Vertically scrolling shooters are often known for their hardcore fans, but this title is suitable for both beginners and veterans alike due to its simple controls and moderate difficulty.
VIMANA
Japanese title: VIMANA
| Release | 1991 |
| Genre | Vertically scrolling shooting |
| Platforms | Arcade Steam |
Story
This once-prosperous planet found itself being devoured by madness and under the shadowy threat of destruction. Now, the righteous few found themselves facing punishment. The time had come for them to revive the sacred fighter craft known as Vimana from its location in the holy temple. Go forth, Vimana! We need you to restore peace to the planet once more!
Controls & How to Play
The game is played with an 8-way joystick, a Shot button, and a Circle Bomb button. Use the Shot and Bomb buttons to destroy enemies.
If your ship is hit by enemy fire or collides with an airborne enemy, it will be destroyed and you will lose a life.
You will not lose a life for colliding with enemies located on land.
When you restart after losing a life, your power-ups will be reset and you will begin with three Circle Bombs equipped.
The game is over if you lose all of your lives.
【Items】
Power-ups
Pick up these whirlpool-looking capsules to power up your shots (5 levels).
Hold down the Shot button to gradually accumulate power around your ship, and when you release the button, you will fire shots in a fan-shaped path that vary according to the power-up level you reached.
Circle Bomb
Pick up the Circle Bomb capsule to add one Circle Bomb to your inventory.
When you press the Bomb button, the Circle Bomb will destroy any enemy bullets on the screen, and eight shield orbs will revolve around your ship to block enemy bullets.
Each orb will search for enemies and ram into them.
These shield orbs have a certain amount of durability, and ramming into enemies or taking enemy fire will cause their durability to decrease until they are eventually destroyed.
1UP item
Pick up the capsule that resembles your ship in order to receive an extra life.
Bonus item
Pick up these plaque-shaped bonus items to earn extra points.
The first one you get will give you 1,000 points, and you will get an additional 100 points for each additional one, until you reach the maximum of 9,900 points.
If you miss one of the items, the value will be reset to 1,000 points.
Impressions
Although the setting is a common space-based battle, the fantastical graphics, use of Indian mythology, and the soundtrack also help give Vimana an exciting feel that set it apart from other titles. You can store up power by holding down the Shot button, and can also fire wide-ranging shots when shooting. When combined with the eight rotating shield orbs that you can attach to your ship and send out to attack enemies on the screen, the game offers plenty of different ways to take down the enemy forces. The game is also not very hard, so players who are not particularly good at shoot-'em-ups can still enjoy it due to the simplified controls. Just like the game's tagline says, "There is no escape!" Once you start playing this high voltage action shooting game, you'll be hooked!