Imperium (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Imperium


developer = Vic Tokai
publisher = Vic Tokai
release = 1992
genre = Shooter
modes = 1 player only
ratings = ESRB: Not Applicable (NA)
platforms = Super Nintendo
input =
display =
platforms =

"Imperium" ("Kidou Soukou Dion" in Japan) is a vertical scrolling/top-down Shooter developed by Vic Tokai in 1992 for the Super Famicom/Super Nintendo system. Though to this day obscure, the game is known for its challenging difficulty and use of Mode 7 graphics.

tory

The game takes place In the year 2027 AD, where an almost human-like enemy force primarily based in space and primarily using mech technology invades Earth and is in the process of conquering them when the ultimate weapon is produced on Earth's side called Imperium, a small, single pilot mech.

Gameplay

Imperium differs from most shooters in many ways. For one, the players are controlling a mech rather than a space ship (despite it handling the same as a space ship).

There is no high score counter, but instead an experience points counter. Players earn experience points by destroying multitudes of enemies and the numbers differ depending on the size of the enemy. Players then earn additional weapons and power-ups for each weapon through a set number of experience points.

The player has a five-hit life bar. If a player takes a hit, then whatever weapon they were using when they were hit is down graded by one point. Players can replenish health and any downgraded weapon by earning back experience points. The player also has a speed-change which they can change the speed of their mech to five different levels.

The player has no lives. If the player dies, then it's Game Over. However, they can start on the level they died on by a Continue option that shows up on the main menu after dying. The player however only has four continues.

Weapons

The player has four weapons they can earn and upgrade.

Vulcan: A red straight firing weapon that can be upgraded in width and features a rear-firing direction. The player's default weapon which is also the weakest weapon in the game.

Wave: A yellow wave shot that fires straight forward and can be upgraded to a spread-eagle firing pattern that shoots in three directions. Second weakest weapon in the game.

Laser: A green straight firing electric/laser weapon that upgrades in strength, numbers and features additional homing lasers that fire diagonally. Second strongest weapon in the game.

???: A blue multi-driectional star/laser-like weapon that fires in whatever opposite direction the player moves the mech in and it can be upgraded in size, strength and numbers. Strongest weapon in the game.

The player is also equipped with a bomb weapon that consists of a screen-sweeping missile barrage. layers can add to their bomb count by destroying certain enemies that contain Bomb icons.

Region Differences

Although the game played out the same and featured similar music and sounds, there are a few differences between the East and West versions:

* Kidou Soukou Dion featured large level design detail with different backgrounds layered over each other, particularly in level 2 where large construction beams forming squares span over the beach and ocean background. Though the the extra layered background were removed in the US version Imperium.

* The Wave weapon in Imperium was original a large fireball weapon in Kidou Soukou Dion.