Journey to Silius (NES) Playthrough
3Playthrough of Journey to Silius, Sunsoft's 1990 side-scrolling run-and-gun game for the NES.
Journey to Silius is a side-scrolling run-and-gun game developed by Sunsoft and released for the NES in 1990. Originally intended to be a licensed game based on the film The Terminator, the project lost the license partway through development. Rather than scrapping the game, Sunsoft reworked the premise while retaining much of the dark, futuristic atmosphere and action-driven gameplay. The result is a challenging, visually striking title with a strong emphasis on shooting, timing, and weapon management.
The story centers on Jay McCray, a young man seeking revenge after terrorists destroy a space colony project his father was working on. As Jay, players battle through five stages filled with robotic enemies, turrets, traps, and end-level bosses. Each level presents a gritty, mechanical backdrop, giving the game a bleak, post-apocalyptic tone. The action is straightforward but intense, requiring quick reflexes and careful navigation to survive the barrage of enemy fire and environmental hazards.
One of Journey to Silius’ standout features is its music. Composed by Naoki Kodaka, the soundtrack pushes the NES hardware to its limits with layered, driving tracks that perfectly match the game’s mood. The sound design as a whole enhances the experience, from the satisfying weapon effects to the distinctive boss themes, giving the game a level of polish rare for its time.
Visually, the game makes effective use of detailed sprite work and background layers to convey a sense of depth and scale. Enemy designs are varied, often with large robotic bosses that fill much of the screen. The animation is smooth for the NES, and the visual style reinforces the game’s science fiction roots.
Gameplay-wise, Journey to Silius is often praised for its tight controls and well-designed enemy patterns, but it is also known for its high difficulty. Jay can collect new weapons from defeated bosses, each with limited ammo, requiring players to think strategically about when to use them. The game has no continues, and lives are limited, making memorization and precision crucial for progress.
Journey to Silius may not have become a major hit during its original release, but it has earned a reputation over time as one of the NES’s hidden gems. With strong music, tight action, and a unique backstory rooted in an aborted movie tie-in, it stands as a testament to Sunsoft’s creativity and technical skill during the 8-bit era.