We’re starting to see a resurgence of classic shooters on the current gaming scene. A welcome sight, to say the least. Gynoug and Gleylancer live again; and even Zero Wing has its resurrection with a great collection.
But ININ Games continues its push, bringing back two great shooters across three games. That collection is Over Horizon x Steel Empire, and despite the weird title, it’s worth its weight in gold.
The compilation’s highlight is Over Horizon, a long lost NES game that never got a release outside of Japan. It’s here in all its glory, and its origin story is fairly easy to read. But on top of that, HOT-B’s Steel Empire lives again too. Both of its ports – the Mega Drive (Genesis) and Game Boy Advance – are completely intact here.
Like with previous ININ games, there are options galore. Not to mention the emulation is done very well. Oh, and let’s not forget the $15 price tag. But is it worth it? Let’s find out.
Into the Over Horizon
The main draw here is clearly Over Horizon. As I mentioned above, this marks the first time it’s available in other territories. And while it hasn’t entirely aged well presentation-wise, it’s a treat.
It’s a challenging shooter, with some great bosses and tactics. Its gameplay is novel, too, as you can fire forward and backward. It does only have three types of power-ups – lasers, homing shots and regular beams. But they’re all useful when it comes to clearing enemies.
This is an NES-style game, so don’t expect a rip-roaring performance. But it’s nicely restored from the original release. And it plays very well to boot.
So, yeah, if you’re a fan of the genre, this game is worth it by itself. However, there’s more where that came from.
Entering the Steel Empire
Originally released on Sega Genesis, Steel Empire has similar gameplay to Over Horizon. (It’s the same team, I believe.) You can fire forward and behind, and pick up helpful power-ups. These come in handy, as large, metallic bosses promise to ruin your week. Fortunately, you’ve got the skills to survive.
The original Mega Drive port is pretty good, and emulated just about right. However, I prefer the Game Boy Advance release, which has a few enhancements. I think it looks and sounds a little better. Plus, the screen stretches a little, so you can see incoming enemies a bit better. (Maybe it’s just me?)
But no matter which version you go with, Steel Empire is a blast. It’s nice to see it get a second chance, alongside the Legend of Steel Empire game that came out. (Surprise, that was a nice one done by ININ as well.)
What Extras Are Included?
As with most ININ releases, Over Horizon x Steel Empire has options galore. You can rewind instantly, which is a lifesaver in some cases. In addition, you can also adjust screen sizes, add custom wallpapers and more. You can also tweak gameplay options, in case you want the game to be a cakewalk (or a nightmare). You can also try Challenge Mode, if you’re feeling particularly strong with your skills.
Best of all, the package goes for a mere $14.99. That’s like $5 a game, and having Over Horizon by itself is totally worth it. There’s not much history to go on here, but there’s enough good shooting to soak in. And at the end of the day, that’s just what fans are looking for.
Blast Away
If you can get over the somewhat lack of history, Over Horizon x Steel Empire is a solid collection. The NES classic finally gets its day in the sun, and then some. Plus Steel Empire continues to expand its reach across two solid versions, both nicely done. And the options are nice to have, so you can change up your experience as needed.
Honestly, games like this give me faith that other gems might see unearthing in the future. Imagine if ININ Games got its hands on Eliminator Down. Please and thank you.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Many thanks to ININ Games and PR Hound for the review code!
Over Horizon x Steel Empire is available now for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation Store. You can also get it physically as part of the Steel Empire Chronicles over at Strictly Limited Games!
