Developer: Victor Entertainment Publisher: JVC Released: 1994 Genre: Shooter
Keio Flying Squadron is an odd game. This is the type of title that would typically stay in Japan as its humor and theme are completely foreign to westerners. But just like Legend of the Mystical Ninja every so often a publisher will take a chance on an oddball title and we as gamers benefit. These days Keio Flying Squadron is known more for its outrageous price; even now it can still go for a few hundred bucks. But behind its ridiculous price tag is a solid shooter that has great presentation and is very accessible. Or about as accessible as a game that costs as much as a used car can be.
I’ll give the game credit for its setting. Keio Flying Squadron takes place during the Edo period and stars Rami, protector of the Key to the Secret Treasure. While it may sound important everyone has long since forgotten what the Secret Treasure even is. So much so in fact Rami shirks her duty and the key is stolen! Under threat of no food Rami hops on the back of her dragon Spot to get it back. Keio Flying Squadron features many cutscenes that detail its wacky story and has a great English dub for its time. The humor and all out wackiness are what help the game stand out aside from its great shooting action. It does not break the mold but is an excellent representation of it.
Although the game takes place in the Edo era that is just window dressing. Keio Flying Squadron throws everything but the kitchen sink into its presentation to create an odd yet appealing mish mash of shamanism and technology. There are aliens, massive airships, walking tanks, and anthropomorphic animals everywhere. Yet somehow it all makes sense. The enemy design is incredibly creative and unlike nearly anything else you will come across. The unique world and setting carry the presentation as it does suffer a bit from the Genesis’ limitations. The overall color palette is very low and repetitive, giving the game a grainy look at times. But aside from that the game looks ace.
For a shooter Keio Flying Squadron is slightly different when it comes to its power-ups. There are only a few items. Your main cannon can upgrade to a stronger, wider shot or a wide beam that isn’t as strong. Both can be powered up six times although they aren’t particularly powerful. There are three sub weapons, bombs, throwing stars, and homing dragons. There are options but you don’t collect them. Any time you aren’t firing Spot will create up to two spot jrs. that follow your movement and supplement your fire. You can sacrifice a spot jr. in a kamikaze attack and generate another, with the only penalty being the time to create it. It isn’t especially powerful but the invincibility during the attack makes it useful in a pinch.
Gameplay wise Keio Flying Squadron does nothing new in the genre. But it is a joy to play because it nails the basics so well. Plus its world is so fascinating to witness. Among the many massive airships and mechanical tanks you will find an assortment of flat out odd…contraptions. One of the first minibosses is a shaman monk that looks attached to a construction crane piloted by a raccoon. Read that entire sentence again. And that’s just the first level. The third level boss is an American warship with what appear to be secret agents that pop out of its ports to take pot shots. That the game keeps up this level of absurdity to its conclusion is exceptional. Even the traditional mechanical designs look exceptional. But most importantly this is a well-paced adventure that does not overstay its welcome.
In addition to its pacing Keio Flying Squadron is very accessible in terms of its difficulty. Even though the weapons aren’t especially strong they get the job done when it comes to the fodder enemies. Item drops come frequently and when you die the game provides one weapon and sub-weapon so you aren’t completely powerless. The difficulty ramps up in the last two levels but by then you will have built up decent stock of extra lives. The only frustrating element would be the boss battles. Whether its weak weapons or the fact that they are bullet sponges, boss battles drag on longer than they should. That is probably the only blemish on the game in my opinion.
In Closing
Keio Flying Squadron succeeds by being a really good shooter that does not rely on any gimmicks. This is one of the better games for the system and highly recommended for shooter fans. Good luck finding it at a reasonable price however.
