Editor's note: SEGA AGES G-LOC: Air Force is currently only available in Japan, but you can follow our guide on how to buy Nintendo Switch games from the Japanese Shop for now.
It is fair to say that the last few games in the Sega Ages series have been a bit underwhelming. Not that they were really bad games, of course – we still carry the old archives of a well-known company – but the popularity of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Puyo Puyo 2 it does not give us a rare trip.
The series is pretty high when looking at Sega titles that don't enjoy many home releases in the past, or anywhere at all: this is especially true when we're treated to arcade ports like Virtua Racing, Astonishing Place and Puzzle and action: Icihidant-R. Thankfully, G-LOC largely falls into this category; in fact, this is the first time that the first arcade version has been available to play on the home system.
Although it was incorporated with varying degrees of success on Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear and home computers in the early 90 & # 39; s, G-LOC's real money system stood head and shoulders above all because of its downside. wonderful it was a look. Used Sega & # 39; s Y Board, an arcade board and used for the popularity of Drift power and Galaxy Force: this is allowed for some rare tactics, such as sprite rotation and higher pricing. The result is a game that still looks very good to this day, even though it's older.
At first glance, the G-LOC looks like an upgraded version of some sort of classic jga fighter battle, After Burner. Though it is more played from the first-person perspective than from the perspective of that third game, you would be forgiven for thinking that it might even be famous after the name of After Burner. In fact, there is a noticeable difference between the two that makes G-LOC a game full of action.
In After Burner the ultimate goal was to survive; you had to make your way through 18 stages without losing the rest of your life, and even though shooting enemies makes this easy, it's not important. At the risk of being controversial, After Burner is a game where cowardice is a legitimate tactic because you can make your way to each stage simply to avoid things.
The G-LOC is different in that it is about attack, not defense. Each of its units asks you to destroy a certain number of enemies within a time limit. The sooner you commit suicide, the more your time will be expanded to the next stage. In this way, it is close to a racing game like this Relax Run than after Burner. Instead of simply trying to do it to the end, then you should actively hunt down your enemies and kill them as well as possible.
To do this you are armed with two weapons: the Vulcan Gun (which is just a great rifle) and an unlimited amount of ammunition. While the Vulcan Gun is good for taking on other nearby planes, the arrows form the main mechanic of the game. Find the enemy in your view long enough and your cursor will be red, locking them. The voice will scream "fire" and if you fire on fire this time you will get a guaranteed kill. A good G-LOC player, however, is very effective at firing enemies and quickly firing missiles.
There are three difficulty levels to choose from, and the first option is to limit the size of your flight and make you fly at consistent speed. When you drop it on Medium or Expert your roll controls are fully unlocked – it makes your modes easier and allows you to fly higher at will – and you gain access to the inclinations and back burners to give you the ability to accelerate when needed to capture enemies. This makes things a lot more fun.
That said, the most advanced control method leads to the most notable annoyance in the game: the normal section where you fall under a sharp hole, avoiding the edges of the rock. The sharp turns at these levels can only be controlled in Startup mode, but in difficult situations simply being able to control them with a sophisticated roll roll is a challenge in itself, not to mention aiming at the enemy at the same time.
Difficulty levels don't just affect management, they each show completely different categories: 9 for Beginner, 13 for Medium and 16 for Expert. This gives at least a fair amount of revenge to the game that is not true: because it's an arcade game your main reason to keep playing is to try to beat your best score, in this case including trying to clear all levels for as short a time as possible.
When it comes to additional features and options, the Sega Ages series usually offers healthier choices, with only a few minor entries. G-LOC is certainly not one of those disappointments: there are a number of additions that have been enjoyed both to make the game more accessible to beginners and add new challenges for professionals. Depending on the gameplay services, the shutter lock is available immediately, as well as the options to automatically turn off your machine gun at all times and include a screen whenever you intend to malfunction.
An exciting new feature, however, is the Mode of Ages. This is a new set of 16 stages with one level of difficulty, starting with simplicity and finally becoming too much it is difficult. That's how we found ourselves playing a lot and the addition of online levels for both them and standard arcade mode ensured that we had played longer than expected.
Depending on the presentation, the quality of the M2 always shines as it happens. As ever, there are plenty of different display options, giving you the option to play with a smooth filter, scan lines, both or not, and the option to scale the image in many ways. It also adds a few cabinet-based ideas: the standard straight may not keep you busy for a while but the option of playing in a compatible gaming drawer is really fun, and the straightforward sound that accompanies it is a nice touch.
Sadly, though, there is no option – at least we can get it after long play – to turn on the madness R360 Cabinet. This clever design lets the players gird themselves and turn 360 degrees, leading to a certain dynamic movement that made you look up and do all the cleaning but it was guaranteed. Only 100 of these cabinets were made – Trocadero in London had one, Michael Jackson had one too – and as many of us may have tried to get them out today, a well-made version would be great. Fingers cut it open it hasn't been opened yet.
This aside, we were enjoying the G-LOC. It's nice to see another Sega Ages title dedicated to a never-released home game, and the fact that it's a hobby means it's more than just a wall that will attract historians. No news for it – those canyon sections a it is a difficult night and except that if you like to beat your best, their attraction may be limited – but those points don't come from the fact that it's yet another solid element of the series.
Conclusion
An arcade title that is more focused on offensive play than the likes of After Burner. The first G-LOC removal at home is welcome. It has a few frustrating stages and, as is the case with most arcade games, it has long-term problems, but as long as you don't mind playing the same series of multiplayer sections to get yourself up online, it's a great way to spend 10 minutes at a time.
