Difference between revisions of "Metal Black"

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{{sub-stub}}'''''Metal Black''''' (メタルブラック) is a shoot-'em-up developed by [[Taito]] and released in arcades 1991. It was subsequently updated and brought to the [[Sega Saturn]] in 1996. The Saturn version was only released in Japan.
 
{{sub-stub}}'''''Metal Black''''' (メタルブラック) is a shoot-'em-up developed by [[Taito]] and released in arcades 1991. It was subsequently updated and brought to the [[Sega Saturn]] in 1996. The Saturn version was only released in Japan.
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In the future, earth is attacked by aliens that possess the ability to harness the power of "Newalone", a strange, molecule like structure. Earth counters by buidling it's own fleet also based on "Newalone" technology, but freezes the project on favour of peace with the alien. The contract is very oneside and earth is dying. A single solider breaks into a military complex and manages to steal a "Black Fly", a space ship designed to use "Newalone"
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The game is also titled Project Gun Frontier 2, although there are no connections to [[Gun Frontier]] content wise. Alegdly content from a canceled Darius sequel was also reused for this game, supported by fish and crustecan enemies found in the game.
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==Gameplay==
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In typical shooting game manner, Metal Black uses a two button setup, with one being used for standard shots, and the onther one for beam attacks. Both attacks can be powered up by collecting Newalone, which floats around freely in stages.
 +
The beam weapon becomes a screen covering burst attack when the maximum amount of Newalone has been collected. The Burst can be refocused to a beam by holding down the beam button.
 +
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Bosses also use beam attacks, and one can duel with the bosses by countering with a beam attack. The outcome of these duels depends on the accumulated Newalone.
 +
 +
Two special stages exist where one has to lock onto enemies in a pseudo 3D space and fire missiles. The random nature of these stages, combined with the fact that score largely depends on fast lockons, has been the target of criticism.
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==Version differences==
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Aside from unavoidable loading times, this appears to be a perfect portation.
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==Trivia==
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*An alternative ending can be viewed by dying and not continuing on the last stage.
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*The game was a major inspiration for [[Border Down]], both games also had the same composer.
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*The beam mechanic was also used in G Darius, which was not released on SEGA hardware
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==Promotional Material==
 
==Promotional Material==

Revision as of 05:47, 3 February 2015

n/a

MetalBlack title.png

Metal Black
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Ving
Developer:
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code

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Metal Black (メタルブラック) is a shoot-'em-up developed by Taito and released in arcades 1991. It was subsequently updated and brought to the Sega Saturn in 1996. The Saturn version was only released in Japan.

In the future, earth is attacked by aliens that possess the ability to harness the power of "Newalone", a strange, molecule like structure. Earth counters by buidling it's own fleet also based on "Newalone" technology, but freezes the project on favour of peace with the alien. The contract is very oneside and earth is dying. A single solider breaks into a military complex and manages to steal a "Black Fly", a space ship designed to use "Newalone"

The game is also titled Project Gun Frontier 2, although there are no connections to Gun Frontier content wise. Alegdly content from a canceled Darius sequel was also reused for this game, supported by fish and crustecan enemies found in the game.

Gameplay

In typical shooting game manner, Metal Black uses a two button setup, with one being used for standard shots, and the onther one for beam attacks. Both attacks can be powered up by collecting Newalone, which floats around freely in stages. The beam weapon becomes a screen covering burst attack when the maximum amount of Newalone has been collected. The Burst can be refocused to a beam by holding down the beam button.

Bosses also use beam attacks, and one can duel with the bosses by countering with a beam attack. The outcome of these duels depends on the accumulated Newalone.

Two special stages exist where one has to lock onto enemies in a pseudo 3D space and fire missiles. The random nature of these stages, combined with the fact that score largely depends on fast lockons, has been the target of criticism.

Version differences

Aside from unavoidable loading times, this appears to be a perfect portation.

Trivia

  • An alternative ending can be viewed by dying and not continuing on the last stage.
  • The game was a major inspiration for Border Down, both games also had the same composer.
  • The beam mechanic was also used in G Darius, which was not released on SEGA hardware


Promotional Material

Physical Scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
40
20 №55, p72
Sega Saturn
30
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
50
[1]
Fun Generation (DE) NTSC-J
40
[2]
Intelligent Gamer (US) NTSC-J
83
[3]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
20
[4]
MAN!AC (DE) NTSC-J
47
[5]
Mega Force (FR) NTSC-J
77
[6]
neXt Level (DE) NTSC-J
65
[7]
Playmag (FR) NTSC-J
62
[8]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
69
[9]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
73
[10]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
86
[11]
Sega Saturn
61
Based on
11 reviews

Metal Black

Saturn, JP
MetalBlack Saturn JP Box Back.jpgMetalBlack Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
MetalBlack Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
Saturn, JP (Satakore)
MetalBlack Saturn JP Box Back Satakore.jpgNospine-small.pngMetalBlack Saturn JP Box Front Satakore.jpg
Cover