Sqoon
System: NES
Release Date: September 1987
Developer: Home Data
Publisher: Irem
Genre: Shoot ‘em Up
Here we have an Irem published game, Sqoon. It’s a side scrolling shoot ‘em up that takes place underwater as opposed to in the sky or in space. Aliens from Neptune have come to Earth to eat “man-ham” aka “long pork” aka humans. The Neptunians have melted the ice caps causing the planet to flood. The pirate Narikeen is contacted by the Earth Defense Army to use his submarine, Sqoon, to rescue people and destroy the aliens.
The Sqoon can shoot missiles with the A Button and drop ice bombs with the B Button. Enemies fly at you in waves like a normal shoot ‘em up. However, they move quickly and in wide swoops, so prepare to die a lot. I know I did. The humans you need to save are hidden in factories along the ocean floor, which you have to blow up with the ice bombs. Then you have to pick them up before the killer whales eat them while avoiding the enemies swimming your way.
You can only hold up to 9 humans at a time in Sqoon and must drop them off at a floating island. The island only appears if your hold is full, or if you have a piece of gold from hitting a crab with an ice bomb. You can receive powerups for saving nine humans. You also need to save humans to collect fuel, which counts down over the course of a minute.
Graphics: 1.5
Graphics are alright, they’re plenty colorful, which is different, at least.
Sound: 1.5
I didn’t care for the music and the sound effects are standard.
Gameplay: 1.0
I found myself getting trapped in a death spiral, especially when trying to collect items or humans.
Difficulty: 1.0
If I memorized the enemy appearances, I’d probably get through it, but I don’t have the patience for a poorly designed game.
Fun Factor: 0.5
I did not have fun with this.
Overall Grade: 1.1
Sqoon earns a D. I can’t recommend this game in the slightest. People are asking stupid prices for this garbage. Stay away.