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{{Infobox Game
 
{{Infobox Game
| Game=Life Force
+
|title = Life Force
| image=479px-Lifeforce_flyer.jpg
+
|image = 479px-Lifeforce_flyer.jpg
  +
|caption =
| image_size=250px
 
  +
|alternate_title =
| JapaneseName=Life Force
 
  +
|european_title =
| EuropeanName=
 
  +
|japanese_title =
| NorthAmericanName=Life Force
 
  +
|developer = [[Konami]]
| ReleaseDate=JPN 1988<BR>NA August 1, 1988
 
| Developer=Konami
+
|publisher = [[Konami]]
  +
|series = ''[[Salamander (series)|Salamander]]''
| Publisher=Konami
 
  +
|director =
| Designer=
 
  +
|producer =
| Platforms=NES
 
  +
|designer =
| Chronology
 
  +
|composer =
| previous =[[Salamander]]
 
| next =[[Cosmic Wars]]
+
|platform = Arcade<br />NES
  +
|release_date =
  +
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|22px|Japan]] 1988<br />
  +
[[File:Flag of the United States.png|22px|North America]] August 1, 1988
  +
|media =
  +
|ratings =
  +
|genre = Horizontal scrolling shoot 'em up
  +
|modes = Single player, two players
  +
|input =
  +
|gallery =
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Nihongo|'''''Life Force'''''|ライフフォース}} is a ported version of ''[[Salamander]]'' which had many updates in both design and plot. It saw a release on the [[wikipedia:Nintendo Entertainment System|Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) in 1988.
   
 
''Life Force'' was in many ways an updated ''Salamander''; some elements, such as levels and bosses, were removed to make space for new content. Interestingly, most of the level graphics and enemy sprites from ''Salamander'' were used in favor of the ones used in ''Life Force'', and it uses the ''[[Gradius]]'' power-up bar. The game was practically identical to the NES port of ''Life Force'', other than being titled ''Salamander'' and featuring an expanded ''Gradius''-like power-up bar. These ports make use of the [[wikipedia:Konami Code|Konami code]], which in this instance increases the number of lives from 3 to 30.
   
  +
==Plot==
  +
Two years have passed since the battle against the Bacterian star system...
   
  +
To the planet [[Gradius (planet)|Gradius]] which regained peace, an unprecedented crisis has arrived. The unknown super-organism "Life Force" suddenly appeared in space!! It's a gigantic creature which absorbs all substances and continues to grow without stopping. In the meantime, planet Gradius will be absorbed too! People entrust their last hope into the super spatio-temporal fighter [[Vic Viper]].
   
  +
==Differences from ''Salamander''==
''Life Force'' was ported version of "[[Salamander]]" that had a lot of updates in both design and plot. It saw a release on the NES and Famicom in 1988 .
 
 
''Life Force'' changes the plot from ''[[Salamander]]'' by adding an opening text which establishes the game to be set inside a giant alien life-form infected by a strain of bacteria. Stages which featured star field backgrounds had them changed with the web background from Stage 1 to maintain consistency with the organic setting of the plot. The power-ups are also given different names too:
  +
*"Speed-Up" to "Hyper Speed"
  +
*"Missile" to "Destruct Missile"
  +
*"Ripple Laser" to "Pulse Laser"
  +
*"Force Field" to "Shield"
   
  +
==NES version==
 
[[Konami]] later released an enhanced version of ''[[Salamander]]'' in Japan bearing the American title of ''Life Force'', which further fleshes out the organic motif. All of the backgrounds and mechanical enemies are completely redrawn and given organic appearances. The power-up system was also modified, with the Japanese ''Life Force'' using the same power-up gauge as the original ''[[Gradius]]''. Some music tracks have also been completely changed for this release. The power-up gauge is arranged differently for both players as well.
   
 
Both the original Japanese version and the enhanced ''Life Force'' release are included in the compilation ''[[Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus]]'' for the [[wikipedia:PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] and [[wikipedia:Sega Saturn|Saturn]], as well as in ''[[Salamander Portable]]'' for the [[wikipedia:PlayStation Portable|PlayStation Portable]].
''Life Force'' was in many ways a updated ''Salamander'', some elements, such as levels and bosses, were removed to make way for new content. Interestingly, most of the level graphics and enemy sprites from ''Salamander'' are used in favor of the ones used in ''Lifeforce'', and it uses the ''Gradius'' power-up bar. The game was practically identical to the NES port of ''Lifeforce'', other than being titled ''Salamander'' and featuring an expanded Gradius-like power-up bar. These ports make use of the Konami Code, which in this instance increases the number of lives from three to 30.[[File:Vic_Viper_1986.gif|thumb]][[File:Lord_British_1986.gif|thumb]]
 
   
==Differences==
+
==Stages==
  +
===Arcade===
  +
{| border="1" class="wikitable"
  +
|-
  +
!Stage!!Name!!Boss!!Music
  +
|-
  +
!1
  +
|[[Stomach Muscle Zone]]||[[Golem]]||Power of Anger
  +
|-
  +
!2
  +
|[[Kidney Zone]]||[[Zylom]]||Thunderbolt
  +
|-
  +
!3
  +
|[[Stomach Inner Chamber]]||[[Intruder]]||Planet Ratis
  +
|-
  +
!4
  +
|[[Volcano Area|Liver Zone]]||[[Fortress Valis]]||Slash Fighter
  +
|-
  +
!5
  +
|[[Asteroid Hell|Lung Zone]]||[[Gaw]]||Combat
  +
|-
  +
!6
  +
|[[Brain Area]]||[[Zelos Force]]||Destroy Them All
  +
|}
   
  +
===NES===
Life Forces changes from Salamander in the game's plot by adding an opening text that establishes the game to be set inside a giant alien life-form which is infected by a strain of bacteria. Stages that featured starfield backgrounds had them changed with the web background from Stage 1 to maintain consistency with the organic setting of the plot. The power-ups are also given different names, with the "Speed-Up" becoming "Hyper Speed", the "Missile" becoming the "Destruct Missile", the "Ripple Laser" becoming the "Pulse Laser" and "Force Field" becoming the "Shield".
 
  +
{| border="1" class="wikitable"
  +
|-
  +
!Stage!!Name!!Boss!!Music
  +
|-
  +
!1
  +
|[[Bionic Germ]]||[[Golem]]||Power of Anger
  +
|-
  +
!2
  +
|[[Meteorite Space|Volcano]]||[[Fortress Valis]]<br />[[Tetran|Cruiser Tetran]]||Starfield
  +
|-
  +
!3
  +
|[[Burning Chaos]]||[[Intruder]]||Planet Ratis
  +
|-
  +
!4
  +
|[[Organic Speed Zone]]||[[Giga]]||Fly High
  +
|-
  +
!5
  +
|[[Temple Zone]]||[[Crash Bam]]<br />[[Tutankhamon]]||Thunderbolt
  +
|-
  +
!6
  +
|[[Salamander Planetoid|Fortress Zone]]||[[Zelos Force]]||Destroy Them All
  +
|}
   
==Famicom==
+
==New enemies==
  +
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
Konami later released an enhanced version of Salamander in Japan bearing the American title of Life Force which further fleshes out the organic motif. All of the backgrounds and mechanical enemies are completely redrawn and given organic appearances. The power-up system was also modified, with the Japanese Life Force using the same power-up gauge as the original Gradius. Some music tracks have been completely changed for this release. The power-up gauge is arranged differently for both players as well.
 
  +
*[[Fireball]]
  +
*[[Fire Dragon|Prowler]]
  +
*[[Jelip]]
  +
*[[Bamda]]
  +
*[[Tubles]]
  +
*[[Zacron]]
  +
*[[Potato Cell]]
  +
*[[Small Bone]]
  +
*[[Stones]]
  +
*[[Rush]]
  +
*[[Bibi]]
  +
*[[Triangle]]
  +
</div>
   
  +
==Gallery==
Both the original Japanese version and the enhanced Life Force release are included in the compilation Salamander Deluxe Pack for the PlayStation and Saturn, as well as in Salamander Portable for the PlayStation Portable.
 
  +
<gallery>
  +
Life Force Famicom Cover.jpg|Famicom cover
  +
Life Force NES Cover.jpg|NES cover
  +
</gallery>
   
==Stages:==
+
==Trivia==
 
*Interestingly, ''Life Force'' takes place in Gradius year 6842, two years after ''[[Gradius III]]''.
  +
*The [[w:c:nanoha:Garden of Time|Garden of Time]] in the 2004 anime ''[[w:c:nanoha:Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha|Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' somewhat resembles the Life Force Fortress.
   
  +
{{Salamander}}
 
 
{{Games}}
 
 
[[Category:Arcade games]]
 
 
[[Category:NES games]]
{{col-begin}}
 
 
 
 
{{col-2}}
 
 
 
;Arcade Version
 
*Stage 1: Stomach Muscle Zone
 
*Stage 2: Kidney Zone
 
*Stage 3: [http://gradius.wikia.com/wiki/Ratis Stomach Inner Chamber]
 
*Stage 4: Liver Zone
 
*Stage 5: Lung Zone
 
*Stage 6: Brain Area
 
 
{{col-2}}
 
 
 
;NES Version
 
*Stage 1: Bionic Germ
 
*Stage 2: Volcano
 
*Stage 3: [http://gradius.wikia.com/wiki/Ratis Burning Chaos]
 
*Stage 4: Organic Speed Zone
 
*Stage 5: Temple Zone
 
*Stage 6: Fortress Zone
 
{{col-end}}
 
 
==Bosses:==
 
{{col-begin}}
 
 
{{col-2}}
 
 
;Arcade Version
 
* Stage 1: [[Brain Golem|Gorem]]<br />
 
* Stage 2: [[Zylon]]<br />
 
* Stage 3: [[Intruder]]<br />
 
* Stage 4: [[Center Core]]<br />
 
* Stage 5: [[Gau]]<br />
 
* Stage 6: [[Big Core MK I|Big Core X3]], [[Jumping Moai]], [[Zelos Force]]
 
{{col-2}}
 
 
;NES Version
 
* Stage 1: [[Brain Golem]]<br />
 
* Stage 2: [[Center Core]], [[Tetran]]<br />
 
* Stage 3: [[Invader]]<br />
 
* Stage 4: [[Giga]]<br />
 
* Stage 5: [[Triple Core (Life Force)|Triple Core]], [[Tutanhamanattack|Tutanhamanattack<br />]]
 
* Stage 6: [[Jumping Moai]], [[Salamander (snake)|Salamander]], [[Zelos Force]]
 
{{col-end}}
 
 
== Trivia ==
 
 
*Interestingly, Life Force takes place in Gradius year 6842, two years after [[Gradius III]].
 
 
{{Template:Games}}
 
[[Category:Games]]
 
[[Category:Salamander Series]]
 

Revision as of 07:34, 1 November 2019

Life Force (ライフフォース?) is a ported version of Salamander which had many updates in both design and plot. It saw a release on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1988.

Life Force was in many ways an updated Salamander; some elements, such as levels and bosses, were removed to make space for new content. Interestingly, most of the level graphics and enemy sprites from Salamander were used in favor of the ones used in Life Force, and it uses the Gradius power-up bar. The game was practically identical to the NES port of Life Force, other than being titled Salamander and featuring an expanded Gradius-like power-up bar. These ports make use of the Konami code, which in this instance increases the number of lives from 3 to 30.

Plot

Two years have passed since the battle against the Bacterian star system...

To the planet Gradius which regained peace, an unprecedented crisis has arrived. The unknown super-organism "Life Force" suddenly appeared in space!! It's a gigantic creature which absorbs all substances and continues to grow without stopping. In the meantime, planet Gradius will be absorbed too! People entrust their last hope into the super spatio-temporal fighter Vic Viper.

Differences from Salamander

Life Force changes the plot from Salamander by adding an opening text which establishes the game to be set inside a giant alien life-form infected by a strain of bacteria. Stages which featured star field backgrounds had them changed with the web background from Stage 1 to maintain consistency with the organic setting of the plot. The power-ups are also given different names too:

  • "Speed-Up" to "Hyper Speed"
  • "Missile" to "Destruct Missile"
  • "Ripple Laser" to "Pulse Laser"
  • "Force Field" to "Shield"

NES version

Konami later released an enhanced version of Salamander in Japan bearing the American title of Life Force, which further fleshes out the organic motif. All of the backgrounds and mechanical enemies are completely redrawn and given organic appearances. The power-up system was also modified, with the Japanese Life Force using the same power-up gauge as the original Gradius. Some music tracks have also been completely changed for this release. The power-up gauge is arranged differently for both players as well.

Both the original Japanese version and the enhanced Life Force release are included in the compilation Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus for the PlayStation and Saturn, as well as in Salamander Portable for the PlayStation Portable.

Stages

Arcade

Stage Name Boss Music
1 Stomach Muscle Zone Golem Power of Anger
2 Kidney Zone Zylom Thunderbolt
3 Stomach Inner Chamber Intruder Planet Ratis
4 Liver Zone Fortress Valis Slash Fighter
5 Lung Zone Gaw Combat
6 Brain Area Zelos Force Destroy Them All

NES

Stage Name Boss Music
1 Bionic Germ Golem Power of Anger
2 Volcano Fortress Valis
Cruiser Tetran
Starfield
3 Burning Chaos Intruder Planet Ratis
4 Organic Speed Zone Giga Fly High
5 Temple Zone Crash Bam
Tutankhamon
Thunderbolt
6 Fortress Zone Zelos Force Destroy Them All

New enemies

Gallery

Trivia

Salamander
Characters and ships Vic ViperLord British (Lord British)• Saber Tiger and Thrasher (Iggy Rock and Zowie Scott) • Van Landroth FrehleyLars XVIIISuper CobraGalaxyPurple EmperorRed Devil
Salamander stages Bionic GermMeteorite SpaceBurning ChaosVolcano AreaSalamander Planetoid
Salamander (MSX) stages Top Flight Speed to LatisConduct to Space Station ZotSet the Crush Blow System - Planet EioneusSet the Crush Blow System - Planet LaviniaSet the Crush Blow System - Planet KierkeWrath of VenomCrush Salamander
Life Force-only stages Organic Speed ZoneTemple Zone
Salamander 2 stages Sub-life SpaceProminence FortressBio HazardHuge BattleshipAsteroidDoom Fortress
Salamander bosses GolemTetranIntruderFortress ValisDeathBig Core X3Jumping MoaiZelos Force
Port exclusive bosses ZylomGawGigaTutankhamonDead EndEnigmaTrue VenomMetal SlaveZelos Barrier
Salamander 2 bosses BiterHydraAbadonTenny RopPlate CoreCerberusDoom
Gradius video games
Gradius series GradiusGradius IIGradius IIIGradius GaidenGradius IV: FukkatsuGradius GalaxiesGradius VGradius ReBirthGradius: The Interstellar AssaultGradius NEOGradius NEO Imperial
Spin-offs Salamander (Life Force) (MSX ver.)• Salamander 2Nemesis 2 (Nemesis '90 Kai) • Nemesis 3Nemesis (Game Boy)Cosmic WarsSolar Assault
Parody games ParodiusParodius Da!Gokujō Parodius!Jikkyō Oshaberi ParodiusSexy ParodiusParo WarsOtomedius (Otomedius Gorgeous) • Otomedius Excellent
Other games ScrambleThunder CrossThunder Cross IISpace ManbowForce Gear
Pachislot Gradius: The SlotCR Parodius Da! EXGokuraku Parodius!
Cancelled Vic ViperGradius ArcSalamander HD Remaster