Air Twister, developed by legendary arcade developer Yu Suzuki (who was behind titles like Out Run, After Burner and Virtua Fighter), takes players on a high-flying rail shooter adventure reminiscent of the iconic Space Harrier series that he developed. Released on various platforms, including the PlayStation 5, this game delivers a blend of nostalgia and modern gameplay elements where as Princess Arch, players must defend the invaded world of AIR from the Vanguard, encountering diverse enemies and challenging bosses.
The game’s premise pays homage to Suzuki’s earlier masterpiece, Space Harrier, with clear influences from classics like Panzer Dragoon when you look at the overall look and feel. Controlling Princess Arch involves navigating through airborne landscapes, locking onto enemies, and unleashing missile barrages. The gameplay is straightforward yet engaging, allowing players to quickly grasp the mechanics, emphasizing reflexes, and pattern recognition – all of which are hallmarks of classic arcade experiences.
The Adventure Map, a skill tree unlocked with collected stars, adds depth and replay value to the gameplay. It introduces a layer of strategy and progression, offering upgrades such as increased health, new weapons, and defensive items. The stars, which you earn by obliterating enemy formations, tie the main game and the Adventure Map together, creating a satisfying loop of continuous improvement and progress.
The game’s main adventure spans 12 carefully designed stages, each with its own unique experience and feel to it. The narrative, while it’s not the focus in an arcade-style game, adds flavor through the Adventure Map’s unlockable lore, providing additional context to the game’s world and characters.
Air Twister boasts over 20 Vanguard creatures and 10 bosses. The boss battles, set against surreal backdrops like floating islands and giant gardens, showcase the game’s artistic flair. The enemies, from winged elephants to hostile fossils, add to the almost psychedelic visual spectacle as well. However, some technical limitations, likely inherited from the game’s mobile origins, occasionally show in low-resolution backgrounds and simplistic polygonal environments – which is a shame when you consider how pioneering Suzuki’s past works were in this sense.
The game’s soundtrack, composed by Dutch artist Valensia, delivers an epic rock-opera type of experience. While the vocal themes may initially feel out of place, the soundtrack grows on you over time, becoming an integral part of the game’s unique atmosphere.
As you’d perhaps expect from an arcade title, Air Twister’s main adventure is very short and can be completed in well under an hour. The game’s difficulty requires players to learn enemy patterns gradually, slowly getting better on subsequent runs, while the Adventure Map’s branching paths and unlockable content extend the gameplay, offering additional challenges and customization options. The various game modes, including Arcade, Turbo, and Boss Rush, also provide alternatives.
Despite the game’s mobile origins showing in some technical aspects, Air Twister stands out as a unique and enjoyable experience. With its straightforward gameplay, captivating soundtrack and clear nods to Suzuki’s arcade legacy, the game caters to fans of classic rail shooters. While its short duration may deter some, the Adventure Map and bonus modes add depth, making Air Twister a title worth revisiting for those captivated by its charm. Whether you’re a seasoned arcade score chaser or a newcomer to rail shooters, Air Twister’s a solid modern example of how these games were designed in the era before games like House of the Dead, Virtua Cop and Time Crisis.
Score: 7.0/10
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