After Burner Climax PS3 Digital Download Review

History of After Burner Series

It all started in 1987, Yu Suzuki, a well known designer who made the best video game series like Space Harrier, Outrun, Virtua Fighter, and Shenmue series, decided to develop the game called After Burner for arcade machines that pushed into the 4MB technology that allows to enhanced better graphics and more variety of gameplay. It is the combat flight shooter is where you take control of flight jet has the mission to shoot the crap of the enemies jets, which you firing with machine gun and missiles that locks on to enemy allowing missile shoots directly to the enemy. The game was later came out for home consoles, such as SEGA Master Systems, Famicom, Turbografx 16, and SEGA 32X. 

They are later making the sequel for the arcade, but more like the revision called After Burner 2 that features throttle controls, which allowing player's jet to boost speed, 3 brand new stages, and recomposed music instrument, so the game just came out a same year as the first game release. It was later release for home consoles, such as Amiga, PC, Turbografx 16, SEGA Genesis, and SEGA Saturn as the part of the SEGA Ages collection.  I love the After Burner 2 because I remember playing this game on SEGA Saturn version, so the game is fast paced combat flight shooter with full speed action, tons of enemies jets coming towards you, and challenging levels makes the game even more fun is the best flight games ever.

In 1993, they made the third game called After Burner 3 for SEGA CD, which is different from the previous game. It featured cinematic sequences, two selectable in game view, and the back view option. It receives far mediocre reviews from the critics citing the game is the worst on the series.

In 2006, SEGA-AM2 brings the another sequel called After Burner Climax for the arcade version, that meant to change the variety of gameplay, such as better controls, adding climax mode, and bit of more challenging levels. It is also introducing 2 brand new aircraft that are not presented in previous games. It is later release in 2010 for the home consoles like PS3 and X360, which the game itself are available on PSN Store and XBLA Store as digital game only. It gain positive reviews from the critics citing the game is fun to play with good levels, gameplay improvements, and adding extra features what makes the sequel far even better than the After Burner 3 for SEGA CD.

After Burner Climax PS3 Digital Download Review 

After Burner Climax is the combat flight shooter for PS3 and X360, which developed by SEGA AM2, and Published by SEGA. It is the sequel to previous games that was released in 90's.

This game offers the 2 new aircraft, more levels, score attack mode, improved gameplay, and unlockable stuff in the game.

The gameplay is just like the previous game. You take control of player's jet to shoot down the enemies jet and head to the next level. The controls of the player's flight handle very well, so you get to perform 360 degrees roll by pushing the left stick to the right stick. You can use boost speed by pressing the trigger button allowing player's jet to boost forward, which is the quickest way to pass through the levels. Using the slow throttle allowing player's jet to perform slow speed, which is used for when the enemy's jet are attacking you from behind.

You can shoot the enemy's jet by using the machine gun or a missile, which locks on the enemies allowing missile directly shoots to enemy.  

You can use climax mode, which allowing to slow down the game, while you moving the aiming controls to lock on all the enemies, which gives you a missile combo hits on the enemy's aircraft is sounds pretty cool, but I think it's bit slow compared to previous game.

I say the gameplay is quite decent for the game that works well for the modern games consoles.

The graphics in the game look nice with polished visuals, greater details on backgrounds, and amazing level design are far looking perfect for the modern arcade gaming.

The music and sounds has the awesome soundtrack, especially from the After Burner 2 are by far the best music in classic days, but you get to play any custom MP3 music as well for the game. The sound effects has the good atmosphere, background noise, and some sound effect from the aircraft sounds pretty good in the game.

The special features has leaderboards, trophy support, and unlockable stuff are the great features that the game have to offer.

Advantages

Decent gameplay

Amazing graphics

Awesome music score 

Aircraft sound effects

Superb levels 

Cool climax mode

Disadvantages

It wasn't fast paced as the previous games

Short length game 

Final Verdict

Is After Burner Climax a good game?

Gameplay 7.5/10 - Decent controls, and great levels with good challenge.

Graphics 9/10 - Polished visuals, greater details on backgrounds, and amazing level design.

Music and Sound 8/10 - Awesome soundtrack, and cool aircraft sound effects.

Special Features 7.5/10 - It has leaderboards, trophy support, and unlockable stuff.

Overall 7.8/10 - After Burner Climax is beyond a good game, but it's not far good as the previous game like After Burner 1 and 2. SEGA took the game in the right direction that they wanted to make it look fantastic for the modern console gaming. It does offer the gameplay improvements with bit more variety, amazing graphics is by far best looking arcade animation, and some extra features in the game is definitely worth to download it from PSN store and XBLA store, so I'll recommend this game goes to gamers, who are the fan of the series.

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