FixEight Longplay (Arcade) [4K]

Game Info
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Developer: Toaplan
Publisher: Toaplan
Year of Release: 1992

Game Review & Impressions
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I wanted to cover FixEight because I saw a clip of it online and thought it looked really cool, and I wasn't disappointed. It looks and feels reminiscent of Capcom's 'Mercs' at first glance, although it's actually an evolution of Toaplan's earlier coin-op, 'Out Zone'. Both games feature a weapon power-up system that either allows the player to aim and shoot in full 360 degrees around them, or locks their aim to the top of the screen. 360 mode is generally weaker in raw damage output but infinitely more flexible, while fixed direction mode typically has a higher damage output and spread to mitigate the loss of freedom. FixEight adds a 'Special' weapon weapon mode unique to each of the eight characters on offer.

And that's really as complicated as FixEight gets, or needs to be. Much of the game is deciding whether you prefer the flexibility of 360 shooting or destructive power of fixed-fire to get you through each of the game's levels, then unleashing merry Hell on your adversaries with a stream of plasma bolts. The graphics and overall presentation is excellent, delivering a noticeable upgrade over 'Out Zone', and playing this in co-op with a friend would be a real blast. If you enjoy games with plenty of action and big explosions, FixEight comes highly recommended.

Video Notes
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Played first loop to completion then deliberately died (game loops forever)

Chapters
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00:00 Attract mode
01:00 Stage 1
02:48 Stage 2
05:09 Stage 3
07:25 Stage 4
10:00 Stage 5
12:23 Stage 6
15:02 Stage 7
19:28 Ending