One of the greatest arcade games ever made and an essential purchase for any true old-school hardcore gamer.
Everything you'd expect from an arcade shooter is present and correct – hordes of enemies, showers of bullets and an obscene but fair difficulty level. However, the game is elevated far and beyond most similar titles by the implementation of the "Reflect Force". By holding the 'A' button for a few moments you can charge a shield that will reflect enemy bullets back at them. Furthermore, every reflected bullet that then hits an enemy will explode into medals that increase your score multiplier. The system takes a while to get used to, but once mastered adds so much to the game as you start deliberately putting yourself in the line of fire to reap the benefits of a successful 'reflect'. The slow-mo, whether intended or not, just adds to the intensity as your screen is filled with thousands of medals bursting forth from your adversaries. I don't think I've ever encountered such satisfying carnage in any other game.
The game is not particularly long and unlimited continues will allow you to see the ending on your first sitting. There are 4 different characters and a 2-player mode to keep you amused, but this game is really all about the high-scores. I have spent hours playing the game over and over as success relies more on instinct than memorizing the levels. I find I need a break every time I restart games that fall into the latter category, whereas Giga Wing feels different every time you play. Do you attempt to dodge the fire of this enemy to save your reflect force for the next? Or should you use a smart bomb and just blow up everything on the screen? You'll be making these split-second decisions constantly, both strategizing and blowing things up at the same time. It sounds insane, and it pretty much is, but somehow it soon becomes second nature.
If you're a retro shooter fan who wants a game that needs to be mastered rather than simply played, Giga Wing is just about the best out there. I've spent about 2 years comparing this to Ikaruga and, having never had the opportunity to play Radiant Silvergun, eventually concluded that it is my favourite shoot-'em-up of all time.