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Title: 1944: The Loop Master
Release Date: June 20th, 2000
Here it is! The last game in the 19XX franchise, at least chronologically (we still have to play 19XX). It is another vertical schmup, so let's jump in.
Background
Now interestingly enough, this is the first game in the series that was not actively developed by Capcom. Capcom ended up delegating development to another studio known as 8ing Co. LTD, while filling in more as a producer. 8ing was a good choice though, as they are a development company that was well versed in schmups before .
The story is the same as the other games: you play as a pilot who is single-handedly destroying the Japanese and German military and putting an end to World War II. The game has 16 missions, each capped off by a boss fight against one of the enemy superweapons. In a neat twist, if you don't kill the boss, they will escape to continue to terrorize the allied forces. You then technically fail your mission and it effects your end score.
High Points
- The game play is pretty smooth! It is the most polished of the series, which I guess makes sense for an early 2000s Capcom arcade schmup. The music is really good, the spritework is pretty top knotch, and the action is really enjoyable. It is a well done schmup.
- The bosses are still well designed. They are less "Crazy Nazi Experiment" and more functional war machine, but it adds a layer of authenticity to the game. It is a weird thing to say that this game has "authenticity" because it is a very far-fetched game, but the historical context, I feel, adds a layer to the game-play that helps set it apart from other games in a genre that was definitely glutted at this time.
- There is a little more strategy this time around, as on top of just shooting, power-ups, and bombs, you can now choose to charge your attacks and deliver a salvo upon the enemy directly in front of you. I feel like the developers saw DonPachi and wanted to deliver a similar experience. This actually might make sense because a lot of the developers at 8ing eventually went on to join Cave (the developer of some of the best Schmups in the biz).
- You can sacrifice your poor wingmen to do kamikaze attacks on the enemy. While the moral implications are troubling, the gameplay choice is a neat one. Do you sacrifice bullets/option power for one devastating blow to a boss, knowing that it could run away soon?
Low Points
It really doesn't innovate at all from what we have played already. Pretty much the same as 1941 but with updated graphics. This accounts for my shorter update this time.
Verdict
It is a really fun schmup but nothing too special. Arguably the most polished so far, but I still have a soft-spot for 1941 so far.
