Menu

«Previous post | Next post»

I don´t know about you, but I have played shoot-em-up games since 1989 (yes, you guessed it. I´m a huge fan of shmups). And since then I´ve played through tons of shmup games and series (“R-Type“, “Space Invaders”, “Thunder Force”, “Gradius“, “Axelay”, “UN Squadron to name a few). Even so, it´s been quite a long time since I felt the same kind of thrilled gameplay experience as I did the 80s and 90s (with every few exceptions, like “Dimension Drive” and “Galagan’s Island“, for example).

“Blue Rider” starts off as a rather easy shoot-em-up game, but as soon as you get past stage 2. Well, let’s just say that you will die a lot.

Well, all of that changed last night. As I found a lot of shmup epicness in Ravegan´s “Blue Rider”. A game which, in my opinion, looks and feels like a mix of “Megaman” (the protagonists blue helmet and ship), “Jak and Daxter” (the graphics and the exotic environment), “Gradius” (intense action, tons of colors and a lot of bullet hell moments) and “Soviet Strike” (the way you hover and maneuver around with your vehicle).

There are plenty of big bosses in “Blue Rider”. And you have to learn their weaknesses and attack patterns in-order to win.

More so, “Blue Rider” even reminded me about some old-school action games (such as “Secret Commando” and “Ikari Warriors“, for example). So I really felt right at home from the very start of the game. And the awesome graphics should be inviting for just about anyone who likes shoot-em-up games. Other than that, there are plenty of power-ups (for your primary and secondary weapons), big bosses and tons of different enemies to fight (and for each level that you complete, you get even more enemies and harder bosses to fight!).

You have to keep a close eye on the hazardous environment around you, because sometimes you only get a few seconds to act before it´s too late.

And even if you´re a hardcore shmup ace (+15-20 years of playing shoot-em-up games on the hardest level), don’t get too cocky. Because “Blue Rider” gives you a false sense of safety, as the games two first stages just work as a warm-up for what’s to come (the calm before the storm). Sure, I´m not talking about a “Radiant Silvergun”, “Mushihimesama Futari: Ultra Mode”, “Ibara” or “Ikaruga” kind of challenge. Still, “Blue Rider” should keep most of the shmup fans out there occupied for quite sometime (especially if you intend to find every single secret, there is in the game, since each stage is full of hidden artifacts).

With that said, “Blue Rider” is a must play for shoot-em-up fans. As the game offers everything that a really good shmup consists off.

Pros:
+ The boss fights (massive bosses awaits you!)
+ Awesome graphics
+ Plenty of different weapons and power-ups
+ Easy to learn hard to master

Cons:
– Even though I like the “Blue Rider” soundtrack, I wish that Ravegan would have thrown in some Metal and Techno music into the mix
– A world map would have been nice (as you tend to get lost at times)
– Bugs (I got stuck in a wall on stage 2, and sometimes enemies doesn´t get hit by your shoots)

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound/Music: 3.5/5
Controls: 4/5
Replay value: 4/5

tgg grade 4 out of 5

Verdict: 4/5
“Blue Rider” is a very entertaining, beautiful and addicting shoot-em-up game. So if you like shmups, then you´re going to love this game with no doubt.

Title: Blue Rider
Developer: Ravegan
Format: PC
Genre: Shoot-em-up
Resolution: Highest possible for PC
Release date: 2016-03-03
Difficulty: Normal
Spent time: 5+ hours
Average grade internationally: 100% Gamerankings.com
PEGI/ESRB age rating: PEGI 12+/Teen
Price: 13 Euros via Steam