This classic arcade game was released for the Amiga in 1989 by Discovery Software.
I only discovered this game recently but for me it's one of the greatest vertically scrolling shooters I ever played on the Amiga - I like it a lot.
It was also the precursor to the excellent Battle Squadron (which was developed by the same programmers) - both of which are must play games.
This game is pretty standard arcade gaming, but it's just so playable...
The thing about this game was that when it was released really good shmups were thin on the Amiga ground.We'd already been treated to the decent Menace and Xenon, we had the decidedly average Blood Money and Xenon II and Silkworm (both good games) were released around the same time. As far as arcade type games go that was about it, we were yet to be treated to the likes of SWIV.
To be fair this game was not the most impressive graphically (not that it looked bad or anything it just looked kind of average) - but as soon as you picked up your joystick the gameplay wrapped it's arms around you and gave you a big hug.
This was pure playability at it's vertical scrolling best. In classic arcade fashion you could move your craft in all directions and could collect icon powerups which appeared on the screen every now and again.
One point really enhanced the gameplay though: On collection of a powerup you could 'waggle' your joystick to make the weapon take on new (temporary) destructive powers. This feature could be used three times per powerup making tactical use important, but it really added an extra element to the game.
Couple these powerups with the perfectly balanced playability (which I would describe as hard but fair) and you were onto a winner. The game (in classic arcade gaming tradition) also allowed a player continue when all lives were lost - which again added to the playability.
I have to mention the in-game music too which is bloody marvellous. Paul Van Der Valk composed a piece of music that accompanies the game perfectly and stays in your head for days afterwards.
Hybris in-game music:
You were also able to customise the game to a degree by altering the rate of enemy bombs, changing the duration of powerups and so on. All good stuff.
The only downside was the plain-ish graphics (which scrolled nice and smoothly) - but when the game was this good it mattered not a jot.
Hyrbis is a classic arcade shooter that still plays well today.
We recommend getting hold of the real Amiga hardware - but if not then download an Amiga emulator and download Hybris. Alternatively you could try and play it online.
Please see our other Amiga retro game reviews - all links are listed in alphabetical order. Cheers guys
GENRE: Arcade game
RELEASE DATE: 1989
RELEASED BY: Discovery
DEVELOPER(S): Martin Pederson, Torben Bakager Larsen, Paul van der Valk
PRICE: £19.95 - UK
Classic Arcade Action:
Classic Games, Arcade Games and Amiga Games
6 comments:
This has been one of my favorite Amiga games, and really favorite vertical shooters on any platform since the 1980s. Like you said, the graphics taken by themselves don't really stand out, but this game is as close to perfectly balanced as I've ever seen. I still play this both on my real A2000 and on various versions of UAE. If I was making a top ten list of games from this era, Hybris would certainly be near the top.
For what it's worth, this is set to be released for IOS later this year. They reference it in this article about Battle Squadron on toucharcade. I'm skeptical that it would play very well with a touch screen, but I will probably have to pick it up anyway, just in case.
This is a great game. it very interesting and challenging.thanks for the post!
Cheers for the comments guys!
Oh and Paradroyd - thanks for the link to the new release of Battle Squadron.
At the very least it looks interesting.
Battle Squadron will be on this site shortly :-)
Wow, I never thought you'd post a game I'd never played AND never heard of before. I think I'll check it out.
I still remember the tune you hear just before you are ready to start blasting some baddies. This game is in my top 10 list. Really impressive for a 1987 game.
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