The ES3 Donner Kyle spacecraft is the main protagonist of the 1992 PC Engine shoot 'em up Rayxanber III. It is the successor to both the RT-X-32 and the Eliminate Scanner AD, as well as the third of the RT-X series of starfighters. The spacecraft was built to fight back against the Zoul Empire after the latter invades Earth for the third time, however instead of concentrating on defending the planet, the spacecraft (as well as the mothership it is stationed within) take the fight to the Zoul Homeward in an attempt to bring an end to the long-time enemy once and for all. While retaining a similarly unique arsenal of weapons like its predecessors, its choice of weapon are completely overhauled.
History[]
Following the unsuccessful invasion of Earth for a second time, the Zoul Empire once again sets its sights on the planet for a third invasion, all the while still hell-bent on bringing about the extinction of the human race. Though their forces are now larger than ever before, Earth is once again caught off-guard, but this time they have a plan in mind. Instead of just fighting off the Zoul forces on Earth, the humans devise that the only way to end the Zoul Empire's invasions permanently is to travel to their home planet and eliminate the core, which is directing the entire alien race to attack the Earth. To do this, a large mothership is constructed to travel through space and infiltrate the planet, there it will release the newest RT-X Spacecraft: the ES3 Donner Kyle. Unlike its two predecessors, the ES3 Donner Kyle now has its charged power attack equipped from the start, as well as a brand new line of secondary weapons to fight off the Zoul's forces on their homeworld. The chance of success in this mission is calculated to be 0%, but despite this grim odd, the ES3 Donner Kyle and its mothership are launched to attack the Zoul Empire's homeworld.
Upon reaching the perimeter of the planet, the mothership is suddenly attacked by a squadron of Zoul forces, in the midst of the attack the ES3 Donner Kyle, alongside a squadron of other RT-X crafts, are launched into the heat of the battle to defend the giant craft from being destroyed by the Zoul, after successfully protecting the mothership, the ES3 Donner Kyle infiltrates the Zoul planet's surface and destroys the first of several Zoul commanders. The craft then proceeds to travel through various Zoul environments, from a blood-like lake to a dark abyss, all the while crippling the Zoul's forces and commanders, before making its way to the Zoul hive. There, the spacecraft decimates the cells housing the Zoul's offspring, as well as the commander that is protecting it. With the hive destroyed, the spacecraft enters the lair housing the Zoul Core, where the two entities engage in an intense and pivotal battle that would decide the fate of the Earth. Though the Zoul Core is well-prepared to battle the RT-X craft with its formidable weaponry, it proves to be no match against the mighty ES3 Donner Kyle, which ultimately prevails in battle and destroys the core.
With the Zoul Core's destruction, the entire Zoul Empire is completely destroyed. Following the virtually impossible victory, the ES3 Donner Kyle returns back to Earth, having finally put an end to the Zoul Empire's terror once and for all. ES3's heroism shall become legendary and be an immortalized tale for eternity.
Weapons[]
Unlike its predecessors, the ES3 Donner Kyle's weaponry is completely overhauled. It is given three completely unique secondary weapons that differ significantly from those used during the previous Zoul invasions. But like those of its predecessors, they are still obtained from differently colored power-ups dropped by enemy carriers and will rotate 90 degrees clockwise every second, and collecting the power-up will also determine the direction the secondary shot will fire (either front, side, or rear) by means of two options located above and below the craft. The power meter also returns, but unlike those used by the previous crafts, the charged attack is universal across all secondary weapons, and can be fired without having to obtain a power-up. In stage 5, there are numerous weapons icons scattered throughout the stage, but these are Zoul monsters in disguise and will ambush ES3 so the player must be careful in distinguishing which icons are real and which are fakes.
- Cannon - the default weapon of the ES3 Donner Kyle, it fires a single, rapid-fire shot straightforward that can destroy most small Zouls easily.
Flamethrower - fires a powerful flamethrower in the corresponding direction of the power-up obtained. It deals high damage, but has a very short range.
Wave Shot - fires a large green orb that travels in the direction of the corresponding power-up. It can be manipulated to move up and down based on the craft's vertical movements.
Pulse Laser - fires a penetrating laser in the direction of the corresponding power-up.
MIRV - the charged attack unleashed when the power meter is filled. When fired, it unleashes a pair of missiles that travels straightforwards. When the fire button is pressed again, the missiles will burst apart into a volley of smaller missiles which will track down and destroy nearby enemies.
Thruster - though not technically a weapon, this useful tool allows the ES3 Donner Kyle to perform a quick dash maneuver in any direction, allowing it to evade incoming enemy fire or obstacles, which becomes essential at various points. There is a cooldown period after usage.
Gallery[]
