Violent Soldier (Japan)
About Violent Soldier (Japan)
Violent Soldier is a side-scrolling space shooter released exclusively for the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine) in Japan. The game arrived early in the system's life, published by Naxat Soft or possibly developed by Aicom, though exact credits are not widely documented. It is sometimes referred to as Sinistron in reference materials, but the official Japanese title is Violent Soldier. This title is a straightforward shoot-'em-up that leans into the PC Engine's ability to handle fast-paced action with detailed sprites.
You control a ship that must stop a planet-devouring bio-organic entity approaching the solar system. The standout mechanic is a set of adjustable armored jaws mounted on the ship. These jaws can be extended to grab and crush enemies, adding a unique twist to the standard shooting formula. The gameplay is largely horizontal scrolling, with waves of enemies and environmental hazards coming at you. The jaws are not just for defense; they can be used to destroy certain enemies more effectively, and mastering their range and timing is key to survival.
Violent Soldier is worth trying today because it offers a distinct mechanic you will not find in many other shooters of the era. The adjustable jaws set it apart from the flood of generic horizontal shooters on the PC Engine. It is a niche title, but for fans of retro shooters or collectors of import games, it provides a neat piece of hardware-specific design. The challenge is fair, and the visual style holds up well. Just be aware that menus and text are in Japanese, so a bit of trial and error may be needed if you do not read the language.
How to Play Violent Soldier (Japan) Online
When you first boot Violent Soldier, you will see a title screen in Japanese. Press Enter (Start) to proceed. The game will present a brief introductory screen before entering gameplay. You control a small ship that can move in all directions using the D-pad. The basic attack is fired with the B button (S key). The core loop is to survive through each stage while defeating enemies and avoiding projectiles.
The most important mechanic to learn is the adjustable armored jaws. You can extend these jaws by holding the attack button or a dedicated button combination? In typical gameplay, pressing and holding the B button will cause the jaws to extend forward. While extended, they can grab incoming enemies and crush them. Timing is crucial because the jaws have a limited range. Experiment with the distance to see how far they reach; they can also deflect certain projectiles.
The game requires you to memorize enemy patterns and decide when to shoot versus when to use the jaws. The jaws are powerful but leave you vulnerable if you miss. If you get hit, you lose a life and restart from a checkpoint. The game ends when all lives are lost. There is no save feature, so treat each run as a high-score challenge. Practice the jaw timing to get through the tougher sections.
Violent Soldier (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
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