Gameplay and design
The core gameplay of "1945" revolves around three attack methods: normal shots provide steady firepower, charge shots unleash powerful attacks, and bombs clear the screen of enemies and bullets, serving as a lifesaver in critical moments. Each fighter has a unique charge attack form—some spread in a fan, others concentrate in a piercing beam—and players must switch flexibly based on the situation. This design gives each plane a distinct personality.
The item system in the game is straightforward: picking up P items enhances the level of normal and charge shots, B items replenish bomb stock, and coins are used for scoring at the end of levels. Upgraded firepower is noticeably stronger, but getting hit downgrades it. This balance of risk and reward is a hallmark of Psikyo shooters, forcing players to move carefully in pursuit of high scores.
The scoring system at the end of each level is a major highlight. The system evaluates players based on clear time, coins collected, and enemy planes destroyed, awarding either a silver or gold medal. Gold medals are demanding: they require fast clears, destroying as many enemies as possible, and collecting plenty of coins. This encourages repeated playthroughs to find optimal routes and strategies, greatly extending the game's replay value.
In the Japanese arcade version, the game hides a special bonus screen: if players clear the game without taking a hit, they unlock a cutscene showing the six pilots (five women and one man) in casual attire. This design was not uncommon in Japanese arcade culture at the time, but set against the serious war backdrop of a shooter, it created a curious contrast and became a frequent topic among players.
The difficulty curve is well-crafted: early levels let players get familiar with the controls, while mid-to-late stages feature denser bullet patterns, and boss battles test reaction and strategy. Each boss has unique attack patterns that require observation and finding openings. This hardcore yet fair difficulty is key to why Psikyo shooters attract core players.
Background and release
"1945" was developed and released by Psikyo in 1995, as the first game in the Strikers series. The game is set in the summer of 1945, just after World War II, when the world has barely recovered from the conflict. A mysterious organization called C.A.N.Y. suddenly appears, aiming to conquer the world. Composed of high-ranking international military officers, it possesses technology far beyond the era, posing a new threat to the newly peaceful world.
To counter C.A.N.Y., the Allied Military Headquarters secretly selects six elite pilots to form a team codenamed "Strikers." Players choose one of the fighters and pilot classic military planes into battle. As the game progresses, players discover C.A.N.Y.'s true identity—they are actually an alien race. In the final stage, players fly to the moon to destroy their secret base and leader, Mecha C.A.N.Y.
In the July 15, 1995 issue of Game Machine magazine, the game was listed as the fourth most successful arcade game of the month, proving its popularity in the arcade market at the time. As a new shooter, it stood out among many titles thanks to its solid gameplay and unique setting, laying a strong foundation for the series' future.
In 1996, Atlus ported the game to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, allowing more players to enjoy it on home consoles. The ports preserved the core arcade gameplay while optimizing for home systems, such as adjusting difficulty and controls for gamepads. This expansion broadened the game's audience and further cemented its status among shooter fans.
Since then, the game has been included in several compilations. Taito released the PlayStation 2 collection "Psikyo Shooting Collection Vol. 1: Strikers 1945 I & II," bundling the game with its sequel; the European version was titled "1945 I & II: The Arcade Games." In 2022, the original arcade version was included in the Sega Astro City Mini V mini arcade cabinet, allowing a new generation of players to experience this classic.
Development
"1945" was developed by Psikyo, a company known for vertical-scrolling shooters, and this game is one of its representative works. The game used the then-mainstream vertical-scrolling format, but Psikyo paid close attention to details such as the scale of the fighters and the density and rhythm of bullet patterns, all carefully tuned to deliver a satisfying yet challenging experience.
The game's world setting is clever: set in a parallel world after World War II, it blends historical elements with sci-fi fantasy. C.A.N.Y. initially appears to be a military group, but as the story unfolds, players learn its alien nature. This kind of setting was uncommon in shooters at the time, adding mystery and narrative depth, and sparking interest in exploring the story beyond the action.
Psikyo focused on game balance during development. Each fighter has distinct performance characteristics, but no absolute superiority; players can choose based on preference and play style. The power and timing of charge shots and bombs require trade-offs, while the coin collection and scoring system encourage efficiency while ensuring survival. This design reflects Psikyo's deep consideration of player experience.
The hidden bonus screen in the arcade version was part of Japanese arcade culture at the time. In that era, many arcade games included similar elements to attract players, and Psikyo was no exception. Although this feature was adjusted in later versions, it reflects the ecosystem of arcade games back then and has become a unique talking point for the game, often mentioned by players.
The game's music and sound effects are also noteworthy. The background music has a strong rhythm that complements the combat atmosphere, while sound effects like explosions and gunfire enhance the impact. Despite the hardware limitations of the time, Psikyo put effort into audio, making the overall experience more complete. These details together contribute to the unique charm of "1945."
Reception and legacy
"1945" received a positive market response upon release. In July 1995, it was ranked the fourth most successful arcade game of the month by Game Machine magazine, an impressive feat for a new IP. Arcade players were drawn to its satisfying gameplay and unique setting, and the game quickly built a loyal fanbase, earning Psikyo a reputation in the shooter genre.
The home console ports also received favorable reviews from the media. French magazine Consoles + gave the Saturn import version a high score of 92%, praising its faithful recreation of the arcade experience and reasonable optimizations for home consoles. This score was top-tier among shooters at the time, further boosting the game's profile and introducing more players to Psikyo's capabilities.
The success of the game directly led to the development of sequels. In 1997, "Strikers 1945 II" was released, titled "Strikers 1945" in North America; despite the similar name, it is a completely different game. In 1999, "Strikers 1945 III" appeared, along with a remake titled "Strikers 1945 Plus." These sequels continued the series' core gameplay while adding new elements, making the Strikers series one of Psikyo's signature franchises.
"1945" left a lasting impact on later shooters. Its charge shot and bomb systems were borrowed by many similar games, and the scoring mechanism became a classic model for high-score chasing in the genre. The game is classified on Wikidata as a clear-em-up shooter and sci-fi video game, with platforms including arcade, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Windows, demonstrating its cross-platform influence.
To this day, "1945" is still regarded as a classic by players and media alike. It has been included in multiple compilations, and in 2022 it appeared in the Sega Astro City Mini V, allowing new players to experience it. For veteran players, it carries memories of the arcade era; for newcomers, it is a hardcore shooter worth challenging. The game's place in shooter history has been proven over time.
