HAL 21
SCORE: 71
G1M2 brings yet another mid-80’s arcade classic to the PlayStation Network. HAL 21 is a top down arcade shooter where players blast enemy ships from the sky while battling their way to the boss and beyond. If you’ve never heard of HAL 21, picture Xevious and you’ll have a good idea of what this game is all about. If you’ve never heard of HAL 21 or Xevious, you probably weren’t around yet in the 80’s or perhaps you had been around for so long by the time the 80’s arrived that you weren’t into all that “newfangled” technology.
This is a port of the original classic, so the graphics are exactly what you would expect from an early arcade game. Greens and blues are the dominant colors as much of the landscape is grass and water. Aside from these colors the game’s hues are mostly bland. Players fly their craft over the landscape and are given a top down view of the action. The graphics are simple yet effectively convey what is taking place. While the explosions are plentiful and the shooting is non-stop, the game is really only mildly violent in appearance thanks to the dated graphics.
There’s something about classic arcade sound effects that keep them from ever really going out of style, and HAL 21 is full of them. The explosions, the laser fire, the power-ups, and the music all work together to give you that good ol’ arcade feeling. And while the music is very repetitive, it somehow doesn’t annoy. It fits the game and I suppose it’s exactly the kind of music you would want playing as you battle your way through countless hordes of enemy aircraft (though the way I flew, playing taps would have been far more appropriate).
The gameplay of HAL 21 encourages replay. This game is definitely a challenge, but fortunately G1M2 has included some little helpers in the PlayStation version of the game to take the edge off. Players can switch on a “continue” option that will allow you to pick up near where you last bit the pixelated dust. You can also save your game and come back another day to continue the battle (something you could never do on an arcade machine). HAL 21 also supports a two player mode so you and a friend can simultaneously fly your ships down memory lane all the way to 1985.
The gameplay of HAL 21 is very easy to grasp, but very difficult to master. Players guide their ship forward, backward, left, and right on the screen avoiding incoming fire all the while firing back at their foes. Enemies take various forms including both aircraft and ground forces. Players are equipped with lasers and bombs (lasers for the air, bombs for the ground) to fend off the enemy. At certain points in the game players will face “boss ships” which are enormous robot-like aircraft. You desperately fire with all your might and avoid the relentless barrage of incoming fire. Fortunately your ship never runs out of ammo, so button mashing is encouraged. The controls in HAL 21 are extremely responsive and translate well to the PlayStation 3 which makes for smooth sailing around the screen.
HAL 21 doesn’t offer any moral lessons or provide much of a story at
all. The game is from an earlier time when blood and gore were not used
as often in games, so the worst you’ll find in HAL 21 are the shooting
and exploding of machines. Older children and adults will be able to
play this game without fear of offensive content. While
I wouldn't classify this as a game for the whole family, it’s definitely
a suitable option for anyone interested in some old school arcade
action.
-Roger
Graphics: 68%
Sound: 74%
Replay/Extras: 71%
Gameplay: 73%
Family Friendly Factor: 68%
System: Playstation 3/Playstation Portable
Publisher: SNK Playmore USA Corp
Rating: 'E' -
Everyone
{Mild Fantasy Violence}
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