The iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch Gaming |Thread4| NOT Doomed

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Bug Princess 2: Black Label

For someone who owns (and loves) Bug Princess 2 and is a Cave shooter fan, but not a hardcore fan (own every iOS release but don't really have a good understanding how scoring works in most games), this was a HORRIBLE purchase. Twice the cost of Bug Princess 2, and yet I still have to pay extra if I want to play Boss Rush Mode more than once a day?

I am literally struggling to find the differences between this and vanilla Bug Princess 2. The ones I've noticed are so minor. Unless you are the type to memorize bullet patterns, if you own Bug Princess 2 there is absolutely nothing in Black Label that makes it worth purchasing, let alone at %200 the prices of Bug Princess 2. It seems like a really fucking shitty move on Cave's part. I am disappoint.
 
Bug Princess 2: Black Label

For someone who owns (and loves) Bug Princess 2 and is a Cave shooter fan, but not a hardcore fan (own every iOS release but don't really have a good understanding how scoring works in most games), this was a HORRIBLE purchase. Twice the cost of Bug Princess 2, and yet I still have to pay extra if I want to play Boss Rush Mode more than once a day?

I am literally struggling to find the differences between this and vanilla Bug Princess 2. The ones I've noticed are so minor. Unless you are the type to memorize bullet patterns, if you own Bug Princess 2 there is absolutely nothing in Black Label that makes it worth purchasing, let alone at %200 the prices of Bug Princess 2. It seems like a really fucking shitty move on Cave's part. I am disappoint.

If you don't understand scoring you're not really getting the same thing out of these games, so I can understand the disappointment. It's a completely different game in every mode. I doubt I'll go back to vanilla BP2 though I've probably put well over a hundred hours into it.

Boss Rush mode is definitely not the main attraction here, it's pretty bad IMO. It starts out on novice difficulty and takes several loops through all the bosses to get to a reasonable difficulty. It is interesting to play the original Mushi bosses with Futari mechanics though. Any of Cave's moves that involve making games available is a great to me. They're not doing very well financially and their future is kind of uncertain.
 
If you don't understand scoring you're not really getting the same thing out of these games, so I can understand the disappointment. It's a completely different game in every mode. I doubt I'll go back to vanilla BP2 though I've probably put well over a hundred hours into it.

Boss Rush mode is definitely not the main attraction here, it's pretty bad IMO. It starts out on novice difficulty and takes several loops through all the bosses to get to a reasonable difficulty. It is interesting to play the original Mushi bosses with Futari mechanics though. Any of Cave's moves that involve making games available is a great to me. They're not doing very well financially and their future is kind of uncertain.

I completely agree. I import the Cave shooters whenever I can . I suck at the games, but I absolutely love the shmup genre so I do whatever I can to support the community financially. If Cave keeps releasing , I will keep buying. I would also live some Psikyo, Raizing or Treasure ports to hit iOS , they would absolutely be day one purchases for me if the ports were even remotely good quality.
 
I think the pricing might be a reaction to the people like us who will buy it for almost any price. Can't blame them, it's definitely a niche audience. Not really surprised by the "backlash".
 
The 3D rithim game is pretty shit, it looks like the heat, but you don't really get any sort of feed back whatsoever from the things you touch. Groove coaster is still the best one out there in my humble and awesome opinion.
 
If you don't understand scoring you're not really getting the same thing out of these games

No doubt, but I imagine this is the case for most of their iOS fans. Even without investing the time to learn the mechanics of the scoring systems, there is a ton of fun to be had. I know I've had a blast with all their games (save for maybe Deathsmiles).


It is interesting to play the original Mushi bosses with Futari mechanics though. Any of Cave's moves that involve making games available is a great to me. They're not doing very well financially and their future is kind of uncertain.

I thought it would be interesting too (I used my 1 free daily play to do just that) but it seems like something that most other companies with niche audiences would include as a bonus to their fans. There's no doubt Cave is financially hurting, so maybe they don't have the freedom to do that, but the way this release was handled is definitely not an indication that they've started to climb out of the hole they're in. It's a shame, because their games are above and away my favorite on iOS and I would love to see some original/new stuff.
 
You're being pretty kind to Cytus there; it's not only generous, but more often than not just plain off-sync. And so far, they seem more interested in putting on concerts in Taiwan and promoting obscure earbud brands than they are fixing their game.

osu!stream might be minimalist but it's clear a lot of effort was put into both making it accessible and providing a challenge. (Being the only music game on the platform I've tried that is willing to fail you mid-song helps.). It definitely screams hobby project given the somewhat lacking genre variety in what little music is available, but it's a solid game that goes out of its way to avoid compromising gameplay for questionable stylistic choices.

I'm glad I'm not alone with my opinion on Cytus. Great presentation with mediocre execution.

E: Tone Sphere bought. Impressions to come soon!
 
Funhouse was free this week. I think when they're offering up free tables, they're not always offering up a free one from the current pack, just one that hasn't been made F2P before.
 
Tone Sphere is pretty cool. It's a bit distracting at first, but it ends up being really neat nice you get used to the way the game moves. The most important part of a rhythm game is spot on, too - timing. Definitely worth $1.
 
Tone Sphere is pretty cool. It's a bit distracting at first, but it ends up being really neat nice you get used to the way the game moves. The most important part of a rhythm game is spot on, too - timing. Definitely worth $1.

I think it could use a little tightening myself, but it's definitely not the worst offender on the platform. Any game where I can turn in scores with only 2-3 notes not perfect is probably a little too lenient on the judgements.
 
As much as I love Cave's games and even prefer the Black Label version of Bug Princess 2, I do question why they chose to release that rather than something new. A lot of casual customers have no idea what the Black Label part means and as far as they're concerned they think they are buying the same game with minor changes. They'd rather have a whole new game.
 
Tone Sphere needs a lot of tightening. I tried the first song, then went to the hardest one (level six, called video game or something) and it was super easy. The game just feels so soft. OSU! Stream might not be as stylistic, but it feels tight and accurate. It's a tough game, but not unfair in the least. This game just seems too easy. I'm sure a lot of people will like it, but I can't say I'm one of them. I wouldn't recommend it if you're the kind of rhythm gamer into complex and hard-to-master charts.
 
Tone Sphere needs a lot of tightening. I tried the first song, then went to the hardest one (level six, called video game or something) and it was super easy. The game just feels so soft. OSU! Stream might not be as stylistic, but it feels tight and accurate. It's a tough game, but not unfair in the least. This game just seems too easy. I'm sure a lot of people will like it, but I can't say I'm one of them. I wouldn't recommend it if you're the kind of rhythm gamer into complex and hard-to-master charts.

Compared to Cytus, it's much more playable. After playing the first chart, I felt like everything was MUCH more in sync. Jubeat is still the best on the market, no doubt.
 
Compared to Cytus, it's much more playable. After playing the first chart, I felt like everything was MUCH more in sync. Jubeat is still the best on the market, no doubt.
Yeah, definitely. I'd say jubeat, then OSU. Those are the only two I consider hardcore rhythm games, and god do I hate using that term. I only used it because I'm sure you know what I mean by it.
 
I suck so badly at Jukebeat.

Are there any tips? Like which is the easiest note style to see?

I just feel like my reaction time is not fast enough. I suppose once I have some songs memorized I'll do better. Is that the point? To get to a place in each song where you have it more or less memorized?
 
I suck so badly at Jukebeat.

Are there any tips? Like which is the easiest note style to see?

I just feel like my reaction time is not fast enough. I suppose once I have some songs memorized I'll do better. Is that the point? To get to a place in each song where you have it more or less memorized?

No, you don't need to memorize, you simply need to play more, haha. When I first started playing it, my reaction time was trash. Once you muscle through it, you slowly start to adjust. I'll be honest, the hardest part is learning how to hit 5+ notes at a time in a stream and transition between sections of multi hits.


Yeah, definitely. I'd say jubeat, then OSU. Those are the only two I consider hardcore rhythm games, and god do I hate using that term. I only used it because I'm sure you know what I mean by it.

Oh yeah, definitely! Hardcore is the best way to describe it, even though it sounds like the wrong term to use, haha. But it's the most sensible one.
 
I suck so badly at Jukebeat.

Are there any tips? Like which is the easiest note style to see?

Everyone has a marker that works best for them - common ones are the fireworks (I use this), ripples default, or the flower. Of course, there are also people that use off-the-wall markers like yubiko.

Konami will eventually release Reflecbeat in the US, right?

Who knows, but it will probably have to wait until almost a year after it released in JP if jukebeat's release timing is any indication.
 
As much as I love Cave's games and even prefer the Black Label version of Bug Princess 2, I do question why they chose to release that rather than something new. A lot of casual customers have no idea what the Black Label part means and as far as they're concerned they think they are buying the same game with minor changes. They'd rather have a whole new game.

Yeah, it's a puzzling decision. It would be great if they would create a brand new shooting game for the iOS. Totally new world, characters, everything. Really design the scoring system around the ipod/ipad touch interface. Price it reasonably, and I think it could be very successful. Releasing tweaked versions of older games for $14 + a bunch of overpriced IAP is not the way to go. I'm guessing they'll learn this after few people buy BP 2 BL.
 
Yeah, it's a puzzling decision. It would be great if they would create a brand new shooting game for the iOS. Totally new world, characters, everything. Really design the scoring system around the ipod/ipad touch interface. Price it reasonably, and I think it could be very successful. Releasing tweaked versions of older games for $14 + a bunch of overpriced IAP is not the way to go. I'm guessing they'll learn this after few people buy BP 2 BL.

You say that as if they can pull together a brand new game, with all the months of balance work above creating new story/characters/artwork/music, in a couple weeks with whatever spare change is left in their pocket.
 
Well, they made Bug Panic. I'd just like to see something like that but with totally new characters and make it a shooter. Shooters don't require large budgets.
 
You say that as if they can pull together a brand new game, with all the months of balance work above creating new story/characters/artwork/music, in a couple weeks with whatever spare change is left in their pocket.

Exactly. There are TONS of shmups out there and there are few that have the balance and polish to rise to the level of a Cave or Psikyo shmup. Lots of poor to mediocre shooters that just lack the attention to detail to rise to the level of a top notch shooter. These games are played for high score by hardcore fans for years and years after release. It is not a minor undertaking to produce something like a Cave shmup. This is an extremely niche market . These games are released for fans, not really general consumption. I mean DoDonPachi Resurrection on Xbox 360 has only sold maybe 30,000 units? To release a quality game, Cave has to charge a higher price to break even.
 
A completely new game by Cave would be nice but I'm content with getting these excellent ports. All I meant in my original post was about porting an entirely different game. Progear, the first ESP Galuda, Pink Sweets, and so on.


Yesterday got me in the mood for some point and click adventure.

How's Beneath a Steel Sky on the iPad?

Which iPad would be playing on? Beneath a Steel Sky isn't universal so it would be stretched out. It would probably look okay on the new iPad.
 
Exactly. There are TONS of shmups out there and there are few that have the balance and polish to rise to the level of a Cave or Psikyo shmup. Lots of poor to mediocre shooters that just lack the attention to detail to rise to the level of a top notch shooter. These games are played for high score by hardcore fans for years and years after release. It is not a minor undertaking to produce something like a Cave shmup. This is an extremely niche market . These games are released for fans, not really general consumption. I mean DoDonPachi Resurrection on Xbox 360 has only sold maybe 30,000 units? To release a quality game, Cave has to charge a higher price to break even.

The way they're handling the IAP, is certainly causing quite strong reaction. I'd almost want to argue Cave might as well charge $40-50 for any new games coming out. Most casual bullet hell people may not want to get any games over $10 anyways. The hardcore fans will pretty much pay anything. Charging a much higher price may offset the people who won't buy.
 
I said whoa!
That's the coolest effin thing. So rad.

The way they're handling the IAP, is certainly causing quite strong reaction. I'd almost want to argue Cave might as well charge $40-50 for any new games coming out. Most casual bullet hell people may not want to get any games over $10 anyways. The hardcore fans will pretty much pay anything. Charging a much higher price may offset the people who won't buy.
I'd probably pay $20-$30 for an original Cave shmup on iOS, but I'd also only want them to release one if it was both financially viable for the company, and of the same quality of their other shooters. And I just don't see why/how it could be as good of quality as their arcade titles if it had a limited budget, which I imagine it would need if it were a limited release on just iOS.

Then again, I barely understood that sentence I just wrote. I think what I'm trying to say is that I doubt we'd get substantial quality if it were an iOS-built title.

I would think and hope what they were doing on the app store now would be enough to make them a solid amount of money, but who knows. I'd love to see what would happen if they'd 99c one of their shooters. With some luck and good timing, I'm sure it could hit the top 5.
 
Also, anyone else have problems with PA? Every time I open it, it prompts me to restore my IAP.

Yea it seems to do it constantly, especially after the app has updated. And it's annoying if you're like me an tend to foget which tables you have actually purchased in the past. Multiple prompts to "restore purchases"
 
I'd probably pay $20-$30 for an original Cave shmup on iOS, but I'd also only want them to release one if it was both financially viable for the company, and of the same quality of their other shooters. And I just don't see why/how it could be as good of quality as their arcade titles if it had a limited budget, which I imagine it would need if it were a limited release on just iOS.

Then again, I barely understood that sentence I just wrote. I think what I'm trying to say is that I doubt we'd get substantial quality if it were an iOS-built title.

I disagree. Cave more than any other shmup developer knows the ios platform at this point. They could totally make a compelling new IP. And I'd argue it's in their interest to considering the market reach they could have:

Worldwide iOS/Android sales vs Xbox 360 (import) retail discs?? No contest.
 
Next week is gonna be FIRE, finally some good releases

like what? what's the best site for release dates?

still can't believe that in the last couple weeks I've turned into an iOS gaming junky... paying so little for these little gems of video gaming that I'm getting so much enjoyment out of
 
I think you guys might want to try Combat Bots. It's a pretty interesting strategy game. Just released a few hour ago and it's free. It's all combat, no real storyline to speak of.


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http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/combat-bots-cosmic-commander/id527534706?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo=2
 
Where do you get these news?

most of the time you can just check the Upcoming games threads on TA. they usually tell you expected dates. or you can get it from larger games press releases.

ALSO....since the perry game is coming out, 5 lucky US itunes holders can redeem codes for Wheres my Water. quote to reveal.

 
Where do you get these news?

Squids release date was posted by the developer on their FAcebook / website

Yes I liked Squids so much I actually follow the developer

http://thegamebakers.com/blog

Where's My Perry was always marked as an end of June release, and there's only one more week in June. Unless I'm wrong then it should come out this week.

The developer for Cthulu Saves The World also posted that it comes out this week.
 
Their Penny Arcade RPG comes out for iOS soon too, I have to wonder how well it'll control but I suppose Cthulhu will answer that.
 
most of the time you can just check the Upcoming games threads on TA. they usually tell you expected dates. or you can get it from larger games press releases.

ALSO....since the perry game is coming out, 5 lucky US itunes holders can redeem codes for Wheres my Water. quote to reveal.

Thanks! Got the middle one.
 
most of the time you can just check the Upcoming games threads on TA. they usually tell you expected dates. or you can get it from larger games press releases.

ALSO....since the perry game is coming out, 5 lucky US itunes holders can redeem codes for Wheres my Water. quote to reveal.

Thank you! I nabbed the fifth one.
 
Finished up Lost Winds 2 last night. It was a nice game but was maybe too similar to the first all told, especially the structure of the game. On the one hand it's a simplified metroidvania game, but on the other it's maybe a little too complex for kids or novice players, especially with regards to the controls. Funnily enough, with the controls, you can tell you're doing something wrong when the controls are too complex. Most of the solutions are simple and elegant, the times where I was frustrated most with the controls were the times when I was missing the point of the puzzle. Still, it's a fantastic looking game for sure, and I did have a lot of fun with it still.

Been playing a bit of Contre Jour as well, it's a bit of a let-down tbh, I should have trusted my first impression that it's a derivative 3-star puzzler that I didn't think I'd like. And I was spot on, it's boring and obvious from what I've played of it.

One thing that does sadden me slightly is that I'm feeling that I've played all the games I wanted to play. The notable exceptions are in genres I don't particularly care for like rts or tower defence. What I'd really like is a nice 3d platformer, like Banjo kazooie or something. And lots more action adventure style games, I can't get enough of em.
 
A recent update for Montowers completely deleted all of the text in the game. Now there's a glitch for you.

I noticed that. I've been playing blind for a week now, I hope a patch is released soon.

By the way, did people here have trouble getting the black dragon? I've seen elsewhere people complaining about the quest, but I got it in 1 day (I played while watching tv for about 1-2hrs).
 
Finished up Lost Winds 2 last night. It was a nice game but was maybe too similar to the first all told, especially the structure of the game. On the one hand it's a simplified metroidvania game, but on the other it's maybe a little too complex for kids or novice players, especially with regards to the controls. Funnily enough, with the controls, you can tell you're doing something wrong when the controls are too complex. Most of the solutions are simple and elegant, the times where I was frustrated most with the controls were the times when I was missing the point of the puzzle. Still, it's a fantastic looking game for sure, and I did have a lot of fun with it still.

I actually preferred the second. It's definitely "more of the same" for the most part, but the new wind powers, along with the addition of a map -- plus the weather mechanics and the heart-melting story -- made it an even more enjoyable experience for me. Plus, you played them very close to one another. On Wii, we had to wait quite a while for the sequel.

That said, I played both on Wii (though I have played the first one again on my phone), and I have to say, it's not quite the same on iOS. To me -- and I've played a lot of Wii games -- the LostWinds games were a couple of the few that really understood how to take advantage of those Wii controls. It just felt so right and so satisfying the first time you played it. Of course, now it's old hat and no one cares, but those two gems are probably my two favorites, even over the Galaxy games. It's nice to have them on my phone, but it's more of a novelty than anything else.
 
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