Astro Warrior

Astro Warrior
Cover art
Developer(s)Sega
Publisher(s)Sega
Platform(s)Master System
Release
  • PAL: October 1987
Genre(s)Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Astro Warrior (アストロウォリアー, Asutoro Uoriā) is a vertically scrolling shooter developed and manufactured by Sega for the Master System in 1986. Set in space, the player flies a spaceship shooting enemies and collecting power-ups to reach the mother ship of an invasion force. It was originally a bundled game that came with the console in Europe.

The game received positive reviews upon release, praising the graphics, weapons and large number of enemies; later retrospective reviews have been more mixed, with critics criticising the generic nature and lack of variety. The game was re-released on the Hang-On / Astro Warrior compilation in North America, and the Astro Warrior / Pit Pot compilation in Europe. In 1996, Tec Toy re-released the game in Brazil as Sapo Xulé: SOS Lagoa Poluída, and based it on a Brazilian 1980s toy. This version was also released in Portugal.

Plot

The Devil Star Imperial Forces have established a base on and invaded the Alpha Kentowry system. The Solar System Allied Forces have entrusted their Warrior, aboard The Astoro Raider, to attack the invasion force and destroy their mother ship.[3]

Gameplay

A typical game in progress.

The game is a top down shooter, taking place through three levels with a boss at the end of each. Astro Warrior's three levels have many different kinds of enemies that attack in various patterns. The stages have no obstacles. Power-ups can be collected by shooting targets on the ground. These include ship speed increase, a stronger laser weapon, and two Gradius-style options. Capturing Weapons Supply Ships increases the Astoro Raider's speed and firing ability. The player starts with three lives, and if all are lost, the game is over.[4][5] If the player dies, all power-ups are lost.[6]

History

Astro Warrior was originally a bundled game that came with the Master System in Europe.[7]

Astro Warrior was re-released as Sapo Xulé: SOS Lagoa Poluída by Tec Toy in Brazil in 1996. The game was also released in Portugal. Sapo Xulé: SOS Lagoa Poluída is based on a popular Brazilian 1980s toy, and set underwater, with the Astoro Raider replaced with a submarine.[8][9]

Reception

Upon release in the late 1980s, the game received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics. British magazine Computer and Video Games gave it an 82% score. They praised the "extra weapons and "plenty of baddies" to destroy. They said "this freebie is really neat" and is "well worth the effort to get hold of a copy" if "shoot 'em ups are tops in your" house.[7] German magazine Happy Computer gave it a 79% score. They praised the graphics, calling them truly remarkable, and saying the system's colourful sprite varieties are exploited.[5] The English-language site IMPLANTgames, specializing in classic console games, rated "Star Warrior" 4/10 overall, with graphics and gameplay scoring 4/10, and music and sound receiving a slightly higher 6/10. The sound effects and musical accompaniment were noted as the game's only redeeming qualities, while the overall experience was deemed subpar.[10]

In the late 2000s, the game received mixed retrospective reviews from online critics. GameFreaks 365 criticised the game, citing the background, "worthless" bosses, and the game being too generic, but complimented the "nicely done" colourful presentation.[11] IMPLANTgames criticised the lack of variety, the mediocre enemies, but complimented the music.[6]

Citations

  1. ^ "セガハード大百科 MASTER SYSTEM/セガマーク３対応ソフトウェア". Sega (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Availability Update" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. January 1987. p. 14.
  3. ^ Manual, p.16
  4. ^ Manual, pp. 16,20,22
  5. ^ a b "Astro Warrior". Happy Computer (in German) (17). Haar Markt & Technik Verl.-Ges: 122. 1986. ISSN 0344-8843. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Sega Master System Review: Astro Warrior". IMPLANTgames. 15 November 2009. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  7. ^ a b "Complete Games Guide" (PDF). Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles): 46–77. 16 October 1989.
  8. ^ "Sapo Xulé S.O.S. Lagoa Poluída (Sega Master System)". GreenHillsZone (in Portuguese). 25 February 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Sapo Xule -- S.O.S. Lagoa Poluida - Master System". IGN. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Sega Master System Review: Astro Warrior". Archived from the original on 6 November 2010.
  11. ^ "Astro Warrior". GameFreaks365. GameFreaks 365. Archived from the original on 22 October 2006. Retrieved 12 August 2016.

General and cited references

  • Astro Warrior/Pit Pot manual. Sega. 1987.