Nerdicus Genesis Review #18 : Arrow Flash

Title : Arrow Flash

Publisher : Sega / Renovation Products

Genre : Shooter

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1990

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $15-$20

I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for anything Gundam related. Okay, this game isn't about Gundam, but these mechs are pretty much dead ringers for 'em. Hell, the game even takes the opportunity to reference Gundam a few times, so it's obviously been inspired by it even if it isn't straight up called a Gundamn game. Oh, and don't even get me started on the Macross references.....

Fine, I admit it. I love anything with robots. Who wouldn't want to pilot a giant mech through space and shoot up some alien critters?

This is exactly what you get with this game. A typical side scrolling shooter, in which you pilot a mech through a swarm of enemies. You would think I would get tired of these types of games since there's so many of them. For some reason, I don't. Maybe it's the mindless pleasure of collecting power ups and dodging enemy fire all the while causing massive amounts of explosive damage to oncoming alien ships.

Yup, that's probably it.

Enough talk - let's blow some crap  up.

In Arrow Flash, the protagonist is piloting a prototype mech left by her grandfather in order to battle an alien force known as the Great Golems. Whatever, story doesn't matter..it's all about blowing stuff up.

As you would expect in any side scrolling shooter, you've got one main attack, with the ability to upgrade by collecting power ups that appear on the screen. This can come in the shape of different gun abilities, or little tiny baby ships that help you out by blasting away enemies that get in your way. And of course, if you blow up, say bye bye to your power ups.

Now that's all well and good, and standard for a shooter, but does this game do anything different that at least makes it stand out? Well, funny should you ask, because it does try something a little bit unique.

The mech your piloting has the ability to transform into two different forms. One is the robotic / humanoid mech which has the ability to shoot diagonally and backwards, while the other is the jet which flies faster but can only shoot straight ahead. You can switch in and out however you please, so it's handy when you are facing different types of enemy swarms. It at least introduces some sort of strategy element into the game.

You've also got the ability to let it rip with your ARROW FLASH maneuver. The Arrow Flash is this game's form of special attack, and as you guessed it, is the name of the game. Wow, shocker! Anyway, the ability is different depending on what form you are in. Jet fires a slew of massive blasts ahead of it, while the mech becomes immune to attacks.

While the game is entertaining enough, it is insanely easy for a side scrolling shooter. I rarely felt the intensity that I felt with other shooters that I've played. Perhaps it's because there weren't as many enemies, or maybe it's because whatever enemies I did face, didn't pose much of a challenge.

You know how in some shooters you become overwhelmed? I enjoy that...it makes the game feel more hectic. This game however, they are very lenient with the amount of enemies on the screen. It also doesn't help that every avatar is quite large on the screen. It's a stylistic choice, but I feel it works against the game.

Although the style is a bit cartoony, I do enjoy it. It makes it feel like I'm watching a chibi-anime styled Gundam game. The sound is also a plus, and the music as expected gets you pumped up and ready to blast some aliens.

All in all, not a bad shooter, but nothing spectacular. Average at best.

Final Score (out of 5) :

Until next time, keep on gaming!