Introduction

In the land of forgotten gems, where every 90s game hangs out with their unique quirks and quirky charms, iS: Internal Section takes its rightful place among the more eccentric titles. Developed by Positron and crafted under the watchful eye of Square, it's a tube shooter that sounds like it came straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon-that is, if those cartoons were filled with techno beats and polygon textures. So grab your neon leg warmers, dust off your old PlayStation, and let's dive into this auditory trip down memory lane.

Gameplay

iS: Internal Section lets you pilot a ship through nostalgic corridors reminiscent of Tempest 2000. You're placed in a long tube, and boy, do those tunnel vibes make you feel like you just attended a rave in the year 1999! You control your ship from a top-down perspective, zig-zagging through flocks of enemies while blasting techno-inspired beats through your speakers. With twelve weapons inspired by the Chinese Zodiac (showing just how creative they felt on a Tuesday), each weapon has its own purpose: some shoot straight, while others might just lob bullets like they're having a bad day. The game even supports a personal CD! You can crank up your favorite jams from Celine Dion (No judgment! We all have our guilty pleasures) as you trade lasers with enemies. The fusion of music and combat creates an exhilarating experience that makes you feel like an action hero-unless you let that techno turn into background noise while you explode into oblivion. But hey, no pressure, right?

Graphics

Now, don't expect the jaw-dropping visuals of your new-gen AAA games. iS serves up flat-shaded models, and your ship looks like it was modeled by a college student that's taken one 3D-design class. Sure, the aesthetic can leave some visually hungry gamers craving a bit more detail, but the simplicity fits the vibe of the game perfectly. The neon colors are eye-catching, which is quite important when you're dodging, shooting, and reflecting laser beams from cosmically inclined enemies. Flashes of colors dance on the screen, and while you might admire the creativity in weapon designs, you won't be mistaking these polygons as anything resembling a photo-realistic masterpiece. But let's be honest, were you even expecting that? You came here for the fast pace and not an Oscar nomination for Best Visuals.

Conclusion

Overall, iS: Internal Section is a love letter to the tube shooter genre that gives it a funky twist with music integration, and while it might not have the widespread fame outside of Japan, it holds a unique charm for those willing to give it a shot-it's not 'IS' but 'ISN'T' a game worth trying. With its mix of quirky combat and an immersive soundtrack that's more beat than bullet, it could easily become a delightful unexpected nostalgia hit for retro aficionados. Dive into it, give it a whirl, and who knows? You might just find your new favorite way to waste time when procrastinating from really important adult decisions. Just remember to keep a backup of your favorite CDs in case you find yourself tuning out the default techno soundtrack.

See Prices for iS – internal section on PlayStation on Ebay

See Latest Prices for iS – internal section on PlayStation on Amazon