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A side-scrolling dream come true

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: May 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

There's a reason why this game is held in such high regard among true blue shooter fans. Einhander has the trappings of a legendary game within its genre. Dazzling graphics, tight control, outstanding music and sounds, and a strong variety of weapons. They're all here, but that's not where the fun stops. There's also an art gallery that grows as the quality of your performance increases and an intriguing story, much different from the usual "an evil alien empire wants to destroy humanity, let's send one fighter pilot to stop all 500,000,000 of them" fare. In Einhander, you're on a suicide mission and you're painfully aware of it. Beautiful!

Einhander's visuals are beyond reproach. The backgrounds are vibrant and detailed without being garish or distracting, especially stage five. Ship designs are cool all around, and every enemy, from the mightiest boss to the lowliest peon, goes out in a blaze of glory when you destroy it, instead of merely blinking out of existence or disappearing in a bland red puff.

On the audio front, the sound effects are excellent. Launching rockets, shattering neon signs, and, of course, explosions. All well done. The intentionally emotionless female voice that addresses you after each stage is very credible, and the German commands you hear during boss encounters lend a terrific sense of atmosphere to the game. Moody and catchy techno tunes provide the musical backdrop and, for the most part, complement the corresponding areas perfectly. The operatic female vocals at the beginning of stage one clash very effectively with the destruction that ensues and let you know your ears are in for a treat from the start. And, the music for the sixth stage end boss (after the rocket with the time limit) is so rousing, you won't even care when he kills you 20 times in a row.

Eight special weapons are readily available and there's something for every taste, from the heat-seeking Wasp ("You can run, but you can't hide!") to the lightsaber-like Blade ("I don't need no Force to kick your sorry butt!") to the no-nonsense, wallop-packing Cannon ("JUST DIE!!!!"). Plus, there are four others (each a sort of variation on one of the ubiquitous eight) hidden throughout the game.

Einhander's developers hit the nail squarely on the head (pun absolutely intended) where the challenge level is concerned. The game can get pretty rough, but it's the GOOD kind of rough. No shields or defensive power-ups are available (one of the game's very few flaws) so one hit will kill you, but it has to be solid, direct impact. Enemy bullets that travel at 2 MPH and just barely graze the little ball on the top of your radio antenna don't count. The last two bosses are tough to beat, and some of the earlier ones aren't exactly a cake walk either, but the only one that I think crosses the line between "challenging" and "frustrating" is the robotic ape mid-way through stage five. Oh, how I despise that banana-chewing abomination!

You get three lives per credit and nine continues for a total of 30 lives, though you'll earn an extra life or two along the way when you attain a certain score. However, there is one point in the game...the rocket you approach from behind...where, if you fail to defeat it within the given time limit, it's GAME OVER no matter how many lives or continues you have left! So, unless you want to see the "bad" (or should I say "worse"?) ending, I'd advise you to get yourself killed if it looks like you're not gonna get the job done in time. Then, you'll get another shot at it.

If proof was ever needed that 2-D games can still be plenty of fun, Einhander is that proof. I revel in the fact that it outshines many more modernized games on all fronts despite the old-fashioned 2-D gameplay. The only exception is the Wasp missile being able to seek and destroy on-screen enemies that have yet to align with your ship (and certain objects in the background, too...that's a hint). Some might complain about the lack of a two-player mode, but in my opinion the gloomy suicide mission aspect of the game would be jeopardized if it weren't played solo. With three ships to select from and no shortage of secrets (including two additional ships), the replay value is strong, but even if that weren't the case, you'd want to play it again and again anyway, because it's crafted with such tender, loving care and, on many levels, it's flawless. I have no qualms about calling Einhander one of the all-time great games for the PlayStation. Square would be well advised to re-release it (along with Final Fantasy Tactics and Xenogears). Don't hesitate to grab a copy if you come across one, as I for one am NOT selling mine!

Quality Shoot-Um-Up

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: November 27, 1999
Author: Amazon User

Einhander is a classic 2D (left to right) shooting game. The 'plot' involves a futuristic war between the Earth and the Moon. The Moon has far fewer resources than the Earth, and thus uses suicide pilots which simply destroy as much capitol as possible before being taken out. You are one of those pilots. This game features three fighters to play, as well as 10 or so special weapons. The fighters differ in how many special weapons they can use. Special weapons are generally obtained during game play, but you can start with one of your choice. Einhander is very fast paced. My usual 'strategy' involves holding down all the firing buttons and hoping that I live. If you get hit, your dead. Fortunately, you are provided with three fighters per game with the option to continue up to ten times. I have had this game for several months, and haven't beat it yet. The different bosses (and there are tons) are very well presented, powerful, and amusing to fight. Often times, you hear a german voice on a loudspeaker as the bosses come out; it really adds to the overall effect of the game. In summary, Einhander is an excellent game that I would recommend to gamers of all levels. It lends itself well to mindless destruction as well as strategy involving the special weapons. The graphics are well done, and this game has good extended play value.

Alloy Butterfly

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: May 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Einhander is the most impressive game in its class. Awesome graphics coupled with a fantastic array of weapons, arcade style handling, and outstanding, challenging objectives make it THE first choice for anyone interested in aerial combat.

The Einhander ship is a blue, jet-propelled weapons-handler that looks similar to a butterfly. The reason it's called Einhander? It has gunpods. "Einhander" in German means "one hand." In addition to its mounted machine gun, it has gunpods capable of taking on up to three special weapons. A few of these: Wasp, a compact and effective guided-missile launcher, Vulcan, a gatling gun capable of extreme rates of projectile discharge, and a devestating cannon.

This is a game you have to see for yourself. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it at any local video stores, but you can trust my words: This game is worth it. Buy it, borrow it, whatever. Give this game a try.

An awesome shooter...but lacks a 2 player mode

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: November 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Einhander has got to be the best looking shooter available on the Playstation. It's full of colorful and detailed backrounds, the enemies are imaginatively constructed, and there's a nice variety of weapons. The gameplay is similar to side scrolling shooters of the past, with a couple of new features...like the ability to choose your ship and being able to change your weapon configuration on the fly. Einhander will keep even the most experienced of gamers on their toes with long and difficult levels. The only feature that keeps Einhander from perfection is the lack of a 2 player mode. Shooters have alot more replay value when they have a multiplayer option. Still, Einhander is a great game...and since it's now available at a low price, there's no reason not to get it.

Is there a number for HOLY CRAP!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 18, 2000
Author: Amazon User

From beginning to end this game is the ultimate shooter (not shooting) experience. The graphics just scream to be worshiped. From the explosions to the techno soundtrack sound is supurb. However no game survives on "sense-candy" alone. So how does it stand in the gameplay depart? Head and tails above the other "standard" Playstation games. It is the perfect experience for an old-school shooter fan like myself. Just blast anything that moves; a heavenly experience. I highly recomend it for every Playstation owner out there!

Legendary Shooter

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game breath-taking graphics, superb detail and lots of interesting features. This game is also crampacked with loads of
awesome mouth-watering action and adventure, also with the fact that there is exactly 12 awesome weapons and 3 sleek designed fighters for complete anilhation and don't stop there for there is 2 more radical fighters such as a police car from the first level. Features include: 3 difficulty modes, a 100-picture gallery, 5 file options, 5 fighter selections, 12 weapon choices,
and 4 configure options.

PSX Classic

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: September 25, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Hands down, the best side scrolling shooter ever. I still play this on my PS2. You know a game is a classic when no stores can get it and people are selling it used for $....

This is addictive everyone must play it at least once.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 11
Date: November 20, 1999
Author: Amazon User

Pretty cool as best described by my 5-year old.He picked up the weapons options quite readily and enjoys playing alot. His father enjoys it too.

THE must own game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: February 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This game is the best! I can't tell you how great it is! There are 12 weapons to equip your ship with,7 of which you have to unlock. There 3 ships in the beginning and to extra ones. The graphics are superb, with explosions everywhere and not a hint of slowdown.The only thing this game lacks is a 2 player mode, but it's still a perfect game in every way. YOU MUST BUY THIS GAME!

This game is beautiful!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 11, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I had played the demo of Einhander before I bought it, and was hooked from the start. The battles with the bosses are incredible, and when you're going through them the first time, they're rather unpredictable (even reading an FAQ didn't totally prepare me for what I was getting into!) I love the graphics and the music (I highly recommend hunting down the soundtrack, composed by Kenichiro Fukui.) I'm so glad I bought this game (wish it was still available so others can have the chance to play it) and I'm not giving up my copy for anything!

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