Elevator Action Returns (Game)

Elevator Action Returns

GAME » on 1994

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Take on an entire terrorist organization in this over-the-top sequel to the early '80s action game Elevator Action.

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Overview

It's Elevator Action, now with more explosions!

Elevator Action Returns, known in North America as Elevator Action II, is a 2D action platformer developed and released by Taito for arcades (using Taito F3 Package System hardware) in 1994.

A sequel to the 1983 arcade game Elevator Action (Game), Elevator Action Returns follows three members of a special task force (Kart Bradfield, Edie Burret, and Jad the Taff) as they hunt down a mysterious terrorist organization while disarming various bombs in numerous locales.

While some of the basic gameplay mechanics from the original return, including its use of elevators and doors, Elevator Action Returns features faster-paced combat with more advanced weaponry (including explosive sub-weapons and weapon upgrades) on larger-scale levels that often scroll in multiple directions, all similar to Namco's Rolling Thunder (Franchise) series. In addition, up to two players can play at once in a co-operative setting, with each character having their own unique weaponry and abilities.

The game was later ported to the Sega Saturn as Elevator Action² Returns. Released exclusively in Japan by Ving (Company) on February 14, 1997, this version is notable for having the original Elevator Action (Game) as an unlockable. The Saturn version later received an enhanced re-release worldwide for the Xbox One (Platform), PlayStation 4 (Platform), and Nintendo Switch (Platform) on November 30, 2022 as Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute.

The original game was also ported to the PlayStation 2 (Platform), Xbox (Platform), and PC (Platform) in 2005-2006 as part of the Taito Legends 2 (Game) and Taito Memories Jōkan compilations.

Gameplay

Helicopter, coming though!

Elevator Action Returns is a two-button, one-joystick game for up to two players. Like the original, it includes two buttons (Shot and Jump), which can be combined to use the character's limited-use explosive sub-weapon (either in a long toss or, by crouching, in a short toss).

Like the original, players must progress through each facility while gunning down enemies and entering doors marked in red (with doors marked in blue providing a bonus item instead).

Some special techniques that can be done in the game is aiming upward (by holding the joystick upward), controlling the elevator (up/down on the joystick), running foward (by double-tapping, then holding, left/right on the joystick). Players can also perform melee attacks in close-range instead of shooting, and can make jumping kick attacks.

Items

By entering doors marked in blue and destroying certain objects, players can pick up one of several items to aid them:

Machine Gun (M) - Temporarily equips the character's limited-use fully-automatic weapon with 100 bullets, replacing the Launcher if equipped. If the Machine Gun is already equipped, it gives an additional 100 bullets. It functions similar to the standard handgun, but allows the player to hold the Shot button down to fire in a faster rate.
Launcher (L) - Temporarily equips the character's limited-use launcher weapon with 20 rounds, replacing the Machine Gun if equipped. If the Launcher is already equipped, it gives an additional 20 rounds.
Sub-Weapon - Adds extra sub-weapon uses.
Health (random food)
Bonus Points (random electronics)

Characters

Left-to-Right: Edie, Kart, Jad

The game can be played by up to two players at a time, with each playing one of the three main protagonists:

Kart Bradfield is the most agile member of the group, despite being a slow shooter. Armed with a "Glog 18", his sub-weapon is a hand grenade that clears a wider area. He can also perform additional melee attacks in quick succession.
Edie Burret is the fastest shooter of the group, despite her fragility. Armed with a "Berltta M92F", her sub-weapon is an incendiary "fire bomb" that leaves a lingering pool of flame.
Jad the Taff is the most durable member of the group, despite his lumbering mobility. Armed with a "Dessert Eagle", his sub-weapon is a proximity "sensor bomb" that explodes when an enemy is nearby. He can also shoulder-tackle enemies by running at them.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Yasuhisa Watanabe (Person) and published by Pony Canyon on July 21, 1995. The soundtrack features music from the game layered with a narrative and sound effects, such as the sounds of elevators and gunshots.

Track Listing

Elevator Action -Returns-

Name: Elevator Action -Returns- <V.C.O. "Cinema" Mix>

Total length: 43:14

"Rush Action" - (2:45)
"D.E.F" - (0:39)
"Red After Image" - (4:21)
"System Down" - (4:21)
"Message From 1998" - (1:31)
"Feedback Romance" - (4:05)
"Colors of Nights" - (2:59)
"Side by Side" - (4:31)
"I Can Only Think In Job" - (3:37)
"Break Beat" - (1:07)
"Blow Up" - (3:36)
"Red Suit" - (2:17)
"Missing Link" - (1:42)
"Pre Production" - (2:10)
"Elevator Action '95" - (3:42)

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