Andrew Newton reviews Irem Collection Volume 3…
If you remember the side-scrolling shoot-’em-ups from the arcades, all those heady days when those beloved machines would make your palms sweat and your thumbs sore, then Irem Collection Volume 3 might just be the nostalgia hit you’re looking for. This latest retro compilation from ININ Games brings three classic shoot-’em-ups, including Mr. Heli, Mystic Riders, and Dragon Breed.
First up is Mr. Heli, a side-scrolling shooter that has players piloting a cute little helicopter through a variety of caverns. Players will need to blast enemies, collect the gems they drop, and buy power-ups to destroy baddies with greater ease. It’s part shoot-’em-up, part platformer, and although a little stiff by today’s standards, the gameplay holds up very well.
Next is Mystic Riders, a fun, colourful, and over-the-top fantasy shoot-’em-up where you zoom through the skies on broomsticks, firing magic at a variety of bizarre cartoon-like monsters. As well as firing magic, players can throw their broomstick like a boomerang, it’s a nice little touch that may be overlooked. Overall, Mystic Riders is silly, fast-paced, and packed full of charm.
Finally, Dragon Breed is a darker and more serious game than the others in the collection. Players take to the skies on the back of a massive dragon named Bahamoot and battle through a ruined fantasy world filled with a variety of gruesome creatures. What makes Dragon Breed stand out over its peers is the dragon itself. This long Chinese-style dragon is able to use its long, snaking body as both a shield and a weapon, making this a unique shoot-’em-up. While it’s the most demanding title of the three, it is also the most satisfying to progress through.
All three games have been faithfully recreated for modern consoles, and each comes with a selection of modern features. Players can either stick with the original arcade mode or take advantage of rewinds, save slots, invincibility, and more, which make these games more accessible. There are also a selection of visual options, including a range of filters, CRT-style scanlines, and customisable screen layouts that let you recreate that retro arcade look.
One thing worth noticing is that the presentation across the collection is almost identical to the first two volumes, and, like the others, there isn’t much in the way of bonus material. It would have been interesting to have development notes or concept art. It’s a bit of a missed opportunity.
The Irem Collection Volume 3 does exactly what it sets out to do. It provides three lesser-known shoot-’em-ups, and adds just enough modern polish to make them a challenge for old-school fans and newcomers alike. It’s not going to be the purchase of the year for those who don’t like the genre, but for fans of shoot-’em-ups, it can be well worth the money.
Rating – All three games in this collection took me for a nice stroll down memory lane – 8/10
Andrew Newton
