on screen. The player needed quick reflexes to navigate through all this fire whilst still attacking their enemies. Only a skilled player was capable of finishing the game.