Designer(s) Naoki Matsui | Initial release date 22 August 1987 | |
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Composer(s) Kinuyo YamashitaMotoaki FurukawaMasahiro Ikariko Genre(s) Horizontal Scrolling Shooter Similar Gradius games, Shoot 'em up games | ||
Nemesis 2 (グラディウス2, Guradiusu Tsū, Gradius 2) is a side-scrolling shoot 'em up video game released for the MSX computer in 1987 by Konami. The game is a sequel to Nemesis, the MSX version of Gradius, but is unrelated to the arcade game Gradius II (which used the Roman numeral 'II'). This version was ported to the Sharp X68000 computer under the name Nemesis '90 Kai (ネメシス'90改, Nemeshisu ninetī kai), with some graphical and aural enhancements.
Contents
In a departure from other games, instead of controlling Vic Viper, the available ship is called Metalion. Unlike other titles, this game has a heavier focus on story, which is told by cut-scenes. The gameplay is mostly unchanged from the rest of the series, though there are some powerups that temporally gives the ship some enhancements. Also, when the bosses are being defeated, if the Metalion flies where they are, a mini-level can be accessed in order to obtain new permanent upgrades, if the mini levels are successfully cleared.
Plot
The Director General of Space Science Agency Dr. Venom was exiled to Planet Sard for a failed coup d'état. In the year 6665, he escapes and invades Planet Nemesis and the seven planets it controls with the help of Bacterion. The Nemesis High Council sends James Burton, ex-pilot of the Vic Viper, to pilot Metalion and attack Dr. Venom and the Bacterion invaders. The game takes place during the year 6666.
Gameplay
New weapons:
To get them, the player had to enter into the main bosses ship just after the big explosion when the combat ends. Then a slow alarm sound appears, indicating there's still time. Once the player gets inside the bosses, a short stage has to be completed (the same for every boss). When the nucleus of the boss is destroyed, then the new weapons may be granted:
If the big boss was killed in less than 15 seconds, 2 weapons are granted.
If the big boss was killed in less than 30 seconds, 1 weapon is granted.
If the big boss was killed in more than 30 seconds, no weapon is granted.
On the X68000 version, you get one weapon, no matter how long it takes to kill the boss.
Stages and bosses
There are a total of fourteen normal levels and two bonus levels; this game is much longer than other Gradius titles, which usually have around eight levels. However, stages 10–13 are just boss fights. The levels are the same in both.
Nemesis '90 Kai
This Sharp X68000 port is essentially an enhanced remake of Nemesis 2 with graphical quality on par with Gradius III.
It includes two new stages exclusive to this version of the game, and 4 new bosses (two of which replace the rematches fought in the MSX version.)
Ports
Aside from being remade as Nemesis '90 Kai as mentioned above, Nemesis 2 was also ported to the Mobile Phones in 2006 and Sony PSP in 2007 as part of the Salamander Portable collection.
They're was re-released for Wii's Virtual Console in 2009, later for Project EGG in 2015 and for Wii U in 2016 in Japan.