Cracking little shooter
Silent Shadow is a cracking little shooter that stands as a fine example of 8-bit action and visuals, sporting as it does some lovely retro graphics. It doesn't stint on the fun either and is well worth checking out whether you're a fan of other classic shooters like Xenon or Operation Wolf. There is some kind of background to the game, which is a bit garbled thanks to its Spanish origins but which basically revolves around destroying the enemy fleet which is currently holed up in the Persian Gulf. This translates into a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up, with some horizontal scrolling thrown in for good measure. There are four distinct phases to the game, these taking the player from the enemy airbase, through a city, the desert and finally the enemy fleet and each stage is packed to the rafters which stuff to blow up. There is little in the way of powerups to add to the fun, beyond a kind of smartbomb, but to make up for this, a superb two player mode is included which makes the game a truly fantastic experience. As far as old-school shooters go, this really is great stuff. It gets off to a great start with its slick eighties look, and the sprites and levels really show off that visual style to great effect. The scrolling too is smooth, while controls are lovely and responsive, just as they should be. The action is fast and frenetic but never too overwhelming and is simply enjoyable without being frustrating. The two player mode is the icing on the cake and if you have any interest in shooters or retro games, this is one to add to the list.
