Last Duel (Arcade) Playthrough [4K]
2Last Duel or Last Duel: Inter Planet War 2012 is a vertically scrolling shooter arcade game released by Capcom in 1988. The game stands out for its engaging gameplay and unique mechanics, which contributed to its popularity in both arcades and home systems.
The game's plot is set in the year 2012 of an alternate galaxy and revolves around the conflict between two planets, Mu and Bacula. On Bacula, a powerful warrior tribe known as the Galden has risen to immense military power, conquering all societies on their planet. Their ambitions don't stop there; they set their sights on the neighboring planet Mu. Using advanced bioships, starfighters, and motor vehicles, the Galden invade Mu, destroying cities and capturing the planet's ruler, Queen Sheeta. The invasion sparks a desperate rescue mission led by the remaining royal guards of Mu.
To combat the Galden forces and rescue Queen Sheeta, the royal guards deploy space fighters capable of transforming into cars. This transformation ability is a key gameplay element, providing players with varied combat experiences. Players alternate between piloting a car and a spaceship across different levels. In car mode, the vehicle can jump over obstacles and enemies, while in spaceship mode, it can perform a barrel roll to become temporarily invincible. This alternating mechanic keeps the gameplay dynamic and challenging, requiring players to adapt their strategies based on the vehicle form.
Power-ups play a significant role in enhancing the player's offensive capabilities. Available power-ups include a large, slow-firing laser, a twin-shot, a wide shot, and additional options that provide side attacks. Speed-ups, however, are exclusive to spaceship mode. Each driving section of the game is timed, adding an extra layer of difficulty. If players fail to reach the boss before the timer runs out, they lose a life. Once the boss is encountered, the timer disappears, allowing players to focus entirely on the battle.