The player pilots a combat aircraft called a 'Solvalou' which is armed with a forward-firing gun for aerial targets, and bombs for destroying ground-based targets. A red targeting square is situated in front of the Solvalou, which allows the player to aim their bombs accurately. The enemy craft appears in a number of different guises; from the standard variety that arrive in large numbers but shoot slow-moving projectiles, to exploding black spheres that shoot projectiles at high speed. There are also rotating shields that cannot be destroyed and must be carefully avoided. Ground enemies are a combination of both stationary bases and moving vehicles, most of which fire slow-moving projectiles. A gigantic, floating fortress (called 'Andor Genesis') appears in certain areas; this is defeated by knocking out its core.
Xevious is actually divided into 16 different areas, which are separated by an area of forest. If a player dies before less than 70% of an area has been completed, play restarts at the beginning of the same area; should a life be lost AFTER 70% of an area has been completed, however, play restarts at the beginning of the next area. After Area 16 has been completed, the game loops back to Area 7.
- TECHNICAL -
Game ID : XVI
Main CPU : Z80 (x3), MB88xx Sound Chips : Namco 3-channel WSG, discrete circuitry (for the explosion sounds)
GROUND UNITS Barra : 100 points Boza Logram : 2000 points Derota : 1000 points Domogram : 800 points Garu Barra : 300 points Garu Derota : 2000 points Grobda : 400 points Logram : 300 points Zolbak : 200 points
Specials (see Tips and Tricks below for how to get them) Flag : 1000 points for uncovering it, bonus Solvalou for flying over it Sol Citadel : 2000 points for making it surface - 2000 points for destroying it
