Eastasiasoft has been quite dependable lately when it comes to their line of “shmups.” At least, for the most part. Heck, we’re still enjoying the complete surprise that came from Schildmaid MX just a few weeks back. That said, occasionally the company does miss with budget fare that doesn’t measure up with its usual catalog. And that’s where its latest release, StarLightRiders: Hyperjump, sits.
It’s not necessarily a bad “shmup,” but rather one that’s a bit low on frills – and production value. It’s cute when it comes to its appearance and soundtrack, and you can bring along a friend for the ride as well. And the gameplay is serviceable, with two different gimmicks to choose from.
But that’s really about it when it comes to the package. There’s barely any story to speak of – not even a hint of what the stars are doing in this venture. Plus the bosses can take an eternity to defeat, mainly because the difficulty is all over the place. There’s also very little content once you beat the main game. This is clearly a one-and-done sort of deal.
Now, pricing is working in this game’s favor, as it goes for $5 on Nintendo Switch and even less on Steam. So if it’s a cheap ride you’re after, there are far worse than this out there. But StarLightRiders: Hyperjump doesn’t offer enough innovation to recommend over other quality shooters on the market. Look over Eastasiasoft’s other releases and act accordingly.
StarLightRiders Brings the Hyperjump, But Little Else
When you start StarLightRiders: Hyperjump, you’ll notice there’s very little to get you started. You simply jump in to the shooting action. Some folks will like that, but the lack of context will likely throw a few folks off. Maybe Eastasiasoft made the game that way on purpose, for folks that want to get into shooting with little story behind it.
The game features five stages in all, with different gameplay perks to use – including helpful bombs. That said, it is fairly easy to lose three of your lives, and then you’re hit with a Game Over screen. That’s it, no real growth. Old-schoolers may like that kind of set-up, but I expected more – especially from a talented publisher such as this.
Gameplay is pretty good, with lots of bullets to dodge, power-ups to utilize and techniques to master. But the difficulty make it tough to enjoy, especially when it comes to bosses that absorb firepower like sunlight. It can take forever to bring them down, and it drains on you pretty quickly.
There is a neat advantage in co-op, where a second buddy can jump in and help you shoot at opponents. It’s a good feature, but, really, trying to convince a friend to take on this sweat-producing challenge may be a bit much to ask. Good luck, though.
Outside of that, the game doesn’t offer much. No bonus modes, no storyline to speak of (who are these anime girls again?), and no context to bring it all together. It’s just a cheap affair, a one-and-done. The price reflects that ($5 for Nintendo Switch, $2 for Steam), but, really, for a few dollars more, you can get something far superior.
Die-hard arcade “shmup” fans and anime lovers may enjoy StarLightRiders: Hyperjump for what it’s offering. But in this day and age, more is needed to keep players sticking around.
At Least StarLightRiders’ Presentation Is Somewhat Charming
Where StarLightRiders: Hyperjump does get things right (sort of) is with its presentation. The game looks like a genuine old-school shooter through and through, right down to the boss designs. That said, it can get frantic to keep an eye on things with the cramped screen, and the firepower definitely piles on too high. And, again, more of that anime charm could’ve come through with some form of story.
Sound-wise, StarLightRiders benefits from a pretty good soundtrack. Nothing on the level of, say, Ikaruga or Radiant Silvergun, mind you, but it has its moments. And the sound effects are pretty good, though more genuine voicework could’ve been provided. Then again, we are talking about a cheap shooter here, so maybe I expected too much.
Should You Hyperjump Into StarLightRiders?
You get what you pay for with StarLightRiders: Hyper Jump, but that’s not entirely a good thing. For a few bucks over the asking price, you can find shooters with far more content and a much more balanced challenge. That said, the game does have merit with its presentation, and could be fun if you find a pal who likes punishment as much as you.
It’s up to you. But as for me, I’m moving back over to Schildmaid. That game has a lot more to offer in terms of entertaining gameplay, as well as innovation. Hyperjump’s lack of balance and general interest make it a difficult game to hop into.
GAMERHUB RATING: 2.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Eastasiasoft for providing us with a review code! StarLightRiders: Hyperjump is available now for Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
