G-Darius HD
- March 30, 2022
- TAITO CORP.
Get on Steam"G-Darius HD" is a remastered version of the classic arcade shooter game, G-Darius, where players control Silver Hawk fighters to battle giant aquatic-themed warships. This version offers five versions of G-Darius, including console and HD arcade ports, with features like Capture Ball to turn enemies into allies and Boss Beam Battles to unleash powerful attacks. The game also includes a widescreen bonus mode for an enhanced experience.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- G-Darius HD is a masterful port that enhances the original with updated graphics and a variety of gameplay options, making it a must-have for fans of the genre.
- The game features a unique enemy capture mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay, allowing players to strategize and utilize captured enemies in combat.
- The nostalgic value and vibrant visuals, combined with a fantastic soundtrack, create an engaging experience that appeals to both new players and long-time fans of the series.
- The game's design is criticized for being overly difficult and punishing, with some players feeling that it prioritizes profit extraction over fair gameplay.
- Technical issues persist, such as audio stuttering and inadequate slowdown reduction, which detract from the overall experience.
- Some players find the lack of substantial new features in the HD version disappointing, feeling that it does not adequately address the original game's shortcomings.
- music52 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it to be a fitting complement to the action gameplay, while others noted issues like sound delay and muted tracks at the start. However, many praised the soundtrack, particularly the work of composer Hisayoshi Ogura, highlighting its unique electronic and industrial style that enhances the game's atmosphere. Overall, while not universally acclaimed, the music is often described as memorable and integral to the gaming experience.
“I don't get tired having to repeat things over again, I'd say partly because the soundtrack is phenomenal; it's a weird kind of electronic and industrial OST that really fits with the setting of the game.”
“I have to tell you, not only is this his strongest work, it's the absolute best game soundtrack of all time.”
“It's such a pleasure to listen to; this is the exact kind of music I'd want more of.”
“The first track was very muted and actually worried me that the music was broken, but it eventually kicked in properly.”
“I had to turn off the music now so I could focus, because the sound delay and lagging is distracting.”
“But I also find the sparse music design a little strange.”
- graphics37 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received significant praise, with many noting the impressive updates that enhance the original aesthetic while maintaining its classic charm. The HD remaster offers two visual modes—one preserving the retro look and another with improved polygon counts for a crisper appearance. Overall, the visuals are described as stunning and arcade-accurate, making the game visually appealing even for those familiar with its original release.
“30 dollars is an absolute steal for what you get here; the quality and presentation is insane, and it's arcade-accurate down to the littlest graphical slowdown and smallest audio glitch.”
“G-Darius may be the most aesthetically perfect shooter ever produced.”
“The updated graphics make the game feel like a modern title, while still retaining the classic feel of the original.”
“Some of these graphics overwhelmed the original hardware at times, making the game slow down, and in turn, making it considerably easier.”
“Looks like the options screen, inventory, and ship are HD, but the rest looks like PS1 3D graphics; and that's on the HD version.”
“This HD version has two ways to play, with old graphics or the new HD graphics, which ups the polygon count of the ships and gives it a crisp look.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay of G-Darius is highly praised for its unique capture mechanic, reminiscent of Pokémon, allowing players to "catch" enemy spaceships to fight alongside them. Reviewers highlight the fun and addictive nature of the gameplay, enhanced by updated visuals and a solid soundtrack that complements the action. Overall, it offers a challenging and engaging experience that appeals to both new players and fans of the original.
“The gameplay is just as challenging and addictive as I remembered, but the updated visuals breathed new life into the game.”
“The gameplay, which I suppose would probably be the most important part, is also very fun.”
“It's a blast from the past that has been updated for the modern era, and it's sure to provide hours of thrilling gameplay.”
“The game has a unique Pokémon-style mechanic that allows you to 'catch' enemy spaceships which make them fight for you.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the humor in the game's ranking system, particularly the irony of receiving a higher rank despite lower scores, which adds a comedic twist to the gameplay experience. Additionally, the quirky representation of keyboard inputs through a humorous gamepad layer contributes to the overall lighthearted tone of the game.
“I found it very funny that in a game where I scored much lower and died, I received the rank of 'silver hawk', but on a 1cc on arguably the easiest route in the game where I was just under 20 million points, an achievement in this game, the game ranked me 'iron hawk.'”
“It may have peaked here, with the total absence of on-screen keyboard representation, as your keyboard gets filtered through a funny gamepad layer instead.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding in G-Darius to be tedious and frustrating, often questioning whether the effort is worth the reward. The game's design leads to prolonged battles with bosses, contributing to a sense of regressive gameplay that feels more focused on profit than player enjoyment.
“The difficulty, or rather the time it takes to fight some bosses, is tedious.”
“Should I even bother with this route? G-Darius can be tedious for seemingly little reason, but then you remember that this was the game where, again, 'less play time per credit.' That is what Herbert Marcuse called 'regressive sublimation.' As much as I want to talk about the game in terms of design, why do that when you know there's a large, non-zero percent chance that what you're experiencing contributes to that bottom line.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story is conveyed through its meticulously crafted background rather than dialogue, which reviewers praise as an effective storytelling method. Additionally, the game is noted for successfully modernizing a classic shoot 'em up experience with updated graphics and a new story mode, appealing to fans of retro Nintendo titles. Overall, it is recommended for collectors and those who appreciate innovative storytelling in games.
“There's no lines of dialogue to tell the story; instead, the background is intently used to do so, and it's very well executed.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users consistently highlight the game's high replay value, suggesting that various elements contribute to an engaging experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“All of this adds to the already high replay value!”
