Platform: PlayStation 2
Genre: Action
Number of Players: 1 - 2

I really appreciate the fact that not every company feels the need to completely revamp classic games to try and satisfy jaded gamers who only see the world of video games through 3D glasses. While it has panned out some of the time, there are others where the franchises in question really didn't need to be set in a different style of play. Konami has a long standing reputation with long time gamers, and many of them, myself included, have certain things that we expect to see from their games. Castlevania for example, most of us love in the old school 2D environment, and while Konami didn't do a bad job with the new PS2 entry into the series, the GBA offers us a chance to return to the glory days of the NES and SNES.

Gradius though, that's a game that many have forgotten about. There was a time when space shooters where tremendously popular, and games like Gradius, R-Type, and even Parodius saw hours of gameplay. With a new generation of consoles, it's time for a favorite to return to gamer's minds, and without succumbing to being a 3D shooter.

It's been a while since some of us have played the game, and believe it or not, Gradius actually does have a story that is associated with it. Apparently, there was a time long ago when a lilfe form was born in the depths of space, but this destructive entity found its way into Gradius space where it was destroyed, or so they though. Time has passed and now the battle has started once again. One brave member of the Gradius defense force, Vic Viper, has set out on a counterattack only to find that he's going to get some assistance from an unlikely source: himself for a parallel universe. The fate of perhaps the entire galaxy now lies in the hands of Vic.

Okay, so it's not too much, and it's not in-depth in any way, shape, or form, but it does give a little background on the series. With Gradius V however, story is of little importance and instead, it's the action that takes the center stage. But, this isn't a 3D shooter, but the same side-scrolling 2D action that we've seen before with the series, and this is a case, it's not a bad thing. Gradius is a series that demands to be left as it always has been, and Konami doesn't disappoint in this fashion.

The game is very simple as far as what you need to do. Hold the fire button down for the most part, that's really about it, and maneuver out of harms way. But, that's not always as easy as it may seem. Having played through various levels of difficultly, Gradius V offers a challenge no matter what your skill level is, and there are tons of enemies that you will find onscreen with no slowdown at all. But, there is a little more to the game that just firing, dodging, and weaving.

As you destroy the endless armadas of spacecraft that come your way, you will occasionally find a power-up icon. On the bottom of your screen, you will see a list of ship power-ups that can be activated. So, if you use your first power-up, you will increase your speed, but if you wait and get another, that gives you a different power-up that you can select. You can adds things such as missiles (and great addition), shields, lasers, double shots, and even options. The option will follow right along with you and fire, and by holding R1 you can redirect their line of fire. Also, prior to even beginning the game, you can select your initial set-up for the ship and there are four different types that can be selected. By personal choice goes for rotating options, as they seem to have more capability to eliminate just about everything that comes onto the screen.

In a nutshell, that's really about it for the gameplay end of things, but despite the fact that Gradius V might sound as though it's a very rudimentary title, I don't find that to be the case. As mentioned, the game can be difficult even as the easiest setting, and it gets more difficult as you increase that level. This is where the two-player option helps quite a bit, and while it might be fun to simply play a game and blast everything on your own, having some help adds tremendously to your success level.

What it might lack in game play depth though is made up in the graphics department. Gradius V looks absolutely amazing. The backgrounds alone have a high degree of detail and care taken in their creation and can be simply breathtaking at times. While the enemies that you encounter during the course of the game can be a bit simple in their design, but the stage bosses make up for that, and then some. Many of these are tremendous in their size, making your ship nothing more than a small fish in a big pond, and most are not the easiest things in the world to destroy. This is where you'll find yourself trying your best to avoid enemy fire while attempting to make it to the next level of play. It can be frustrating, it can be annoying, and you may find yourself gripping the controller with all your strength as the sweat drips from your brow. But, that's part of what has always made Gradius so much fun.

I have no complaints about this game at all. It's a blast to play, it's a great visit back to the old school days of gaming, and it proves that not every franchise needs to get a revision and put into the three-dimensional environment. Gradius was perfect as a side-scroller, and it still is. The older players are going to find a lot of memories rekindled with this one, and it may teach the new generation a thing or two. Yes, this is how we used to play our games back in the day, and we still enjoy them just as much. All that's changed with Gradius is the overlook, and it's a beautiful thing indeed.

-mike-