BioMetal (video game)

Infobox VG
title = BioMetal


developer = Athena
publisher = Activision
released = June 1, 1993
genre = Scrolling shooter
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: Everybody
platforms = Super NES
media = 32-megabit cartridge

"BioMetal" is a single-player horizontal scrolling shooter game released on June 1, 1993 for the Super NES (SNES). The game features six different weapons to combat the BioMetals, an extraterrestrial race determined to destroy the human race. The gameplay is very similar to that of the R-Type series.

"BioMetal" is unique in the fact that its soundtrack for the European and US versions was entirely created by techno group, 2 Unlimited. The Japanese version of the game featured an entirely different soundtrack.

A sequel called BioMetal Gust was released for the Sega Saturn in 1997, included with the Dezaemon 2 pack.

tory

It's the year 6C232 (6th century and 232nd year). A huge war that had began years and years before has divided the Milky Way and all of its natural resources have been depleted. The Milky Way Galactic Council is forced to send a fleet of starships to a nearby planet by the name of UP457 in search of any resources that can replenish the ones lost during the battle. However, during this mission, the fleet is destroyed by a race of half machine, half animal aliens referred to as "BIOMETAL" by the Galactic Council. One of the Council's super computers then calculates that the number of these"BIOMETALS" is increasing rapidly and will have the Milky Way completely taken over within 32 hours. So the Halberd's crew, young pilot Kid Ray and biologist Anita, along with their fleet, WASP, are assigned to eliminate the hostile threat on UP457.

Overview

Weapon power-ups are gained by destroying pods and picking up the released power-ups, which cycle through the various weapon types as in Raiden. Some weapons cancel each other out. The player also has a shield in the form of four spinning orbs that circle around the ship when the engaged. Charge power is drained when the shield is active. The shield can be used as protection against enemy fire.

The graphics have Giger-esque quality, which was a popular style during the late 80's/early 90's. The in-game effects use a lot of mode-7 raster effects and some impressive parallax scrolling.

hip specs

MF-92GX Halbard
*Length: 15.2m
*Width: 7.2m
*Height: 6.8m
*Top speed: 7.4
*Max power: 3210
*Crew count: 2
*Engine type: Wyvern E-2B
*Arms:
**Plasma rifle/vulcan- Can change to a single laser cannon or two directional plasma wave blast.
**Two-way missiles- Can change guidance from straight forward, bow shots or homing.
**GAM shield- An artificial shield that can be launched from the ship as a weapon, but requires a 15 second recharge after full use.

Crew

*David Onizuka / Kid Ray - Main pilot of the Halbard, carries the traditional Japanese-stoic business aspect of his personality mostly out of determination.
*Cynthia Matthews / Anita - Biologist who has been studying the BioMetals since their appearance and accompanies David in hopes of spotting enemy weaknesses.

Trivia

* The crew's names differ from the Japanese and European/US versions. In the European/US version, the crew is named partially after the duo of 2 Unlimited as David is named Kid Ray after the alias of Ray Slijngaard and Cynthia is named Anita after Anita Doth.

External links

* [http://www.classicgaming.com/shmups/reviews/biometal/ BioMetal Page on SHMUPS]
*moby game|id=/biometal|name="BioMetal"