X Multiply Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]

Game Info
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Developer: Irem
Publisher: Irem
Year of Release: 1989
Game Review & Impressions
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I suspect most people reading this will be familiar with the R-Type series, the horizontal shoot 'em up franchise which really put Irem on the map, but I wonder how many folks will have heard of X Multiply.
The general game design and overall aesthetic featuring bio-mechanical alien monsters and levels is very much in keeping with R-Type, as is the shooting and power-up system. However, for X Multiply, Irem replaced the force pods which fly parallel to your ship with a pair of metallic tentacles which flail around and track the general movement of your ship as you fly through space. These tendrils damage enemies, nullify incoming projectiles, and can even be used to shoot behind your ship - it's a a really cool mechanic, albeit one that adds a level of complexity to the gameplay which some players might find aggravating. Because the tendrils drift about on their own accord, you'll be constantly shifting your position to realign the hard-points to face in the direction you want; with ship speed upgrades, this can lead to situations where you'll overshoot and collide with an enemy or part of the scenery you didn't intend.
Ultimately, I still prefer R-Type and R-Type II, but X Multiply is still a very cool game worth playing. It looks great, offers a very stiff challenge, and the ship tendrils provide a mechanic quite unlike anything else.
Chapters
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00:00 Attract mode
00:18 Stage 1 - Loop 1
02:30 Stage 2 - Loop 1
04:38 Stage 3 - Loop 1
07:40 Stage 4 - Loop 1
10:10 Stage 5 - Loop 1
12:44 Stage 6 - Loop 1
15:34 Stage 7 - Loop 1
18:57 Ending - Loop 1
20:31 Stage 8 - Loop 2
22:44 Stage 9 - Loop 2
24:45 Stage 10 - Loop 2
27:42 Stage 11 - Loop 2
30:08 Stage 12 - Loop 2
32:35 Stage 13 - Loop 2
35:28 Stage 14 - Loop 2
39:00 Ending - Loop 2

[@blukmage19typeR]

"The sub-atomic world can be a nuclear nightmare."
_-Secret Squirrel, from "Quark"_

[@deceiver444]

I can't remember if this one was released before or after R-Type 2.
In any case it's another very competent Irem shooter and the tendrils animation is very well done.

[@Desmaad]

I imagine it's based on a very simple program.

[@SelectaBwoy]

It was released a month after R-Type II.

[@user-ne4jw6fv6f]

you're perfectly play the game in many way... respect...

[@EamonThePhilogynistWalford]

Excellently played, Al, and I'm sure the sixth boss (the Darya) would make any trypophobes flip out! 😛

[@Lippeth]

I've never even heard of this one but it looks rad, great playing too!

[@miniaturasydragones2426]

I love this game ! , it looks like a shrunk Starship flighting virus inside a human body !

[@beefquiche]

this game is GREAT!!!

[@TheDutchGhost]

Definitely some borrowing here from R-Type. Not necessarily the gameplay but some of the ideas such as in the level layout and in the second level with the spaceship monster that needs to be defeated in parts. I know Gradius also did this but they probably got it from R-Type.
Its interesting how many shmups have picked up the idea of a large enemy that needs to be defeated in parts.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

R-Type was the first coming with the Mothership-Stage thing, and both games are IREM's master pieces. I always think the name for this company was taken from Howard Phillips Lovecraft's "The Nameless City".

[@TheDutchGhost]

@@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115 Oh, was the word Irem first mentioned in that story?
I don't know. Irem is a Japanese company and I am not sure how well known Lovecraft was during the 70s and the 80s in Japan.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

@@TheDutchGhost I bet he will, since his writing were the origin for H R Giger's work (Alien), and a well known name for any fantasy fan.

[@dunnono00]

... I kept expecting this thing to have a hidden boss because of that enigmatic ending that taunts you. I have power, I have intelligence, but I've got no secret boss for ya!

[@jonghyun3725]

I think I am going to rewatch Fantastic Voyage.

[@countzer0408]

Is basically R Type with a new skin.

[@AshBloodfire]

....why did they give the first boss sexy legs