Line #36 VideoGame/Layla


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/layla_cover.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Layla and Iris [[SeanConneryIsAboutToShootYou are about to shoot you]].]]
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4	''Layla'' is a platform game by dB-Soft released in 1986 exclusively for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem Nintendo Famicom]]. It was marketed as a "maze action game", since levels are mostly non-linear and it's easy to get lost. The eponymous trigger-happy and cake-fueled heroine has to traverse eight asteroids full of various perils in order to rescue her partner Iris and apprehend an evil scientist who's behind all the havoc. The game's character design and ExcusePlot are strongly reminiscent of the ''Literature/DirtyPair'' franchise. ''Layla'' is known to non-Japanese players mostly thanks to one ''[[Series/RetroGameMaster Game Center CX]]'' episode.
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6	In 2017 a FanSequel hack ''[[http://www.romhacking.net/hacks/3311/ The Iris Missions]]'' was released, which also tweaks game's mechanics and features a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2U164uUAbc completely new soundtrack]].
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8	Surprisingly there's even an extensive fan-website in Japanese [[http://laylairis.web.fc2.com/ Layla no Asteria]] containing a {{walkthrough}}, trivia, tips and tricks.
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10	Completely unrelated to [[Wrestling/{{Layla}} the female wrestler]] of the same name.
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12	----
13	!!The game contains examples of:
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15	* ActionGirl
16	* AntiFrustrationFeatures: ''The Iris Missions'' features many improvements to the original game. You no longer go back to title screen upon dying and you don't have to collect password disks in order to obtain password for current level.
17	* {{Backtracking}}: You can do this if you missed something in previous levels (e.g. forgot to rescue Iris), and ''The Iris Missions'' requires you to do so on few occasions.
18	* BonusStage: An utterly pointless one. Removed in ''The Iris Missions'' hack.
19	* BottomlessPits: A [[NonLethalBottomlessPits non-lethal variant]] which not only damages you, but also halves your current inventory.
20	* BottomlessMagazines: Unlike other contemporary action platformers, you had limited ammo supply (up to 255 shots) for nearly every weapon, but still no individual magazines.
21	* ButThouMust: Played with. You don't actually need to collect all the password disks and rescue Iris, but without them you won't be able to even scratch the final boss.
22	* CollisionDamage: Anything that's not a pickup or plain ground damages you very quickly, almost as fast as in ''Turrican'' games.
23	* CoolBike: Layla rides a space bike between each asteroid.
24	* CuteBruiser
25	* CoversAlwaysLie: Iris' hair is blue on the cartridge label, but green in-game and in the manual.
26	* {{Cyberspace}}: The [[spoiler:secret level]] of ''The Iris Missions'' takes place in a VR simulation.
27	* DamselInDistress: Iris.
28	* EquipmentUpgrade: The handgun can be upgraded by collecting handgun pickups and character's speed can be increased by collecting roller skates.
29	* ExcusePlot
30	* EverythingTryingToKillYou
31	* {{Expy}}: Layla and Iris are obviously inspired by main characters from the ''Dirty Pair'' anime series, along with the space setting.
32	* GuideDangIt: Don't even try this game without a walkthrough or you'll get lost very quickly.
33	* GimmickLevel: Featured in ''The Iris Missions''. One level involves going through elevators marked with letters in order to make words FAST and EXIT.
34	* HyperactiveMetabolism
35	* KillItWithFire: The flamethrower will dispatch any living thing in one or two shots. Other enemies won't budge though.
36	* ImpossibleItemDrop: Defeated enemies, regardless if they are mutants, aliens or robots, turn into ice cream cones and cakes.
37	* InterfaceScrew: Near the end of [[spoiler:bonus stage]] in ''The Iris Missions'', everything, music included, becomes glitchy. Justified because [[spoiler:it happens in a VR simulator, while Layla's pulling the plug to switch it off]].
38	* InvincibilityPowerUp: Layla can use shields to protect herself from enemies, which prevents her from using weapons until shield is switched off or depleted.
39	* MissionPackSequel: The fan-made ''The Iris Missions'' hack, which also adds all-new soundtrack, fixes most scrappy mechanics of the original game and adds a secret level.
40	* MoreDakka: Machine gun. In general the rate of fire can be doubled when Iris follows Layla, but so will be ammo use.
41	* NintendoHard: With only one life and your life bar going down very fast, it is really hard to beat this game without continuing via passwords.
42	* RockBeatsLaser: Apparently an axe can cut through robots with ease. Some bosses are invulnerable to it though.
43	* SecretLevel: Available after the [[spoiler:credits roll]] in ''The Iris Missions''.
44	* SequelHook: Mantiokha escapes after defeating the final boss. [[spoiler:He does so again in ''The Iris Missions'']].
45	* ShoutOut: ''The Iris Missions''' secret level sub-stages are modelled after stages from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'', ''VideoGame/{{Contra}}'' and ''VideoGame/MegaMan2''. Justified because [[spoiler: all of these take place in {{Cyberspace}}]].
46	* StalkedByTheBell: Rather than having a traditional time counter, the game spawns a nigh-invulnerable, lethal homing tornado offscreen should you not scroll the screen for about 30 seconds.
47	* StandardFPSGuns: Among Layla's arsenal are: upgradeable handgun, machine gun, flamethrower, hand grenades, throwing sabers and a rocket launcher. The only exception is a throwing axe... IN SPACE!
48	* SweetTooth: All of the health pickups are sweets.
49	* UnexpectedShmupLevel: Bonus stages. ''The Iris Missions'' doesn't feature them.
50	* VideoGameLives: Completely averted. Once your life bar is depleted you go back to the title screen.

Context VideoGame / Layla