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[Rainer70]

The controls are unorthodox more than anything, and that's not necessarily a bad quirk. The game feels remarkably tactile because of it, and it would've felt a lot less satisfying to play if the devs went for something more typical. I mean, it is what it is if it's not your cup of tea, but it's not the game's fault if you feel like you're flailing about.

Agreed, just got up to episode 3 and I really enjoy the controls after spending a lot of time dying and learning from my mistakes. I'm mostly always in mech form, and then switch to the airship as a last resort for missiles. A trick I use is to hold square and charge your sword attack at the same time and evade as you go in for a strike. You can also grab enemies and strike them while holding them.

If you haven't unlocked the mech form yet, get used to using the roll ability to evade missiles. If you're facing multiple ships at a time, use your agility to make them hit each other. Try your best to collect & buy laser upgrades. The L1 strafing is helpful too.

 

[Celegus]

I had no issues at all with the controls, they felt like butter since the first mission. So much fun switching between ship and mech. I only died once throughout the whole game against the Season 2 boss, so no thanks arcade mode. Hopefully season 5 is coming soon!

Best tips I can give would be abuse the juke all the time and charging head first into enemies (and juking over them) generally works better than trying to snipe, until your shields are shot obviously (then GTFO). I also rarely ever used the standard R2 thruster, only if I was sneaking past a group. Turbo allll day long.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Game is legit good. Will have to double dip on PC.

 

[NoSkillz187]

Did the update that added the free DLC for the final missions ever come out? Forgive me if I'm wrong but when this come out last year it didn't have all the content right? Not sure.

 

[grandwizard]

Keep playing until you get comfortable. The controls feel incredible IMO, much more satisfying to maneuver in than any twin stick shooter I've ever played. I've rarely felt so in control of and attuned to a character/ship as I did in Galak Z. That movement style combined with the thrust effects and missile trails also make it the perfect representation of the era of anime the game's paying homage to.

Yeah, the controls are the best part of the game. There is a level of mastery to them that you don't get with other games like this. Once you get the hang of them it feels really cool pulling off nice moves that would just take no effort with a traditional twin stick setup.

I just wish the game had more stuff in it to work around the great combat and controls. Where is season 5 already?

 

[Labolas]

I just got this on PS4. What's the general consensus?

 

[IbukiLordSA]

Game is awesome, I thoroughly enjoyed it when I played last year, 100% the game and eagerly awaiting Season 5.

 

[Labolas]

Season 5?

 

[yami4ct]

I just got this on PS4. What's the general consensus?

A really fun game that was held back by awful bugs at launch and some shady as shit business practices. The game is pretty much fixed now, and assuming you got it on PS+ the second one isn't as big a deal.

 

[Labolas]

Wow, okay. Yeah, I got it through PS+. So did they re-release it on PS4?

 

[yami4ct]

Wow, okay. Yeah, I got it through PS+. So did they re-release it on PS4?

Game was originally released on PS4, but had some awful frame hitching and crash bugs galore. Given that a crash mid episode meant you lost that season's progress, that was a huge issue. I had it happened probably a dozen times. It was unacceptable.

They added Arcade mode when they released it on PC and it got fixed on PS4 eventually, but I still can't shake the feeling I paid to beta test 17-bit's game for them. It also doesn't help that they sold the game incomplete with zero 'early access' style warning promising to finish it by the end of the year and still haven't delivered. I know they ran into some issues, but as a consumer that paid for a full title and not an Early Access one, I don't feel like I was adequately prepared for the issues and ultimately it left a really negative impression on me about both the game and 17-bit in general.

 

[Labolas]

Game was originally released on PS4, but had some awful frame hitching and crash bugs galore. Given that a crash mid episode meant you lost that season's progress, that was a huge issue. I had it happened probably a dozen times. It was unacceptable.

They added Arcade mode when they released it on PC and it got fixed on PS4 eventually, but I still can't shake the feeling I paid to beta test 17-bit's game for them. It also doesn't help that they sold the game incomplete with zero 'early access' style warning promising to finish it by the end of the year and still haven't delivered. I know they ran into some issues, but as a consumer that paid for a full title and not an Early Access one, I don't feel like I was adequately prepared for the issues and ultimately it left a really negative impression on me about both the game and 17-bit in general.

Damn, that sucks. So, I shouldn't be worried about any bugs? And btw are the seasons like episodes or something?

 

[yami4ct]

Damn, that sucks. So, I shouldn't be worried about any bugs? And btw are the seasons like episodes or something?

Basically, the game is divided into Seasons, which are sort of like worlds in Spelunky, but not really. Each time you finish a season, your progress is saved. You start a new season fresh. Each season is made up of multiple Episodes, which are randomly generated aside from the final boss level of each Season. If you die during an episode, you can buy back in with currency you earn and restart that episode, but you have to hunt down all your stuff that's now in a crate somewhere hidden in the Episode. You can also turn that currency into money to buy upgrades and just restart the whole season. That is usually the better option as getting good stuff earlier and having a better run is typically more fruitful than starting the same episode with nothing and having to carefully fight your way to get your stuff.

There are currently 4 seasons in the game, and a 5th one is supposed to be coming, but there's been no real indication of progress on that. The 5th season is obviously supposed to be there and the game is unfinished without it. Fun, but incomplete.

 

[Labolas]

Basically, the game is divided into Seasons, which are sort of like worlds in Spelunky, but not really. Each time you finish a season, your progress is saved. You start a new season fresh. Each season is made up of multiple Episodes, which are randomly generated aside from the final boss level of each Season. If you die during an episode, you can buy back in with currency you earn and restart that episode, but you have to hunt down all your stuff that's now in a crate somewhere hidden in the Episode. You can also turn that currency into money to buy upgrades and just restart the whole season. That is usually the better option as getting good stuff earlier and having a better run is typically more fruitful than starting the same episode with nothing and having to carefully fight your way to get your stuff.

There are currently 4 seasons in the game, and a 5th one is supposed to be coming, but there's been no real indication of progress on that. The 5th season is obviously supposed to be there and the game is unfinished without it. Fun, but incomplete.

All right, cool Thanks for the info and tips. I really appreciate it.

 

[yami4ct]

All right, cool Thanks for the info and tips. I really appreciate it.

All of this is true for the regular mode. Arcade mode checkpoints after every episode, so if whatever they call classic mode is too hard for you, give that a try. I haven't played the game since I finished Season 4 near launch, so I can't tell you that much about Arcade which recently got added to PS4.

 

[Lebneney]

Basically, the game is divided into Seasons, which are sort of like worlds in Spelunky, but not really. Each time you finish a season, your progress is saved. You start a new season fresh. Each season is made up of multiple Episodes, which are randomly generated aside from the final boss level of each Season. If you die during an episode, you can buy back in with currency you earn and restart that episode, but you have to hunt down all your stuff that's now in a crate somewhere hidden in the Episode. You can also turn that currency into money to buy upgrades and just restart the whole season. That is usually the better option as getting good stuff earlier and having a better run is typically more fruitful than starting the same episode with nothing and having to carefully fight your way to get your stuff.

There are currently 4 seasons in the game, and a 5th one is supposed to be coming, but there's been no real indication of progress on that. The 5th season is obviously supposed to be there and the game is unfinished without it. Fun, but incomplete.

That's actually really interesting. I was wondering why the game seemed shortish, but with the added replay value of upgrading your ship, I'm on board. On top of that, the art style is fun and unique, it really gives me that Saturday morning cartoon vibe.

 

[Curufinwe]

I'm up to 2-2 playing on Arcade mode. It's been lots of fun so far, but I'm getting those hitches quite often.

 

[Maggo007]

Ok there is no patch out in europe or at least austria.

Does anyone have a problem with your shots disappearing after they leave the screen? It's not even a fixed distance after they disappear.

I made a short video to show what i am talking about. It's the PS4 version.
https://youtu.be/5Vtx9r26SzA

You can see that by moving the camera i can get hits onto the turret that is offscreen. That's the problem I have with this game everything just vanishes if it is offscreen. Even the AI will stop fighting or chasing you. Is this different in the PC version?

The second problem I have with this game is that i don't like the robot mode. It feels like cheating if i use it in an one on one fight against smaller ships and i just grab them and kill them.

I was so ready for another roguelike/light after spending so much time with binding of isaac but was just disappointed by the lack of variety in items and unlocks. It feels like you never get anything after a run ends.

 

[Celegus]

Maybe I'm just more forgiving than most, but I didn't notice any kind of slowdown or hitching that negatively impacted my experience (on PS4). Maybe a couple times, but nothing noteworthy.

 

[mattmanp]

After update that added Arcade Mode, my ship will no longer fire bullets at all. Not thrilled.

 

[VariantX]

After update that added Arcade Mode, my ship will no longer fire bullets at all. Not thrilled.

This. I was in the middle of a mission and I was overwhelmed because I couldnt use my sword or my guns to defend myself. Then when the quick restart prompt appeared, I saw PC key prompts instead of the X, O buttons you would normally see on console. Im guessing that might have something to do with it. But fuck, this game becomes alot more fun and addictive when you finally figure out the controls and just get in that "zone" and start weaving through bullets and obstacles without even thinking about it. Also, there is the occasional bit of stuttering. Like it just freezes for a moment, then skips ahead and everything warps ahead.

 

[IISANDERII]

Game is unplayable!!!

I'm on PS4 and the game thinks this is the PC version, the mouse prompts come up and it won't let me shoot, X doesn't work! The rest of the control is fine. Restarting the game is no help. Is there a solution to this issue?????

 

[Weltall Zero]

After update that added Arcade Mode, my ship will no longer fire bullets at all. Not thrilled.

Game is unplayable!!!

I'm on PS4 and the game thinks this is the PC version, the mouse prompts come up and it won't let me shoot, X doesn't work! The rest of the control is fine. Restarting the game is no help. Is there a solution to this issue?????

Oh my. I wouldn't want to be in the shoes of 17-bit if this is a generalized issue (I won't test since I'm in between chapters in the middle of a season). In a bigger company, some heads would surely roll.

 

[25_Cans_Of_Bacon]

Ok there is no patch out in europe or at least austria.

Does anyone have a problem with your shots disappearing after they leave the screen? It's not even a fixed distance after they disappear.

I made a short video to show what i am talking about. It's the PS4 version.
https://youtu.be/5Vtx9r26SzA

You can see that by moving the camera i can get hits onto the turret that is offscreen. That's the problem I have with this game everything just vanishes if it is offscreen. Even the AI will stop fighting or chasing you. Is this different in the PC version?

The second problem I have with this game is that i don't like the robot mode. It feels like cheating if i use it in an one on one fight against smaller ships and i just grab them and kill them.

I was so ready for another roguelike/light after spending so much time with binding of isaac but was just disappointed by the lack of variety in items and unlocks. It feels like you never get anything after a run ends.

I'm on PC and can hit enemies offscreen, as well as have them pursue me. Some of them chase for quite a while (the long guys with the missiles), only showing their arrows.

 

[NoFaceNico]

Just finished it on PS4. Pretty good but I agree- way way waaayyy too many bugs. When I first started it it would not finish the first act without crashing after the last boss was defeated. Then tons of random bugs, hiccups and crashes galore. Plus a 2GB update. Holy shit this game is fucked.

One of the more exciting bugs was when I completed the objective and then it wouldn't let me fire at all. So I had to make it to the warp point while dodging and outrunning enemies all along the way and just narrowly made it out.

It won't let me access Act 5, I'm guessing that's coming later?? I think that's what it said. But then I read other people here talking about a sequel? Am I missing something??

It's really sad that such a great game is let down by these problems. Just when I want to get excited and praise its design, it fucking crashes. Thankfully it's been saving my progress but I'm still very disappointed with the apparent lack of QA testing.

I also read someone say there's some shady shit going on behind the scenes. Is there a link or a good post laying that out?

 

[@MUWANdo]

It won't let me access Act 5, I'm guessing that's coming later?? I think that's what it said. But then I read other people here talking about a sequel? Am I missing something??

I also read someone say there's some shady shit going on behind the scenes. Is there a link or a good post laying that out?

No, Act 5 isn't out yet and will be released later as a free update (if we're lucky).

I don't think there's anything shady going on... the tl;dr is they lost their main (and possiblt only) programmer months ago and they've been floundering ever since.

 

[7DollarHagane]

I guess I'm glad I played a lot of this before it got broken

 

[ZdkDzk]

PS4. I beat season 2 on rogue yesterday, but today it's back to just being the first 2 seasons. I started season 3 (didn't go on any missions though) and have the trophy, but it's not a selectable option anymore. I'm sort of okay with redoing it, but I don't want to run into the problem a second time.

 

[Curufinwe]

I wish there was a way to grind for salvage. When I beat missions j usually barely have enough to buy anything but a Shields Overcharge

 

[25_Cans_Of_Bacon]

I wish there was a way to grind for salvage. When I beat missions j usually barely have enough to buy anything but a Shields Overcharge

Usually if you fly around the exit portal you'll run into enough enemies to accrue 1k+, though I don't know how true this is for seasons pre 4.

 

[Gen X]

About to try this for the first time via remote play on my Vita.

 

[julesodies]

Everytime this thread gets bumped I think Season 5 is released. So many disappointments

 

[25_Cans_Of_Bacon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZIiMPVTsGs

I'm disappointed this game hasn't gotten the credit it deserves. Hard to hear it's bombed financially.

 

[Tetsuo9999]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZIiMPVTsGs

I'm disappointed this game hasn't gotten the credit it deserves. Hard to hear it's bombed financially.

The game has a steep learning curve, and the difficulty spikes hit you hard before you even have a full grasp of the mechanics. The long wait for the final episode and PC version features on PS4 hasn't done it any favors either. It seems like it released at a bad time for the studio and they went into a large move/transitional phase right after it released. Last I heard they don't have a programmer, so their hands are tied and they can't add anything to the game right now. I played it for quite a few hours and felt like I got my money's worth, but episode 4 pissed me off with all the HP sponge enemies and instant death scenarios. They mentioned that they wanted to rebalance/tweak things, but I guess the transitional phase prevented that from happening yet. Making it a PS+ game definitely put more eyes their direction, but the game's steep learning curve and hard-to-use controls probably meant that many PS+ users gave it more than a few minutes of time.

 

[25_Cans_Of_Bacon]

The game has a steep learning curve, and the difficulty spikes hit you hard before you even have a full grasp of the mechanics. The long wait for the final episode and PC version features on PS4 hasn't done it any favors either. It seems like it released at a bad time for the studio and they went into a large move/transitional phase right after it released. Last I heard they don't have a programmer, so their hands are tied and they can't add anything to the game right now. I played it for quite a few hours and felt like I got my money's worth, but episode 4 pissed me off with all the HP sponge enemies and instant death scenarios. They mentioned that they wanted to rebalance/tweak things, but I guess the transitional phase prevented that from happening yet. Making it a PS+ game definitely put more eyes their direction, but the game's steep learning curve and hard-to-use controls probably meant that many PS+ users gave it more than a few minutes of time.

I could agree on the learning curve but once the controls are grasped the game blossoms.....it plays like a delicate dance. I've put around 570+ hours on it so far, still playing through Season 4 at least once a day, and've yet to get tired of it. They did something right. Unfortunately I'm coming to believe it will never be finished (despite their recent reassurances), and suspect it may end up being 17 bit's last effort which would be a real shame as they're a talented studio that scratches that core retro itch of fundamental, down to the metal mechanics focused gameplay that Galak-Z nails nigh flawlessly.

Despite its flaws, I consider Galak-Z to be the best shooter I've ever played, and I've played a lot so I don't make that statement lightly. It's a brilliant game, and its state is depressing.

 

[2blackcats]

570+ hours? You are one dedicated mofo.

Just installed it earlier.

Enjoying it so far although I found the art style a little disappointing. Was expecting more of a manga vibe. Not sure where or when I got that impression from.

 

[25_Cans_Of_Bacon]

570+ hours? You are one dedicated mofo.

Just installed it earlier.

Enjoying it so far although I found the art style a little disappointing. Was expecting more of a manga vibe. Not sure where or when I got that impression from.

Ha, yea. Only game that's held my interest consistently so long after release as the physics based mechanics make it a joy to play. Like Dirt Rally, there's always the sense of being barely in control, which makes it all the more gratifying when you're able to squeeze by situations by a hair's breadth. Without physics, this game wouldn't be nearly what it is.

Glad you're liking it, if it gets difficult just give it time and practice, practice, practice. Don't give up, it pays off and does get easier.

 

[ArjanN]

570+ hours? You are one dedicated mofo.

Just installed it earlier.

Enjoying it so far although I found the art style a little disappointing. Was expecting more of a manga vibe. Not sure where or when I got that impression from.

It's has a whole bunch of manga/anime influences in the art/animations, but the actual characters look more like saturday morning characters.

 

[Bananastand]

Finally some news about Season 5!

Congrats on finishing season 4! Season 5 DLC is coming soon and with a few surprises!!

 

[25_Cans_Of_Bacon]

Good to hear. Hopefully alongside an endurance mode, this game screams for one.

 

[Bananastand]

More Galak-Z news: BETA test The Void, GALAK-Z's new downloadable content! Free 4/14-4/18 if you own #GALAKZ on Steam.

 

[jetjevons]

More Galak-Z news: BETA test The Void, GALAK-Z's new downloadable content! Free 4/14-4/18 if you own #GALAKZ on Steam.

Ooh.

 

[Harlock]

Finally some news about Season 5!

Just beat Season 4, in Rogue mode. Waiting for the 5. I can´t die. Go back without the boost and fire upgrades going to be a pain.

 

[Akibared]

Got my copy from indiebox it's so fucking cool I don't want to open it!

 

[levious]

Is the endless mode season 5?

 

[Bananastand]

Galak-Z The Void Launchtrailer

Pretty good trailer.

Season 5 is The Void basically. Looking forward to this coming to the PS4!

 

[Weltall Zero]

Awesome to hear it finally gets a true roguelike mode.

Got my copy from indiebox it's so fucking cool I don't want to open it!

Make an unboxing video! It doesn't transform, right?

 

[me0wish]

Awesome to hear it finally gets a true roguelike mode.



Make an unboxing video! It doesn't transform, right?

Nope, but you get a small figure of the ship transformation, its pretty cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azFlH1dzd8E

I was thinking of doing an unboxing video as I hate all the indiebox unboxing videos, all of them are very poorly made with zero editing.

 

[25_Cans_Of_Bacon]

I hate to be a party pooper here about this new mode, the Void, but what the hell were the developers thinking?

The screen is so cluttered with space debris that it is not enjoyable to play. It's not bad enough that we have to avoid the void borders and fly in a narrow (rotating) corridor, but we have to also fight enemies that are far more aggressive, that can now juke, fire three missiles at a time, in a junkyard where there's barely any area to maneuver without constantly slamming into things or employ tactics or approach. This really feels like artificial difficulty, and not skill contingent (as the original seasons were). I felt that there were a bit too many asteroids in the original game but it was manageable and never got in the way too much, but compared to here, it was empty space. Adding a million obstacles to fly around adds nothing to the experience except frustration, and it's hard to dogfight.

A large part of the fun of Galak-Z has been having the room to play around with the physics based model and flying. The way it is now is claustrophobic and it impedes that, and it's just not fun. *sigh* Back to the missions I guess.

 

[Bananastand]

I hate to be a party pooper here about this new mode, the Void, but what the hell were the developers thinking?

The screen is so cluttered with space debris that it is not enjoyable to play. It's not bad enough that we have to avoid the void borders and fly in a narrow (rotating) corridor, but we have to also fight enemies that are far more aggressive, that can now juke, fire three missiles at a time, in a junkyard where there's barely any area to maneuver without constantly slamming into things or employ tactics or approach. This really feels like artificial difficulty, and not skill contingent (as the original seasons were). I felt that there were a bit too many asteroids in the original game but it was manageable and never got in the way too much, but compared to here, it was empty space. Adding a million obstacles to fly around adds nothing to the experience except frustration, and it's hard to dogfight.

A large part of the fun of Galak-Z has been having the room to play around with the physics based model and flying. The way it is now is claustrophobic and it impedes that, and it's just not fun. *sigh* Back to the missions I guess.

Hmm, that doesn't sound that fun. I'm wondering if it's the same everytime or if you just got unlucky with that much space junk.