1942 (Arcade) review "I've played 1942 a couple of times before, and each of those times, I didn't really get into the game. With a grand total of thirty-two stages, I just didn't have the time. But I was willing to give the game another shot when I decided to do a review for it. I made sure I had plenty of time to waste, so I can attempt to make it through the entire title. "

I've played 1942 a couple of times before, and each of those times, I didn't really get into the game. With a grand total of thirty-two stages, I just didn't have the time. But I was willing to give the game another shot when I decided to do a review for it. I made sure I had plenty of time to waste, so I can attempt to make it through the entire title.

So, on a Sunday, I played 1942.

Thirty minutes later, after ten stages, I quit.

Thirty-two stages in a shoot-em-up is just too damn long. Period. Capcom could've attempted to do a bunch of different and interesting things to keep you playing till the end (like Bubble Bobble, which has one-hundred stages), but from what I've played, there was nothing like that. The first stage pretty much shows what you'll be experiencing for the duration of 1942: a bunch of similar-looking planes will fill up the screen, flying in all sorts of patterns, and shooting bullets in hopes of hitting your slow plane, a P-38. And you will get hit, a lot.

It's just impossible not to with the amount of planes and bullets that clutter up the screen at times (doesn't help that they move at a slightly faster pace than your plane). Capcom, however, was kind enough to give you a move, the loop-the-loop, that will make your plane.... erm, loop out of danger. It's a helpful move to use at times, but, there are a lot of moments where it'll cause you more harm than good. Since the screen is usually crowded with planes and bullets, you're likely to hit one of them when the looping animation completes. It's frustrating, but you're willing to take that risk. I mean, come on, just look at the alternative. It's too bad you only get a limited amount per stage, you need all the looping you can get in this game.

Sadly, of the ten stages I've played, there was only ONE moment that differed from everything else: a boss fight that occurs during the sixth or seventh stage. A Japanese mother airship, Ayako, appears at the end of the stage to challenge you. It throws multiple bullets in your path, but they're mostly easy to avoid. And unfortunately, the plane goes down rather fast with a few hits. After that, it was back to normal: shooting down the same planes, using the same patterns, over the same backgrounds, and listening to the same damn theme (an upbeat, whistle tune that's absurdly out of place) over, and over, and over again. Think about it: if it took me thirty minutes to pass ten stages, then it'll take me about an hour and a half to complete 1942..... Of COURSE I gave up after ten stages. Any more of this boring, dreadful crap would've drove me nuts.

Community review by dementedhut (August 16, 2006) Happy new year!