Blue Rider

"Blue Rider"

Blue Rider is a blast. It is a retro arcade game that takes you back to the days of games like "Star Force", "Life Force", and "Xevious". You are a spaceship that makes its way along blasting everything in your way. The levels are full of really cool enemies, and even cooler bosses. You only have one man, but you can pick up extra men, as well as continue from same level you didn't complete. The best thing to do is learn the level, take your time, and stay alive.If you do so you will be rewarded, because as you go you pick up very helpful upgrades. They make you stronger, but you lose them when you die. Sort of like in "Abadox" if anyone remembers that NES classic? The final boss is the same on every level, except he makes him self harder by changing his form, and making you learn how to defeat him. It is really cool to see every time just what you will face, and learn his attack patterns.
Blue Rider is a really challenging game. That makes it so much more fun. Your not going to blow right through it more than likely. I found myself repeating multiple levels. All the levels are well designed, very retro like. Loaded with enemies firing bullet after bullet at you to dodge. It really takes you back to a different time in gaming. All you older gamers who loved their NES and SNES will fall right in love with this one. Everything about it runs smooth, experienced no issues with this game right from launch. I also had a blast from start to finish. The look the feel, everything felt classic to me. I love spaceship action shooters. I loved Aegis Wings on the 360 and been hoping the One would bring something like that along, and so far this is as close as you get to that.
The one thing missing from this game in my opinion is Coop play. Would have been a lot of fun blasting through all nine stages with a buddy. Sort of like in "Jackal" that is really the only thing I really was missing with this one. Maybe it will come later in the form of an update, fingers crossed. The music is awesome, the levels are beautiful. Some of the best looking graphics I've seen this Gen in a arcade indie game. I really suggest you grab this one if you love old school games, or if you been looking at it , and thinking about it. It is definitely worth the price.

Pros: Beautiful environments
Cool soundtrack to the action
Challenging level design, and enemies
Radical looking enemies and bosses
Very retro arcade feel, instant classic

Cons: Would have been a blast to play coop, even if just couch.

Overall: 8.5 An amazing trip back to the day of the overhead space shooter. A must have for old school gamers.

For more information on this title check out:
https://www.facebook.com/BlueRiderGame/