Vertical Force

Vertical Force is a vertical-scrolling shooter where players pilot the starship Ragnarok on a mission to destroy a rogue supercomputer on the human colony planet Odin before it can annihilate Earth.

Players must navigate through stages by shooting down enemy fighters, avoiding their projectiles, and maneuvering around obstacles. The Ragnarok can withstand multiple hits before being destroyed. Enemies drop power capsules that enhance the Ragnarok’s capabilities, offering upgrades like a wide shot, a piercing laser, and an improved shield. Collecting more capsules further strengthens these abilities, making projectiles more powerful or increasing the shield’s durability. The Ragnarok can adjust its altitude to move into the background, helping players dodge obstacles and alter enemy behavior based on its plane.

Players can also find AI Drones throughout the stages, which assist in combat with various weapon types. If Drones take too much damage, they can be stored in a "reserve" box for repairs and later redeployment. Additionally, Drones can be used as smart bombs to clear all enemies from the screen. The game features five stages, including starfields, mechanical bases, and tunnels. Each stage ends with a boss fight, some requiring altitude changes to deal damage. Players will frequently encounter a mech-like robot miniboss named Bratt, who adapts and becomes more challenging as the game progresses.

High scores can be saved on an entry table upon losing all lives, but they are erased when the system is turned off.