When playing a modern space shooter, it always feels like they have a point to make. They have to be the most extreme, the loudest, the craziest. Super Star Path does not stick to this trend. It’s a rather calming – if occasionally frantic – shooter. The graphics are clearly 16-bit, the style reminding me more of classic computers such as the Amiga and Atari ST than the consoles of the era. The presentation is simple then, and stands to serve the gameplay, rather than being a focal point.
The gameplay is where Super Star Path both shines, and somewhat disappoints. Essentially, each stage plays out the same. It is a vertical shooter, and you begin by picking a ship, each having a different perk. Some can break certain types of blocks, other protect against different hazards. There is always one that is more suited to a particular stage, as each stage has slightly different obstacles. As you begin a stage, you are confronted with a mass of aliens, taking up the entire movable area, along with asteroids and other dangerous blocks. The main objective is to get through this mass, and then defeat the boss.
The mechanics of how you get through this mass are somewhat interesting. The aliens are all different colours, and when you shoot one, it will also blow up all the other aliens adjacent sharing the same colour, and then crystallize the aliens next to it not of the same colour. This is were a measure of strategy comes into play, as if you simply go blasting everything you can often find yourself in a situation where you cannot pass through and get stuck, effectively ensuring your death.
However, whilst you do have to keep your shots in mind, I managed to get through the majority of the game just by shooting most of the stuff in sight. Sure, some of the time I got caught out and couldn’t pass through, but since the levels are so short it didn’t really matter, I could simply try again. Upgrading ships in this game works a little differently to the norm. Occasionally, you’ll pick up a shield, fist or arrow. You can use these during the stage select screen to permanently upgrade a ship, boosting its defense, attack and mobility. These upgrades are essential, as at the start of the game your ship has only one life and low attack, making it very difficult to beat any of the stages, but by the end it is far easier.
It’s not a long or complex game, and it is reflected in the price – £1.99 at the time of publication. Apart from the six stages, there isn’t much more to the game. Each level has a boss which fights in a ‘bullet hell’ style, in which the best way to fight the boss is to focus on avoiding the projectiles rather than shooting at the enemy. These are fun, if not a little repetitive by the end. Dya Games has succeeded in making a game that is exactly what they set out to make, a simple shooter with puzzlelike elements. It’s a lot of fun for what it is, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap afternoon of fun.
You can purchase the game on Steam here.
