Toaplan's first side-scrolling shooter! With gameplay rich in strategy and wildly creative graphics, this game also added a rock-heavy soundtrack to help showcase a new side of Toaplan.
HELLFIRE
Japanese title: HELLFIRE
| Release | 1989 |
| Genre | side-scrolling shooting |
| Platforms | Arcade SEGA Genesis Mini 2 Steam Others |
Story
In an effort to retake the six planets occupied by the Guild Empire, Captain Lancer launches the space battle craft known as Hellfire from the aircraft carrier Sylphid. It was the start of all-out war.
Controls & How to Play
The game is played with an 8-way joystick, a Shot button, and an Attack Direction button.
Use the Shot and Attack Direction buttons to destroy enemies.
You start the game firing straight ahead.
Each time you press the Attack Direction button, the direction of your attack changes.
A: Forward
B: Backward
C: Up/Down
D: Four diagonals
The order switches between A→B→C→D, and loops back to the beginning after it progresses through them.
If your ship is hit by enemy fire, or collides with an enemy or certain obstacles, it will be destroyed and you will lose a life.
When you restart after losing a life, your power-ups will be reset.
The game is over if you lose all of your lives.
There are a total of six stages.
【Items】
"S" item
These appear when you destroy certain enemies or terrain.
They increase the speed of your ship (4 levels).
If you pick one up when you are already at top speed, you will receive 2,000 points instead.
"P" item
These appear when you destroy certain enemies or terrain.
Pick this up to power up your shots (5 levels).
If you pick one up when you are fully powered up, you will receive 2,000 points instead.
"B" item
These appear when you destroy certain enemies or terrain.
You will receive 2,000 points for each one that you pick up
"1UP" item
These appear when you destroy certain enemies.
Pick it up to receive an extra life.
Impressions
Toaplan's first side-scrolling sci-fi shooter! The game is unique due to the strategy that is required to switch the direction of your attacks in order to shoot down the various enemies that are placed throughout each stage. Although it can be difficult to switch between directions at first, once you get used to it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it! Another popular feature about the game is its unique setting, with graphics and sound that only Toaplan could provide. The setting can be somewhat surprising at times, but it is always interesting. As such, players quickly saw its appeal, just as you might expect, given that Hellfire is yet another one of Toaplan's shooters that received high praise both in Japan and also overseas.