One-handed (computer game)

One-handed
Studio	Square
Publisher	Sony , Square
Erstveröffent- lichung	1997 (Japan), 1998 (USA)
platform	PlayStation
genre	Side scrolling shooter
Game mode	Single player
control	Gamepad
medium	1 CD-ROM
language	English

One- handed is a computer game by the Japanese game developer Square for the PlayStation , which is based on the principle of the so-called scrolling shooter . This describes on the one hand the view of the game from the side, as well as the game-determining content, the elimination of opponents in the highest possible number. Einhänder is the best-selling video game of its kind. The game appeared in both the English and Japanese versions under the German title "Einhänder". The name of the game is also the name of the spaceship, which is controlled by the player and is derived from the German name for a one-handed sword and refers to the gripper arm on the ship, which is similar in appearance and function to the sword wielded in this way.

Background story

The action takes place in the future . In 2245 the earth and the moon wage a bitter war . Technically developed, the lunar population (called Selene, see below) has an advantage, but the earth has superior resources due to its larger population. In order to turn the war in their favor, the Selene let the one-man flyer "one-handed" take off to earth. This breaks through the lines of defense and is now supposed to destroy Earth's super weapon, a giant missile .

Gameplay

The player now takes on the role of the aviator. His job is to shoot down as many enemies as possible. Before that, the player can choose one of three different ship types. There is also an arsenal of weapons available. These weapons, so-called gunpods, can be taken over by various enemies shot down. They are then immediately available to the player, but are lost if the ship is shot down. In addition, each ship has a machine gun with infinite ammunition.

construction

The standard types of aircraft

The different ships are referred to with different Greek mythological expressions.

• Astraea FGA, Mk I - This type of ship can carry and fire two gunpods at the same time, one above and one below. The machine gun can only be used when no or only one gunpod is carried. This type is particularly suitable for professional players, as they can cause devastating damage with the property of firing two gunpods.

• Endymion FRS, Mk II - This type of ship can carry three gunpods but only fire one. The machine gun can be used permanently for this. The player can switch between the three gunpods at any time. If the ship already carries three weapons and a fourth is picked up, the currently active weapon and ammunition are always lost and replaced by the new weapon. This ship is especially suitable for experienced players.

• Endymion FRS, Mk III - Equipped with only one gunpod, this ship is apparently the weakest. However, it has two machine guns, which are operated like a single one. Because of this simple weapon system, this ship is well suited for beginners.

Secret aviators

The secret aviator types can only be unlocked under certain circumstances.

• The cockroach - actually used as the enemy's flier in the first level, the cockroach can be unlocked by reaching fifteen bonuses. However, the cockroach cannot pick up gunpods, they only increase the firepower of the standard weapon.

• Astraea FGA, Mk II - This secret type of ship is very similar to the Astraea FGA, Mk I. Only when the player picks up a gunpod will he immediately receive 9999 shots. This type can only be unlocked if you successfully complete the game on difficulty level three.

weapons

Easy to find standard additional weapons

• Vulcan - One of the most widely used gunpods in the game with a high rate of fire but low impact.
• Cannon - Another weapon that is widely used, powerful but low rate of fire.
• Spreader - Long range with low impact makes this weapon effective against light opponents.
• Grenade - This grenade launcher is particularly suitable against main opponents.
• Wasp - A rocket launcher with two types of projectile, homing and straight flying.
• Hedgehog - Another grenade launcher, but its projectiles explode in midair.
• Riot - A rechargeable electric cannon that has devastating effects
• Blade - A lightsaber, usable above or below the spaceship

Well hidden, difficult to find additional weapons

• Juno - Extremely powerful Gatling gun
• Flash - The most powerful laser available in the game
• Python - Five mines chained together in old pirate fashion

The levels

There are six different levels, the difficulty of which increases chronologically. Each level has two main opponents and introduces various new weapons.

• Level 1 - The level takes place in the capital of the world. Only relatively easy opponents are listed.

• Level 2 - This level leads out of the city into a kind of desert where the player encounters a long campaign.

• Level 3 - The third level has an underground enemy base as a plot.

• Level 4 - Level four, which, like all other levels, leads out of the previous one, takes place in an underground research base with storage. The first main opponent is a research experiment.

• Level 5 - Level five has Earth's military launch site as the action location. From there the missile, which is the main target of the player, starts.

• Levels 6–7 - After level five has been completed, a small sequence starts that creates a connection between the previous levels. The rocket has already started when the plane flies after it.

When the rocket is shot down, it releases a huge battle station called the Black Spirit, which rises into space. If this opponent is also successfully overcome, a small sequence starts again, which continues the story. The last opponent, Hyperion (see below) is the most difficult of all, if he is defeated, the game is over successfully.

Symbolic designations

The game contains many different names from the Bible and Greek mythology.

Greek mythology

• Selene - is the moon goddess who falls in love with a shepherd and asks Zeus to grant him eternal life.
• Endymion - is the beautiful and eternally youthful lover of the moon goddess Selene.
• Hyperion - is the son of Uranus and Gaia. He is the father of Selene and Eos.
• Eos - is the god of twilight . At the end of the game, when the one-handed pilot turns on the Selene, he is attacked by ships labeled EOS.
• Astraea - is a Greek name for justice, a kind of personification.

Christian / Jewish terms

• In the Japanese version of the game, the capital of the world is called Sodom. The Bible tells the story of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, where God rains fire down on those cities, just like the player who also brings destruction to the city. In the American version, the name was changed to law.

reception

In 2011, one-handed was chosen after a public vote to one of the 80 games presented by the Smithsonian American Art Museum in its exhibition The Art of Video Games . It is representative of the artistic design of action shooters for the PlayStation.

Web links

• One-handed at MobyGames (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ The Art of Video Games Voting Result ( English , pdf; 1.0 MB) Smithsonian Institution . May 5, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
2. ↑ Kris Graft: Smithsonian Art Exhibit Recognizes Games From Pac-Man To Heavy Rain ( English ) In: Gamasutra . UBM plc. May 5, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2012.