Run 'n' Gun Games #9

Assault Suits Leynos a.k.a. Target Earth (1990)
By: Masaya / NCS Corp Genre: Run 'n' Gun Players: 1 Difficulty: Hard
Featured Version: Sega MegaDrive / Genesis First Day Score: ???,???
Also Available For: Nothing
Download For: Wii Virtual Console, PS4, PC

I played rather a lot of games on my Mega Drive over the first half of the 90s and even knew all about the ones I didn't play too, thanks to the magazines of the day, but there was of course the odd one or two that slipped through the net. One of these, if you hadn't already guessed, is Assault Suits Leynos. It was released in Japan, and also in the US under a different name - Target Earth (actually not a bad alternative name for American standards) - but for some peculiar reason our humble territory here in Europe was apparently bypassed. Nonetheless, I still often knew about other import-only games and owned a decent number as well, since some of our magazines covered them, so why did they ignore this one? I don't remember seeing a single mention of it except in the listings of mail order companies. Oh well, time to once again educate myself I guess!

Bounding across the chaotic surface of Ganymede...

First impressions are good thanks to a nice intro sequence which, like the backstory itself, is short but sweet. Events take place in 2201 by which time our wretched species has not yet caused its extinction. Quite the opposite, in fact. We've made great strides and have even ventured into and colonised space. Unfortunately, a group of 'outcasts' known as Chron have returned from wherever they were, and they apparently have a beef with us since, instead of partying or asking for any sports results they missed, they instead attacked! Gah, those ingrates! Their first targets are our 'galactic outposts', though their eye is, no doubt, firmly fixed on our poor, abused, overcrowded homeworld (hence, Target Earth - see?!). Your job is to take on the role of Rex (no, he isn't a dog) by guiding his 'Assault Suit' (12-foot mech) across the various battle-zones wasting anything that looks Chron-ish.

Taking on an enemy battleship orbiting a colony...

These battle-zones consist of eight side-scrolling stages, the first and second of which are set on Jupiter's huge moon Ganymede, and the first thing I noticed when starting the game was the atmosphere. Masaya did a great job making you feel involved in the action thanks to the aforementioned intro as well as further cutscenes between stages. You also get mission briefings after which you must choose up to six weapons to take (once that many are available), before heading into what is quite literally a battle zone. The game itself has a slightly chaotic feel, much like a real interplanetary war would, I suspect - you start the first mission under aerial bombardment, there are friendly troops/mechs (brown) here and there and obviously a large number of enemy (green & blue) troops/mechs/ships advancing on your position as well. It can actually seem a little overwhelming at first.

Heading for a Chron base but meeting heavy resistance...

After escaping the Ganymede base, the action approaches what I had initially assumed was Earth due to the lush greenery and vast cities that a couple of subsequent stages are set in, but the number of Chron attackers vastly outnumber Rex and his brown buddies (chortle!), and missions involve infiltrating Chron colonies and bases and stuff like that, so I guess we headed away from Earth after leaving the Jovian system rather than towards. Those Chron forces are substantial in any case. In some areas they attack from ahead and behind, and in most areas they are infinite too, at least until you've achieved your mission objective which can range from simply reaching a ship to escape right up to blowing up a base's reactor. As you might expect, some serious firepower is needed for much of this, and Rex eventually has 14 weapons to choose from as well as a few defensive items.

And now inside the base - destroy the reactor!

The latter include a shield and jet-pack but it's the weapons most will be interested in. Most have names that don't tell you too much about them (40SC, D.D, 203BZ, etc) but they include a normal pea-shooter gun (the only one with unlimited ammo), a three-way shot, lasers, grenades, bazookas, and missiles. Some can be used from the start while others become available later on, and you can choose the ones you want prior to each stage. When there are more options than 'slots' to put them in, however, you'll not only have to make sure you choose wisely, but also learn how to use them wisely too. If you charge through each stage shooting wildly at everything that moves, not only will you run out of ammo too soon, but you'll also lose your only life quickly too. Suffice to say, it isn't an out-and-out strategy game but there is certainly more of a strategic element to it than a typical run 'n' gunner.

My HUD is red because I'm about to blow up - arrgghh!

It's also rather difficult, or I found it so at least. I even had to resort to using a cheat to reach the later stages - something I don't believe I've ever had to do for a review here. I think the main issue is that Rex isn't really small enough, quick enough or agile enough to avoid all enemy shots, and there are a lot of them. It's a guy in a big mech-suit you're controlling, I get it, and his energy-meter does recharge when you're not taking damage, but with all the enemy troops and guns and flying things around, that's not very often. Most stages are timed too, so it's not like you can find a quiet spot and let your energy build back up. The atmosphere is great though, as mentioned. It really feels like your're in a warzone due to the presence of friendly as well as enemy troops, craft buzzing around overhead (you can get covering fire from your dropship at some points), and stages that actually seem like enemy defences rather than just a succession of sprites to shoot.

Defending our own base from Chron filth this time...

The presentation is good too, which helps. As well as the intro and between-stage cutscenes, you get regular info and instructions from base, and there are several NPCs too. The graphics and music/effects are also good. Neither is technically stunning or even hugely varied, but but both suit the style of the game. The sprites look formidable enough and the stage design is good, going from rocky planetary landscapes to labyrinth-like enemy bases. This is all great but is it actually enjoyable to play? Well, there's certainly a lot to like and admire about it, not least actually feeling involved in an interplanetary war, and I think I'd have enjoyed getting into it back in the day, teaching myself the best way to approach each section, etc. It is tough though, and does require time or patience to get the most from it. If you have those, it's definitely recommended. There's even a PS4 remake if you prefer!

RKS Score: 7/10

Gameplay Video: here's a video of the whole game being played by one of the talented fellows at Saturn Memories (check out their great channel here). Oh, and don't watch if you want to avoid spoilers!