«©NCSX» When Gradius first hit the coin-op arena in 1985, Konami basically launched a franchise that would engender numerous sequels, derivatives, and adjuncts. Over the years, the company also parodied the super-serious and grayish Gradius series with the pastel-tinted Parodius games. Since the market can never get enough of a good thing, Konami invokes the Gradius series once again with Otomedius Gorgeous. The default "ship" in Otomedius is a blue-haired gal named Aoba Aona who pilots a Vic Viper airframe but five other ships are selectable. Otomedius also pays homage to other Konami shooters of yore including Xexex and Salamander with familiar weapon systems, sound effects, and characters.
The first stage starts off in classic Gradius fashion where a stream of enemies appear on the upper portion of the screen. Shoot them all and collect the coins and bonuses that are dropped. Other enemies meander into the screen followed by additional streams of spherical enemies that appear on the top and bottom of the screen. Note that there's streaming slivers of lights that flow through the first level but they're not dangerous lasers... just screen effects. Midway through the first level, the scenery shifts from outer space to the ocean and the beach. That's right, the beach where tanks and penguins attempt to stop your assault.
