Rapid Reload

Rapid Reload, known in Japan as Gunners Heaven (ガンナーズヘヴン) ^[1], is a "run and gun" video game in the vein of the classic Metal Slug. It was among the first game of its genre (or any others) available for the Sony PlayStation. It was released to wide acclaim in Japan, though it didn't reach the United States due to the emphasis Sony of America was placing on 3-D titles.

The game is notable for being made by Media.Vision, developers of the Wild Arms series, directly before the original Wild Arms, as well as featuring similar aesthetics. As such, the game was given several shout-outs in the series.

Story[]

Upon hearing the legend of the treasure known as the Valkiry, treasure hunters Axel Sonics and Rita Hetfield embark on an adventurous quest to find the legendary stone. However, unknown to Axel and Rita at the start, there is also a terrorist organization known as the Pumpkin Heads searching for the Valkiry, determined to use the stone for World Domination.

Can Axel and Rita beat the Pumpkin Heads (and their bosses Weikath, Ash, Burrows, and Raquel) to the Valkiry and save the world from an Age of Darkness?

Gameplay[]

Gunners Haven — Rita in the Industrial Zone

The player can select either Axel or Rita to play. With the chosen character, the player will fight their way through six levels of progressing difficulty. Most levels contain two sub-bosses and a final "Guardian" boss. In level three, however, there is one Area Boss and a Guardian. In level 5, there is just a Guardian.

Level 1: a Cargo Ship. Two Area Bosses, one Guardian.
Level 2: a Jungle. Two Area Bosses, one Guardian.
Level 3: a Military Train. One Area Boss, one Guardian.
Level 4: an Arms Factory. Two Area Bosses, one Guardian.
Level 5: the Airship. One Guardian.
Level 6: the Pumpkin Heads Hideout. One Guardian.

Game Credits (Japanese)[]

Voice: Axel Sonics - Kazuki Yao
Voice: Ruka Hetfield - Noriko Hidaka
Voice: Weikath - Shinichiro Miki
Voice: Ash - Michie Tomizawa
Voice: Burrows - Issei Futamata
Voice: Raquel - Minami Takayama
Production - Shigeo Maruyama
Production - Teruhisa Tokunaka
Planning - Akira Sato
Planning - Toshiyuki Miyata

Wild Arms Homages[]

"Gunner's Heaven" is the name of a bar in the town of Damzen in Wild Arms 2. It is owned and operated by Axel Sonics with Rita Hetfield working as an 'guard' of sorts. Rita would very lightly flirt with the male party members if they're up front. Axel provides some information about the Odd Headquarters.
"Gunner's Heaven" is also given an homage in Wild Arms 3 as a special tournament arena.
Some of the characters' equipment/skills were turned into tools in the Wild Arms series, such as the Grappling Hook and RAD Skates.

Trivia[]

Oddly, the European release of the game skirts any voice acting (though the handful of dialog screens are translated) and doesn't bother translating the majority of the credits into any European language.
Though the game was released in Europe and Japan, Sony of America nixed this (and quite a few other) games for a United States release due to the game being '2-d only'. Even Mortal Kombat had difficulty getting released under this doctrine.
Rapid Reload is available on PSN through both Japan and Europe, but again the United States hasn't seen a domestic release of this game.
Nearly all of the special weapons and equipment show up either as tools or special in the Wild Arms games. Marivel Armitage's Electel isn't quite as lethal as it is in Axel Sonics' hands, though...

References[]

↑ ガンナーズヘヴン

[1] ガンナーズヘヴン

[1]