Rescue Shot
| Rescue Shot | |
|---|---|
 PAL cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Now Production |
| Publisher(s) | Namco |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Genre(s) | Light gun |
| Mode(s) | Single-player Two Player |
Rescue Shot, known as Rescue Shot Bubibo (レスキューショット ブービーぼー) in Japan, is a 3D light gun video game for the PlayStation console which was released in Japan and Europe in 2000. The game is non-violent and aimed at younger players, but more forgiving of poor accuracy than others in the genre. Players watch over the game's hero, Bo, as he absentmindedly makes his way through each location, dealing with enemies and manoeuvering him past dangers.[1]
Gameplay
Players assume the role of a mysterious power protecting Bo, a harmless rabbit who has lost his memory after falling from a cliff due to the mischievous Bully Brothers. Bo travels to the end of each level, oblivious to danger, searching for the five dream fragments he needs to restore his memory.[1] During his trip, there are three secondary characters which are: Hunter (a rookie detective and also a Bo's friend), Trixie (a dishonest blonde girl), and Earl Grey (a famous thief sought by Hunter).
Enemies and bosses attack Bo throughout the game, the player must repel them. Obstacles and traps must be destroyed by being shot or bypassed by shooting Bo in the head or rump, neither of which harms him. Shooting Bo in the head causes him to fall over, avoiding any head-height attacks or obstacles and stopping him from moving for a few seconds. Shooting Bo in the rump causes him to leap forwards, potentially leaping over traps and obstacles.[2] Standard rounds of ammunition are infinite, stronger rounds called acorn bullets act as explosives but are in limited supply.[1]
Bo's life gauge is reduced by one point every time he is attacked or is damaged by a trap. If the life gauge is allowed to empty the game will end. Bo restores his own life gauge by eating any food he comes across on his travels, though some food items can harm him, requiring the player to shoot and destroy them before Bo has a chance to eat.
The game comprises four areas and a total of ten levels, covering fantasy locations such as a magic kingdom, a castle and a mineshaft with trolleys, alongside a futuristic city with clockwork robots. Bonus targets are spread throughout the game's stages, allowing players to increase their score, as well as acorn bullets which are collected by the player shooting them.
After each level, the player's score is broken down, points are gained for firing accurately, shooting enemies, shooting bonus targets and for completing the level quickly.[1]
Reception
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's reviewer awarded the game 2 out of 5, citing the brevity of the game and lack of replay value since the game has no unlockable extras and progression is linear.[1]
GameSpot's James Mielke stated that the game was more like the Point Blank series rather than Time Crisis due to "focusing more on the crazy game dynamics of its unique gameworld", in GameSpot's preview. He also commented "it seems as if Namco is determined to make sure its coolest peripheral gets some usage", referring to the GunCon.[2]
In Japan, Famitsu magazine scored the game a 30 out of 40.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Rescue Shot: triple j game reviews". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
- ^ a b Mielke, James (2000-02-02). "Hands-on: Rescue Shot". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
- ^ プレイステーション - レスキューショットブービーぼー. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.23. 30 June 2006.