Last Resort (video game)


is an arcade shoot 'em up video game by SNK released in 1992. It was also released for the Neo-Geo and Neo Geo CD systems, SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 for the PS2, PSP, and Wii, as well as ACA Neo-Geo for the PS4 and Xbox One. Its gameplay was heavily inspired by R-Type and its system of a pod attached to the player's ship.

Gameplay

The object of the game is to fight through five stages and destroy the end stage bosses by aiming for their weak points. The player maneuvers both a cyber jet and an indestructible robot drone which acts both as a shield against small projectiles and an additional weapon with multi-directional fire and concussion launch capabilities. The robot drone can be toggled to a stoptrack position or to rotate around the cyber jet. The cyber jet can be upgraded with three levels of three types of firepower and faster jet speed by collecting the corresponding power-ups.

Plot

Many years in the future, mankind has developed the technology for space colonization. However, a mysterious computer virus infects the primary computer running man's first space station, causing it not only to affect its automated defenses, but to convince other humans to side with it. The computer attacks Earth so often that Earth's only hope is put into advanced spaceships wielding great firepower.

Development and release

Last Resort was developed by former Irem staff members.

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed Last Resort on their May 15, 1992 issue as being the thirteenth most-successful table arcade unit of the year, outperforming titles such as Hat Trick Hero and Tecmo World Cup '90. The game received mixed reception from critics and reviewers since its release in arcades and later on Neo Geo platforms. The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly panned the Neo Geo AES version, commenting that it has impressive graphics and sounds but crippling slowdown and extremely short length, problems they found especially unforgivable given the console's powerful hardware and the cartridge's high price. They gave it a 5.25 out of 10.

Retrospective reviews