When I talk about side-scrolling Arcade shooter, I'm not just talking about a good looking facsimile. I'm talking the real thing here. Or at least as good as you're gonna get in the modern day. It's nice in a way to see the simplicity of this game, and also great to find it so playable in the midst of more complex and 'deep' games. Basically, this game is only as deep as your thumb can move, and that is just what makes it so compelling.
As the Zentraedi encroach on Earth, scientists have perfected a special weapon that should send them packing, but all the weapons in the Universe won't be enough if the Zentraedi get too far. You, as the pilot of a new offensive weapon, the Veritech, will go up against the legions of the Zentraedi to hold them back until Earth's final weapon can be unleashed. Level after level, wave after wave of enemies, and if you hold out long enough you'll be crowned a hero. Along the way you can enlist the help of a friend in Co-Op Mode. You can also upgrade your Veritech to improve performance in areas like shield and weapon technology. Once you've unlocked all the extra characters and upgraded your Veritech of choice, challenge up to 4 other gamers to Vs. matches.
You might expect transformation to be a part of Macross Saga, and you'd be correct. Simply by pressing the shoulder buttons, you can transform from Fighter to Guardian or Battloid form. The added dimension here is way more than we ever got back in the arcade, letting you know it really IS 2002. In Guardian form, you can sustain more damage, and there will be times when using Fighter or Battloid are to your advantage. Learning to transform isn't critical to success in the game, but it sure makes things more fun! Plus, some areas are just a bear to complete without a transformation. Along with the standard side-scrolling levels, you'll have a couple levels where you launch a Destroid and take on the Zentraedi ground forces. These levels mostly provide some variety, but aren't quite as thrilling as the others.
