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"Simply good and fun"

Aerial Assault is an action game for the GG. The year is 2015 and there is supposedly a terrorist
attack, and you're trying to save the world with your little jet. In reality, it looks exactly the
opposite. As if you're the terrorist trying to get rid of thousands of jets trying to shoot you down.
Anyway, the story is not the most important thing here. The game consists of four various worlds
(metropolis, outer space, and so on). You have your little jet and infinite bombs. The game is in 2D,
your jet is on the right side, and you're flying left. From the left side enemy jets will come, and
you'll have to shoot them down, or at least avoid them shooting you down (by touching you, or firing
at you). You can move all over the screen, but its usually best to stick to the left part of it.
Throughout the game you collect bonuses which will give you better ammunition, improve
your speed and maneuvering, provide you with shielding and so on. This is one of GG's early games,
and I must say that as simple as it is, its extremely fun! The backgrounds are quite nice, the enemy
planes get better and better (and so are you), and the background worlds provide more action.
In the advanced stages you will find yourself battling against some other creatures and machines,
not necessary planes: some weird sorts of aliens, and other such things. Occasionally there are also
bosses, which are usually huge jets or rockets, and the greater the level (and the boss), the harder
they become.
One bother thing though, is that whenever you're shot down, you continue right at the same point with
a new jet, but a very basic one. If you had special weapons or any other bonus which you've collected
along the way, you will lose it if you lose your life, but that is quite obvious after all.

Graphics: 9/10
Quite simple graphics, the GG is capable of more - but perfectly done. It looks great, its smooth,
everything is detailed and there is great diversity of backgrounds, creatures, and so on.
Very well done. There are occasionally slight delays when too many characters appear on screen.

Sound/Music: 9/10
Almost as good as it gets. The music is straightforward and good, the sound effects are quite realistic,
and it all adds up to form a good game.

Controls: 10/10
Simple controls, there are not too many things you can do. You can actually only shoot, and you can
use either of the two action buttons for that, so its very easy to control your jet.
Of course in the beginning your jet is slow and its quite a burden, but its supposed to be that way.
Controlling the jet gets easier as you get more equipped, and your speed improves.

Gameplay: 8/10
A very fun action game. The GG is capable of certainly more, but this doesn't mean its not fun -
its actually very fun. This is the first GG game I had (along with Revenge of Drancon, bought them
both on sale for 17$ each), and I still remember it very positively. The game gets harder and harder
as you progress. If you're a very good gamer I guess you'll be able to finish this game. Anyhow,
I am an above-average gamer. I got to the last world, but there it was way too difficult for me.
Anyhow I think the difficulty level is okay. Too bad there is no password feature here, so you
have to start each time from the start. There is however a continue feature but its limited
to only three continues. Throughout the game you can collect additional lives as a bonus.

Replayability: 8/10
I haven't played this game in about 8-9 years and I feel like playing it now (and I shall).
However, after playing with it a little too much you can get sick of it, because if you're stuck in
it - then you're stuck, there is nothing much to do.
I must indicate that this game supports a 2-player mode. So if you have the right configuration (cable,
2 GGs, and 2 carts) you can play this with a friend. So that there are 2 jets on your side, instead of
one. Each of you control a different plane, and so it should be easier. I haven't tried it though.

Overall: 9/10
A great example of a simple game, but a great one. The graphics are good, the sounds too, the gameplay
is also good, and the controls are simple. All this adds up and makes it a very enjoyable game.
I highly recommend it if you can get it somewhere. If in 1992-3 it cost 17$, it should probably
be given out for free today...

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/14/01, Updated 10/14/01