Yu Suzuki is a lauded and respected figure in the game industry, and it's emerged that - along with his team at Ys Net - he's returning with an arcade-style game that looks very much like a spiritual successor to Space Harrier. The downside is that it's launching exclusively on Apple Arcade later this month, but we've seen a lot of games move from that platform over to Switch after a specific period; there's definitely hope.
Called Air Twister, it looks likes a rather fun return to arcade-style gameplay in the trailer, with giant swans (or small people?) also coming into the game. The music is by Valensia, a Dutch composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist; according to this Wikipedia page they did an album called 'Queen Tribute' in 2003. Listen to the music in the trailer and... yeah, you'll get the reference.
Below are some official details from the game's website:
- Find something new every time you play the 12 beautiful, artfully crafted stages
- Over 20 different creatures of the Vanguard will thwart your way and 10 unique bosses await your challenge at the end of the worlds.
- Collect Stars to power up your Princess and unlock new game modes
- Simple touch controls make play fun and easy. Or connect a gamepad for an arcade-like experience.
- Shoot for the top and compete in score and ranking categories with players all around the world!
Yu Suzuki's most recent project was the Shenmue 3, but this latest release is clearly a return to the style he cultivated in his incredible early years at SEGA. In addition to directing and designing Space Harrier, other titles in Suzuki-san's credits in the '80s and '90s include Super Hang-On, Out Run, Virtua Racing, Daytona USA, After Burner and many more.
We'd love to see this make its way to Switch once its presumed Apple Arcade exclusivity period ends; we'll see how that plays out.
Comments 20
Yeah this definitely isn't my type of game.
It didn't help that the music used for the trailer was awful.
I think Apple Arcade has done a hell of a job. $4.99 per month and I have games like Fantasian, Monster Hunter Stories, Clap Hanz Golf, Dodonpachi HD+, Star Trek, and now a new Yu Suzuki game. Love it. It could never replace my switch but it has its own strengths.
That music has an uncanny Queen vibe! Weird. This looks brilliantly bonkers.
Interesting! Looks like a Skyward Sword spinoff game. 😉
Gameplay looks cool, music is not to my taste though. May pick up if it hits switch and reviews ok.
Looks amazing, hopefully we get it on Switch.
I was a big time fan of the Master System version - this version looks soulless.
I'd rather see a new Rez or Child of Eden or the old Rez and Child of Eden.
color me intrigued. his arcade output from the 80s still holds up today. and this looks to be a similar kind of game with a new coat of paint. yes, please!
@heromuseum I know I would absolutely eat up Fantasian.. I love the whole diorama world thing (such a great idea!) but I wont subscribe to that kind of stuff. I was recently googling if it would ever release outside Apple Arcade and I've read that Apple helped fund the game (sort of like Sony and Symphony of the Night) and thus it likely wont ever release outside the arcade. Maybe there's some sort of contract in place, and when that expires, it doesn't sound likely any time soon :/
But, if there was any reason for me to subscribe to Apple Arcade, it would be Fantasian for certain.
ADDITION: I also think this looks like a great game and I'd enjoy playing it, being a fan of the original and also StarFox.
Wow can't believe YSNet survive the Shenmue 3 controversy. Looking forward to a lot of new stuff from the studio, that is of course if they ever do anything for consoles again instead of just focusing on mobile.
I did like Space Harrier so I’m down to try this.
looks pretty rad, reminds me of Panzer Dragoon Orta.
The mega 80s/90s Yu Suzuki fan in me wonders if this is what he was really shooting for in terms of visuals back in the day. I love Space Harrier and see the similarities but this art style is bonkers - and after watching the trailer above 3x I'm still not sure if I mean that as a compliment or an insult. That said, I would totally buy this for a reasonable price on the eShop. Even as an Apple Arcade subscriber though, I don't see me playing this on my iPad.
That music very much sounds like a scrambled version of Killer Queen. And that hit me before I even read the article.
What's up with the giant geese?
This is a VERY lolrandom sorta trailer.
Wow... this is probably what a developer on an acid trip thought it would be good to make haha. This is so bizarre that I can only imagine how many shrooms (like those found in stage 1 there!) were used for this.
Alright, who do I Smith Slap for the music selection? Took me right out of it.
@Wisps If you want a trippy shooter play Tempest 4000/Space Giraffe/REZ. Tempest was on a Switch sale this weekend - it may still be.
Gotta say, this looks interesting. Digging the crazy world and music. Hopefully, it heads to the Switch.
Looks pretty alright for a Space Harrier spritual successor, even though Suzuki said that it isn't exactly one.
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/shenmue-creator-announces-air-twister-for-apple-arcade/1100-6503976/.
Either way, hope the gameplay turns out decent atleast. Also, its a shame, but not surprising, that this game is highly unlikely to release on non-Apple platforms since Suzuki personally pitched it to Apple for funding.
Music is awful. Doesn't fit at all !
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