Shadow Squadron

About

Take the helm of a space fighter in Shadow Squadron, a 1995 shooter that splits control between piloting and turret-shooting. You destroy enemy ships by hitting weak points across their hulls, with six missions spread over two ship types. Toggle between manually navigating 3D levels or letting the system handle flight while you blast enemies. The lone player or a co-op partner must stop an unseen foe launching energy attacks from massive vessels, all while waiting for reinforcements stuck in an unfinished Acceleration Gate. The game stands out for its dual-control approach, letting you focus on flying or gunning without switching roles mid-mission. Multiplayer options add variety, though the 32X’s hardware limits visual polish. While the story stays vague, the urgency of holding off an armada with just a couple of ships feels tense for a mid-90s arcade title. It’s a quick, twitchy experience that leans into its hardware’s strengths without overreaching.

Storyline

An adversary (who is not named) seems to be up to their old tricks, transmitting coded transmissions and exerting energy blooms from a number of large ships. An Acceleration Gate is still not fully assembled, so additional forces can not be moved quick enough to intercept, leaving the player as the lone opposition against the enemy armada.