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Based on an arcade coin-op with the same name, Striker 1945 is virtually indistinguishable from the original, and this version is actually better than arcade.
Like many Playstation games, Psikyo adds a CG intro for the game. The intro is fine, but it is not impressive at all. After the title screen, it jumps to the first menu which it gives several interesting options. Similar to Raiden Project, it lets you to choose from either horizontal or vertical mode. The difference is there are two vertical modes, one is standard while the other one allows the background to scroll up and down as you move the plane. By the way, the control of horizontal mode is hard to get used to.
The next option is called Fighter Index, it provides you with data about each of the six planes, a nice additional feature. The last one is called Demo. Unexpectedly, Demo is actually the second CG intro which it didn't use in the game. To be honest, this intro is better than the first one, at least it is more fun to watch. Then it jumps to the second option menu which you can set the difficulty and button configuration.
Six different planes to choose from: P-38 Lightning, P-51 Mustang, Spit Fire MK.II, Messer BF-109, Zero Fighter and Shinden J7. Each plane can be upgraded to 4 times. Along the way, smaller planes will come and help you. Like the other 2D shooters, each plane has equipped with its own special bomb.
Graphically, Striker 1945 is slightly above-average. The enemies are finely drawn and backgrounds are quite detailed. As for audio? Well, the music is somewhat repetitive in my opinion, some of the tracks sound very similar. Sound effect is average.
The control of this game is excellent, very responsive. Plus the bullets move somewhat slow, so I can often avoid the bullets without getting hit. To top it all off, the end bosses are amazing. The end bosses start with the typical battleships and tanks, but wait, they are actually transformable robots. After certain amount of damages, they will transform from their original shapes to the flying robots. Cool idea!
Oh, sure Striker 1945 has all of the usual aspects of 2D shooters, but Psyiko has added those additional features that loft it above the original arcade. After hours of playing this addictive game, I can honestly say this is a solid 2D shooter worthy of any game player's time. My only gripe is the length of certain stages, a few of them are only 3-4 mins long.
I simply enjoy this game as much as the classic 2D shooter, Raiden or the new-comer, Raystorm. If you enjoy 2D shooter, this is a great game to buy. If not...it's surely worth a rent.
Overall score = 9 out of 10.