Gynoug (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis)

Europe Box Art

Gynoug, known as Wings of Wor in North America, is a 1991 side-scrolling shooter video game developed by Masaya and published by NCS Corporation for the Sega Genesis. The game was initially released in North America, Europe, and Japan in 1991, and later re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan in 2008 and on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2021.

The game is a horror-themed shooter, similar to games such as Thunder Force. Players take control of Wor, a member of the 'Flying men' who resemble angels, and must save their home planet of Iccus from a virus that has mutated into monstrous creatures. Each level, except the last, features a mid-boss and a large end-boss, and the player has access to three types of shots that can be powered up in two ways. Feathers can also be collected to increase the player's speed.

The First Mini Boss

As soon as you start playing Gynoug, you're struck by the game's unique and distinctive aesthetic. The game is set on the planet of Iccus, home to the "Flying Men," a race of beings that resemble angels. Iccus has been overrun by a virus that has mutated into a collection of horrifying creatures, and it's up to the player, controlling Wor, to save the planet and destroy these mutants once and for all. The game's horror theme sets it apart from other side-scrolling shooters, and gives it a unique and eerie atmosphere.

3 way fire you start with

One of the things that sets Gynoug apart from other side-scrolling shooters is the game's power-up system. In addition to the standard power-ups that increase the player's firepower, Gynoug also features feathers that can be collected to increase the player's speed. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must balance increasing their firepower with maintaining their speed.

The Lightning bolt special weapon

The game's six levels are challenging, but fair. Each level, except the last, has a mid-boss and a large end-boss. The player continues right where they died if they have any lives left. The game's bosses are formidable opponents, but they can be defeated with the right strategy and timing. The game's lack of check points adds to the challenge, but it also makes the game more satisfying when you finally defeat a boss.

One of the things that stands out the most in Gynoug is the game's graphics. The game's sprites and backgrounds are beautifully detailed, and the game's use of multi-layer parallax scrolling is impressive. The game's special effects are also noteworthy, and the wobbly screen effect is particularly disorienting. The game's sound effects are also noteworthy, and the game's music is catchy and memorable.

Longplay Gameplay Video

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The Aura Shield special weapon

Critics have praised Gynoug for its graphics and sound effects, with some noting its challenging gameplay and addictive nature. Computer and Video Games (CVG) gave the game a 91 out of 100, praising the game's "stomach-churning effects" and "swingsome tunes." Mean Machines also gave the game a high score, calling it "packed with playability and sports some stunning graphics."

North America Box Art

However, not all reviewers were impressed by Gynoug. Some criticized the game for its similarity to
other horizontal shooters, and others felt that the game's bosses were too difficult. Sega-16.com gave the game a 7 out of 10, stating that "the game is enjoyable but not outstanding."

Overall, Gynoug is a unique and challenging side-scrolling shooter that stands out for its horror theme and power-up system. The game's graphics and sound effects are impressive, and the game's bosses are a challenge.