Super Earth Defense Force

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Super Earth Defense Force
Boxart
Developer(s) Jaleco
Publisher(s) Jaleco
Release date(s) JPN October 25, 1991
NA 1992-01
Genre(s) Shoot 'em up
Mode(s) Single player
Platform(s) SNES
Media 8-megabit cartridge

Super Earth Defense Force is a horizontal shooter game developed and published by Jaleco for the SNES. Originally an arcade game called Earth Defense Force, it featured a two player cooperative gaming mode which was later removed during its port to the SNES. In its SNES incarnation, graphical adjustments were made to some of the game's levels, and new selectable weapons were added.[1]

[edit] Gameplay

As a horizontal shooter game, the object of Super Earth Defense Force is based on survival of the game's levels, punctuated by the defeat of bosses at the end of each one. It is a fixed-length game, with a proper ending at the completion of the last level.

The player normally begins each level with 3 "shield" points, each able to absorb one enemy attack. Loss of all shields results in the loss of one of 4 continues, and loss of all continues results in the player receiving game over.

[edit] Weapons

Super Earth Defense Force's distinguishing gameplay feature is its weapon system, of which there are 8 weapons to choose from, 5 levels of power for any one weapon, and 4 methods of implementation during gameplay. Each weapon is graded on the weapon selection screen in three categories: "Power", "Speed" (muzzle velocity) and "Rapid" (cooldown). Each parameter is given a grade on an ABC scale, with A being the best and C the worst. A weapon may be chosen at the beginning of any level.

Weapon satellites in "orbit mode".
Weapon satellites in "orbit mode".

As the player accumulates points, new levels of weapon power are reached, up to the maximum level of 5. Weapons generally adhere to their original theme while typically gaining extra damage and area of effect through weapon levels. Weapon level is a fixed variable based on player scoring, so all weapons share the same master weapon level.

The default armament of the player's ship is a small vulcan cannon that cannot be upgraded or changed; the main weapon chosen by the player is entirely separate and implemented differently, specifically through two satellites that follow the player's ship around the screen. These satellites have 4 different modes that determine the power and attack pattern of each weapon, and are responsible for physically firing the main weapon. Aside from offense, the satellites are completely immune to all damage and can thus be used defensively to shield the player's ship.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Weiss, Brett Alan. All game guide. Super Earth Defense Force. Retrieved on June 15, 2006.
  • Super NES Games (English) (PDF). Nintendo of America. Retrieved on July 27, 2006.
  • Jaleco. Super E.D.F.: Earth Defense Force. Jaleco, 1991.