Gradius V (PS2)

There have been loads of great shootem ups on the PS2 (some which have not made it to our shores) and in my opinion this is probably the best one yet!

It takes all the great gameplay from the previous games and throws in some truely outstanding graphics and sound to produce the complete gaming experience.

Anyone who has played Nemesis, Salamander or any of the previous Gradius (as they have all been known in Japan) games, will be instantly at home with the weapon choice system and the way the game plays in general. Gradius V has not set out to be original, what Konami (and Treasure) have done is set out to make the ultimate side scrolling shoot em up experience. This is pretty much what they have achieved.

This is not an easy game and most people will find this game very challenging on Normal level but it does have that addictive quality that will keep you coming back for more!

Buy this game either on import now, or in September when the game gets it's PAL release!

Gradius V, after having been delayed several times, finally came into my possession a few days after its release in Europe, and it was worth the wait. This game is simply the best shoot-em-up available to date. Take the typical Gradius playing style, and add beautiful 3D graphics (the game is still in 2D though), some very nice music, and a two player mode (both ships flying at the same time), and this game simply couldn't be better. They've decreased the hit area to a small part of a ship, so no more feeling you've been cheated when you die: trust me, you've been hit this time!

As you play the game you unlock more credits to play with, until finally you receive unlimited credits. Combined with the "continue where you die" feature this Gradius packs, and the ability to pick up your options (again, Google if you're not familiar with the typical Gradius terminology) when you die, and the game should be finishable for players of every skill. Luckily I didn't need more than 5, though I've been completely outclassed by several players that have managed to play through all levels of this game several times without using more than a single credit. I'd say the game is just slightly less difficult than Gradius IV.

If you like shoot-em-ups, then get this game. For the moment, it just doesn't get better than this!