SubTerrania (Europe)
Getting to Know SubTerrania (Europe)
SubTerrania is a 1994 multidirectional shooter for the SEGA Genesis, developed by the Danish studio Zyrinx and published by Sega. It was released exclusively in Europe, making it a somewhat overlooked title in the console's library. The game presents a sci-fi scenario where a deep-space mining colony has been invaded by aliens, and you pilot a lone ship to fight back.
The core gameplay revolves around a rotatable craft with thrusters that is constantly affected by gravity and inertia. You must rotate your ship, apply thrust to maneuver, and dodge enemy fire while shooting back. The goal is to navigate through cavernous levels, defeat alien forces, and rescue trapped miners. The physics-based movement gives the action a distinct feel compared to traditional shooters.
Today, SubTerrania is worth a look for fans of the Genesis library who enjoy challenging, physics-driven shooters. It shares some DNA with games like Thrust or Gravitar but refines the concept with more varied levels and a clear objective. It's not a household name, but its unique controls and European origins make it a neat curiosity for retro enthusiasts.
How to Play SubTerrania (Europe) Online
Section 2 - Getting Started
When you start SubTerrania, you are immediately dropped into the pilot's seat of a small spacecraft. The first level acts as a tutorial of sorts, teaching you how to rotate your ship and use thrust to move against gravity. Press the D-Pad to rotate, then hold a thrust button (typically mapped to B or A) to propel yourself in the direction you're facing. Be careful: inertia means you won't stop on a dime, so plan your movements carefully.
Your main objective is to fly through the underground tunnels, destroying alien ships and turrets while avoiding collisions with walls. Scattered throughout the levels are rescue pods containing miners - fly into them to pick up the survivors. The level ends once you've rescued all miners or cleared all enemies, depending on the mission. You have a limited energy bar, and contact with enemies or hazards drains it, so keep moving and shoot from a distance when possible.
A key tip for new players: learn to use short bursts of thrust rather than holding it constantly. Overthrusting can send you crashing into walls or into enemy fire. The gravity is always pulling you down, so you need to hover or land periodically. Practice the rotate-and-thrust rhythm - once it clicks, the game becomes a satisfying dance of positioning and aim.
SubTerrania (Europe) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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