[img width=563 height=391]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/Crabmaster2000/un_squadroncover.jpg[/img]





Its been a super long time since I've written about a Shmup so I've got the urge to do so.

The basic mechanics in UN Squadron are not different than any other Shmup. Ship scrolls to the right, guns shoot bad guys. A great formula that doesnt need much tweaking if you ask me. What makes this game more fun is the variety of levels and customization of your ship.

First option when you start up your game is to choose your pilot. This is your first chance to customize to your style of play. Each pilot has a different advantage over the others. The first lets you level up your main gun the quickest. This is obviously a big advantage early on, but in the last few levels all the pilots should have a maxed out gun so it becomes a useless skill at that point. The second pilot enables you to use mulitple special weapons at the same time. This is only useful in certain areas and combinations and probably only to someone who is already familiar with the game. The last character can take an extra hit before the ship explodes. Always useful.

[img width=384 height=224]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/Crabmaster2000/UN_SquadronBoss.png[/img]

Now when you start the game you have a very limited amount of money. This cash can be used to purchase special weapons for your current ship or to purchase new ships. There are 6 different ships to choose from each with its own specialty when it comes to special weapons. For instance some ships will have specials that all focus on a target above your ship and will have a harder time fighting ground based enemies. Obviously different ships are more helpful than others on different missions. The ships are very expensive though and you need to make your purchases wisely or you could find yourself with a poor ship selection for the missions you need to pass and no money to make a better selection. Once you purchase a ship you can select any ship you have had previously for each new mission.

As mentioned above, each different ship has a set of special weapons applicable to it. These are also purchased with cash before each level. By the way cash is obtained by destroying enemies. The more guys you kill the richer you'll be. Getting back to special weapons. Each weapon that is unused at the end of the level will be refunded to you in full. So loading up on weapons you "might" need can be ok as long as you complete the level. If you die during the level you will not be refunded for you purchases.

One of the best parts of the game is the varied level design. That might sound silly for a shmup game, but its oddly true. Some levels will be entirely airborn fighting against other pilots, some levels will be more ground focused and you'll fight a mixture of tanks, turrets and helicopters, yet others focus on infiltrating enemy bases, destroying fortresses or even fighting a submarine.

[img width=257 height=196]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/Crabmaster2000/UnSquadronlevelselect.jpg[/img]

Another neat part about this game is the level select screen. When you start the game you'll be show a map with your location and all the enemy locations plainly marked for you to see. As you take over enemy territory your area of sight expands and more missions will become available, and you can choose which order to attack them in. There are a few enemy "levels" that proceed towards your base though so they will need to be dealt with sooner, rather than later.

Another thing Shmups tend to be known for is there awesome music. UN Squadron is no exception. Here is one of my favorite levels to play, and it just happens to have some of the most awesome tunes in the game:

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