TITLE: 1941: Counter Attack
Release Date: February 1990
Platform: Supergrafx and Arcade
Genre: Schmup
Hello! Welcome to a new blog to go along with 16 Bit Chronicles entitled Capcom A to Z, a series where we look at all the games developed by Capcom in alphabetical order. This series is inspired by my belief that, as a game developer, Capcom is second only to Nintendo in contributing to the cultural zeitgeist around video games. They have affected almost every genre of video game with hit after hit, and have s many family franchise staples, like Mega Man and Resident Evil. Plus, it gives me something to give some variety between playing SNES games. First up, we have a game that is part of the 19XX series, what is considered a breakout arcade series for Capcom.
Background
The 19XX series a schmup series that falls short of the bullet hell category set in an exaggerated and fictitious World War II, with more grand and steampunky war machines crafted by the Japanese and the Germans rather than modest warplanes. 1941:Counter Attack is the third game in the series after 1942 and 1943. Like the others, it is a vertical shooter where each stage has several series of "loop sections" where the player must kill a set number of enemies before they can move on. Eventually, each stage caps off with a boss battle against a larger and more imposing aircraft or war machine. Pretty straightforward overall! This was an arcade cabinet first, and therefore it is a game geared to munch on as many quarters as possible.
High Points
- The game is a pretty solid, if forgiving schmup. The game is quick and responsive, and your impressive firepower for being such a small plane, is very gratifying. The game extends over seven levels, each focusing on a mission to take out one enemy aircraft. I like the focus of this game on the Western Front, as it feels like you are taking on Nazi war machines, which always has a pretty cool vibe (it certainly works for Wolfenstein). Also, as a schmup neophyte, I do enjoy playing a game that is willing to let the high-score board be your challenge rather than the gameplay itself. The game gives you a lifebar rather than a live counter. Your plane can only take five hits before crashing, which, for a schump, is pretty darn forgiving (or at least feels that way). It feels nice not to lose all your power-up progress by dying after each hit.
Low Points
- Not really too much. It is a solid schmup all around and I don't want to waste your time with minor gripes.
Verdict
A solid game! Enjoy it.
