Axelay (Review)

Ax·elay

• Last remaining attack vessel of the Illis Fleet

• SNES shooter known for its encompassing and dynamic music, captivating graphic, and imaginative design

• Six stages of unrelenting aerial sci-fi warfare

>Axelay offers a unique sci-fi adventure which spans across six vertical and side-scrolling stages. This bold design choice was a big departure from the standard shooter formula of having either vertical or side-scrolling levels, but never both (except Konami’s Salamander).

The vertical levels provide mode-7 scrolling vistas that emulate the approaching horizon in a cascading motion. And the side-scrolling levels offer a traditional respite from the laid back succession of their vertical counterparts. The controls scheme works seamlessly between both viewpoints – which is good, because the game can be challenging, especially on hard mode. Fortunately your ship can take more than one direct hit.

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Beginning of each stage, your Axelay can be retrofitted with three different weapons such as homing lasers, spread shot, and sidewinder missiles. There are nine weapons in total, with each one having a secondary function such as rockets or bombs. New weapons become available after each cleared level, which means that the complete armament is not available until last mission.

Switching between weapons becomes an integral part of gameplay, as enemies tend to ambush you from odd places and angles. It’s not uncommon to have suishuttles trying to run into you, or take flaky potshots from behind cover. Equipping the controllable spread-shot is a given before every level. Especially since the weapon can be fired in a wave-like salvo, that grinds foes behind, above and beneath.

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You’ll strafe floating islands, dodge moving platforms of a bustling space colony, outrun lava waves, and skirmish in deep-space with an invasion flotilla. Each level ends with an impressive and unique screen-filling boss. In a true sci-fi tradition the creature designs are wacky and weird. Mechanical spiders, mobile walkers, and even biogenetic magma beasts, are all part of an eclectic invasion force you’ll required to smash before it obliterates your home planet.

The game’s compelling graphical style and intricate music create a very captivating gaming experience. There’s a lot of interplay between what happens on screen and what comes out of your speakers. As each piece of music is perfectly formulated to capture the character of the strange mechanical and organic beings that flood this title. Axelay’s music is original and memorable, thanks to Mr. Taro Kudo (totally looked that up) and his captivating techno compositions injected with industrial textures and out-worldly sounds.

Axelay is an unparalleled, darkly, and distinctively futuristic shooter that has defied convention on its own terms. The game’s complex yet memorable music and impressive technical design make it runner-up for best playing, and most sought after SNES shooter of early 90s.

Developer:   Konami
Publisher:    Konami
Platform:     SNES
Released:    1992
Genre:         Shooter