Review of Macross -Shooting Insight-: Diverse Gameplay Shines on PS5 Shmup

The iconic Macross series has seen it all—movies, an array of video games, multiple anime series, you name it. Its latest installment, now available on PlayStation 4 and 5, whisks players away on a time-traveling cosmic journey, bringing together five beloved characters from various anime series within its universe. As someone who’s new to the Macross saga, I can’t confess to grasping much of the narrative, but the experience of piloting sleek mechas and taking down massive bosses, all while catchy idol tunes played, was undeniably electrifying in Macross -Shooting Insight-.

For long-time devotees, meeting these fan-favorite personalities—hailing from Macross Plus, 7, Zero, Frontier, and Delta—in a fresh storyline is a true treat. I might have been slightly out of my depth, but for newcomers like me, the delight lies in the sleekly-crafted bullet hell shooter beneath. Players can select from five different characters, each boasting unique stats and attack styles, and embark on a 10-stage story mode tailored to each character.

The gameplay in Macross -Shooting Insight- is where it truly excels, offering constant variety. It kicks off as a vertical shooter but gracefully morphs into horizontal segments and dual-stick shooting levels, enabling complete 360-degree firing control. Switches like this could flop if not executed properly, but the transitions here only increased my enjoyment, keeping things fresh. What’s more, the game dazzles with several cinematic camera tricks, utilizing its 3D gameplay to full effect. The only hiccup might be the crowded user interface, which occasionally conceals enemies with pesky notifications about playing songs.

Being a bullet hell shooter, it’s no surprise the game ramps up the challenge at higher difficulty levels. Thankfully, there are options to ease the experience: two less intense difficulty settings and an auto-recovery mode—though the latter does disable your leaderboard standing. This flexibility means that, despite the relatively short story—taking about an hour to complete 10 stages if you avoid repeated failures—there’s ample opportunity to derive more value from the game. I discovered this the hard way during my misguided attempt at mastering the very hard mode.

Beyond chasing high scores, the game offers numerous alternatives for varied play. Besides the main narrative, there’s an arcade mode, a boss rush, and specific area selections for skill enhancement. You can also tackle Ace Battle simulations, engaging in one-on-one dogfights with other pilots. I found these duels exhilarating, although opponents must be gradually unlocked, rather than accessed all at once.

Macross -Shooting Insight- Review: Final Verdict

Whether you’re a die-hard Macross enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Macross -Shooting Insight- delivers an abundant dose of exhilarating shoot ‘em up action. The ever-evolving gameplay ensures that each stage keeps you vigilant and engaged. With a generous range of difficulty settings and five characters offering their distinct storylines, it promises an enjoyable diversity and replayability. This holds especially true if you’re ready to dive into a bullet hell scenario infused with idol tunes—something I highly recommend.

Pros:

• Highly replayable
• Diverse difficulty levels
• Varied gameplay

Cons:

• Newcomers may struggle to follow the story
• UI sometimes obscures enemies

Note: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for this Macross -Shooting Insight- review, tested on version 1.000.000.