Omega Boost

Omega Boost
Developer(s)	Polyphony Digital
Publisher(s)	Sony Computer Entertainment
Engine	Gran Turismo
Platform(s)	PlayStation
Release date(s)	JP April 22, 1999 NA August 31, 1999 PAL September 14, 1999
Genre(s)	Rail shooter
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone
Media/distribution	CD-ROM

Omega Boost is a three dimensional shoot 'em up developed by Polyphony Digital for the Sony PlayStation.

In the game, players take control of the Omega Boost, a giant robot. The player is charged with travelling back in time to stop an artificial intelligence called Alpha Core from altering ENIAC, the first computer, and thus making itself more powerful in the future. The gameplay takes place in waves, meaning that enemies will appear in the same groups and formations in the same order every playthrough. The player doesn't get to choose what order to engage an entire stage's enemies, just the ones in the current wave. This rail-shooter element does not hamper the player's freedom to fly where they choose in most stages. On some stages, the player has complete control of Omega Boost, specifically areas where they are in Planet ETA's atmosphere. Other stages limit the player in terms of speed (falling through the timeshaft).

The "Boost" part of the mech's name comes from Omega Boost's booster pack, allowing the player to move in any direction and circle strafe enemies with a scanning and lock-on feature. Omega Boost also learns the Viper Boost maneuver once it is levelled up. Viper Boost, when engaged, will cause Omega Boost to glow blue as it tears through enemies on screen. Destroying enemies will cause the gauge to refill incrementally. However, the game can be completed without ever using Viper Boost. If Viper Boost is used, the final ranking will have "Pixy" added onto the title, showing the attack during play.

The game has high production values with a few music tracks by the bands Loudmouth and the song "Otsegolation" by Static-X. The game also features a live action introduction and mecha designs by Shoji Kawamori of Macross fame. The US, Japanese and European releases feature different theme music with the US version using "Fly" by Loudmouth, the Japanese version using "Shade" by Feeder and the European version using "Dreamer" by Cast.

Being released late in the PlayStation's life, Omega Boost is said to have some of the best graphics on the console with parts of the game running at 60 frame/s. The game was criticised by some reviewers for being too short (Nine levels with nine unlockable special missions) and simplistic. However, it is still considered one of the best Macross style mecha simulation games produced and is thought of by many as a sleeper hit due to its poor marketing.

Merchandise

A series of action figures was created by Blue Box Toys, featuring mecha from the game, including: Omega Boost and Beta Boost. A third figure, Herbarcher, was shown on the back of the boxes, however it was never released.

Audio

The Omega Boost Original Sound Track was released on June 19, 1999 , the album had a limited print and is considered very rare. The Album was made up by few people as listed here. Tracks 2-11, 13, 15-17 where composed, arranged & performed by CMJK, track 12 was composed, & performed by Singo Okumura which was arranged by Daiki Kasho, track 18 composed & performed by Dip in the pool, and tracks 1, and 14 was Arranged by Takafumi Fujisawa. (The album inserts didn't give any credit for tracks 1 & 14, so It was given it to the sound producer.) The intro music was not entered in the Album release.

Soundtrack cover art

Album Track List:

1. BOOST I
2. SPLIT THE NEBULA
3. RING BUFFER
4. ORBITAL FIGHT
5. BETA BETA
6. ATTACK IN WAVES
7. GROUND AND THE SKY
8. THE ODD LIFE FORCE
9. A MEASURING WORM
10. BACK TO THE 1946
11. SPARK OF DRUM
12. TENSE UP
13. PATHAKA
14. BOOST II
15. FIERCE RESISTANCE
16. ELIMINATION UP
17. LET'S TIE LIKE A LINE
18. Ismeel

Many fans of the game have found it easier to rip the soundtrack from the game disc itself, however, this leads to confusion over the official titles of the tracks, mainly because they are labeled as "areas" in-game instead of the official names given by the creators.

Trivia

Similarities between Omega Boost and Sega's Panzer Dragoon series led to a rumor that former members of Team Andromeda, dissolved in 1998, had joined Polyphony Digital. This rumor turned out to be true as the lead designer and programmer on Omega Boost was Yuji Yasuhara [1], who had worked on Panzer Dragoon Zwei.

Omega Boost is mentioned in the song My Console by Eiffel 65

Among the games created by Polyphony Digital, only the Omega Boost was a shoot 'em up, while the others are vehicle racing simulators.

External links

• Omega Boost at MobyGames
• Omega Boost at IGN
• Omega Boost at GameFAQs

• Write up over at Game Set Watch [2]