Developed and released by Sega in 1995, Shadow Squadron (also known as Stellar Assault in Europe) is a first-person, 3D space combat game with fast-moving filled polygons. The game can be played by one or two players and features a co-op mode where one player steers the ship and the other mans a gun turret.

You start by choosing a ship from the two “Feather” craft available, and then launch into space to battle an alien fleet over the span of six missions.

The first “Feather” craft is designed for the single-player game, and the second is for the two-player co-op game. However, one player can take out Feather 2 and play the co-op game alone, with the computer AI controlling either the ship or the gun turret (whichever player one isn’t controlling).

After a short mission briefing you’re then left alone to complete your objective. This usually involves destroying large capital ships, which always come with a compliment of defending fighters. Enemy ships fire at you and will destroy you if you’re not careful.

The cockpit shows damage levels, speed, a basic radar representation in the middle, and your score at the top. The Feather 2 cockpit display is different if you’re manning the gun turret, obviously.

The Feather craft can can roll left and right; speed up and slow down, and crucially can activate a shield at any time. This not only protects you from incoming fire, but it can also be used to ram vulnerable parts of enemy ships without causing you too much damage.

Shadow Squadron is nicely-presented, with smooth 3D graphics and lots of futuristic software tech coming alive on-screen – especially during launch – and the gameplay is reasonably absorbing. The music I thought was inappropriate for the setting (it’s too ‘jolly’ when it should be more serious and atmospheric), and I would’ve liked some sort of missile/lock-on system. The game is best played with a six-button joypad, if you want to get the most out of it. I would also have liked some optional mouse controls on the turret targeting in the co-op game, but that doesn’t seem to be an option.

Also: I disagree with those who say that Shadow Squadron is like Nintendo‘s Star Fox. Yes, there are some similarities, but it doesn’t look much like Star Fox, nor does it play like it either. It’s more ‘serious Sci-Fi’, and it reminds me more of X-Wing and TIE-Fighter than Star Fox.

More: Shadow Squadron on Wikipedia