Inferno! (XBLIG): "A True Tribute To Classic Gaming"

Most likely those who read my review blog have either played, or owned some of the Sega Genesis games. Inferno! takes all the retro gaming goodness from that era in gaming, and presents it in a new way. If I had to compare this game with another it would be something along the lines of PAC-MAN, and a shmup combined. The music in the game pays homage to classic games such as the megaman series. The passcode system that allows you to continue where you left off was also used in games back then. After playing the game for a while I was quite impressed with what I experienced.

Inferno!'s story/plot involves the nuclear meltdown of TVOD-1 which is located on one of the 4 moons of the solar system's biggest industrial colony, 'Allum'. The scientists of Allum sent out someone to launch a special craft capable of extinguishing the core's meltdown. It is their only hope in avoiding a disaster that could wipe out over half of Allum's surface. You (The Gamer) must pilot this craft throughout TVOD-1's areas while avoiding such things as service droids, security robots, and defence systems. Extinguishing the flames that have enveloped TVOD-1's core can be achieved by gliding your craft over top of the hot spots. In order to make it to the next area in the game you have to extinguish all of the hot spots. The game provides you with weapons, upgrades, and items to aid you in this quest.

In the game you will find various power-ups that include shields, speed boosts, coolant jars, and even some bonus objects. The display at the bottom of the screen lets you know exactly what you have when it comes to those things. Whenever you run across an item, and collect it a voice will alert you as to what you just obtained. There's also a text display that offers useful info during gameplay. Collecting objects in 'Inferno!' will give you score, and since this is a highscore based game there is a scoreboard involved. If you ever need to figure out something about the game there is a 'game information' menu located within the start menu that breaks everything down in fine detail.

Inferno! is a top-down type of game, and features a rail system in which your craft rides along. Along these given paths are patches of lava-like spots that represent the meltdown. Your ultimate goal is to extinguish these spots by riding over them. Once all the hot spots in an area are cooled down a teleporter to the next area will appear. You will know this has happened by a sound that occurs once you have cooled down the entire area. While this goal may sound simple it is complicated by the fact that there are robots moving along the same rails you are, and the stationary defence system turrets that fire missiles at you.

Your craft has a certain amount of energy in the game, and getting hit by droids/robots or defence system turrets will deplete your energy supply. Once your energy level reaches the critical point the screen will flash red. A few more hits after that, and your craft will explode. You only have a few crafts/lives available, and losing them all will result in a game over. Aside from your energy level you also have a time level/limit. To avoid a game over it's best to find the quickest/safest route throughout each area. Collecting all of the items in each area isn't necessary, and can cost you precious time. You'll find that you have a limit of 4 layers of armour so collecting more than that would be a waste of time. You can display the area's map by pressing the 'Back' button. This definitely helps in finding the quickest way through each area.

Inferno!'s simple controls that include using the D.PAD/Left Thumbstick for movement, and the 'A' button/Right Trigger for firing will allow you to focus on the more important tasks at hand. With upgrades like the turbo thruster upgrade (speed boost), and plasma laser upgrade you'll have the necessary tools to help you accomplish your goal of saving Allum. As you play you'll find that paying attention to the defence system's/robot's patterns is a must if you hope to succeed in your mission. The fate of Allum lies with how well you are able to pilot the craft, so pilot it well my friend.

In the end I found everything about this game to be absolutely delightful. It brought back memories from the days when I used to play games on my Sega Genesis console, and even my NES. The small things like the passcode system that requires you to complete a bonus level in order to obtain the code reminds me of the early days in my gaming history. This is definitely a well developed, and well thought out game. Paradise/Archifishal Software did an amazing job in designing a game that I believe older gamers, as well as newcomers to the gaming community will enjoy.