Psyvariar
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| Psyvariar | |
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| Developer(s) | Success Corporation |
| Publisher(s) | Success Corporation (JPN) Empire Interactive (EUR) |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, PlayStation 2 |
| Release date | JPN 28 March 2002 (PS2) EUR 26 September 2003 (PS2) |
| Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, 2 player co-op |
| Rating(s) | ELSPA: 11+ |
| Input methods | 8-way joystick, 2 buttons |
| Cabinet | Upright |
| Arcade system | Taito G-NET |
| Display | Raster (vertical) |
Psyvariar (サイヴァリア Saivaria?) is a vertically scrolling shooter arcade game developed by Success Corporation on Taito's G-NET hardware. Two versions were released — the original version Psyvariar Medium Unit in 1999, and an updated and remixed version Psyvariar Revision in 2001. Both were later ported for home release on the PlayStation 2 console.
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[edit] Gameplay
The special feature of Psyvariar's gameplay is its risk/reward "Buzz" system. Each time the nose or wings of the player's ship grazes a bullet or an enemy, this counts as one "buzz" (only the very centre of the ship is vulnerable). For each buzz, a meter at the top of the screen increases by a small increment. When the meter fills up through repeated buzzing, the ship levels up and experiences a brief moment of invincibility. The player can use this short period to risk buzzing more bullets to reach the next level-up, or to avoid particularly difficult bullet patterns.
Upon completion of a stage, the player is given choice of which stage to tackle next. The more difficult (and higher-scoring) stages are only made available if the ship's level is high enough. The game can played as a traditional scrolling shooter ignoring the Buzz system completely, but this would strongly limit the choice of stages available resulting in significantly lower scores, and the true final stage of the game would not be seen.
The major gameplay difference between Psyvariar Medium Unit and Psyvariar Revision is that in the former, a single bullet can only be buzzed once, but can be buzzed as many times as possible in the latter which results in much higher scores and levels. To aid buzzing bullets multiple times, the ship can be repeatedly spun on its axis by rapidly waggling the joystick left and right.
[edit] Leveling Up & Unlocking the harder areas
Although there are no power ups to collect the ship can be leveled up which will transform the ship and alter the shot patterns. The evolution of the craft will take place once the required level has been achieved. Achieving the higher levels will also open up the harder stages in the game.
Psyvariar Medium Unit
1st Form - Level 8
2nd Form - Level 17
3rd Form - Level 33
4th Form - Level 54
Final Form - Level 88
Psyvariar Revision
1st Form - Level 16
2nd Form - Level 40
3rd Form - Level 80
4th Form - Level 128
5th Form - Level 192
Final Form - Level 256
Area unlocking requirements
The following levels must be achieved for the areas to be selectable.
Psyvariar Medium Unit
Area 2-C is opened if Area 1 is cleared with a level of 8 or higher.
Area 3-B is opened if Area 2 is cleared with a level of 18 or higher.
Area 4-C is opened if Area 3 is cleared with a level of 26 or higher.
Area 4-D is opened if Area 3 is cleared with a level of 32 or higher.
Area 5-B is opened if Area 4 is cleared with a level of 38 or higher.
Area 5-C is opened if Area 4 is cleared with a level of 53 or higher.
Area 6-B is opened if Area 5 is cleared with a level of 52 or higher.
Psyvariar Revision
Area 2-C is opened if Area 1 is cleared with a level of 16 or higher.
Area 2-D is opened if Area 1 is cleared with a level of 24 or higher.
Area 3-B is opened if Area 2 is cleared with a level of 24 or higher.
Area 3-C is opened if Area 2 is cleared with a level of 80 or higher.
Area 4-B is opened if Area 3 is cleared with a level of 45 or higher.
Area 4-C is opened if Area 3 is cleared with a level of 96 or higher.
Area X-A is opened if Area 4 or any other area is cleared with a level of 56 or higher.
Area X-B is opened if Area X-A or any other area is cleared with a level of 118 or higher.
Area X-C is opened if Area X-B or any other area is cleared with a level of 163 or higher.
Area X-D is opened if Area X-C or any other area is cleared with a level of 218 or higher.
[edit] PlayStation 2 version
Psyvariar Complete Edition was released for the Sony PlayStation 2 in Japan on 28 March 2002 by Success. It contains both Psyvariar Medium Unit and Psyvariar Revision on a single disc. The main additions are a replay mode and the option to use a separate button to spin the ship as the waggling motion is harder to perform on a joypad.
Two special editions were also available in Japan. The Special Sound Box included an audio CD of the game's soundtrack, and the Special Capture Box included a gameplay DVD of both games being fully completed by expert players. Both games were also released separately as part of Success' budget range in 2003.
Psyvariar Complete Edition was released in Europe on 26 September 2003 by Empire Interactive at a budget price under their "Xplosiv" label. This version retains all the features of the Japanese release and includes a 60Hz mode.
