Varth: Operation Thunderstorm Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]

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

Game Review & Impressions
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Released in 1992, this vertical shooter from Capcom is cut very much from the same cloth as the studio's earlier 194X series of shooters. The switch to Capcom's more powerful CPS arcade hardware means Varth benefits from a big upgrade in the audio-visual department; it looks fantastic!

A good shooter needs a robust and diverse set of weapon upgrades to succeed, and Varth has those in spades. Main weapons include screen-clearing multi-shot and focused laser cannon, whilst R-Type inspired satellites can be collected during gameplay, which orbit the player's fighter, bestowing a variety of missiles that will seek out enemies and generally do extra damage. You're also given a choice as to whether the satellites should be located in fixed positions to the left and right of your craft, or whether you want the ability to rotate them. Rotation affords far more tactical options, and would be the option I'd plump for, but it adds an extra level of complexity to a game that's already rather hectic to begin with.

The final weapon in player's arsenal is the "Mega Crash", or smart bomb to you and me. The type of MC unleashed is dictated by the type of main weapon held by the player when activated, but all variants are typically explosions or conflagrations of a size designed to clear the screen of enemies, providing some much-needed breathing space. You're limited to a maximum of 3 MCs at any given time, but these recharge periodically after use; the fact you're not reliant on collecting tokens to restock these bombs means you're actively encouraged to use them, not stock pile them for precisely the right moment as other games do.

In most respects, Varth is an excellent game. It has all the ingredients necessary for a top-notch blaster, and the gameplay is as compelling as it is tough. My one criticism is the fact it's so darned long; with 30 stages, you'll need to sit at the machine for an hour if you hope to actually complete it. Other than that, this is a great game from Capcom, one definitely worth checking out.

Chapters
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TBC