Horizon Shift '81

 Switch
Horizon Shift '81 Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

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  • Summary: Horizon Shift '81 is an explosive wave based single screen shooter with a real Retro feel to it. You can even play the game in Tate screen mode, which is made even better when playing with the Flip-Grip. The player controls a ship in the centre of the screen, enemies approach from the topHorizon Shift '81 is an explosive wave based single screen shooter with a real Retro feel to it. You can even play the game in Tate screen mode, which is made even better when playing with the Flip-Grip. The player controls a ship in the centre of the screen, enemies approach from the top and bottom and the player is able to switch up and down to deal with the encroaching hoard. Different enemies react differently when they reach the horizon, some sit on the horizon, some destroy sections of the horizon and some run up and down the horizon. The player is equipped with a dash attack where they can knock enemies off the horizon and smash them into other incoming enemies for a score bonus. Dashing an enemy of the line refills the dash metre allowing for ‘Dash chaining’, this is where the big points are scored. The player is also able to jump (jumping upside down is an interesting new challenge) and is equipped with a bomb which wipes the screen of enemies as well as restoring the horizon.
    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Video Chums
    Jan 21, 2019
    80
    Old-school gaming fans will find a lot to love about Horizon Shift '81 as it feels like a long-lost static shooting arcade treasure.
  2. TheSixthAxis
    Mar 5, 2019
    80
    Horizon Shift '81 is simple, stellar fun. The arcade shooter inspired gameplay puts a fun twist on the classic genre that provides hours of pure, flashy entertainment. Boss fights bring a fun, modern twist to the game, but could have used some sound effects in order to make them even stronger. Overall, if you've got a Switch and have the itch for some old-school arcade blast-em-up fun, Horizon Shift '81 is a great way to feed that craving.
  3. Cubed3
    Mar 20, 2019
    80
    Although Horizon Shift '81 deliberately models itself after the shoot 'em ups of yore, it never once lets itself get lost in its own homage. Almost immediately, the game design makes it perfectly clear that this is merely borrowing an aesthetic as a base. In taking such a familiar concept, hardcore fans of the genre will be able to appreciate the simple brilliance of shooting at enemies from both sides of the screen. With enemies invading from both top and bottom, the core gameplay loop takes on an even more frantic energy than is typical for the genre. This is one of the most charming takes on the shmup genre yet.
  4. FNintendo
    Jan 27, 2019
    70
    Horizon Shift '81 is a proper tribute to the 1980s-style space shooters, featuring most of the style's conventions and an assortment of contemporary add-ons that make it a very appealing game for hardcore enthusiasts. With its simple and intuitive gameplay, visual art style and customization options, it only lacks a multiplayer and an online component to tick all the boxes in the checklist.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. jens76
    Oct 2, 2021
    7
    Wie spät ist es? Space Invaders von beiden Seiten. Kultur lebt dauerhaft und durchgängig auf.

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