Customer Reviews

Life Force

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once you get past the first thirty seconds to first minute of this game, it is very hard, for the most part, there are seven levels of paths closing off if you don't go through them in time, waves of enemies, and you fly in a ship that will be taken out with one hit by anything, unless you get the appropriate power up of course, all in all, only get this if you like side scrolling shooter games, and have very good memory, hand-eye coordination, and extremly developed video game skills.

Life Force on the NES is my all time favorite shooter. It's based on the Japanese arcade game Salamander which was the first sequel to Gradius (although later the Salamander and Gradius titles each became thier own series). I've always felt that this game had a bit more of a sinister attitude than it's predecessor, Gradius, and I definitely dig that. This game has a two player mode which only adds to the fun when you want to play with a friend.

This game is very challenging and it offers a lot of variety from level to level. Not only do the enemies, obstacles, and graphics change from level to level but the perspective changes from level to level too. On the odd numbered levels the game scrolls from left to right as a side scrolling shooter and on even numbered levels your ship advances toward the top of the screen in a top down perspective. This helps to add even more variety to what's already there. Much of the games challenge may vary by how much your ship is powered up. The graphics are quite nice for an NES game in my opinion.

There are plenty of interesting bosses to fight in this game from the unforgettable giant brain with arms in the first level to giant fire breathing dragons and mechanical enemies with spiraling arms. The boss battles actually tend to be a little easier than the rest of the levels if you're properly prepared and you employ the right strategies.

Each of the levels has it's own look and atmosphere and presents new challenges to the player as they progress through the game. The only problem is that sometimes you may not recognize the threat that a new obstacle presents before it kills you the first time (for example a wall that might suddenly thrust out in front of your ship). The soundtrack definitely helps set the mood for each level as well and I've always enjoyed this game's soundtrack a good deal.

So basically, it's a good challenge, fun to play with a friend, the graphics are nice, the soundtrack is cool, and there's all sorts of interesting levels and bosses. If you like shooters and you don't have this game for your NES the GET IT! It's good! :)

Lifeforce, for the Nintendo NES..man, this brings back memories.. even in 2011 this game still is fantastic. it has to be one of the best shooters on the original nintendo...this was when they had AMAZING games on their systems and not the kiddie tripe that the wii is famous for now .. originally known as salmander in japan this version of the classic dosent miss a beat.. this (not that lame mario) was the game that made me want a nes back in the day..

after 20 plus years the graphics hold up well (this game looks great on my plasma tv) the gameplay is fast and intense ..and its still HARD.. the kind of hard that makes you throw your controller at the wall..but keeps you coming back for more. rapid fire is a must with this one..

its nice to know that the classics stand the test of time.. if you have a nes this is one that you need to add to your collection.

This is still a great game 20 years later! I do agree with the other reviewers about the first minute or so be difficult...once you make it through you're good to go. I do suggest the Ripple and then Option combo. It gave me a bigger shooting range and made it easier to get through the levels...especially the first one. I remember passing this game a couple of times in 2 player mode because it gives you a couple of continues but if you're playing by yourself, you'll have to start completely over when you lose your 3 lives. If you're interested...Google the "Konami Code". It'll give you 30 lives and you shouldn't have a problem after that. Have fun!

The hardest part about this game is getting started. If you pick what to upgrade 1st right & get all the way built up, it becomes "easy" fast. I 1 man solved this many times back in the day & have very fond memories of it. I did loose my shield once in a while though. Not quite the 1 hit & dead game Contra was. Most important thing - if you do die - get the options back before they go off screen. If not it makes for a very hard rebuilding job.

life-force is a great side-scrolling shooter from the nes era. it has some cool level design. it's a very challenging game. if you classic shooters then i think you would like it.

simply one of the best NES games ever. I actually got good enough to where I beat the entire game only losing 1 life.

this is the type of game that makes you love vgs!

Perfect, 5 stars.

I'm not sure if this was a originally coin-op game or an NES Original? But this is a scrolling shoot-em-up fun classic game. There is a way to get all power ups by a touch-code (like Tiger-Heli??) B4 the title screen shows up. But as the other reviewer sez, this is a tough game. Once U get past the moving about with out getting killed, the first wave is rough, then it gets easier. But, the bosses R a doozy and r unique, if not strange. Overall, an enjoyable game, graphics R quite good for a basic NES cart.