{{short description|1988 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Galaxy Force | image = Galaxy Force flyer.jpg | caption = Japanese arcade flyer | alt = A spaceship flying towards the camera against a circular rainbow background. A woman with silver clothes and green hair stands behind the ship. | developer = Sega R&D1 | publisher = Sega | composer = Koichi Namiki<br>Katsuhiro Hayashi | series = | platforms = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Arcade}}|Master System, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, FM Towns, Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, PlayStation 2, mobile phone, Nintendo 3DS}} | released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|April 1988}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|April 1988<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 1992 |title=Way to the Sega Fan |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d3/Mdfan_JP_1992-06.pdf |access-date=November 29, 2024 |work=Mega Drive Fan |pages=75}}</ref>|EU|July 1988<ref name="CUser"/>|NA|August 1988<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005"/>}} '''Master System'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/e00b5a6b-4612-4950-9e9c-44ff2576f94b |work=Computer Entertainer |volume=8 |issue=8 |date=November 1989 |page=14}}</ref>|EU|1989}} '''Atari ST, C64, CPC, ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|EU|January 1990<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=September 1989 |title=Preview: Galaxy Force |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_094_1989-09_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n109/mode/2up |magazine=Computer and Video Games |publisher=EMAP |issue=94 |page=111}}</ref>}} '''FM Towns'''{{vgrelease|JP|1990}} '''Mega Drive/Genesis'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 13, 1991<ref>{{cite web |title=Software List (Software Licensee Release) |url=https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html |website=Sega Hardware Encyclopedia |publisher=Sega Corporation |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|January 1992<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_29/page/n217/mode/2up|title=Fact File: Galaxy Force II|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=29|date=December 1991|pages=216–219}}</ref>|PAL|1992}} '''Saturn'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 2, 1998<ref>{{cite web |title=Software List (Released by Sega)|url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html |website=セガ 製品情報サイト |publisher=Sega |language=ja}}</ref>}} '''PlayStation 2'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 26, 2007<ref>{{cite web |title=SEGA AGES 2500 Series Vol.30 Galaxy Force II ~Special Extended Edition~ |url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm62766.html |website=PlayStation.com (Japan) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614141700/http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm62766.html |archive-date=June 14, 2007 |language=ja}}</ref>}} '''Mobile'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 2, 2008}} '''Nintendo 3DS'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 24, 2013<ref>{{cite web |title=3D Galaxy Force II |url=http://archives.sega.jp/3d/gf2 |website=Sega |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721003214/http://archives.sega.jp/3d/gf2 |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA/EU|December 12, 2013<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bivens |first1=Danny |title=Sega 3D Classics Hitting 3DS in North America and Europe Starting in November |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/35838/sega-3d-classics-hitting-3ds-in-north-america-and-europe-starting-in-november |website=Nintendo World Report |date=October 30, 2013}}</ref>}} }} | genre = Rail shooter<ref name="hg101">{{cite web |last1=Kalata |first1=Kurt |title=Galaxy Force |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/galaxy-force/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051334/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/galaxy-force/ |archive-date=23 February 2018 |date=16 August 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> | modes = Single-player | arcade system = Sega Y Board }}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Galaxy Force'''''|ギャラクシーフォース|Gyarakushī Fōsu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1988 rail shooter video game developed and published by Sega for arcades. The player assumes control of a starship named the TRY-Z, as it must prevent the Fourth Empire from taking over the entire galaxy. Gameplay involves shooting down enemies using either a laser shot or a limited supply of heat-seeking missiles, all while avoiding collision with projectiles or obstacles and making sure the ship's energy meter doesn't fully deplete. It ran on the Sega Y Board arcade system, and was released with a motion simulator cockpit arcade cabinet like previous Sega Super Scaler games (''Space Harrier'', ''After Burner'' and ''Thunder Blade'').<ref name="arcadeheroes"/><ref name="TheOne"/>
Created by the same group of developers that later went on to form Sega AM1, ''Galaxy Force'' was largely inspired by ''Star Wars'', and was developed specifically to show off the capabilities of the Sega Y hardware with its usage of large, detailed backgrounds and massive amount of on-screen sprites. The soundtrack was composed jointly by Katsuhiro Hayashi and Kouichi Namaki, both of whom had previously created the music for ''Thunder Blade''. The game came in three different cabinet styles; a standard upright, a "Deluxe" machine, and a "Super Deluxe" version that could twist and turn the player around. Almost immediately after the game's release, Sega published an updated version titled '''''Galaxy Force II''''' which added two new levels and other minor additions.
''Galaxy Force'' was critically acclaimed, being praised for its graphics, gameplay, presentation, music and hardware capabilities, considered to be visually impressive for the time period. It was ported to several platforms, including the Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis and Commodore 64, and released under several different Sega classic game re-release labels such as ''Sega Ages''. A high-definition remake titled ''Galaxy Force Neo Classic'' was released for the PlayStation 2 in ''Galaxy Force II Special Extended Edition'', alongside the original, which featured smoothed-out graphics and additional visual effects. With the exception of the Master System version, all home versions of the game are based on ''Galaxy Force II''.
==Gameplay== thumb|left|Arcade version screenshot|alt=The player ship flies over a fiery planet surface. The GUI shows the shield, energy, energy bonus, score, and mission. ''Galaxy Force'' is a third-person rail shooter video game.<ref name="hg101"/><ref name="arcadeheroes">{{cite news |title=Sega's Wonderful Simulation Games Over The Years |url=https://arcadeheroes.com/2013/06/06/segas-wonderful-simulation-games-over-the-years/ |access-date=22 April 2021 |work=Arcade Heroes |date=6 June 2013}}</ref> The player assumes control of a starship named the TRY-Z, in its mission to vanquish the Fourth Empire before they take over the entire galaxy.<ref name="HG101"/> Gameplay involves maneuvering the TRY-Z through six different stages, referred to as "worlds" in-game, all while shooting down incoming enemies and avoiding collision with either them, their projectiles, or an obstacle such as a wall.<ref name="NLife"/> The TRY-Z is equipped with two weapons to destroy enemies; a standard laser shot, and a limited supply of heat-seeking missiles that automatically track down targets.<ref name="NLife"/> Additional missiles can be found throughout specific portions of levels.<ref name="NLife"/> A shield is displayed at the bottom left of the screen that will deplete should the TRY-Z collide with an obstacle or projectile.<ref name="HG101"/> The TRY-Z has an energy meter at the bottom of the screen that depletes as the level progresses; energy is decreased by firing weapons and coming into contact with obstacles or projectiles. When the energy meter is fully depleted, the game will end.<ref name="HG101"/>
==Development and release== Created as part of Sega's "Super Scaler" line of arcade games, which also included games such as ''Out Run'' and ''Space Harrier'', ''Galaxy Force'' was designed specifically to show off the Sega Y Board arcade system, showcasing graphical features such as rotating scrolling backgrounds and many on-screen sprites.<ref name="HG101"/> Development of the game was handled by a group of developers that later went on to form Sega AM1, and was in production alongside Yu Suzuki's ''Power Drift''.<ref name="3D Interview 2">{{cite web |author1=DePapier |title=SEGA: 'SEGA 3D Classics Collection Developer's Interview Part 2' |url=https://nintendobserver.com/2016/05/sega-sega-3d-classics-collection-developers-interview-part-2/ |website=Nintendo Observer |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215143421/https://nintendobserver.com/2016/05/sega-sega-3d-classics-collection-developers-interview-part-2/ |archive-date=15 February 2020 |date=22 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Three cabinet versions of the game were produced; a standard upright cabinet, a "Deluxe" machine, and a "Super Deluxe" version that could twist and turn 335 degrees left and right, and move forwards and backwards at 15 degrees.<ref name="HG101"/> The Super Deluxe version also included a headphone jack.<ref name="HG101"/> The music in ''Galaxy Force'' was composed jointly by Katsuhiro Hayashi and Kouichi Namaki, both of whom previously worked on the soundtrack for ''Thunder Blade''.<ref name="HG101"/> The game was largely inspired by ''Star Wars'', containing several subtle references in-game through its stage design.<ref name="HG101">{{cite web |last1=Kalata |first1=Kurt |title=Galaxy Force |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/galaxy-force/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806045540/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/galaxy-force/ |archive-date=6 August 2019 |date=16 August 2017}}</ref>
''Galaxy Force'' was released into arcades by Sega in April 1988 in Japan,<ref name="USCO">{{cite web |title=Galaxy Force (Registration Number PA0000376928) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov |website=United States Copyright Office |access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 1992 |title=Way to the Sega Fan |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d3/Mdfan_JP_1992-06.pdf |access-date=November 29, 2024 |work=Mega Drive Fan |pages=75}}</ref> and later that year in both North America and Europe.<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005">{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n37/mode/1up|title=セガ社 (Sega); Sega; G|work=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=Amusement News Agency|date=13 October 2006|pages=36, 131, 153|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}}</ref> The Deluxe version cost £10,000 or {{US$|{{To USD|10|GBR|year=1988|round=yes}},000|1988|round=-3|long=no}}, while the Super Deluxe version cost £17,000 or {{US$|{{To USD|17|GBR|year=1988|round=yes}},000|1988|round=-3|long=no}}.<ref name="SUser"/>
===''Galaxy Force II''=== Two months after the game was released, Sega published ''Galaxy Force II'' as a conversion kit; it is not a sequel, but rather an updated version of the original that adds two new levels, corrects many difficulty balance problems, and allows the player to fire all four missiles at once instead of one at a time.<ref name="HG101"/> Almost all home releases of ''Galaxy Force'' are based on ''Galaxy Force II'';<ref name="HG101"/> the first of these was released in 1990 for the FM Towns, followed by a port for the Sega Genesis; both of these were developed by Japanese company CRI Middleware.<ref name="HG101"/> A version for the Master System was also released, which was published by Sega in Europe and by Activision in North America.<ref name="HG101"/> The Master System port was completely redone to accommodate for the console's technical limitations, bearing a much closer resemblance to ''Space Harrier'', and is the only port not to be based on ''Galaxy Force II''.<ref name="HG101"/> ''Galaxy Force'' was also ported to several home computers, including the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari ST and Amstrad.<ref name="HG101"/>
In 1998, ''Galaxy Force II'' was released for the Sega Saturn as part of the ''Sega Ages'' series of classic game re-releases, including a brief background on the game's story and the ability to watch a pre-recorded playthrough.<ref name="HG101"/> A PlayStation 2 version was released in Japan in 2007 under the ''Sega Ages 2500'' brand, developed by M2 and titled ''Galaxy Force II: Special Extended Edition''. It includes the arcade, Master System and Genesis versions of the original, alongside a new "Neo Classic" remake that features smooth, enhanced graphics, transparency effects and visual cues. ''Special Extended Edition'' also allows the player to select either the original or FM Towns version soundtracks, gain access to a cheat menu, and arranged music tracks.<ref name="HG101"/> A version for Japanese mobile phones was published in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=端末を傾けて機体を操作！ 『ギャラクシーフォースII』登場 |url=https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/083/83872/ |website=Dengeki Online |publisher=Dengeki |access-date=16 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205183555/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/083/83872/ |archive-date=5 February 2019 |date=2 June 2008}}</ref><ref name="HG101"/> The Sega Genesis version was digitally re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hinkle |first1=David |title=VC in Brief: Galaxy Force II (Sega Genesis) |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/11/vc-in-brief-galaxy-force-ii-sega-genesis/ |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |access-date=16 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216014007/https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/11/vc-in-brief-galaxy-force-ii-sega-genesis/ |archive-date=16 February 2020 |date=11 May 2009}}</ref> In 2013, ''Galaxy Force II'' was ported to the Nintendo 3DS by M2 under the 3D Classics brand, renamed ''3D Galaxy Force II'' and supporting the system's 3D display. This version was later compiled into ''Sega 3D Classics Collection'' in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bowling |first1=Steve |title=SEGA 3D Classics Collection Review (3DS) |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/sega_3d_classics_collection |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730080447/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds/sega_3d_classics_collection |archive-date=30 July 2019 |date=22 April 2016}}</ref>
According to ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' creator Yuji Naka, Michael Jackson was given a ''Galaxy Force'' arcade cabinet as a gift during his visit to Sega's offices in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Naka |first1=Yuji |title=その時にマイケルは確かギャラクシーフォースのスーパーデラックス筐体を貰って帰ったはずだよ。その当時はどんな家に住んでいるんだろうと思ったけど、ネバーランドバレーの家にはゲームセンター部屋があるので普通に家に設置出来たみたいだよ。 |url=https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/17007595145 |website=Twitter |access-date=16 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216012310/https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/17007595145 |archive-date=16 February 2020 |date=25 June 2010}}</ref> The machine was later sold off in early 2009 when his Neverland Ranch was foreclosed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=JC |title=Who's bad? Whoever buys Michael Jackson's arcade collection! |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/02/21/whos-bad-whoever-buys-michael-jacksons-arcade-collection/ |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |access-date=16 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216012153/https://www.engadget.com/2009/02/21/whos-bad-whoever-buys-michael-jacksons-arcade-collection/ |archive-date=16 February 2020 |date=21 February 2009}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | CVG = 91% (Master System)<ref>{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=Computer and Video Games |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref> | EGM = 23/40 (Master System)<ref>{{cite magazine | magazine= Electronic Gaming Monthly | title = Electronic Gaming Review Crew | publisher=Ziff Davis | pages=10–4 | issue=2 | first = Stever | last = Harris | author2=Ed Semrad | author3=Donn Nauert | author4=Jim Allee | date=July 1989 | issn=1058-918X | url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_02/page/n9/mode/2up}}</ref> | EuroG = 8/10 (3DS)<ref name="EuroG">{{cite news |last1=Vítor |first1=Alexandre |title=3D Galaxy Force II - Análise |url=https://www.eurogamer.pt/articles/2013-12-27-3d-galaxy-force-ii-analise |website=Eurogamer |access-date=16 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725120842/https://www.eurogamer.pt/articles/2013-12-27-3d-galaxy-force-ii-analise |archive-date=25 July 2015 |date=27 December 2013}}</ref> | NLife = 8/10 (3DS)<ref name="NLife">{{cite web |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=3D Galaxy Force II Review (3DS eShop) |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/3d_galaxy_force_ii |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=16 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214122647/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/3d_galaxy_force_ii |archive-date=14 February 2019 |date=13 December 2013}}</ref> | NWR = 9/10 (3DS)<ref name="NWR">{{cite web |last1=Veillette |first1=Guillaume |title=3D Galaxy Force II Review Mini |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewmini/36223/3d-galaxy-force-ii-nintendo-3ds |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=16 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729211825/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewmini/36223/3d-galaxy-force-ii-nintendo-3ds |archive-date=29 July 2019 |date=17 December 2013}}</ref> | SUser = 10/10 (Arcade)<ref name="SUser">{{cite magazine |title=Coin Ops - Galaxy Force |magazine=Sinclair User |publisher=EMAP |date=18 August 1988 |issue=78 (September 1988) |pages=74–5 |url=https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/magazines/sinclair-user/78#74 |access-date=16 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916040430/https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/108/145 |archive-date=16 September 2019 |location=United Kingdom}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Commodore User'' | rev1Score = 8/10 (Arcade)<ref name="CUser">{{cite magazine |last1=Kelly |first1=Nick |title=Arcades - Galaxy Force |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/270/145 |access-date=16 February 2020 |magazine=Commodore User |publisher=EMAP |issue=59 (August 1988) |date=18 July 1988 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202110015/https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/270/145 |archive-date=2 February 2019 |page=93}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Console XS'' | rev2Score = 86% (Master System)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Software A-Z: Master System |magazine=Console XS |date=23 April 1992 |issue=1 (June/July 1992) |publisher=Paragon Publishing |location=United Kingdom |pages=137–47 |url=https://archive.org/details/console-xs-01/page/137}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Mean Machines'' | rev3Score = 59% (Mega Drive)<ref name="MeanM">{{cite news |author1=Rad |title=Review - Galaxy Force |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/4/4f/MeanMachines_UK_15.pdf |access-date=16 February 2020 |agency=Mean Machines |issue=15 |date=December 1991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128195413/https://retrocdn.net/images/4/4f/MeanMachines_UK_15.pdf |archive-date=28 January 2020 |location=United Kingdom |page=149}}</ref> | rev4 = ''RePlay'' | rev4Score = Positive (Arcade)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Leadership: Sega USA does it again with 'Line of Fire' and some hot kits |magazine=RePlay |date=January 1990 |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=23–6 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-4-january-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%204%20-%20January%201990/page/23}}</ref><ref name="ACME">{{cite magazine |title=ACME: New Product Review |magazine=RePlay |date=April 1990 |volume=15 |issue=7 |pages=50–80 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-7-april-1990-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%207%20-%20April%201990/page/50/mode/2up}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Sega Saturn Magazine'' | rev5Score = 6/10 (Saturn)<ref name="SSMJP">{{cite news |title=SEGA SATURN SOFT REVIEW - SEGA AGES/ギャラクシーフォースII |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d8/SSM_JP_19980710_1998-21.pdf |access-date=16 February 2020 |agency=Sega Saturn Magazine |issue=21 |date=10 July 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216002617/https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d8/SSM_JP_19980710_1998-21.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2020 |page=206}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The One'' | rev6Score = Positive (Arcade)<ref name="TheOne"/> | award1Pub = ''Sinclair User'' | award1 = Shoot 'Em Up of the Year<ref name="award">{{cite news |title=Coin Ops: SU Awards 1988 - Shoot 'Em Up of the Year |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/112/145 |access-date=16 February 2020 |agency=Sinclair User |publisher=EMAP |date=January 1989 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916040419/https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/112/145 |archive-date=16 September 2019}}</ref> }}
The January 15, 1989 issue of trade publication ''Game Machine'' listed it as the thirteenth most-popular coin-operated arcade game in Japan at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - アップライト, コックピット型TVゲーム機 (Upright/Cockpit Videos)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=333|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 June 1988|page=25|lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 |url=https://archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19890115p/page/n11/mode/2up/search/metal+hawk?q=metal+hawk |access-date=9 February 2020 |agency=Game Machine |issue=348 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=15 January 1989 |pages=24–25 |language=ja}}</ref> In North America, it was an arcade hit;<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Machines & Markets |magazine=RePlay |date=January 1991 |volume=16 |issue=4 |pages=44–55 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-4-january-1991-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2016%2C%20Issue%20No.%204%20-%20January%201991/page/44}}</ref> it was one of the highest-earning games at a number of arcades through 1990, and the top-earner at some arcades, but the game was not widely available at most American arcades.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=News Digest: Big Bucks Earned by Sega's Galaxy Force |magazine=RePlay |date=June 1990 |volume=15 |issue=9 |page=20 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-9-june-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%209%20-%20June%201990/page/20}}</ref>
''Galaxy Force'' was critically acclaimed by a number of publications, and is seen among Sega's best arcade games of the era.<ref name="HG101"/> In late 1988, ''Sinclair User'' gave the game the "Shoot 'Em Up of the Year" award for its impressive graphics and hardware.<ref name="award"/>
Several critics commented on the game's visuals. ''Commodore User'' found the arcade game's visuals to be much more detailed than those in Sega's previous game ''After Burner'', and applauded them for being stunning and impressive.<ref name="CUser"/> ''Sinclair User'' agreed, arguing that it usurps ''Thunder Blade'' in its graphics.<ref name="SUser"/> ''TheOne'' magazine also liked the visuals.<ref name="TheOne"/> Reviewing the Nintendo 3DS version, ''Nintendo World Report'' commented on the graphics for being impressive for a 2D game,<ref name="NWR"/> which ''Nintendo Life'' and ''Eurogamer'' agreed with.<ref name="NLife"/><ref name="EuroG"/> ''Nintendo Life'' also added that the graphics of ''Galaxy Force'' present "a tantalizing glimpse into what interactive entertainment could have looked like had polygons never happened".<ref name="NLife"/> ''Mean Machines'' was critical of the graphics in the Sega Mega Drive conversion, saying that they only looked good when the player was moving in a straight direction.<ref name="MeanM"/> ''Mean Machines'' also disliked the port's "crummy" sound effects and mediocre presentation.<ref name="MeanM"/>
''Galaxy Force'' was widely praised for its gameplay. While ''The One'' said that it felt "more of a simulator than a game", they liked its fast-paced action.<ref name="TheOne">{{cite magazine |title=Conversions Galore from Mediagenic |url=https://archive.org/details/theone-magazine-01/page/n13/mode/2up |access-date=16 February 2020 |magazine=The One |issue=1 |publisher=EMAP |date=October 1988 |pages=15–16}}</ref> Both ''Commodore User'' and ''Sinclair User'' commended the gameplay of ''Galaxy Force'' for its focus on speed,<ref name="CUser"/><ref name="SUser"/> with ''Sinclair User'' saying that it was "possibly the most mind-blowingly impressive arcade game" of the time.<ref name="SUser"/> ''Nintendo Life'' labeled the 3DS version as "arguably the culmination of M2's 3D Classics range" for its great gameplay and overall challenge, adding that it was a great conversion of the game overall.<ref name="NLife"/> ''Nintendo World Report'', who felt it was the best of the 3D Classics lineup, agreed and said that its extra features made it the best way to play the game.<ref name="NWR"/> ''Mean Machines'' lampooned the Genesis version further for its gameplay and poor job at converting the arcade version for the system, alongside its sluggish pace and overall lack of any real challenge.<ref name="MeanM"/> ''Sega Saturn Magazine'' liked the Sega Saturn version for its great effort at converting the game for the Saturn hardware and was still a fun game, but its lack of any real additional extras made it somewhat of a hard sell for consumers.<ref name="SSMJP"/>
Retrospectively, ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' applauded ''Galaxy Force'' for its visuals, gameplay and overall presentation.<ref name="HG101"/> Although they felt the game felt more like an amusement ride than a game, and was too difficult at times, they liked the game for being impressive for its time, writing: "''Galaxy Force'' is still an incredibly impressive feat of programming, a work of art in its own way".<ref name="HG101"/> In his book ''The Sega Arcade Revolution'', Ken Horowitz commented on the game's graphics, presentation and technological capabilities, saying that ''Galaxy Force'' "remains a prime example of the company at its best, combining gameplay and presentation into one of the more memorable arcade experiences".<ref name="Horowitz">{{cite book |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games |date=22 June 2018 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-1476672250 |pages=132–134}}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{KLOV game|id=7891}} * {{KLOV game|id=7892}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150508184425/http://archives.sega.jp/3d/gf2/index.html ''3D Galaxy Force II'' official website (Japanese)]
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