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Darius (video game)
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<p><i>Darius</i> is a 1987 <a href="/facts/Shoot_%2527em_up/dyAgF51H">horizontal-scrolling shooter</a> <a href="/facts/Arcade_game/oBYn85uk">arcade game</a> developed and published by <a href="/facts/Taito/jwfCHr1o">Taito</a>. Players control a starship named the Silver Hawk in its mission to destroy the Belser empire before they wipe out the planet Darius. Its gameplay involves traversing through a series of scrolling levels while destroying enemies and collecting power-up icons. It is notable for its unique three-screen panoramic display. </p><p>The game was designed by a small team of others led by Junji Yarita. In contrast to other similar games, which feature mechanical or insect-like enemies, <i>Darius</i> uses aquatic creatures like fish and crabs for its enemies and screen-filling bosses. Its large arcade cabinet, based on Taito's earlier panoramic display game <i>Laser Grand Prix</i> (1983), was designed to provide a cinematic atmosphere and stand out from other games at the time. The soundtrack was created by Taito's "house band" <a href="/facts/Zuntata/qFEXHhvA">Zuntata</a>, the majority being composed through a combination of FM synthesis and sampling. </p>