Earthion - from composer Yuzo Koshiro and developer Ancient Corp. - releases July 31

near

near

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Legendary developer Ancient Corporation and composer Yuzo Koshiro have announced a release date for Earthion. A shmup natively developed to run on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It will get a physical release from Limited Run Games in the West, and a Superdeluxe Games in Japan sometime in October for both PS5 and Switch. With the digital release scheduled for July 31 on Xbox Series, PS4/5, Switch and Steam.



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superdeluxegames.jp

Earthion（アーシオン）

SUPERDELUXE GAMES（スーパーデラックスゲームス）は、日本国内にて最高品質のパッケージ版ゲームを販売するパブリッシャーです。名作ゲームの通常版パッケージやスパデラ限定のコレクターズエディションなどを丁寧に企画、製造、販売しています。
superdeluxegames.jp superdeluxegames.jp
earthiongame.com

Earthion - Earthion

Return to the genesis of 16-bit gaming with Ancient's brand new shoot 'em up, Earthion!
earthiongame.com earthiongame.com

 
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Looking forward to this, would be considering getting the physical cart too but... limited run games
 
There's going to be an ultimate exA-Arcadia version of the game too. As usual for exa editions with additional content & modes.
No price yet, but it's going to cost somewhere between 800-1,900 smackers.

exa.ac

EARTHION EXA LABEL - exA-Arcadia

More info coming soon Game Information: Players: 1 Genre: Shooter Languages: English, Japanese JVS’ Compatible: Yes Input Lag: 1 Frame Monitor: Horizontal (Recommended), Vertical HD Aspect Ratio: 16:9 SD Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Licensor: Ancient Developer: Ancient & exA-Arcadia TEAM-EXA AM6...
exa.ac exa.ac
 
Watched some gameplay on YT. Looks great!
Huge artwork in the cutscenes is nice and the music is solid in a standard mid-90s shmuppy way. Still - doesn't look like a contender vs. TFIV for top shmup on the system. TFIV was a really special combination of graphical technology, level creativity, art direction, and music. (Some sequences in Earthion look like they're straight out of TFIV!)
 
Can't wait to play this later alongside Ragebound.

So glad we're still getting shump releases. Now if only I could knuckle down and do a 1CC...
 
I love the ship animations at the start/end of the level that makes it look like sprite scaling. Must be a lot of memory for a Genesis cartridge.
 
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If this game had come out for the Genesis back in the day, it would have been an event. It's pushing the hardware to its very limit, but not cheating with things the Genesis couldn't do like sprite scaling. It's very Thunderforce-esque with a rocking soundtrack on the Yamaha YM2612. You get the signature sound with the 'crunch' in all of the sound effects. I hate that the EXA has a more fully featured version, but damn I'm glad this game exists.

Edit: I'm wondering if modders are going to mod in the EXA exclusive things in the future as this game has like 5 variant soundtracks and I bet this version still has all of the stuff just locked away in code. (Steam) Edit: More research done on the EXA extras, it turns out EXA has a team dedicated to adding stuff to their ports beyond what Ancient did, so doubtful that we'll get those extras added to the game unless a mod team dedicates their own time to add the things in themselves.
Edit: Beaten. Wow, this game was an experience.
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Just beat it and wow. Incredible Genesis game. If this had come out back in the day, it would be considered one of the best on the console. The soundtrack fucking rules too. Doesn't sound like some soulless chiptune garbage we get with most of these throwback games. I'm wondering if you unlock anything or get a different ending at higher difficulties. Gameplay wise, it feels smooth as butter. The ship speed and movement is perfect. There was some slowdown I think on the 5th stage. Otherwise, runs great and looks like it's going to push the limits of the Genesis. I didn't even know this game existed until yesterday. Great surprise.
 
This game is going to live or die based on it's difficulty. Devil Blade Reboot was cool but way too easy so it had absolutely no longevity. Was the 1CC too easy? That's what I'm worried about the most.
 
Porcile said:
This game is going to live or die based on it's difficulty. Devil Blade Reboot was cool but way too easy so it had absolutely no longevity. Was the 1CC too easy? That's what I'm worried about the most.
Click to expand...

I think it's going to appeal more to the retro crowd and Sega fans. The soundtrack is amazing and it's graphically pushing the Genesis to it's absolute limits. When you mention difficulty, I'm assuming you're talking about the SHMUP community. I don't think it was made for those people. The shield mechanic in particular makes it more forgiving and the hardcore SHMUP people will be turned off by it, I'm sure.

I'm going to try a harder difficulty tomorrow. I believe there's 4 different settings. Pretty sure a 1CC will be doable. It's difficult in spots and can be hectic, but the shield mechanic makes up for that.
 
Looks cool, bought. It will act as a perfect palate cleanser between longer games, thanks for the thread OP!
 
So when you pick up the adaptation pod to one weapon slot near the end of the level you open up a "shop" from which you can level up your ship OR get a unique special weapon!

Edit: You just have to finish the level with the adaptation pod in one of your weapon slots for the "shop" to open.
 
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This game is full of passion and care, you can really tell. The game has a soul unlike a lot of AAA games being made these days. They developers were so invested in this and it showed in every level and small detail.
 
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