Crisis Wing is a 2-D vertically scrolling shooter with pixel graphics that imitate what you might’ve seen in arcades back in the late 80s and early 90s.  Although I think it’s still a brand new game, not an arcade classic.  But then, those kinds of games were a dime a dozen back then, so I can’t remember them all.  Anyway, one or two players can shoot everything that moves, while avoiding spacecraft and projectiles.  It’s available to play on most current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.

This shooter is as basic as they come.  Just avoid and shoot anything that moves.  You can hold down the fire button for your regular shots, and another button for screen clearing bombs.  Just use the bombs sparingly because they are limited.  Sometimes after shooting rows of ships, you can pick up a medal for points.  Other types of ships leave behind power-ups when destroyed.  Depending on the color, you could get missiles, a wide shot, or a spread shot when you collect them.  Defeat mid-baddies and final bosses in seven stages, and it’s Game Over if you lose all your lives.

There are single and two player co-op modes, as well as a practice mode.  You can play a special stage to try and get as high score as you can in a limited amount of time in Time Attack.  And tackle waves of tough enemies and bosses in Boss Rush.  Toggle settings in Options and view your high scores in Rankings.  The only problems I had with this game is that it’s incredibly generic, and pretty tough as these games tend to be.  Luckily you start off not far after you died when you continue.

Kid Factor:

Crisis Wing is rated E-10 with an ESRB descriptor of Fantasy Violence.  You shoot spaceships that explode, but that’s about as violent as it gets.  Reading skill is helpful for the text, and younger gamers may find it too difficult.  A second player can join in to help out, though, and I grew up playing games like this and turned out OK.

Tags: Game Reviews