Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

G Darius builds on the series’ signature horizontal shoot-’em-up formula, combining tight 2D controls with innovative mechanics that refresh the classic fare. Players pilot the Silver Hawk starfighter through a branching series of stages, dodging waves of mechanized sea creatures and colossal bosses. The core RGB power-up system remains intact, allowing pilots to switch between red laser, green homing missiles, and blue phalanx shields to adapt to different threats.

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Where G Darius truly stands out is its expanded capture mechanic. Unlike earlier entries that limited captures to mid-boss encounters, here you can seize even small foes using “capture balls” in lieu of traditional bombs. These balls are replenished by grabbing purple pickups, and each captured enemy transforms into a unique drone that follows your ship, blocks incoming fire, and unleashes its own attack patterns. At any time, you can detonate these drones for a screen-clearing explosion or consume them to supercharge your blue alpha beam.

The addition of beam dueling elevates boss encounters into tense minigames. When your alpha beam collides with a boss’ red beta beam, it becomes a test of speed and rhythm: pressing the fire button rapidly absorbs the enemy beam, augmenting your attack, while a slow response boosts the boss’ power instead. This back-and-forth struggle injects strategy and spectacle into what might otherwise be a routine bullet-dodging showdown.

Replay value soars thanks to in-stage branching paths. At a midway point in every level, you choose between upper or lower route simply by steering your Silver Hawk to the top or bottom of the screen. Each path features its own background scroll, enemy formations, and boss variant with distinct color palettes, models, and attack patterns. Mastering all routes is key to uncovering the game’s full arsenal of challenges.

Graphics

G Darius marks a leap into fully 3D environments, blending polygonal backgrounds with classic 2D ship sprites. Stages unfold over sweeping alien vistas, underwater ruins, and rusted industrial complexes, all rendered in rich hues and detailed textures. Dynamic camera angles—especially during boss introductions—emphasize the scale of your mechanical foes.

Enemy and ship designs retain the series’ trademark biomechanical aesthetic, with multi-jointed creatures that twist and writhe as they fire barrages of bullets. The transition to 3D allows for smooth rotations and zooms, making each encounter feel more cinematic without sacrificing the clarity needed to navigate tight bullet patterns.

Graphical enhancements vary by platform. The original arcade and PlayStation versions hover around 240p, but the Windows port doubles that to a crisp 480p. On PlayStation you also gain an FMV player to revisit menu themes and animated intros, while the PC release delivers a fullscreen experience with reduced flicker and sharper lines.

Story

At its core, G Darius tells the tale of the Darius star—an isolated planet under siege by the sinister Belser Army. You join an elite cadre of pilots tasked with defending this distant world and its mysterious lifeforms. Though the narrative doesn’t interrupt the pulse-pounding action often, brief cutscenes bookend major battles, grounding each mission in the wider struggle for survival.

Shoot-’em-ups rarely hinge on plot, but G Darius weaves its story into branching stages. Choosing upper or lower routes sometimes reveals alternate briefings or shifts in enemy allegiances, giving players incentive to explore every corridor. Each boss variant feels like a distinct chapter in the war, from leviathan sea dragons to futuristic dreadnoughts.

For completionists, the tale extends beyond a single playthrough. Multiple endings depend on your route choices and whether you defeat the final boss with specific conditions, such as fully powered alpha beams. Uncovering all narrative threads requires mastering the capture and beam-duel systems to access secret stages and alternate climaxes.

Overall Experience

G Darius stands as one of the most ambitious entries in the venerable Darius franchise. Its marriage of polished 2D shooting with novel mechanics—expanded captures, beam duels, and branching paths—creates an adrenaline-packed experience that rewards both reflexes and strategic thinking. Each run feels different, encouraging you to experiment with drone compositions and stage routes.

Veteran shmup fans will relish the depth offered by the capture and dueling systems, while newcomers can dip into Beginner Mode on the PlayStation port for a gentler introduction. Local co-op boss rush (“VS BOSS” mode) further extends the fun, letting two pilots team up against a gauntlet of giant adversaries.

With its striking visuals, dynamic soundtrack, and multifaceted gameplay, G Darius remains a standout in 90s arcade shooters. Whether you’re chasing high scores, hunting alternate endings, or simply tearing through waves of robotic monstrosities, the game delivers a thoroughly engaging ride from start to finish.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10