Saturday, 27 July 2024

Air Fortress (NES review)

Developer: HAL Laboratory
Publisher: HAL Laboratory
Released: 1989

Air Fortress is an action / shooter game that's exclusive to the NES.

+ Good level design with a great core mechanic of exploring different routes while monitoring your depleting energy.

+ Excellent controls and physics that offer real precision, and the kickback when you launch a Beam is terrific.

+ Anxiety and desperation you feel when trying to locate your ship before the fortress explodes is incredibly engrossing.

+ Stunning 3D-style rotational enemy effects, and there's some atmospheric ambient noises and catchy tunes.

- Early shooter sections are rather barren in terms of incoming enemies and there's long stretches where nothing happens.

- Minor teething issues in the shooter areas, as it's not always obvious what's part of the background or a hazard.

- Trying to avoid damage in the fortress levels is nigh-on impossible, as bullets swarm before you even exit doors.


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