The evil empire is rushing at light-speed across the galaxies, heading towards Mother Earth. Barely 24 hours ago, they penetrated the last defense line of our galaxy, the Arsion Laser Belt. Millions of innocent people perished in outer space colonies. 70% of our fleet was destroyed during first contact. Our intelligence has now extrapolated their arrival within six days. Conventional weapons cannot stop them. Our last hope is in your hands: The Z-42 Warpstar. Warp into their territories and destroy their leader before they reach Earth.

Last Hope is a shooting game with rotating satellite system and heavy influence by tactical game play. Memorizing level architecture and enemy patterns are necessary for further approaching. The satellite and the beam are the most important components of the game mechanics. You have to learn to deal with both techniques in interaction with the other. It is possible to rotate the protection unit in 360ｰ around the playership and to engage it in 8 gradations. Just press "A" to shoot, "R-Trigger" to rotate clockwise and "L-Trigger" to rotate anticlockwise.

The protection unit mainly serves the defense of enemy plasma projectiles and to fire a stronger plasma shot. There are four difficulty settings: very easy, easy, normal and hard. Less experienced players can enjoy the game on very easy and easy, while experienced players will enjoy the game on normal or challenging it on hard. There are a total of 6 stages. These vary from a sandily space laboratory, a channel fulfilled with muddy water, a idyllic landscape with floating continents, a soul melting enemy factory on fire to an eerily and muggy alien stage.


The game is comparable to classics like R-Type and Gradius. Yet it has it's own visual impressive graphic style and fresh game play. It also features a superb 16-bit digital audio soundtrack, which suits perfectly the games atmosphere.

Last Hope has been developed by the small independent game studio "NG:DEV.TEAM" and published on Dreamcast*� by the so far relatively unknown publisher "redspotgames". The game ships as region free release in a jewel case with white inlay and 12-pages color booklet.

The first production run has been confirmed to be limited to only 2,000 units. In stock today as long as supplies last at US$ 39.99 only. Every copy purchased at Play-Asia.com ships including an exclusive Last Hope Sticker as long as supplies last.

The Limited Edition release of Last Hope (including a Vinyl CD soundtrack album) is expected to be in stock later this month. The Limited Edition has been presold.

Last Hope (ラストホープ) (通常版)	Region Free	�	N/A
Last Hope (ラストホープ) (限定版)	Region Free		N/A

Product Gallery (click thumbnail for enlarged size):


Please note that Last Hope is NOT officially licensed, designed, manufactured, distributed or endorsed by Sega. Nevertheless, it makes a nice roundup in everyone's Dreamcast� and shooting game collection. Further, since this is a CD-ROM based product, it might not be compatible with some newer Dreamcast� consoles manufactured after October 2000.


Game features:

• Free 360ｰ rotary protection unit for shooting and dodging enemy fire
• Six stages with checkpoints
• Four difficulty levels
• Hand drawn backgrounds
• Fully animated CGI enemies
• Superb video game style soundtrack
• Constant 60 fps with up to 4 parallax layers
• Lighting and transparency FX
• Smooth plasma FX

Exclusive features only available in the Dreamcast� compatible version:

• 16-bit CD soundtrack
• VMU support (saving + visuals)
• DC joypad + arcade stick support (R- and L-trigger support)
• Use of DCs soundchips (64 channels/stereo)

Exclusive Dreamcast� Game Modes:

• Adjusted difficulty (Reduction of shoot frequency and flight velocity of enemy bullets / no rank)
• Explosions / particle effects reduced for more clarity on screen
• Better hitting response for hit enemies
• Improved visualization of boss hit zones

Downloads:

We have compiled a few videos as well as one official soundtrack sample download. We tried our best to go through the first stage as far as possible, however had difficulties with our relatively simple video capturing equipment to concentrate on the actual game play.

Last Hope Video Download Try #1

Last Hope Video Download Try #2

Last Hope Video Download Try #3

Last Hope Video Download Try #4

Last Hope Soundtrack Audio Sample (MP3/4:17)

(use right mouse click and save as for video downloads)


Screenshot Gallery (click thumbnail for enlarged size):


*This software is not officially licensed, designed, manufactured, distributed or endorsed by Sega.