• Squresoft Shooter

• Very Rare Game

Einhander's visuals are beyond reproach. The backgrounds are vibrant and detailed without being garish or distracting, especially stage five. Ship designs are cool all around, and every enemy, from the mightiest boss to the lowliest peon, goes out in a blaze of glory when you destroy it, instead of merely blinking out of existence or disappearing in a bland red puff.

On the audio front, the sound effects are excellent. Launching rockets, shattering neon signs, and, of course, explosions. All well done. The intentionally emotionless female voice that addresses you after each stage is very credible, and the German commands you hear during boss encounters lend a terrific sense of atmosphere to the game. Moody and catchy techno tunes provide the musical backdrop and, for the most part, complement the corresponding areas perfectly. The operatic female vocals at the beginning of stage one clash very effectively with the destruction that ensues and let you know your ears are in for a treat from the start. And, the music for the sixth stage end boss (after the rocket with the time limit) is so rousing, you won't even care when he kills you 20 times in a row.

Eight special weapons are readily available and there's something for every taste, from the heat-seeking Wasp ("You can run, but you can't hide!") to the lightsaber-like Blade ("I don't need no Force to kick your sorry butt!") to the no-nonsense, wallop-packing Cannon ("JUST DIE!!!!"). Plus, there are four others (each a sort of variation on one of the ubiquitous eight) hidden throughout the game.

Einhander's developers hit the nail squarely on the head (pun absolutely intended) where the challenge level is concerned. The game can get pretty rough, but it's the GOOD kind of rough. No shields or defensive power-ups are available (one of the game's very few flaws) so one hit will kill you, but it has to be solid, direct impact. Enemy bullets that travel at 2 MPH and just barely graze the little ball on the top of your radio antenna don't count. The last two bosses are tough to beat, and some of the earlier ones aren't exactly a cake walk either, but the only one that I think crosses the line between "challenging" and "frustrating" is the robotic ape mid-way through stage five. Oh, how I despise that banana-chewing abomination!

You get three lives per credit and nine continues for a total of 30 lives, though you'll earn an extra life or two along the way when you attain a certain score. However, there is one point in the game...the rocket you approach from behind...where, if you fail to defeat it within the given time limit, it's GAME OVER no matter how many lives or continues you have left! So, unless you want to see the "bad" (or should I say "worse"?) ending, I'd advise you to get yourself killed if it looks like you're not gonna get the job done in time. Then, you'll get another shot at it.

If proof was ever needed that 2-D games can still be plenty of fun, Einhander is that proof. I revel in the fact that it outshines many more modernized games on all fronts despite the old-fashioned 2-D gameplay. The only exception is the Wasp missile being able to seek and destroy on-screen enemies that have yet to align with your ship (and certain objects in the background, too...that's a hint). Some might complain about the lack of a two-player mode, but in my opinion the gloomy suicide mission aspect of the game would be jeopardized if it weren't played solo. With three ships to select from and no shortage of secrets (including two additional ships), the replay value is strong, but even if that weren't the case, you'd want to play it again and again anyway, because it's crafted with such tender, loving care and, on many levels, it's flawless. I have no qualms about calling Einhander one of the all-time great games for the PlayStation. Square would be well advised to re-release it (along with Final Fantasy Tactics and Xenogears). Don't hesitate to grab a copy if you come across one, as I for one am NOT selling mine!

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


Quality Shoot-Um-Up  Nov 27, 1999
Einhander is a classic 2D (left to right) shooting game. The 'plot' involves a futuristic war between the Earth and the Moon. The Moon has far fewer resources than the Earth, and thus uses suicide pilots which simply destroy as much capitol as possible before being taken out. You are one of those pilots. This game features three fighters to play, as well as 10 or so special weapons. The fighters differ in how many special weapons they can use. Special weapons are generally obtained during game play, but you can start with one of your choice. Einhander is very fast paced. My usual 'strategy' involves holding down all the firing buttons and hoping that I live. If you get hit, your dead. Fortunately, you are provided with three fighters per game with the option to continue up to ten times. I have had this game for several months, and haven't beat it yet. The different bosses (and there are tons) are very well presented, powerful, and amusing to fight. Often times, you hear a german voice on a loudspeaker as the bosses come out; it really adds to the overall effect of the game. In summary, Einhander is an excellent game that I would recommend to gamers of all levels. It lends itself well to mindless destruction as well as strategy involving the special weapons. The graphics are well done, and this game has good extended play value.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Alloy Butterfly  May 27, 2002 By Matt
Einhander is the most impressive game in its class. Awesome graphics coupled with a fantastic array of weapons, arcade style handling, and outstanding, challenging objectives make it THE first choice for anyone interested in aerial combat.

The Einhander ship is a blue, jet-propelled weapons-handler that looks similar to a butterfly. The reason it's called Einhander? It has gunpods. "Einhander" in German means "one hand." In addition to its mounted machine gun, it has gunpods capable of taking on up to three special weapons. A few of these: Wasp, a compact and effective guided-missile launcher, Vulcan, a gatling gun capable of extreme rates of projectile discharge, and a devestating cannon.

This is a game you have to see for yourself. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it at any local video stores, but you can trust my words: This game is worth it. Buy it, borrow it, whatever. Give this game a try.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


An awesome shooter...but lacks a 2 player mode  Nov 11, 2000
Einhander has got to be the best looking shooter available on the Playstation. It's full of colorful and detailed backrounds, the enemies are imaginatively constructed, and there's a nice variety of weapons. The gameplay is similar to side scrolling shooters of the past, with a couple of new features...like the ability to choose your ship and being able to change your weapon configuration on the fly. Einhander will keep even the most experienced of gamers on their toes with long and difficult levels. The only feature that keeps Einhander from perfection is the lack of a 2 player mode. Shooters have alot more replay value when they have a multiplayer option. Still, Einhander is a great game...and since it's now available at a low price, there's no reason not to get it.

2 of 2 found the following review helpful:


Shooter Bliss  Jun 06, 2005 By Chris Nielsen
Rating: A+
You would honestly think that any game made by Square, in the era right after they relesed Final Fantasy Seven would have gotten more recognition than this game did, but unfortunately it did not, easily becoming an underground type sensation that few could argue, is not only one of the classic shoot-em-ups on the Playstation, but one of the best Side scrolling shooters of all time. Taking place in the all too distant future, we find ourselves jumping into the helm of three vastly different ships, which upon receiving different weapons, mount themselves on your ship in different ways depending upon which ship you have chosen. Each level is vastly different from the next, and each boss requires a methodical and increasing harder approach to defeat it, learning the patterns and timings of each boss is a must if you even want to get past the third level. With secrets galore and 2 unlockable ships (if memory serves me correct), the game is loaded to the rims with extras that will keep you glued to your tv for hours, wondering how in the hell this game is so addicting. Well in one sense the exceedingly difficult gameplay, drives you to want to see what the next level has to offer, while the actual process of figuring out the best route through each stage, while acquiring the best weapons to be used against each boss comes down to a science, and literally you have to become "One" with the controller, and basically let your senses take over, as this is probably right up there with Contra: Shattered Soldiers in terms of overall difficulty. But let me tell you the second you step foot into the final stage in the midst of an all out war against you, and only you, this game turns the world on you as you battle in space and fight off against one of the hugest RoboTech inspired bosses ever. Phenomenal music accompanies this blissful experience, as the pounding techno music even made me import the soundtrack from Japan, as I just could not get enough of the game and its music. It is unfortanate that the game never really made the waves it should have stateside, as I'm sure Square's reluctant to release a sequel, due to the games lackluster sales, but then again it just moves it right up there with Radiant Silvergun (probably THE best shooter of all time), in terms of one of those games you mention to someone, and there either like "What game?" or "Oh my friggin' God that game is so amazing." Praobably one of the best games you've never heard about or will get a chance to play, good luck finding it, and even greater luck trying to master it and beat it. Impeccable.

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