Tonight’s Sunday Night Shmup is Metal Black by Taito, ported from the arcade by Ving for Sega Saturn:
Metal Black features a unique power up system where your ship is constantly collecting “Newalone” molecules generated by the “Nemesis” alien forces (hmmm) which are often biomechanical sea creatures in the same vein as the Darius games.
Collecting the Newalone particles causes your ship to grow stronger and also allows you to unleash a powerful shot which is helpful with wiping out larger waves of smaller enemies and with correct timing can also be used to land critical hits on bosses with a “beam duel” system similar to Darius Burst. In between stages feature Mode 7’esque 3D bonus stages where you target enemies with lock on missiles. I just got the game last week and overall I’m really enjoying it, for a horizontal arcade shooter it feels very unique. It’s also on one of the Taito collections on PS2 and Xbox for those looking to try it.
Oh yeah, and this opening? Now that’s what I call a gripping story. Eat your hearts out, Naughty Dog:
