soldier of light Commodore 64 game

In 1986, Technos released an arcade gem known as Xain'd Sleena (ザインドスリーナ), a thrilling platformer and side-scrolling shooter that took the gaming world by storm. Taito licensed it for international release, with the USA getting a unique version published by Memetron, aptly named Solar Warrior. However, the European home computer ports chose to adopt the title Soldier of Light.

Gameplay

In this adventure, you assume the role of Xain, a galactic bounty hunter on a mission to vanquish the oppressive forces dominating five distinct planets. What sets Xain'd Sleena apart is the freedom it offers players; you can select the order in which you tackle the planets, allowing for a diverse and customized gaming experience. For those playing the U.S. version, Solar Warrior, the sequence of planets is predetermined.

Each planet presents you with a unique challenge as you engage in right horizontal and vertical scrolling, annihilating adversaries and avoiding treacherous obstacles. Xain boasts a versatile skill set, including crouching, double crouching (going prone), jumping, and double jumping. Sub-boss battles may be required on some planets to advance. Keep an eye out for certain enemies carrying power-ups, transforming your default laser gun into various weapons. These include a laser-grenade gun, a 2-way gun, a spreadfire gun, and a high-impact bullet gun, each with its own damage and directional firing attributes.

After conquering the planet, you confront a formidable boss. Defeat the boss, plant a bomb in their base, and make a daring escape within a tight ten-second window in your starship.

The latter half of each planet stage involves an interlude where you must navigate through waves of enemy ships while making your way to the next planet. After three planets, a thrilling battle unfolds in an asteroid field, culminating in a clash against a colossal mothership.

Once you've liberated all five planets, you advance to the grand finale: a massive metallic fortress. Here, you'll face off against the bosses you encountered on each of the five planets. Engaging these bosses is optional, but it's a chance for additional glory. Midway through the stage, you plant a bomb on the fortress's core and then have a mere 60 seconds to dash to the exit hangar and leap into your starship.

Reception

Xain'd Sleena left a significant mark on the gaming world, earning praise and acclaim from critics and gamers alike. Here's a glimpse of how it fared:

• ACE (Commodore 64 Port): With a remarkable score of 499 points, ACE held Xain'd Sleena in high regard, likening it to Firebird's Crosswize.
• The Games Machine (Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Ports): The Games Machine provided varied scores for the different ports: 70% for the Atari ST, 77% for the Commodore 64, and an impressive 86% for the ZX Spectrum version.
• Game Machine (Japan): In Japan, Game Machine recognized Xain'd Sleena's success, listing it as the twelfth most popular table arcade unit in their January 15, 1987 issue.

Xain'd Sleena, or Soldier of Light in Europe, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic arcade games, offering a dynamic and challenging gaming experience that continues to captivate players worldwide.