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[Risette]

Full title: Deathsmiles IIX: Makai no Merry Christmas
Developer & Publisher: Cave
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: 2D Shooting
Release Date: May 26th, 2010 (JP) | May 17, 2011 (USA), May 24, 2011 (Canada, Mexico)
Format: Disc (JP release only, region locked to Japanese consoles), Games on Demand (North American release only)
Price: ¥7,140 Standard Edition, ¥9,240 Limited Edition (JP) | $29.99 Games on Demand (NA)

Features:
• New characters
• 3D graphics
• Xbox 360 exclusive 16:9 mode
• Port of the original arcade game
• Mini-game "Tsukaima Race"

Staff:
• Chief Programmer - Takashi Ichimura
• Programmers - Tsuneki Ikeda, Yuji Inoue, Daisuke Koizumi, Masahiro Suzumura, Toshihiko Sera
• Character Design & Art - Junya Inoue (Joker Jun)
• Soundtrack - Manabu Namiki, Noriyuki Kamikura‎, Yoshimi Kudo‎

Screenshots:


Reviews:
• Cave-STG - DS2 core game 10/10, DS2 port quality 6/10, DS2 X-Mode 9/10

Achievements:

NORMAL
新たなる戦いの火蓋   デススマイルズⅡXを初プレイする。   5
Play DSIIX for the first time

まだまだ コンテニューをする。（オフライン限定） アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。 5
Continue (Arcade or X-Mode)

でかいトナカイ リリーを倒す。 アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。レベル不問。 10
Beat the boss Lily (Arcade/X-Mode)

城？化け物？ ビゴーテを倒す。 アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。レベル不問。 15
Beat the boss Bigote (Arcade/X-Mode)

にょろにょろしてる奴 ヘビースネイクを倒す。 アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。レベル不問。 15
Beat the boss Heavy Snake (Arcade/X-Mode)

オールクリア 使い魔レースでストーリーモードで全ワールドをクリアする。 20
Beat all the worlds in the story mode of Tsukaima race.

訓練された使い魔使い 使い魔レースで全キャラクターを使用する。 10
Use all the characters in the Tsukaima race mode.

なさけむようの体当たり 使い魔レースで累積で１０００回壁にぶつかる。 20
Hit the walls 1000 times in the Tsukaima race mode.

ぶつかりすぎてそんはない 使い魔レースで累積で１００００回壁にぶつかる。 20
Hit the walls 10,000 times in the Tsukaima race mode.

跳ねる心 使い魔レースで累積で１００回ジャンプする。 10
Jump 100 times in the Tsukaima race mode.

Ｓ級ジャンパー 使い魔レースで累積で１０００回ジャンプする。 20
Jump 1000 times in the Tsukaima race mode.

折れない心 使い魔レースでリトライを１０回する。 10
Retry a level 10 times in the Tsukaima race mode.

感動のセラミックボール 使い魔レースで全ステージ全キャラクターでクリアする。 30
Clear every stage with every character in the Tsukaima race mode.

ナイスなミドル タメコス氏を倒す。 アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。レベル不問。 15
Beat the boss Tamecos (Arcade/X-Mode)

クモ？雲？蜘蛛！！ タルタロスを倒す。 ⅡXモードのみ。レベル不問。 20
Beat the boss Tartaros (X-Mode only)

二匹の変な奴 マッドテディー＆マッドバニーを倒す。 ⅡXモードのみ。内部ランク不問。 20
Beat the boss Mad Teddy & Mad Bunny (X-Mode only)

変人 サタンクロウズを倒す。 アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。レベル不問。 40
Beat the boss Satan Claws (Arcade/X-Mode)

地獄への門 Lv3を5回選択する。ⅡXモードのみ。 15
Select Rank 3 five times in a row in X-Mode.

ご褒美 ショートケーキを獲得。ⅡXモードのみ。 10
Get the small cake in X-Mode.

1プレイの重み ノーコンテニューで各キャラクターでクリアする。ⅡXモードのみ。 70
1CC X-Mode with every character.

初クリア ゲームをクリアする。アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。レベル不問。 15
Clear Arcade or X-Mode (you can continue).

4億突破 スコアが4億点を超える。ⅡXのみ可。 10
Get 400 million points in X-Mode.

背伸び レベル１を選択せずにクリアする（コンテニュー不可）アーケード・ⅡＸどちらでも可 20
1CC the game without selecting Rank 1 (Arcade or X-Mode)

がんばりました！ 全てのキャラクターで2つのＥＤを見る。ⅡXモードのみ。 30
Watch both endings of every character in X-Mode.

初めの１０億 スコアが１０億点を超える。ⅡXのみ。 10
Get over 1 billion in X-Mode

開幕エクステンド余裕でした 1面でエクステンドする。アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。 10
Get the first extend in stage 1 (Arcade or X-Mode)

新たな使い魔使いの誕生 使い魔を投げる。レベル不問。 5
Throw your familiar in Arrange mode

使い魔を極めし者 アレンジモードをノーコンテニューでクリアする。レベル不問。 30
1CC arrange mode.

世界の平和は私が守る！ ショット、使い魔投げで敵弾を累計１０００００発消す。レベル不問。 20
Cancel 100,000 bullets using your shot or throwing your familiar. Arrange mode.

大きく育ちました 累計カウンタ１０万以上まで上げる。レベル不問。 20
Get over 100,000 on the overall counter in Arrange mode.

フルパワーを見せ付けろ パワーアップを６０秒以上続ける。レベル不問。 20
Stay in Power-Up for over 60 seconds (Arrange mode)

二人の力を合わせれば 使い魔を累計１００回投げる。レベル不問。 10
Throw your familiar 100 times in Arrange mode.

だだをこねないで ボスをテンションゲージ最大で撃破する。レベル不問。ボス問わず。 10
Beat any boss in Arrange mode when your Tension Gauge is at Maximum.

合言葉は１０２４ アイテムを１０２４個出現させる。レベル不問。種類問わず。 10
Get 1024 items to appear on the screen in Arrange mode.

ＭＰつかうな ボムが６個ある状態でマジックパワーを最大にする。レベル不問。 10
Hold 6 bombs and have your magic power at max (Arrange mode).

ハイテンション フィーバー状態を６０秒以上維持する。レベル不問。 20
Stay in Fever mode for over 60 seconds in Arrange mode.

魔法使い マジックアイテムを取得する。アーケード・ⅡXどちらでも可。 5
Get the Magic (Bomb replenishment) item (Arcade/X-Mode).


---------------------------------------------------------

SECRET
一球入魂   使い魔レースでジャンプ回数１回以内でクリアをした。   15
Beat a stage jumping one time or less [Tsukaima Race mode]

暴れ馬 使い魔レースでジャンプ回数１０回以上でステージをクリアした。 15
Beat a stage jumping 10 times or more [Tsukaima Race mode]

次元の扉から戻りし者 ピジョン・ブラッドジルバを倒した。 50
Beat the TLB, Pigeon Blood Jitterbug [X-Mode only]

俺の勝ちだ！   ピジョン・ブラッドジルバに倒された。   10
Be beaten by Pigeon Blood Jitterbug (i.e. end your game on him) [X-Mode only]

メリークリスマス 全てのステージでLv3を選択し廃楽園を通り宮殿をクリアした。ⅡXモードのみ。コンテニュー不可 100
Beat all stages at Rank 3, go to the amusement park EX stage, and beat the game. X-Mode only. No continues allowed.

連射王に私はなる！！ IIXモードで、ショットのみでゲームをクリアーした。（ボムは可） 20
In X-Mode, beat the game only using the Shot (you can also use bombs & the lock-shot. You just can NOT use the laser)

いよいよ40億突破 スコアが40億点を超えた。 30
Get over 4 billion points.

いよいよもって60億突破  スコアが60億点を超えた。ⅡXモードのみ可  40
Get over 6 billion points. X-Mode only.

悪夢は初めの一歩で 1面でゲームオーバーになった。 5
Get a Game Over on stage 1

更にご褒美 ⅡXモードで特大ケーキを獲得した。 20
Get the large Cake in X-Mode

続･お風呂マニア ⅡXモードで、フォレットのエンディングで｢おねだりをする｣を選択｡これを5回見る｡ 50
Beat the game with Follett, and select the first ending. Do this 5 times.

あると思ったでしょ?ありますよ。 任意のステージ中にポーズボタンを2回連続で押した。 5
Press the pause button 2 times in a row in any stage

臆病者 ⅡXモードで、ステージ・ランクセレクトで制限時間内に選択しなかった。 5
Let the game time out on the stage select screen in X-mode

(credit to EOJ @ cave-stg for the translations)

 

[TaKeRx]

Nice.... been wanting to try this game out.

 

[bon]

Cool, too bad it's not on a disc though.

EDIT: Wow wait, May 17th? That's soon!

 

[LiK]

cool! kinda wish there was a retail release but better than nothing!

 

[Daigoro]

Am I mistaken or was this one not supposed to be as good as the first? Never played it.

Damn 360 is shmup central huh? Its nuts.

 

[Risette]

Am I mistaken or was this one not supposed to be as good as the first? Never played it.

A lot of people who haven't played it judge it by it's (admittedly ugly) graphics, but I hear it's just as good or better than the first from people with opinions I trust who've actually played it.

 

[FINALFANTASYDOG]

http://cave-game.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2011/05/post-2950.html

$29.99

Google translate:

Human that doesn't know english grammar very well translation:

Death Smiles 2, just like it is, will be released on games on demand in North America.

The Microsoft rep told me this is a first step in experiment with this kind of release. They went through all the trouble of choosing us, so let's do it!

If things go well, this will tie in to many more titles that were only released in Japan being distributed online

 

[Baron]

Great news - wish there was a disc release, but with STG games I always buy them when they are available on demand regardless, even if it's a double-dip. I need my bullet hell on tap.

 

[The Broken Ska Record]

*looks at unplayed Deathsmiles on shelf*
Eh, I'll probably get this, too.

 

[Risette]

Human that doesn't know english grammar very well translation:

Death Smiles 2, just like it is, will be released on games on demand in North America.

The Microsoft rep told me this is a first step in experiment with this kind of release. They went through all the trouble of choosing us, so let's do it!

If things go well, this will tie in to many more titles that will only released in Japan being distributed by online

Thanks.

"just like it is" - I wonder if this means the text is untranslated, or if they haven't fucked with the slowdown like they did with Deathsmiles NA pre-patch?

 

[Linkhero1]

*looks at unplayed Deathsmiles on shelf*
Eh, I'll probably get this, too.

Same! Gotta play it someday.

 

[Lambtron]

OMG May 17th? Squeeeeeeeeeeee!

I wish this was physical, but I want more. Please promptly give us the rest of the shooters On Demand, Cave.

 

[LiK]

*looks at unplayed Deathsmiles on shelf*
Eh, I'll probably get this, too.

Same! Gotta play it someday.

c'mon, fun game and great music.

 

[SmokedMeat]

How does this compare to the first game? Oh, and thank you Bing Rewards, this one's on you!

 

[branny]

I'm getting this as soon as I can. I still can't believe it's coming over. I just hope there's no funny business with this port.

 

[FINALFANTASYDOG]

Thanks.

"just like it is" - I wonder if this means the text is untranslated, or if they haven't fucked with the slowdown like they did with Deathsmiles NA pre-patch?

Yeah, it's a pretty strong meaning of without any change, I'm assuming he means text, but it would also logically apply that they wouldn't change anything else.

 

[Daigoro]

holy crap may 17th? damn. sneaky. hope its good.

oh snap and i just ordered a 250 gig too! just in time.

 

[Lambtron]

Can I buy Games on Demand with Allards, or do I need to use my CC?

 

[Kusagari]

Awesome! I'll definitely get this.

 

[The Broken Ska Record]

c'mon, fun game and great music.

I played it for a little bit in an arcade in Austin, but unfortunately I have a pretty big backlog. D:

 

[Persona7]

Can I buy Games on Demand with Allards, or do I need to use my CC?

Yes, you can. You go to the page and it says "buy with microsoft points,press X" or something like that

 

[Kasumi1970]

can you use ms points on game on demand.

ps aksys you need to put Arcana Heart 3 on game on demand.

 

[epmode]

Am I mistaken or was this one not supposed to be as good as the first?

This is a common belief of people who never gave the game a fair shake.

It's uglier* than the first for sure but it plays very well.

*arcade mode is ugly. The 360-exclusive mode looks kind of OK!

 

[Diablohead]

I own deathsmiles but it's still wrapped, really want to fight that photo-real cow boss lol

 

[Lambtron]

I own deathsmiles but it's still wrapped, really want to fight that photo-real cow boss lol

Unwrap that shit. The game rules.

 

[LiK]

I own deathsmiles but it's still wrapped, really want to fight that photo-real cow boss lol

bring it. moo.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

Damn. Guess I'll be downloading it on the 17th.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

Europe...

 

[John Rabbit]

Y U NO DISC?

 

[Lafiel]

I hope Rising star games picks this up for physical release in the UK / Australia.

 

[epmode]

Y U NO DISC?

Digital distribution is a lifesaver for niche games like this.

 

[Vicglorious]

Wow, that's amazingly soon. I liked the first Deathsmiles a lot, so I hope I can fit this into my budget with this little notice. No rush, though... obviously the "print" isn't limited.

I'm pretty disappointed with the release being exclusively digital, though. That being said, in a financial sense I can completely understand Cave's hesitation with a physical disc release (and I'm guessing a North American publisher to localize the game and all). A Japanese bullet hell game is an extremely tough sell to the mainstream.

 

[Persona7]

Y U NO DISC?

it is either

no game whatsoever in NA

or digital download

i pick the one where i actually get to play it

 

[iconoclast]

Booooooooo Games on Demand. That means I won't be able to pick it up from the bargain bins for $10 in a month or two.

Not going to double dip until I can I get it discounted.

 

[Yes Boss!]

Yay!

No retail sux but better than nothing.

Also sux that MS IP blocks US consoles that exist in other parts of the world...no way to download on my US machine.

 

[Risette]

It's worth noting that this is self-published by Cave. Aksys or any other NA publisher has nothing to do with this. This also means there'll probably not be any disc release, ever.

Also, it's $20 cheaper than Deathsmiles 1 NA was on release. I can deal with digital only if there's a nice discount.

 

[Kafel]

Nice use of GoD.

I want that JP SRPG game with werewolves in Europe please (what's the title again?).

 

[Jack Random]

releasing niche import titles in this way is a fucking masterstroke, very pleased with this decision!

 

[iconoclast]

Nice use of GoD.

I want that JP SRPG game with werewolves in Europe please (what's the title again?).

Operation Darkness. And it's a great game.

Am I mistaken or was this one not supposed to be as good as the first? Never played it.

Damn 360 is shmup central huh? Its nuts.

It's not nearly as polished as the original, but it's still a pretty good game. Just rough around the edges. I'd put in Cave's B-tier (with A-tier games being Ketsui, Muchi Muchi Pork, Futari, and Death Smiles 1).

It's also an easier game to clear, so there's that.

 

[branny]

I want that JP SRPG game with werewolves in Europe please (what's the title again?).

Operation Darkness?

Fake edit: Beaten. ((

 

[dallow_bg]

Props to MS allowing this "Sony style".

Great to see.

 

[bon]

releasing niche import titles in this way is a fucking masterstroke, very pleased with this decision!

Yeah, I hope we see more stuff like this on Games on Demand. There are lots of Japan-only 360 games I'd like to play, but importing costs big money and some of them aren't region free.

 

[Kafel]

Operation Darkness. And it's a great game.

&branny

Thx. I beat the demo to death.

 

[WickedLaharl]

this kind of kills the theory that games have to be released at retail in a region before it can be released on demand, no?

if so i would really like to know why arcana heart 3 can't make it.

 

[Lambtron]

this kind of kills the theory that games have to be released at retail in a region before it can be released on demand, no?

if so i would really like to know why arcana heart 3 can't make it.

I'm thinking this might be a test to see if this is feasible. I hope that's the case, anyway!

 

[Chiaroscuro]

A little bit too stepy for a digital only release.

 

[CrunchinJelly]

The floodgates are being opened...

 

[Kafel]

wait wait wait

bring No More Heroes with that Operation Darkness!

 

[Automatisch]

I hope this means we'll see more stuff like it, including NMH: Heroes' Paradise and Bullet Soul.

 

[tearsofash]

I'm tingling with excitement!