The original PlayStation presented a number of titles that were real game-changers – but it also gave us many releases that went under the radar. Gamera 2000 immediately comes to mind, a game that still deserves some kind of conversion over there. But then there’s 70s-Style Robot Anime Geppy-X, a shooter inspired by 70s anime. In fact, it was an original creation for the genre, with unique characters and even commercials framed around a legendary robot.
Oh, you missed it? A lot of people did, mainly because the game never got a shot on the U.S. market. But that has changed, as Bliss Brain is giving it a second chance on modern consoles. And thank goodness, because if there’s anything we can use right now, it’s a little bit of Geppy.
The game is pretty much the PlayStation experience all over again, complete with shooting stages and all the FMV goodness you can muster with anime clips and commercials. The shooting itself is a bit “off” to say the least, with its strange hit boxes and its prolonged turning ability. However, it’s definitely fun, as everything ties together into a goofy experience. And if the music doesn’t put a smile on your face, nothing will.
70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X is definitely more about style and substance, but it pays loving tribute to an era gone by. Not to mention the port is perfect, even if the game itself has a few rough edges. No matter – the experience is the thing here, and fans of the likes of Voltron and even Gundam should happily believe in Geppy.
The Power of 70-s Style Robot Anime Geppy-X Is Easy To See
In this romp of a sci-fi serial, you see a mysterious force called the Cosmic Demon Empire – headlined by a vicious sorceress, of course – trying to take over the world with the help of the Space Beasts. But we can’t have that, so a team of heroes step up with a legendary robot. Geppy-X, of course.
Let’s be honest, the story here is goofy. How could it not be with space beasts and giant robots? But that’s my bread and butter, and Geppy-X fills the role perfectly. Each level – er, “episode”, I mean – is retro fitted with lots to shoot at and a highly enjoyable boss battle. As you proceed, you can build up X-Power to unleash a devastating attack, no matter which variation of Geppy you’re using.
Now, I’ll be honest, the biggest thing holding Geppy-X back is parts of the gameplay. There are times that the game will absolutely stand still while a character comes on-screen to do something comical and, eventually, sacrifice themselves. But I didn’t mind this, as it adds to the overall experience. After all, that’s what this style of anime is all about.
As for the general shooting tactics, they’re slightly flawed. You can turn your robot around to shoot enemies behind you. However, in doing so, they take longer than expected. This could leave you vulnerable to hits. You’ve been warned.
The rest of the game, however, handles fine. The shooting is pretty good, the boss battles put up an impressive fight, and, yes, there’s a rewind option. This allows you to make up for a mistake, using vintage VCR-style effect to boot.
Plus there’s a lot to do after you get through the main story. Other modes open up, including alternate timelines, a boss rush mode, and even experimental episode variants, which are as enjoyable as they sound. I won’t spoil them here, so jump in and indulge.
I can say, honestly, that 70s-style Anime Robot Geppy-X is more style than substance. But what style it is, framed around good-enough shooting that fans of the genre will enjoy. That said, let’s get to why you should really get the game.
70s-style Anime Robot Geppy-X Has a Presentation Like No Other
Man, Bliss Brain and, for that matter, Implicit Conversions, had their work cut out for them. The original PlayStation game was spread across four discs (!) and had compression issues galore with some of its FMV. The team put their heads together and restored everything completely to 24 FPS, and to nice effect.
The game’s cinematic sequences are fun to watch, with each “episode” framed around some kind of crazy battle with confident talk. And, for that matter, the built-in commercials are a romp, framed around products that you might wish existed. (Or not, depends on your taste.) You need to watch it all to take it all in.
The in-game action is pretty good, at least by 90s PlayStation standards. I liked the animations (especially the insane side characters), and the backdrops look cool, even if some of them look pasted on. But the action holds up relatively well, with top-notch port work. I can’t imagine how it ran on the original PlayStation without having to swap out discs.
But let’s talk about the sound. Oh, baby. The original voicework is intact, and you’ll likely recognize legends like Akira Kamiya and Sho Hayami, if you’re a fan of the genre. It’s in original Japanese with subtitles, and I love every bit of it. Even the bad guys sound like they’d fit right in at an anime convention. Of course.
Plus the music is outstanding. Featuring selections by Isao Sasaki, Akira Kushida and many others, it’s an absolute bast. The Geppy-X theme song alone is right up there with the classic Gundam theme in my opinion. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself hunting down the soundtrack afterward.
Throw in some solid sound effects and explosion noises, and you truly have a great experience waiting for you. If you don’t mind the 70s theme. If you did, um…well, I still think it’s worth a shot. Go get Geppy.
When In Doubt, Go Go Geppy
If you’re looking for a serious, white-knuckle “shmup” experience, well, 70s-style Anime Robot Geppy-X may not be your best choice. The shooting mechanics make this more of a casual experience at best. That said, I still can’t get enough of it. Its old-school anime approach is second to none and the game truly benefits as a result. Not to mention that it makes me wish the actual anime existed – like Space Adventure Cobra before it.
It may not sound like a must-buy experience, but give it a shot. Everyone could use a little more Geppy in their life. Especially fans of classic anime.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to PR Hound for providing us with a review code! 70s-style Anime Robot Geppy-X releases on July 16 for Steam/PC, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch!
