About Xevious
Xevious is a classic vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up where players control a spacecraft and fight against waves of enemy fighters and ground-based targets. The game was notable for featuring both air and ground-based combat, making it a groundbreaking title for the shoot ’em up genre.
Developer & Publisher:
Xevious was developed and published by Namco, one of the leading arcade game developers of the early '80s. The game was directed by Masanobu Endo, who sought to innovate the genre by introducing two different types of weaponry (air-to-ground and air-to-air) and featuring more detailed and varied enemy patterns than previous shoot 'em ups. Namco's dedication to arcade excellence helped make Xevious a hit in arcades worldwide.
Levels:
Xevious is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up where the player controls a futuristic aircraft, the Solvalou, and must destroy various enemies while avoiding obstacles. The game consists of 16 stages that loop after every completion. Each stage is filled with a mix of air and ground targets, requiring players to use different types of weaponry effectively. Air-to-Air Weapons: The Solvalou is equipped with a forward-firing laser for attacking aerial enemies. Air-to-Ground Bombs: The Solvalou also has bombs that can be dropped to destroy ground-based enemies and structures. Levels feature a combination of different environments, from outdoor landscapes to intricate bases and structures. The game's challenge escalates as players progress through each stage, with enemy formations becoming more complex and the difficulty ramping up.
High Scores:
The high score in Xevious is determined by the number of enemies destroyed, the completion of stages, and the efficient use of both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. Players can rack up points by destroying enemy ships, ground targets, and boss enemies, with additional bonuses awarded for the successful completion of stages. The game's scoring system encourages players to replay in order to achieve the highest possible score, and the arcade high score tables foster competition among players, who strive to be the best in their local arcades.
Legacy:
Xevious is considered one of the pioneering titles in the vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up genre and is often credited with setting many of the standards for future games in the genre. The game was widely praised for its innovative use of both air and ground combat, a unique feature for its time. Its success in arcades led to Xevious being ported to many home systems, including the Atari 2600, NES, and many others. The game's influence can be seen in later games like Gradius and R-Type, both of which were inspired by Xevious's unique blend of gameplay mechanics. In addition to being a staple of arcade cabinets during the early '80s, Xevious also introduced one of the first arcade games to feature a more dynamic, story-driven progression. This was a key element that helped shape the development of more narrative-driven games in the future. The game's influence can also be seen in the broader gaming culture, with Xevious being included in various retro gaming collections and often referenced in discussions about the evolution of shoot 'em ups. It’s often remembered as a classic in the arcade genre and remains a nostalgic favorite among fans of early arcade shooters.