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Review of Arcade Hits: Moon Cresta on PlayStation

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo Jan 2022
Cover image of Arcade Hits: Moon Cresta on PlayStation
Gamefings Score: 7
Platform: PlayStation PlayStation logo
Released: 01 Jan 2022
Genre: Fixed Shooter
Developer: Nichibutsu
Publisher: Nichibutsu/Sega/Gremlin/Centuri

Introduction

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to blast off into a retro sci-fi frenzy with 'Arcade Hits: Moon Cresta'! It's the game where the spaceships are elongated, alien armies are aplenty, and docking is not just for when you're bored at the airport. Buckle up as we delve into the complexities and theatrics of a game that feels like it could use a little therapy for its attachment issues.

Gameplay

In 'Moon Cresta', you start with a charming little spaceship barely equipped to handle the intergalactic junkyard that is space. You have one, yes one, single laser cannon, which honestly feels like giving a toddler a popsicle and telling them to defend against a polar bear. As you progress through the waves-think of them as a rapidly escalating moving sidewalk to chaos-you fight alien ships that are probably just trying to make their way back home from a long day at work. After clearing a few waves of aggravatingly persistent extraterrestrial foes, you get to embark on the nail-biting task of docking with larger parts of your ship. That's right! Forget all those romantic notions of a first date; it's all about precision alignment in the world of interstellar mechanics. Mess it up and poof! There goes your precious ship segment-a tragedy that has sent many players into a spiral of despair-and probably a tantrum or two! The game cleverly resets you back to your original ship stage after every eight waves, which is a fantastic invitation for some nostalgic self-loathing. But hey, it keeps you on your toes! If you lose a segment and haven't docked successfully, your docking privileges are delayed until you prove yourself worthy. Kind of like real-life relationships! The goal here is simple: survive, dock, and shoot. Rinse and repeat! Just don't forget to take deep and calming breaths because at times, the frustration can be as high as the moon the game is named after!

Graphics

Now let's not sugarcoat it: the graphics in 'Moon Cresta' reflect the aesthetic charm of the early '80s. Bright colors clashing seamlessly with primitive pixel art make you yearn for the nostalgia of a simpler time-or perhaps a VR headset to escape into a fully-rendered universe. But there's undeniable charm in its retro vibes; it's like flipping through an old photo album filled with memories-the kind that evoke laughter, and maybe, just maybe a cringe or two. Each design is purposefully simplistic, which reminds you that in the galaxy of video games, sometimes the most artistic expression comes from the minimalistic approach. It's not about flashy graphics, but rather the chaos of imaginative alien warfare and strategy thinking to keep your ship intact. And hey, they capture the essence of a sci-fi battle pretty well for being approximately three decades old!

Conclusion

'Arcade Hits: Moon Cresta' is a delightful throwback that reminds us why we fell in love with games in the first place-raw simplicity, addictive gameplay, and a challenge that's just the right blend of frustration and fun. It's not without its quirks (like hoping that aliens have missed their coffee break when they arrive on your screen), but that's what makes it endearing, right? In its current iteration for the PlayStation, it does feel a tad dated, but aligns perfectly for anyone keen on reliving the past with a blast-or for introducing the younger generation to the beautiful art of pixelated spaceship maneuvering without the fancy-schmancy graphics of today's games. So, grab your controller, channel your inner space commander, and get ready to relive the thrilling moments of alien warfare with some good ol' 'Moon Cresta'. It's not just a game; it's an experience, a challenge, and maybe, just maybe, a path to your very own space relationship with one of the game's spaceships. Who knows? Happy gaming!

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