Over Horizon - NES Gameplay - (2K 60fps)
0Over Horizon is a 1991 horizontally scrolling shooter co-developed by Pixel and Hot B, published in Japan by Hot B and in Germany by Takara for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Controlling a space fighter craft, the player must destroy numerous enemies to defeat an alien threat intending to dominate the universe.
Over Horizon was conceived as a "create your own shoot 'em up" game during a proposal with Pixel to re-use their engine from Dungeon Kid before being reworked into a standard shooter and Hot B took over development of the project, with Steel Empire co-director Yoshinori Satake at the helm overseeing the process. The title received positive reception from reviewers; criticism was geared towards its short length and low difficulty, with some regarding it as a clone of Gradius and R-Type but praise was given to the atmospheric and colorful visual presentation, use of environmental stage gimmicks, ability to customize the ship, sound design and gameplay.
Over Horizon is a horizonal-scrolling shooter game similar to Gradius and R-Type, where players control a space fighter craft through six stages, each with their own environmental gimmick and boss that must be defeated to progress further and face an alien threat intending to rule the universe. The main ship is capable of shooting forward or backward by pressing the A or B buttons, while some enemies carry items to increase its firepower, such as weapons and satellite pods. There are three weapons and each one is powered-up by collecting their respective letter three times. The pods fire their own projectiles and block incoming enemy fire, while their positions can be changed by holding A and B.
Unique to the game is the ability to customize the ship via "Edit Mode"; Players can spend up to five points into the ship's weaponry to produce modifications such as exploding lasers or homing bombs. Players can also modify both formations of the satellite pods for offensive or defensive positionings before starting the game. Getting hit by enemy fire or colliding against solid stage obstacles results with losing a live, as well as a penalty of decreasing the ship's firepower.