Xevious

Xevious is a vertically scrolling shooter where players control the Solvalou starship to destroy Xevious alien forces threatening Earth. Gameplay involves continuous upward scrolling with air-to-air zapper missiles for flying enemies and blaster bombs for ground targets, using a lock-on aiming system and two weapon types. Story follows humanity's resistance against the invading Xevious fleet led by the biocomputer GAMP. Characters include the player-controlled Solvalou, various enemy ships and ground units like the powerful Andor Genesis mothership boss, and supporting elements such as the mysterious Bacura mirror shields. What makes it stand out is its innovative lock-on bombing mechanic that influenced later shooters, varied enemy patterns, unique scrolling backgrounds with forests and prairies, and a challenging single-player campaign that loops back to area 7 after 16 stages.