Metal Storm

Metal Storm is a video game that consists of 0 releases

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Metal Storm is a unique action platformer that allows the player to reverse gravity as you traverse several sci-fi levels to save the world.

Overview

The title screen

Metal Storm is a side-scrolling platforming shooter developed by Irem and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991. Known as Juuryoku Soukou MetalStorm in Japan. The Juuryoku Soukou in the title translates into "Gravity Armor." Although it was generally well-received by critics, it is a more obscure third party title. One of the most unique features in the game is the ability to reverse gravity, as it is needed during most parts of the game. In the Stage 6 boss fight, the ship from Stage 3 of R-Type can be seen in the background, providing homage to one of Irem's classic shooters.

Story

In the game, the player takes on the role of a large powered suit. The plot revolves around a giant laser canon that was built into Pluto, and the artificial intelligence that operates it. Predictably enough, the artificial intelligence goes insane, and there is a limited amount of time before it targets earth with its over-sized weapon. It is the player's duty to infiltrate the the planet, circumvent its defense systems, and destroy the central computer before the world is destroyed.

The story is largely forgettable boilerplate for an early nineties action title. But Metal Storm has no illusions as to the significance of its narrative. The only place you see any of the story elements is in the instruction booklet, or on the back of the box. There are no cut-scenes or dialog. There are no NPCs (non-playable characters) or additional characters. There is just you, your gun, and an army of robot denizens in your path. In the end, this proves a winning formula.

Gameplay

One of the boss fights in the game

The game is divided into stages. Each stage is broken up into two sub-portions. Reaching the end of the first sub-portion essentially provides you with a checkpoint. If you die in the second sub-portion, you start over at the checkpoint, instead of having to play the entire level over again.The difficulty curve in this game is quite unforgiving. Memorization of enemy patterns is essential to success at times.

The control system for the game is tight and responsive. Though light on its feet, the avatar you control has definite weight to its handling. This is especially evident in the game's most unique control mechanic. Metal Storm was one of the first titles to introduce the idea of reversing gravity. The developers clearly took this mechanic to heart when designing the levels, enemies, and bosses. Mastering gravity flipping becomes key to perfecting the game's controls.

The game also introduces several different weapons, each of which changes the way the game is played. The gun item simply gives you a wider, more powerful beam. This makes it possible to kill enemies quicker, and makes them easier to hit. The second major item is the fireball. This item makes your character invincible whenever you flip gravity. It allows you to rocket indestructibly from the floor to the ceiling, and back again. Controlled skillfully it provides a considerable advantage.

The third item is the shield. The shield faces the same way the player points their weapon and it covers one quarter of the player's body. It can defend the player against most projectiles, but cannot stop physical attacks or larger beam-based attacks. It is generally ineffective against most boss projectiles. One of the biggest advantages of the shield is its ability to pass through solid objects. By pressing against walls or floors, the player can "push" the shield through them. Any enemy that the shield touches will be damaged by it continuously. This makes the shield immensely powerful against immobile enemies, and especially enemies close to walls. It can be used to destroy some enemies without exposing the player to danger.

General Information Edit

Game Name	Metal Storm
Platform(s)	NES
Publisher(s)	Irem Corp. Tamtex
Developer(s)	Irem Corp.
Genres	Add a new genre Action Shooter Platformer
Themes	Add a new theme Sci-Fi
Original US Release	Feb. 1, 1991 need a fuzzy date?
Original US Release	know the real date?
Aliases	MetalStorm