I really think the release gets a lot of unfair criticism too, based on (1) people hearing about a stolen code scandal and assuming that must be Very Bad News and (2) some unfortunate presentation issues with clunky menus and initial load time (at startup, not in-game or between levels). Were the menus badly designed, sure. Biggest flaw was inconsistent use of buttons - sometimes they used A to confirm, sometimes Start. But do I buy games to enjoy the menus or to play the actual game?
Actually, the randomness with the menu cancellation buttons did affect a buddy of mine who runs his 360 in his cab. One of the menus requires the use of the Back button to exit, and guess what button my buddy didn't have wired up? He had to use the hypervisor button to exit the game in the end.
Actually, the randomness with the menu cancellation buttons did affect a buddy of mine who runs his 360 in his cab. One of the menus requires the use of the Back button to exit, and guess what button my buddy didn't have wired up? He had to use the hypervisor button to exit the game in the end.
Granted, X-Mode is a lot of fun, and I do love me some Piper.
Eh that does kinda suck. But still... that guy would have had the same issues if they just consistently used the back button in all menus, or if any developer decided to map the back button to any useful function. It might not be that commonly used, but it's not really an insane design decision to use a standard button on the normal controller so I dunno that I'd crucify 5pb for that one. What was undeniably shoddy was the inconsistency (e.g. using Start to confirm in some menus then A in the next menu). Pretty amateurish stuff, but really didn't hurt my enjoyment of the actual game.
I never really got the people claiming the load times ruined the port either. OK, there were some mildly annoying loads starting up the game and navigating menus. But once you got into the game itself, it was perfectly fine. Maybe it's just the former Neo Geo CD owner in me speaking, but having to wait 70 seconds from launching the disc to being able to play isn't really a dealbreaker in my mind.
***
Oh and in other news, NCSX.com has Saidaioujou Limited edition up for pre-order as of today. $112.90, comes with an 80 page art book, arranged soundtrack CD, and metal case. Regular version is also available for $83.90.
The "Ultra Limited" edition went up for pre-order and sold out fast, just as it did from other importers (AmiAmi, Play-Asia, etc.). I was able to snag one because like Rudie said earlier, I'm crazy.
Maybe it's just the former Neo Geo CD owner in me speaking, but having to wait 70 seconds from launching the disc to being able to play isn't really a dealbreaker in my mind.
Maybe it's just the former Neo Geo CD owner in me speaking, but having to wait 70 seconds from launching the disc to being able to play isn't really a dealbreaker in my mind.
First I remembered that Eschatos is super great. Then I wondered, so how is Ginga Force?
It's significantly different in regards to structure and design. In Eschatos, you're limited to either using your A Shot or your B Shot at any given time (you can't use them simultaneously, as holding down both will trigger your shield). In Ginga Force, you don't have this restriction and can use both your main and sub weapons simultaneously, the trade off is that both have an energy meter (the main weapons drops gradually over time and faster when being used.. the sub weapon drops only through use). There's also the fact that Eschatos has no power-ups, whilst Ginga Force has a weapon store where you use the credits earned in stages to purchase new ship parts (kinda like in Forgotten Worlds or Area 88). Also, Eschatos is set up much like a traditional arcade game when it comes to level progression, whereas Ginga Force is more like a Score Attack game, where levels are all compartmentalized (in other words, you can't SCC the game). _________________ "Amidst utter chaos lies strict order."
Also Also I guess Caladrius comes out in Japan right now.
From a few plays, it's pretty good! Maybe better than expected. I'm not sure how well it stands up for playing for score, but the core mechanics are fun and the look is pretty nice.
It looks like an HD shooter (vertizontal though, so you won't take advantage of a TATE setup) - surprisingly interesting visually coming from MOSS, who made the uber-generic Raiden III/IV. A little derivative of Deathsmiles with the gothic theme, but I don't think that's a played out aesthetic in shooters - and this one is vert, so some difference in gameplay style.
As for how it plays: basically, each of the three main characters (apparently a 4th can be unlocked) gets a normal shot/bomb and three different character-specific special weapons, each mapped to a different button. You can kill stuff with use these weapons to build multiplier and just to utilize an effective weapon for the situation. Special weapons take energy, which replenishes itself over time as you play. The timing feels good, not too long to recharge but not so generous that you can just spam special weapons. It feels in some ways like Radiant Silvergun in the choice of weapons mapped to their own buttons. The characters truly have a different feel due to their different weapons.
Game is appropriately short. 5 stages (with a 6th secret stage accessed by playing well - I think 1cc the original 5?), none of which drag on forever. I kinda hate long shooters though, would much rather have them be quick and try another play to increase score, improve survival. Solid options, like a nice Boss Rush mode available from the start for any bosses you encounter. Free play also unlocked from the start, so credit feed away if you like.
kiken wrote better stuff than I could over at the shmups forums, but it's not a disappointing game. Between this and Ginga Force, nice little run for games that are sort of "second tier" releases even within the niche market of shooters.
As for how it plays: basically, each of the three main characters (apparently a 4th can be unlocked) gets a normal shot/bomb and three different character-specific special weapons, each mapped to a different button. You can kill stuff with use these weapons to build multiplier and just to utilize an effective weapon for the situation. Special weapons take energy, which replenishes itself over time as you play. The timing feels good, not too long to recharge but not so generous that you can just spam special weapons. It feels in some ways like Radiant Silvergun in the choice of weapons mapped to their own buttons. The characters truly have a different feel due to their different weapons.
Game is appropriately short. 5 stages (with a 6th secret stage accessed by playing well - I think 1cc the original 5?), none of which drag on forever. I kinda hate long shooters though, would much rather have them be quick and try another play to increase score, improve survival. Solid options, like a nice Boss Rush mode available from the start for any bosses you encounter. Free play also unlocked from the start, so credit feed away if you like.
There is actually a 6th weapon, your Burst, which is triggered by pressing 2 of the elemental shots simultaneously. It acts like a bomb, damaging everything on-screen and clearing out bullets for a few seconds while it depletes all of your elemental abilities (when any one of them hits 0%, the attack stops).
The 6th stage is unlocked by No Missing stage 5 (you can take a hit at the stage 5 boss though and still trigger the level... just don't get hit in the actual level).
The 4th character (Caladrius) is unlocked after beating the game with the initial cast of 3. Then after beating the game with Caladrius you'll unlock weapon customization, where you can mix and match the different elemental shot abilities for whichever character you choose (so in the end, the base character ships are divided simply by their relative speeds and standard shot types).
The game also has hidden Sol towers (from Raiden). Sadly, no Micluses.
I did post video of the first two stages a couple of days ago on my Youtube channel... should probably post some more video soon as I've been regularly getting to stage 6 with my new custom weapon layout. _________________ "Amidst utter chaos lies strict order."
Is Raiden Project any good? Even with the compilations on iOS and Xbox 360, it's still the only way I can play Raiden II without getting the PCB, right?
Is Raiden Project any good? Even with the compilations on iOS and Xbox 360, it's still the only way I can play Raiden II without getting the PCB, right?
There is actually a 6th weapon, your Burst, which is triggered by pressing 2 of the elemental shots simultaneously. It acts like a bomb, damaging everything on-screen and clearing out bullets for a few seconds while it depletes all of your elemental abilities (when any one of them hits 0%, the attack stops).
How often/in what situations do you use the burst? It kinda feels to me like it's generally more worthwhile to hold on to your elemental weapons as opposed to burning all three of them at once for some brief initial defensive benefit (clearing bullets) and then some damage that seems to get mostly wasted. But you're better than I am, so any insight appreciated :)
Don't think I saw you use it at all on your Youtube stage 1&2 story mode video.
Also, any tips on upgrade order between stages? Pump one or two weapons up to max ASAP, or keep stuff a little more even?
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Then after beating the game with Caladrius you'll unlock weapon customization, where you can mix and match the different elemental shot abilities for whichever character you choose (so in the end, the base character ships are divided simply by their relative speeds and standard shot types).
Just unlocked this today, really nice feature. The elemental shot system is pretty satisfying, main reason I feel the game is better than I anticipated.
How often/in what situations do you use the burst? It kinda feels to me like it's generally more worthwhile to hold on to your elemental weapons as opposed to burning all three of them at once for some brief initial defensive benefit (clearing bullets) and then some damage that seems to get mostly wasted. But you're better than I am, so any insight appreciated :)
Don't think I saw you use it at all on your Youtube stage 1&2 story mode video.
Also, any tips on upgrade order between stages? Pump one or two weapons up to max ASAP, or keep stuff a little more even?
There are a couple of spots where using a Burst is the wiser choice than using a bomb. You get the benefit of an initial bullet clear as well as continued damage. It does require some planning. After watching a 42 million point replay, it was interesting to see where the player used the burst attack.
As for my earlier video.. it was a good way to show off some stuff, but I missed a lot of things in that. I should start recording more replays again now that I'm done with Gradius 5 (didn't quite get the 1st loop[ no miss run I had been aiming for.. but I've settled for a 1 miss run).
As for upgrade order... with the weapons I'm using now, I put a heavy focus into E1 until it's level 5 or 6, then I focus on E2 until it hits max while throwing the odd extra at E3. I guess it will all depend on your play style and what you find as the most useful. _________________ "Amidst utter chaos lies strict order."
Also, Cave have just confirmed via their twitter that DDP: SDOJ will be region free.
Well then! Great news for people without a J-360, but I guess that means chances of a localized release are very slim.
I've started practicing some Ketsui since I discovered that there's an arcade machine in my area! Guy in Seattle has his PCB on loan to Full Tilt Ice Cream (an ice cream shop/bar/pinball arcade). Game is destroying me now though, had been a long time since I played it and I'm adjusting to the speed. I have no illusions that I'll be 1CCing it any time soon, but getting to stage 5 on 1 credit might be a reasonable goal...
Well then... US localized release for Mamoru-kun on PS3. From UFO Interactive, no confirmation yet whether it's retail or PSN. I actually dig the widescreen mode on this one.
But enough about that... SAIDAIOUJOU IS OUT NOW!!! The wait for shipping begins.
gosh, this game.
i've only played it a handful of times in my arcade and never got how it works or what it's trying to do, and after a couple of rounds at home i still don't.
just some impressions, mostly old news to people that paid attention to the game before i guess.
seems like they took criticism on excessive bullet cancelling to heart. this game makes you dodge alright. hyper only cancels bullets the moment you engage it. hyper seems to also cancel much of the slowdown, so when i hyper to survive a dense pattern the next wave will usually kill me by coming on way fast. i feel like there's little you can do to survive but uhm, dodge. less strategy, more skill, compared to DFK.
collision detection that actually works!
not once that sensation of "i should not have survived that."
wonder if they adjusted bullet hit-boxes or fixed their detection algorithm or what.
thinking this is a big deal personally (dunno if this happened in one of the preceding hori's, didn't pay attention to those).
lower bullet pattern density (necessity given that you actually need to dodge most of it), bigger bullets. maybe they got some people from yagawa's team on board?
the fact that you need to be able to dodge stuff means it has far less of that spectacular overboard WHOA factor of DFK. can't say i don't miss it but i'm curious to see how this will grow on me (or not). seems kinda ballsy that they actually went and toned it down. haven't yet managed to drive the rank up much though, so who knows what that will do to density.
music's understated electronic stuff. dig stage 3's tune, most of it is pleasant without standing out. i'm expecting a lot of people to hate it.
in-game all enemies are boring mecha stuff. kinda like DOJ except ugly. the lolis have been re-re-purposed from bosses back to side-kicks. i'm not bothered that the green heli wears a bikini nowadays, but the fact that she'll continuously address me as "Master" bugs me something fierce. actually the X360 mode by default has the game sounds set to barely audible, with loli's incessantly spewing dumb drama cliches over everything at prominent volume. it's profoundly depressing, but luckily there's a separate volume setting for voices. this coming from someone who loves to babble back at DFK's talkative boss lolis, mind.
...there's an intro fmv?
you get "coins" after each run, that you can use to "buy" stuff in the "shop". shit done got gamified *barf*
i haven't visited the "shop" yet. maybe the "shop" can eventually "sell" me the option to turn that bloody wallpaper off, cause i can't seem to find that option anywhere.
also it seems quite murderously difficult.
bullet cancelling doesn't save you, slowdown doesn't save you, collision detection failure doesn't save, you're basically just dead in the water here.
i'm fascinated.
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