{{short description|1991 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Verytex | image = Verytex cover.jpg | developer = Opera House{{efn|Additional work by [[ISCO (videogame developer)|ISCO]].}} | publisher = [[Asmik Ace Entertainment]] | producer = Toshiyuki Futamura | designer = Hidefumi Ohara <br /> Satoru Ichihara <br /> Shinji Nakamura | programmer = Hideki Tanji <br /> Hiroyuki Fujiwara <br /> Satoru Miki | artist = Atsuhiro Gunji <br /> Hiroshi Akagi <br /> Ken Takagi | composer = [[Hitoshi Sakimoto]] <br /> [[Masaharu Iwata]] <br /> Yoshio Furukawa | platforms = [[Mega Drive]] | released = {{vgrelease|JP|5 April 1991}} | genre = [[Scrolling shooter]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] }}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Verytex'''''|ヴェリテックス|''Vu~eritekkusu''||lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a vertically [[scrolling shooter]] [[video game]] developed by Opera House, with the assistance of [[ISCO (videogame developer)|ISCO]], and published by [[Asmik Ace Entertainment]] exclusively for the [[Mega Drive]] in Japan on 5 April 1991.<ref name="Sega16">{{cite web|last=Seesing|first=Mark|url=http://www.sega-16.com/2006/02/verytex/|title=Genesis Reviews - Verytex|website=sega-16.com|date=February 6, 2006|access-date=2019-07-01}}</ref><ref name="GDR">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC2_MD1991.html|title=MEGA DRIVE Soft > 1991|publisher=GAME Data Room|access-date=2019-09-16|language=ja}}</ref> Taking place on the [[Space colonization|colonized]] fictional planet of Syracuse in a [[futuristic]] [[sci-fi]] [[Setting (narrative)|setting]], where its [[military force]] initiated a violent coup d'état against the [[inhabitants]] for unknown reasons, players take control of the titular [[List of fictional spacecraft#Space fighters|space fighter]] craft in an attempt to overthrow the enemies, protect [[civilization]] and discover the true cause for the rebellion.
Headed by ''[[Air Diver]]'' [[Video game producer|producer]] Toshiyuki Futamura, ''Verytex'' was created by most of the same team that previously worked on several projects such as the Mega Drive [[Video game conversion|conversion]] of ''[[Master of Monsters]]''.<ref name="VYXStaff">{{cite video game|title=Verytex|developer=[[ISCO (videogame developer)|ISCO]], Opera House|publisher=[[Asmik Ace Entertainment]]|date=5 April 1991|platform=[[Sega Mega Drive]]|level=Staff}}</ref> Despite being exclusive to Japan, the game has received mixed reviews from critics and from reviewers that reviewed it as an [[Parallel importing in video games|import title]], who felt divided in regards to several areas of the title such as the presentation, graphics, sound design, controls and gameplay, although the music was noted by some people as a positive point.
== Gameplay == [[File:MD Verytex.png|thumb|left|Gameplay screenshot]] ''Verytex'' is a vertically scrolling [[shoot 'em up]] game similar to ''[[Raiden Trad]]'' and ''[[Twin Cobra]]'', where players take control of the titular space fighter craft through six stages in order protect civilization by defeating the rebellious military force of [[planet]] Syracuse and discover the true reason for their cause as the main objective.<ref name="VYXmanual">''Verytex'' 取扱説明書 (Sega Mega Drive, JP)</ref> The game has an easy to learn weapon system with three weapons and three power-up levels for each, shield pick-up icons and the option to shift the ship's speed to three levels. Players have to fight multiple types of enemies across each stage and face a [[Boss (video gaming)|boss]] at the end of each one with the occasional mini-boss between. It is known among players for its particularly infamous and difficult [[Boss (video gaming)#Final boss|final boss]].<ref name="Sega16"/>
Among the pick-up icons, the players have a choice of only three weapons, a side-weapon and a shield. The ship's default weapon is the Normal Shot, a basic straight-firing [[M61 Vulcan|Vulcan]] weapon that spread-out in five directions with part of the spread coming from behind the ship, as well as the Beam Shot that doubles in shot-count and grows in size once upgraded and the Boomerang Shot, a wave-type weapon that fires from the side of the ship once fully upgraded.<ref name="VYXmanual"/> The stages are long and all of them have a [[Checkpoint (video gaming)|checkpoint]] system involved when losing a live, where players are sent to the last checkpoint reached. The game also gives a limited number of lives at the beginning with no extend bonuses and once all lives are lost, the [[Game over|game is over]] but a continue option is available on the main menu.
== Synopsis == ''Verytex'' takes place in a futuristic sci-fi setting, where [[Human|mankind]] has finally developed the technology necessary to advance from [[Earth]] and maintain numerous [[colonies]] to great success across various planets, none of which had any established extraterrestrial existence prior to [[colonization]]. The most prosperous planet colony had been set on the planet Syracuse, where human [[technology]] (and apparently [[linguistics]]) flourished. However, a [[distress signal]] coming from the location claiming that the flagship of their army, the Aphrodite, initiated a violent rebellion against the people and its passengers refused to make any demands or reason was received, with the player being dispatched from [[headquarters]] in the middle of [[outer space]] to Syracuse in the titular space fighter craft to stop the battle and find its true cause.<ref name="VYXmanual"/>
== Development and release == [[File:Sega-Mega-Drive-JP-Mk1-Console-Set.jpg|thumb|right|''Verytex'' was created by most of the same staff who previously worked on ''Air Diver'' and ''Master of Monsters'' for Mega Drive.]] ''Verytex'' was developed by Opera House, with additional work assistance from ISCO, and its creation was handled by most of the same team that worked on several projects such as the Mega Drive conversion of ''Master of Monsters'', although the former developer is not credited as such in the credits of the game, nor in the instruction manual.<ref name="Sega16"/><ref name="VYXStaff"/><ref name="SEMOvyx">{{cite web|last=Greening|first=Chris|url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/sakimoto/biography.shtml|title=Hitoshi Sakimoto :: Biography|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|date=July 4, 2008|access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref><ref name="HG101vyx">{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/revolter/|title=Revolter|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=August 7, 2017|access-date=2019-09-16}}</ref> The production was headed by ''Air Diver'' producer Toshiyuki Futamura alongside Hiroshi Jimbo and Shigeki Saka, the latter of which previously served as [[Creative director#Video games|director]] on ''[[Midnight Resistance]]'' for Mega Drive.<ref name="VYXStaff"/> Hidefumi Ohara, Satoru Ichihara and Shinji Nakamura served as its [[Video game design#Game designer|designer]]s while [[Video game artist|artist]]s Atsuhiro Gunji, Hiroshi Akagi and Ken Takagi were responsible for the [[pixel art]] in addition of Hideki Tanji, Hiroyuki Fujiwara and Satoru Miki, who worked as the game's [[Video game programmer|programmer]]s.<ref name="VYXStaff"/>
Both the music and [[sound effect]]s were created by [[Video game music#Composers|composer]]s [[Hitoshi Sakimoto]], [[Masaharu Iwata]] and Yoshio Furukawa, using a proprietary sound driver written by the former called "Terpsichorean" that was implemented in subsequent Mega Drive releases like ''[[Devilish (video game)|Devilish]]''.<ref name="VYXStaff"/><ref name="SEMOvyx"/><ref name="HG101vyx"/> ''Verytex'' was published by Asmik Ace Entertainment exclusively in Japan on 5 April 1991.<ref name="GDR"/>
== Reception == {{Video game reviews |GR = 50%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586578-verytex/index.html|title=Verytex for Genesis|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=2019|access-date=2019-07-01}}</ref> |rev1 = ''[[Aktueller Software Markt]]'' |rev1Score = 6 / 12<ref name="ASMvyx">{{cite magazine|last=Suck|first=Michael|url=https://archive.org/details/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1991.07/page/n113|title=Konsolen - Ballern ohne hinzuschauen - Verytex|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|issue=54|publisher=Tronic Verlag|date=July 1991|page=113|lang=de}}</ref> |rev2 = ''[[Gemaga|Beep! Mega Drive]]'' |rev2Score = 23 / 40<ref name="B!MDvyx">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ABeepMD_JP_1991-04.pdf&page=27|title=BEメガ•ドッグレース - ヴェリテックス|magazine=[[:ja:ゲーマガ#BEEP!メガドライブ|Beep! MegaDrive]]|issue=19|publisher=[[SB Creative|SoftBank Creative]]|date=April 1991|page=25|lang=ja}}</ref> |rev3 = ''[[:fr:Consoles +|Consoles +]]'' |rev3Score = 84%<ref name="C+vyx">{{cite magazine|author1=Robinton|author2=Damon|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=1210&album=oui|title=Megadrive Review - Verytex|magazine=[[:fr:Consoles +|Consoles +]]|publisher=[[:fr: M.E.R.7|M.E.R.7]]|date=July 1991|pages=25–27|lang=fr}}</ref> |rev4 = ''[[Famitsu]]'' |rev4Score = 58%<ref name="WFTvyx">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=4610|title=ヴェリテックス (メガドライブ) - ファミ通.com|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=129|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=April 19, 1991|access-date=2019-07-01|lang=ja}}</ref> |rev5 = ''HonestGamers'' |rev5Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="HGvyx">{{cite web|last=Golding|first=Marc|url=http://www.honestgamers.com/2031/genesis/verytex/review.html|title=Verytex (Genesis) review|publisher=HonestGamers|date=February 10, 2004|accessdate=2019-07-01}}</ref> |rev6 = ''[[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]'' |rev6Score = 85%<ref name="Jvyx1">{{cite magazine|last1=Demoly|first1=Jean-Marc|last2=Huygues Lacour|first2=Alain|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numero016/page%20174.jpg|title=Tests - Megadrive - Verytex|magazine=[[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|issue=16|publisher=[[:fr:Anuman Interactive|Anuman Interactive]]|date=May 1991|page=174|lang=fr}}</ref><br>85%<ref name="Jvyx2">{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numerohs03/Joystick%20HS%20n%b03%20-%20Juillet%20Ao%fbt%201991%20-%20Page%20136.jpg|title=Console News - Megadrive: Verytex|magazine=[[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|issue=Hors-Serie 3|publisher=[[:fr:Anuman Interactive|Anuman Interactive]]|date=July–August 1991|page=136|lang=fr}}</ref> |rev7 = ''[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]'' |rev7Score = 53%<ref name="MDAGvyx">{{cite magazine|title=Review: Verytex|magazine=[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Maverick Magazines]]|date=January 1993|page=95}}</ref> |rev8 = ''[[MegaTech]]'' |rev8Score = 73%<ref name="MegaTvyx">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaTech_UK_01.pdf&page=81|title=Game Index - Verytex|magazine=[[MegaTech]]|issue=1|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=December 1991|page=81}}</ref> |rev9 = ''[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]'' |rev9Score = 66%<ref name="PPvyx">{{cite magazine|last=Forster|first=Winfried|url=https://www.kultpower.de/archiv/heft_powerplay_1991-07_seite126|title=Videospiele / Tests - Verytex|magazine=[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]|issue=39|publisher=Future Verlag|date=July 1991|page=127|lang=de}}</ref> |rev10 = ''[[Raze (magazine)|Raze]]'' |rev10Score = 79%<ref name="Rvyx">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_09_1991-07_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n57/mode/1up|title=Import - Verytex|magazine=[[Raze (magazine)|Raze]]|issue=9|publisher=[[Newsfield]]|date=July 1991|page=58}}</ref> |rev11 = ''[[Sega Power#Sega Power|Sega Power]]'' |rev11Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="SPowervyx">{{cite magazine|last=Jarratt|first=Steve|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASegaPower_UK_23.pdf&page=55|title=The Hard Line - Verytex (Import)|magazine=[[Sega Power#Sega Power|Sega Power]]|issue=23|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=October 1991|page=55}}</ref> |rev12 = ''[[Sega Pro]]'' |rev12Score = 80 / 100<ref name="SProvyx">{{cite magazine|title=Mega Drive - ProReview: Verytex|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=18|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=April 1993|page=68}}</ref> |rev13 = ''[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]'' |rev13Score = 17 / 20<ref name="Tiltvyx">{{cite magazine|last=Harbonn|first=Jacques|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=28&num=304&album=oui|title=Hits - Verytex -- Megadrive|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|issue=91|publisher=[[:fr:Mondadori France|Editions Mondiales S.A.]]|date=June 1991|pages=57–58|lang=fr}}</ref> |rev14 = ''[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]]'' |rev14Score = 66%<ref name="VGvyx">{{cite magazine|last=Gaksch|first=Martin|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=9712|title=Test - In Cosmo Veritas - Verytex|magazine=[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]]|issue=2|publisher=Future-Verlag|date=February 1991|page=90|lang=de}}</ref> }}
''Verytex'' received mixed reception since its release. In retrospective reviews, the reviews have also been mixed.<ref name="Sega16"/><ref name="HGvyx"/>
{{clear}}
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/genesis/586578-verytex ''Verytex''] at [[GameFAQs]] * [https://www.giantbomb.com/verytex/3030-40883/ ''Verytex''] at [[Giant Bomb]] * [https://www.mobygames.com/game/genesis/verytex ''Verytex''] at [[MobyGames]]
{{Portal bar|1990s|Japan|Video games}}
[[Category:1991 video games]] [[Category:Asmik Ace Entertainment games]] [[Category:Japan-exclusive video games]] [[Category:Vertically scrolling shooters]] [[Category:Science fiction video games]] [[Category:Sega Genesis games]] [[Category:Sega Genesis-only games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Video games scored by Hitoshi Sakimoto]] [[Category:Video games scored by Masaharu Iwata]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]