The RT-X-32 is the main protagonist of the 1990 FM Towns shoot 'em up Rayxanber. It is the first of the RT-X series of starfighters. Built to counter the incoming invasion of Earth by the biomechanical alien race known as the Zoul Empire, its arsenal consist of weapons that can be aimed in multiple directions.
History[]
In-game Sprite
In the distant future, a biomechanical race of extraterrestrials now as the Zoul Empire becomes attracted to the radio waves emitted by Earth's satellites and technology since the beginning of history. Determined to conquer the planet, the Zoul Empire travels to Earth's location and launches a large-scale invasion of the planet to eradicate the human race. Their forces prove to be unstoppable, as one-by-one cities across the globe are leveled to ruins. Not wanting to surrender to the Zoul Empire, humanity decides to fight back, by reverse engineering a crashed Zoul ship and repurposing its technology to create what would become known as the RT-X series. From this, the first such craft, known as the RT-X-32 is built. Despite the slim chance of success (1 to 56 million), the craft is subsequently launched to battle against the impending invasion.
The RT-X-32 first travels to a ruined city, where it repels an Earth-based force of the Zoul Empire led by its commander Balg-Gay. After defeating these forces, the spacecraft travels to other various environments ranging from Saturn's Rings to an Underground Cavern, where it confronts and destroys numerous Zoul forces and commanders. Eventually, the craft locates the hidden fortress of the Zoul Empire and infiltrates it, battling through hordes of Zoul enemies and commanders along the way. Eventually the RT-X-32 locates the Zoul's leader, the master device known as Calmacan, battles the core. Calmacan proves to be a formidable opponent, but despite this, the RT-X-32 manages to prevail in battle and destroy the Zoul leader, putting an end to its omnicidal ambition.
With humanity saved, the RT-X-32 returns back to Earth, its mission being a complete success. But this would not be the last Earth would confront the Zoul Empire...
Weapons[]
The RT-X-32 is built with a unique arsenal of weapons. In addition to a default primary cannon, the spacecraft can use a total of three secondary weapons that are obtainable by colored power-ups dropped by enemy carriers, doing so will equip two options above and below the craft to fire the secondary weapons. The power-ups 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). All secondary weapons can also be charged by means of a power meter similar to the Wave Cannon used by many R-Crafts, which unleashes a more powerful charged attack.
- Cannon - the default weapon of the RT-X-32, it fires a single, rapid-fire shot straightforward that can destroy most small Zouls easily.
- Ice Storm - fires four icicle-shaped lasers in a spread. When charged, it will fire 8 lasers in all directions from the craft.
- Fireball - fires two energy balls which explode into a small explosion upon hitting an enemy, dealing additional splash damage. When charged, the energy balls will home in on the nearest enemies.
- Lightning - fires a rapid-fire lighting shot that penetrates through weaker enemies and deals high damage. When charged, two energy spheres will surround the craft and circle it in a medium range, dealing contact damage to anything they hit.
- Thruster - though not technically a weapon, this useful tool allows the RT-X-32 to perform a quick dash maneuver in any direction, allowing it to evade incoming enemy fire or obstacles. There is a cooldown period after usage.
Gallery[]
