Armored Lab Force VULVEHICLES Reviews

This tactical run-based shmup platformer with destructible terrain is currently one of my favorite games in the shmup genre! :) First of all: No, this is not hentai. The game has visual novel-esque briefings with sexy anime girls, but that's about it. Also, I shortly tried Blaster Master Zero, because I saw people compare the series to ALFV. Well, both are retro 2D platformers with tank-like vehicles that can hover under certain circumstances. But the controls and game concept are completely different, so except for the theme, I feel the comparison is a little misleading. [h1]About the game[/h1] A single run consists of 6 areas. Each area is subdivided into 3 (linear) stages, and has a boss fight at the end. At the start of each area, you pick 3 out of the 12 vehicles, with their different weapon systems, and their various strengths and weaknesses. For example, one vehicle is equipped with a sonic weapon that can shoot through terrain without destroying it. Another vehicle can fire a horizontal laser beam that nearly instantly bursts through the terrain and deals a lot of damage, but has some cooldown. Two vehicles have a different type of homing weapon, there's a flamethrower that deals damage over time as a status effect, there's a shot type that splits in multiple directions after some distance, and so on. In general, the vehicles vary in speed, HP, and size, and have a unique main and sub weapon (the latter having limited ammo). They also have different amounts of energy, which determines how long they can stay in midair before becoming very slow (and therefore vulnerable). The game allows you to switch between the 3 chosen vehicles, which instantly restores all energy. This is a cool design feature IMO, giving more of an incentive to switch vehicles. The briefings between the stages are a mix of casual humorous chat, story, references to previous Astro Port games, and information on main mechanics, stage hazards and bosses. They can be skipped, but some of the hints are very important if you are new to the game. [h1]Goal / Score System[/h1] For starters, the player can aim to beat all 6 areas on one of the initially unlocked 4 difficulties (a 5th difficulty can be unlocked). The game allows you to save at the start of each stage or major boss fight. However, to unlock the Extra mode, the game requires you to 1cc the game with a specific minimum score. This means you have to perform well on one of the 2 highest initially unlocked difficulties, or ... you have to make up for it by grinding. Technically, you can stay in one spot and keep milking enemies which respawn to increase your score. (score is based on defeated enemies, difficulty, and remaining vehicles / HP at the end of an area) [h1]Why I like this game[/h1] The controls feel spot-on. The vehicles play very differently, and I like that you have to change your playstyle when switching between vehicles. The game is very tactical, and you have to be careful when and how to advance, when it is a good idea to destroy parts of the terrain (and when it is not!), and which enemy targets to prioritize. Another thing that I like is how the game keeps you on your toes, and a single mistake can mean the loss of one of your vehicles (which has a huge impact on score!). I also enjoyed analyzing what makes each area / boss difficult, and to make a plan which vehicles best to deploy in which area. Some things that could be better: - It'd be cool if the game showed you which area comes next before you pick vehicles. (not much of an issue once you are familiar with the area order) - A practice mode where you can pick an area/stage, a difficulty, and your 3 vehicles would be cool. - Achievements, and online leaderboards (along with an updated score system that doesn't reward grinding) wouldn't hurt. ...but all in all, the game is great as it is IMO, and I enjoyed it a lot! :)

Pretty much this game is like Blaster Master, except at the cost of no dismounting your Metal Attacker, you can have 3 tag-switching MAs at once. Also at the cost of switching weapons for your MA, tag-team switching to different pilots counts for each her own set of arsenal weapons as well as having a Omega Weapon, and there's lots of bosses. Like BM2 on Sega Genesis with a hint of BM-Zero series' upgrades, it's pretty straightforward except with a slight difference unlike in Blaster Master series: you go in after choosing 3 Pilots between one out of two of their Metal Attackers, go in, kill enemies and (unlike in BM) clear the environment out of your way (or play smart with it and use it against the enemies), get to the Area Boss, junk him, move on to the next stage. Get through Act 3 and be ready to face a nasty Mega-Mutant/Maverick boss at the 4th parts then get a Permanent Upgrade (Defense, Flight Time + Charge, Full HP bonus, Omega Ammo Max-up), for your run as you move to the next bionme. BM soundtrack is better but this is no slouch and quite fun to go through. Also you may have to take a hint of Deathsmiles by rotating attacking directions on a button press to about-face when getting attacked from behind. Lastly, the Major Bosses in most Act-4 areas are deadly, well.... as they should be, I guess. Even on Easy, carelessness is a nasty cost, and make sure to not lose a MA during a battle because if one is destroyed, you're not getting it back.