Alpha Mission II
{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Alpha Mission II
| image = Alpha Mission II arcade flyer.jpg
| developer = SNK
| publisher = SNK
| producer = Eikichi Kawasaki
| designer = Kazuto Kouno
Kazuhiro Shibata
Keisen Yamaguchi
| programmer = Sho Chan
| composer = Kazuhiro Nishida
Toshikazu Tanaka
Yoko Osaka
| series = Alpha Mission
| platforms = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Arcade}}|Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD}}
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|1991}}|Arcade{{vgrelease|WW|25 March 1991}} Neo Geo AES{{vgrelease|JP|1 July 1991|NA|1 July 1991|EU|1 July 1991}} Neo Geo CD{{vgrelease|JP|9 September 1994|NA|October 1996}}}}
| genre = Vertically scrolling shooter
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| arcade system = Neo Geo MVS
}}
Alpha Mission II{{efn|Also known as {{nihongo|ASO II: Last Guardian|ASO II：ラスト ガーディアン|ASO II: Rasuto Gādian||lead=yes}} in Japan.}} is a vertically scrolling full screen shoot 'em up released by SNK in 1991 for the Neo Geo arcade and home systems.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:BeepMD_JP_1991-02.pdf&page=132|title=VG - ASO II：ラストガーディアン|magazine=Beep! Mega Drive|issue=17|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=February 1991|page=130|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ABeepMD_JP_1993-03.pdf&page=128|title=Oh! Neo Geo Vol. 7 - ASO II|magazine=Beep! Mega Drive|issue=42|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=March 1993|page=126|lang=ja}} It is the sequel to the 1985 arcade game Alpha Mission. It was later released for the Neo Geo CD in 1994 and for the PlayStation Portable in 2010.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/GamePro_The_Cutting_Edge_Spring_1996#page/n109/mode/2up|title=Neo•Geo CD: The Arcade In A Box - Alpha Mission II|magazine=GamePro|issue=Premiere Supplement|publisher=IDG|date=Spring 1996|page=104}}
The player controls a fighter spacecraft (Armored Scrum Object) and can shoot enemies in the air, bomb enemies on the ground, collect power-ups, and defeat bosses to advance levels.
Gameplay
File:NEOGEO Alpha Mission II (ASO II - Last Guardian).png
The game controls uses 2 or 3 buttons used depending on the selected shuttle mode. The ship's armaments consist of air-to-air laser shots, air-to-ground missiles and any Power Weapons the player collects. The laser and missiles can be upgraded up to four times by collecting the powerups from drones that are shot. Power Weapons are available after the player collects three pieces of the same armour type or can be bought with credits acquired after each stage.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:BeepMD_JP_1991-06.pdf&page=130|title=VG - ASO II：ラストガーディアン|magazine=Beep! Mega Drive|issue=21|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=June 1991|pages=128–129|lang=ja}}Alpha Mission II user's manual (Neo Geo AES, US)
The weapons have limited power indicated on an energy meter. Using the weapons or getting the ship damaged lowers the energy. The energy can be recharged by collecting E power ups. Once the energy expires, the ship returns to normal mode. Depending on which mode is selected varies whether Button C or B activates the Power Weapons. Various hidden items can do certain things like an R item can put the shuttle in Reverse for a certain distance. The shuttle is destroyed by one shot or by running into an enemy unit or hazard. Unless the player collects enough K power-ups beforehand, the missiles and laser shots will be lost to minimum power when the player loses a life.
There are seven stages in the game, with the last one consisting of a single boss battle. The player has to fight through them avoiding hazards in addition. Mid-bosses occasionally appear in the game. When the player meets a mid-boss or end stage boss, the player must destroy weak points and various parts of the boss to destroy it.
Development and release
{{empty section|date=July 2019}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = (AC) {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Biondich|first=Paul|url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=9487&tab=review|title=Alpha Mission II (Arcade) - Review|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114222119/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=9487&tab=review|archive-date=14 November 2014|url-status=live}}
(NG) {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Knight|first=Kyle|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16986&tab=review|title=Alpha Mission II (Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System) - Review|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=1998|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115121827/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16986&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014|url-status=live}}
| CP = (NG) 90%{{cite magazine|last1=Kun|first1=Kaneda|last2=Hermelin|first2=François|url=https://archive.org/stream/Console_Plus_Numero_001#page/66/mode/2up|title=Neo Geo Review - Alpha Mission II|magazine=Consoles +|issue=1|publisher=M.E.R.7|date=September 1991|pages=66–67|lang=fr}}
| CVG = (NG) 88/100{{cite magazine|last=Rand|first=Paul|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-119/CVG119_Oct_1991#page/n60/mode/1up|title=Reviews - Neo Geo -- Alpha Mission II|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=119|publisher=Future Publishing|date=October 1991|page=61}}
| GameFan = (NG) 334/400{{cite magazine|last1=Halverson|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Halverson|last2=Off|first2=Gregory|last3=Stratton|first3=Tom|last4=Cockburn|first4=Andrew|url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_1_Issue_03#page/n12/mode/1up|title=Viewpoint - Neo Geo - Alpha Mission 2|magazine=GameFan|volume=1|issue=3|publisher=DieHard Gamers Club|date=January 1993|page=13}}
| JP = (NG) 94%{{cite magazine|author1=Seb|last2=Demoly|first2=Jean-Marc|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1771&album=oui|title=Test - Neo Geo - Alpha Mission II|magazine=Joypad|issue=2|publisher=Yellow Media|date=November 1991|pages=126–127|lang=fr|access-date=2021-01-06|archive-date=2017-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917110220/http://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=84&num=1771&album=oui|url-status=live}}
| JS = (NG) 97%{{cite magazine|last=Demoly|first=Jean-Marc|url=https://archive.org/stream/joystick021#page/n132/mode/1up|title=Tests - Neo Geo - Alpha Mission II|magazine=Joystick|issue=21|publisher=Sipress|date=November 1991|page=133|lang=fr}}
| NLife = (NS) 7/10{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/alpha_mission_ii_neogeo|title=Alpha Mission II Review (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=April 7, 2017|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-date=2021-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106234546/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/alpha_mission_ii_neogeo|url-status=live}}
| PO = (NG) 94%{{cite magazine|last=Drevet|first=Cyril|url=https://archive.org/stream/playerone-magazine-014c#page/n92/mode/1up|title=Dossier: La NÉO GÉO brille de tous ses feux - Alpha Mission II|magazine=Player One|issue=14|publisher=Média Système Édition|date=November 1991|page=93|lang=fr}}
| SUser = (AC) 83%{{cite magazine|last=Cook|first=John|url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-114/SinclairUser_114_Aug_1991#page/n42/mode/1up|title=Coin Ops: Neo-Geo News|magazine=Sinclair User|issue=113|publisher=EMAP|date=August 1991|page=43}}
| TA = (iOS) {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2021/12/07/alpha-mission-ii-aca-neogeo-review-mission-improbable/ |title='Alpha Mission II ACA NEOGEO' Review – Mission Improbable |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=2021-12-07 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=2021-12-08}}
| rev1 = Game Zone
| rev1Score = (AC) {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Wilson|first=David|url=https://archive.org/stream/game-zone-01#page/82/mode/1up|title=Kill Zone - Alpha Mission II|magazine=Game Zone|volume=1|issue=1|publisher=Dennis Publishing|date=November 1991|page=82}}
| rev2 = Pure Nintendo Magazine
| rev2Score = (NS) 7.5/10{{cite web|last=Daugherty|first=Kaelyn|url=https://purenintendo.com/review-alpha-mission-2/|title=Review: ACA NEOGEO ALPHA MISSION II (Nintendo Switch)|work=Pure Nintendo Magazine|publisher=Pure Media, LLC|date=June 19, 2017|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-date=2021-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106234602/https://purenintendo.com/review-alpha-mission-2/|url-status=live}}
| rev3 = Zero
| rev3Score = (AC) {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Stokes|first=Doris|url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-25#page/n84/mode/1up|title=Dosh Eaters: Alpha Mission II|magazine=Zero|issue=25|publisher=Dennis Publishing|date=November 1991|page=85}}
}}
In Japan, Game Machine listed Alpha Mission II on their May 1, 1991 issue as being the most-popular arcade game at the time.{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=402|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 May 1991|page=29|lang=ja}} Since its initial release in arcades, the game has been met with generally positive reception from critics.{{cite magazine|last=Knauf|first=Andreas|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=5065&s=2|title=News - Neo Geo - ASO 2|magazine=Video Games|issue=5|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=January 1992|pages=10–12|lang=de|access-date=2021-01-06|archive-date=2021-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106234557/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=5065&s=2|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last1=Yamashita|first1=Nobuyuki|author2=Itabashi|url=https://archive.org/stream/micomBASIC_1992-07#page/n232/mode/1up|title=Super Soft 大特集 - 今、『NEO・GEO』がおもしろい！: ASO II~ラスト ガーディアン~|magazine=Micom BASIC Magazine|issue=121|publisher=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|date=July 1992|page=209|lang=ja}}{{cite magazine|last1=Noak|first1=Philipp|last2=Hellert|first2=Stefan|url=http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=8807&s=3|title=Special - Neo Geo - Alpha Mission 2|magazine=Mega Fun|issue=11|publisher=Computec|date=August 1993|pages=28–30|lang=de|access-date=2019-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021232116/http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=8807&s=3|archive-date=2018-10-21|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/HiTechMagazine/HiTech%2001#page/n27/mode/1up|title=Reportaje - Clásicos en CD -- Titulos disponibles para el nuevo formato de SNK: Alpha Mission II|magazine=Hobby Hi-Tech|issue=1|publisher=Hobby Press|date=March 1995|page=28|lang=es}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/neogeofreak0025#page/n127/mode/1up|title=NF編集部にまる - ネオジオゲームㇱインレビュー: ASO II~ラスト ガーディアン~|magazine=Neo Geo Freak|issue=25|publisher=Geibunsha|date=June 1997|pages=124–128|lang=ja}}
AllGame{{'}}s Paul Biondich regarded it as a worthy successor to the original Alpha Mission and praised its complex weapon system, crisp graphics and simple controls although Kyle Knight gave the game more mixed outlook, stating that the enemy designs were dated and the aforementioned weapon system was a detriment. Consoles Plus{{'}} Kaneda Kun and François Hermelin commended the presentation, sound design, playability and original weapon. Both Kun and Hermelin noted that the lack of unlimited continues prolongs the title's overall longevity. Computer and Video Games{{'}} Paul Rand gave positive remarks the visuals for its quality, sound, difficulty and playability. Rand also noted that the lack of unlimited continues made it worthwhile.
GameFan{{'}}s four reviewers highlighted the visuals, soundtrack, bosses and weapon variety in a positive manner, deeming it to be better than Last Resort but not as good as Viewpoint. Both Joypad{{'}}s Seb and Joystick{{'}}s Jean-Marc Demoly gave very high praise to the graphics, animations, controls and sound. Likewise, Player One{{'}}s Cyril Drevet commended the animated visuals, weapon system, sound difficulty and playability. Sinclair User{{'}}s John Cook stated that its weapon system required thought to build them at their maximum state and attack enemies. Génération 4{{'}}s Frank Ladoire and Consolemania{{'}}s Piemarco Rosa highly praised the colorful and detailed graphics, anime-style soundtrack and playability.{{cite magazine|last=Ladoire|first=Frank|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero038/generation%204%20-%20N038%20-%20novembre%201991%20-%20page226%20et%20page227.jpg|title=Console Test – Alpha Mission II – Neo-Geo|magazine=Génération 4|issue=38|publisher=Computec Media France|date=November 1991|pages=218–219|lang=fr|access-date=2021-01-06|archive-date=2021-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106234447/http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero038/generation%204%20-%20N038%20-%20novembre%201991%20-%20page226%20et%20page227.jpg|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Rosa|first=Piemarco|url=https://archive.org/stream/Consolemania-014#page/n53/mode/2up|title=Alpha Mission II (Neo Geo)|magazine=Consolemania|issue=14|publisher=Xenia Edizioni|date=December 1992|pages=54–55|lang=it}} Game Zone{{'}}s David Wilson reviewed the arcade version, regarding it to be a fun game, noting its weapon system and ability to equip weapons between levels. Zero{{'}}s Doris Stokes also regarded the game to be fun but stated that the amount of action on-screen made it frenetic.
Nintendo Life{{'}}s Damien McFerran stated that the Armor weapon system was interesting, praising the bosses but criticized the levels for being repetitive. In contrasts, Nintendo World Report{{'}}s Casey Gibson stated that the power-up system was convoluted power-up system and criticized the level design for being bland. Pure Nintendo Magazine{{'}}s Kaelyn Daugherty also stated that the weapon system added variety but criticized certain design aspects.
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.giantbomb.com/alpha-mission-ii/3030-22631/ Alpha Mission II] at Giant Bomb
- [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=6867 Alpha Mission II] at Killer List of Videogames
- [https://www.mobygames.com/game/alpha-mission-ii Alpha Mission II] at MobyGames
{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alpha Mission II}}
Category:Cooperative video games
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Category:Hamster Corporation games
Category:Vertically scrolling shooters