Strikers 1945 is a high-octane 1995 vertical-scrolling shoot ’em up developed by Psikyo for the arcade. Set in an alternate history immediately following World War II, you pilot one of six classic fighter planes against a mysterious militaristic organization called C.A.N.Y. The game is famous for its fast, punishing bullet patterns and its signature boss fights, where conventional battleships and zeppelins dramatically transform into massive sci-fi mechs.
How to play
Navigate your aircraft through eight intense stages, dodging enemy fire and collecting power-ups. Use your directional controls to move, and press the primary action button to fire your main weapon. Holding down the fire button unleashes your plane’s unique formation charge attack. Press the secondary button to drop a powerful, screen-clearing bomb that also grants you temporary invincibility when you are overwhelmed.
Tips
- Each of the six planes has a completely different charge attack and bomb behavior. The P-38 Lightning is excellent for beginners thanks to its homing attacks.
- Don’t hesitate to use a bomb if you are cornered. Losing a life strips you of your weapon power-ups, which is far more punishing than spending a bomb.
- Watch the boss transformations carefully; their attack patterns change radically in their mech forms, often requiring you to quickly find safe zones between spread shots.
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