Strikers 1945 III

Infobox VG
title = Strikers 1945 III/1999
developer = Psikyo
publisher = Psikyo
designer =
release = 1999
genre = Scrolling shooter
modes = Up to 2 players, simultaneously
cabinet = upright
arcade system =
display = Raster standard resolution, vertical
input = 8-way Joystick, 2 buttons
platforms = Arcade

"Strikers 1945 III" (1999 in Japan) is a vertically scrolling shoot'em up released in 1999 by Japanese company Psikyo. Mistakenly thought to be part of the 1942 video game series, it is considered to be more of a tribute to many fans.

Aircraft

A slight change from the previous two titles; the WWII fighter jets have been replaced by modern fighter jets.

* F/A-18 Super Hornet USA
* F-22 Raptor USA
* F-117 Nighthawk USA
* F-4 Phantom II South Korea
* AV-8 Harrier USA
* X-36 Warlord Nasa (Hidden)

Gameplay

The player chooses from one of 6 Modern jet fighter aircraft and shoots through eight stages (the first four levels are randomly chosen, and the last four remain the same for each play). Once the game is beaten, a report showing the statistics of the player are displayed, and the game 'loops' with the difficulty much higher. Each game (on default settings) begins with three lives, and an extra life is earned at 600,000(or 800,000). When all lives are lost, the option to continue is given but the score is reset.

Another latest feature is the Technical Bonus. During a boss battle, a blue orb is revealed as the weak point. In order to get a 'quick kill', the fighter plane must be extremely close to the orb until it turns red by firing the orb while getting it close to it. Once the fighter plane 'embraces' the orb, the boss is destroyed quickly and adds points for the technical bonus. However revealing the orb from the boss will only take once when it unleashes an attack pattern that is also its weakness. For players, they have to memorize the attack pattern, use a Bomb to dissolve all the bullets, and while in effect, shoot the orb while getting close to it for a quick victory.

Basics

Each aircraft in 1945 III has three attacks.
* Normal shot (Tap the A button or hold the C button) A spray of bullets that can be strengthened by collecting power-ups.
* Charge shot (Hold the A button): an attack that varies for each aircraft is based upon a charge meter. The meter is composed of four levels ranging from empty to level 3. The more the meter is filled the greater the power of the attack.
* Bomb (Press the B button): An attack that varies for each aircraft; the bomb calls support craft to aid the player. They help block enemy bullets but also give support fire.

Items

Power Ups

Power-Ups are released by shooting certain enemies in "Strikers 1945 III", mainly red colored ones. When a power up is collected, the player's normal shot becomes more powerful and a secondary shot (such as homing missiles) may become available to the player. Up to four power ups can be collected, any after that are worth 4000 points. It is possible to 'power down' at any time by colliding with an enemy craft.

Bombs

At the beginning of the game, the player has a stock of two bombs. By destroying certain enemy craft, mainly larger ones, a bomb icon will be released and bounce around the screen. When collected, another bomb will be added to the player's stock. A total of nine can be collected, any other icons will reward the player with 10000 points.

Medal Chaining

Medal Chaining works by collecting medals when they are worth 2000 points. Medals are worth 2000 points when they flash white for a split-second. The easiest way to chain is to find targets that release multiple medals when you destroy them (i.e. a medium tank). The medals spin at a consistent rate and complete one rotation even one second. The first medal you pick up to start the chain is worth 2000 points. Chained medals will be worth 2,200 points, and counter with yellow numerals appear under your score, indicating how many medal you have thus chained so far. Chaining requires precise timing while avoiding enemy attacks. Whatever chain you have accumulated will be broken if you collect a medal valued at less than 2000 points or if you die. You will then have to start all over if any of these things happen.

Stages and Bosses

Stage 1: United States of America: Grand Canyon, AZ

Boss: Spectre ( Gunship Helicopter/stag beetle)

Stage 2: Japan: Off-Shore defensive platform, Nagasaki

Boss: Spike Arm (Hovercraft/water strider)

Stage 3: Russia: Heavy Armory, Kazan

Boss: Ground Skater (Super-Tank/spider)

Stage 4: Philippines: Downtown Elevated Railway, Manila

Boss: Thanatos (Military train/mantis)

Stage 5: Sea of Clouds

Boss: Green Bender (Heavy bomber/scarab)

Stage 6: Low Earth Orbit: Space Station

Boss: Cross Blade or Geo-Bite (Depends on how the player is positioned when the pods containing Cross Blade and the Geo-Bites begin to move) (both are Satellites; Cross Blade becomes a pair of houseflies, a Geo-Bite becomes a mosquito)

Stage 7: Hyperspace Warp Gate

Boss: Shadow Blinder (Louse)

Stage 8: Chaos Headquarters

Boss: Chaos Queen (Wasp)

Sources

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20070325164442/http://www.rf-emporium.net/ Raiden Fighters Emporium]

External links

*KLOV game|id=9850
* [http://arcade.svatopluk.com/psikyo/strikers_1945_iii/ "Strikers 1945 III" screenshots]