Uranus I/II/0ev (Retro)
User Review
Product Information:
- Publisher: ZoneGN
- Developer: A. Baglio
- Genres: Shoot'm up
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
Review Approach:
Just some observations and reflections (perhaps trivia for someone, or nonsense for another one) on apparently small and insignificant games, sometimes homebrews, which reveal, upon closed examination, a certain verve, originality and involvement ability.
Uranus is the title of a series of 3 vertically scrolling shoot'm ups created by the young programmer Adriano Baglio (formally ZoneGN) in the years 2002/2003, the first of which incredibly realized in only 2 weeks, and in total autonomy.
The three titles are Uranus, Uranus 2 and Uranus Zero (normal or easy versions).
Graphics, gameplay and music are very similar, but the last one is the longest, most complete, perfected and best successful.
The first game, Uranus, is composed of 6 stages (without final bosses), only one fighter with a main weapon that can be improved by collecting power-ups, and with a secondary weapon (bomb) of limited use and wide range of action, to be used obviously in the most difficult moments.
This game was immediately criticized for the excessive difficulty and the lack of possibility to continue the game.
In my opinion, for those accustomed to the vertical shooters of the 90s, it is not that difficult. At the first attempt I arrived at the beginning of the 4th stage.
They are games that require continuous concentration, immersion without distractions and the study of appropriate strategies. For example, the use of bombs only at the last moment, when you are about to be hit. Or staying continuously in the extreme lower side without rising almost never, except in extreme cases and, cautiously, to collect a power-up, and immediately returning there. The enemy bullets, while numerous, however, are quite slow and dodgeable. Only in a certain stage they get a little confused with the background, if the brightness is too low: using a gba flashcart in slot2 of the DS Lite this problem can be solved thanks to the various degrees of brightness.
The second and third episodes have eight stages each with final bosses, 3 ships with different types of firing (plus one unlockable) 4 different types of secondary weapons, and now with the possibility to continue and with a hidden cheat.
These episodes contain in addition to the arcade mode, also a story mode and other secondary modes.
Both the color choice and the gameplay vaguely resemble, albeit with more crude, naive and less detailed graphics, titles such as Raiden, Aero fighters and, even more, Donpachi and Dodonpachi, considering also the large number of bullets on the screen and the secondary weapon as huge laser beam, which sweeps away enemy ships and their bullets.
The number and variety of enemy ships is decent, especially in the second and third episodes, some of which take up almost 1/4 of the screen but moving slowly, and others are composed of several different parts, which have to be destroyed one at a time. The colors are numerous, bright and well chosen, and the backgrounds, apparently repetitive, are well drawn and colorful.
Unlike other official shoot'm ups for gba, which are mostly horizontal scrolling, the colors of these games are much more vivid, flashy and sharp, although the graphic details are inferior. And if I may express an opinion, these have a better playability, are more frantic and exciting, and more reminiscent of the shooters (with a bird's eye view) of the 90s' arcades.
Also of note is the greater variety and diversity of moving backgrounds in the third episode, and its increased scrolling speed that occurs about halfway through the stages.
The techno music is a bit repetitive, but still suitable for the setting and the type of game, and you can still disable it.
I forgot to point out the commendable fact that the author refused to sell the rights of the third title to a software house that wanted to publish it officially, for the simple reason that he wanted to keep it freeware, as he established at the beginning of his project.
This speaks in favor of his moral value, but above all of the technical and professional value of his three creations.
I conclude by recommending this series to both nostalgic and fans of this kind of games in vogue 30 years ago, and moreover to those who know how to accept challenges, have a good degree of concentration in the long term, and that in the face of some difficulty do not give up immediately going to seek the help of possible cheats, particularly spoiling this peculiar category of games.
As always, forgive the paucity of my restricted vocabulary. Writing correctly in this language is a challenge for me but also a pleasure.
This game was immediately criticized for the excessive difficulty and the lack of possibility to continue the game.
In my opinion, for those accustomed to the vertical shooters of the 90s, it is not that difficult. At the first attempt I arrived at the beginning of the 4th stage.
They are games that require continuous concentration, immersion without distractions and the study of appropriate strategies. For example, the use of bombs only at the last moment, when you are about to be hit. Or staying continuously in the extreme lower side without rising almost never, except in extreme cases and, cautiously, to collect a power-up, and immediately returning there. The enemy bullets, while numerous, however, are quite slow and dodgeable. Only in a certain stage they get a little confused with the background, if the brightness is too low: using a gba flashcart in slot2 of the DS Lite this problem can be solved thanks to the various degrees of brightness.
The second and third episodes have eight stages each with final bosses, 3 ships with different types of firing (plus one unlockable) 4 different types of secondary weapons, and now with the possibility to continue and with a hidden cheat.
These episodes contain in addition to the arcade mode, also a story mode and other secondary modes.
Both the color choice and the gameplay vaguely resemble, albeit with more crude, naive and less detailed graphics, titles such as Raiden, Aero fighters and, even more, Donpachi and Dodonpachi, considering also the large number of bullets on the screen and the secondary weapon as huge laser beam, which sweeps away enemy ships and their bullets.
The number and variety of enemy ships is decent, especially in the second and third episodes, some of which take up almost 1/4 of the screen but moving slowly, and others are composed of several different parts, which have to be destroyed one at a time. The colors are numerous, bright and well chosen, and the backgrounds, apparently repetitive, are well drawn and colorful.
Unlike other official shoot'm ups for gba, which are mostly horizontal scrolling, the colors of these games are much more vivid, flashy and sharp, although the graphic details are inferior. And if I may express an opinion, these have a better playability, are more frantic and exciting, and more reminiscent of the shooters (with a bird's eye view) of the 90s' arcades.
Also of note is the greater variety and diversity of moving backgrounds in the third episode, and its increased scrolling speed that occurs about halfway through the stages.
The techno music is a bit repetitive, but still suitable for the setting and the type of game, and you can still disable it.
I forgot to point out the commendable fact that the author refused to sell the rights of the third title to a software house that wanted to publish it officially, for the simple reason that he wanted to keep it freeware, as he established at the beginning of his project.
This speaks in favor of his moral value, but above all of the technical and professional value of his three creations.
I conclude by recommending this series to both nostalgic and fans of this kind of games in vogue 30 years ago, and moreover to those who know how to accept challenges, have a good degree of concentration in the long term, and that in the face of some difficulty do not give up immediately going to seek the help of possible cheats, particularly spoiling this peculiar category of games.
As always, forgive the paucity of my restricted vocabulary. Writing correctly in this language is a challenge for me but also a pleasure.
Verdict
What I Liked ...
- -Colorful graphics and backgrounds
- -Frenetic and compelling gameplay
What I Didn't Like ...
- -Very difficult
8
out of 10
