I admit, Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer is a mouthful. It is. I don’t think I could say it right even if I had several tries, so I just call it Soldner-X and move on. But there’s a lot of legacy behind the game, as it originally released in 2007 for Windows PC before moving on a year later to more popular waters on the PlayStation 3. Now it’s come to the Nintendo Switch, but how well does the legacy hold up after all this time?
I can safely say that while the game doesn’t quite have enough to be among the shmup elite, Soldner-X does have a lot going for it. The big thing here is the presentation, as the game still looks gorgeous after all this time — not to mention the soundtrack, which is heavily inspired by Kraftwerk and keeps things moving.
As for gameplay, it never really evolves into something spectacular. It does get the shooting right, for the most part, and some of the power-ups are very cool. But I can’t help but think a little more balance in firepower would’ve gone a long way. This is something that the sequel, Söldner-X 2: The Final Prototype, managed to nail down. And the good news is that it’ll eventually make its way to home consoles — maybe later this year, or early next.
But don’t let that little bit of negativity throw you off. If you want shooting action, Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer delivers it in spades. It holds up pretty well after all this time, especially when it comes to presentation and a bit of its story. Plus, it won’t put a huge dent in your wallet, going for under $10.
Getting Into It With Soldner-X
Gasp! A deadly infection has overtaken the Earth, and it’s up to you, the unlikely hero, to fight back against corrupted enemies and destroy the virus once and for all. That means going through several stages of mayhem using whatever weapons you have on hand.
It’s not the biggest plot in the world, but there are some interesting twists that help keep things moving. Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer, however, is all about the “shmup” action — and it delivers, for the most part.
As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock new weapons that make a difference. What’s more, you can switch between them on the fly if you want to see what each one can do against enemies. The missiles are your best bet, in my opinion. You can also launch “berserker mode” once it builds up, unleashing pure hell on your foes.
The gameplay’s pretty good, but it lacks that punch that makes other shmups — such as Earthion — excel. That’s not to say it’s bad; the chain reaction system included here is great for combo building. But I dunno — I think the sequel, Söldner-X 2: The Final Prototype, pushes things to a much bigger scale.
However, if you like shmups, Soldner-X still feels adequate enough to enjoy. The challenge level is just right, and some of the boss battles are actually quite fun — not to mention shooting for a better letter grade for each stage. No one wants to be stuck with an “F.”
Finally, the game is very well-priced at $8.99. That’s a nice markdown from what it originally sold for on PS3, so we’ll take it.
For an Older Shooter, Soldner-X Looks Great
Considering the game came out in the mid-2000s PS3 era, Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer is a nice piece of work on the Nintendo Switch.
That’s not to say it goes leaps and bounds beyond the genre, but there’s a lot to soak in here. The backgrounds are nicely rendered, the enemies show a lot of variety, and the action moves at a feverish pace. On top of that, the boss battles are excellent — posing a challenge and actually resembling something, gasp, daunting. Plus, it’s easy to keep track of your health and weapon power.
As for the music, it’s inspired. There are some good techno tunes here, reminiscent of early Kraftwerk days, and the little announcements and sound effects are intact. I do wish there were some kind of remixed music mode, but for the price, you definitely get your money’s worth. Besides, you can hunt down some of the tracks on YouTube, I believe.
Not the Greatest of Shooters, But Soldner-X Earns Its Keep
I do wish there were some extras or something to push the gameplay above and beyond the usual “shmup” norm. But, hey, that’s what Soldner-X 2 is for — and we’ll be getting that soon enough. In the meantime, Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer is worth adding to your library. It’s fun and has just enough going for it, especially when you consider its polished presentation. And, hey, shooting for that high score never gets old.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to EastAsiaSoft for providing us with a review code! Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer is available now for Nintendo Switch!
Looking for more “shmup” goodness? Check out our review of the mighty Earthion!
