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The Mega-Cave Shooter Post, because they're totally awesome and sweet

N

Nikashi

Banned
For Deathsmiles, is it just me or is Rosa WAAAY more damaging than anyone else? I used to use Windia, but now I'm straight up Rosa only. Follette is USELESS damagewise, and seems to have crap range on her familiar. Is there something I'm missing with the other characters?

Also not really understanding when to use the Power up when it's NOT at 100, Rosa's familiar just runs behind me when I press it so nothing gets targeted correctly, and it doesn't seem to do THAT much more damage. Anything I should be doing?
 
D

danmaku

Member
You're right, Rosa is the character that deals the most damage, she's so powerful that Cave nerfed her a bit in Mega Black Label lol
 
T

Tain

Member
The Mushihimesama news is definitely crazy. I'm kinda annoyed that they're making a new PCB yet still haven't mentioned anything about any new arcade games.

Gaspode_T said:
Asada said in an interview that they fixed all the complaints about arcade Akai Katana for the home release, which is probably part of why it miraculously is getting good reviews even from Weekly Famitsu
Click to expand...

Weekly Famitsu's opinions and the opinions of Japanese arcade-goers who might have complained about Akai Katana are almost guaranteed to have nothing to do with each other!
 
I

iconoclast

Member
Follett is actually very strong, you just need to get her familiar as close to enemies as possible. And her lock-shot is probably the best one in the game.

Casper is the only one I don't like playing as in DS1. I haven't played her much though; I just got the 1cc and ditched her for good.
 
DCharlie

DCharlie

And even i am moderately surprised
I'm kinda annoyed that they're making a new PCB yet still haven't mentioned anything about any new arcade games.
Click to expand...

they did - they mentioned they are on a haitus for 12 months in terms of new arcade stuff for this year (i think! or at least i could swear that's what i read)

went board crazy last week and picked up Ibara, Espgaluda and DDP DOJ.
 
B

BocoDragon

or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
*holds breath for high res Xbox 360 port of Mushihimesama 1.5 with included original 1.0 version/soundtrack*
 
T

Tain

Member
whatup canada/mexico

Cave said:
I apologize for the delay. Microsoft has let us know that Deathsmiles IIX will be available on May 24th(North American time) for Canada and Mexico. Thank you for all of your feedback, I hope you are enjoying the game.
Click to expand...

DCharlie said:
they did - they mentioned they are on a haitus for 12 months in terms of new arcade stuff for this year (i think! or at least i could swear that's what i read)
Click to expand...

Oh. I thought I had last read that they were unsure about future arcade game development and would comment on it after Akai Katana Shin released.

Speaking of, I had to delay my Akai Katana Shin shipment until the third or so, to be sure that I was all settled in a new apartment. Sucks!
 
N

nexen

Member
My copy of Espgaluda II Black Label came in the mail on saturday so I spent the weekend blasting away at it.
I'm happy to report that this is currently my favorite bullet hell shmup. I feel like I am actually improving while I play it and the crushing wall of difficulty these usually smack me with isn't so crushing.

I'm not entirely sure I know what the hell is going on though. Can someone who knows clue me in some here?

There is an attack I use that allows me to move at full speed and an attack that slows me down and seems to (usually) be more focused. I'm guessing it is higher damage for bosses and minibosses but I'm not sure.

Another button flips modes and slows down bullets until I run out of gems and then the bullets go faster. While in this mode I collect gold thingies instead of gems and they seem to power up if I get enough without getting smacked down. Wtf are these for?

Then there is the "bomb" which makes me invulnerable and drains the green bar. If I let go it does a super attack and it seems to be bigger the longer I hold it. I thought it was due to absorbing shots at first but it still grows when I don't hit any.

Are these things supposed to be angels or what? What is the story here? What is with the laughing a**hole with the giant transforming tank? Who are the two kids at the end?

I'm also considering importing the other region-free Cave shooters. Are any others as good as this one? I prefer top-down, more straightforward ones. I did not care for DeathSmiles.

Thanks!
 
R

Risette

A Good Citizen
I'm also considering importing the other region-free Cave shooters. Are any others as good as this one? I prefer top-down, more straightforward ones. I did not care for DeathSmiles.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Get Mushihimesama Futari and Muchi Muchi Pork / Pink Sweets. But prioritize Futari.
 
H

hipgnosis

Member
nexen said:
That is the one I'm considering, yeah. The platinum version is relatively cheap too.
Click to expand...
That's the one you should definitely get next, such an awesome game. Also consider Muchi Muchi Pork/Pink Sweets double pack, they are both awesome games.
 
N

nexen

Member
hipgnosis said:
That's the one you should definitely get next, such an awesome game. Also consider Muchi Muchi Pork/Pink Sweets double pack, they are both awesome games.
Click to expand...
Checking out the youtubes it looks fantastic. I'll definitely get that one when my funds recover a little.

Shin Red Katana looks amazing too. OOOH NOOO REGION LOCKED! Booo.
 
HitokiriNate85

HitokiriNate85

Member
nexen said:
My copy of Espgaluda II Black Label came in the mail on saturday so I spent the weekend blasting away at it.

I'm also considering importing the other region-free Cave shooters. Are any others as good as this one? I prefer top-down, more straightforward ones. I did not care for DeathSmiles.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Did you get a copy of the Platinum Hits Black Label(is that the only version since the original release?)? If so, I take it you meant that it is region free. I was wondering since I couldn't find solid info. on whether or not it was region free(I know it originally was, but that's not much of a guarantee). The price for a copy is pretty nice, though at the same time, I want to support the release of any more US distributed Cave games.

As for other top-down shooters, I have Mushihimesama Futari and really love it. I suck at it, but it's a ton of fun and has really great art design and an awesome soundtrack.

Here's a trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG0pyFWlqxw

It has also been rereleased for the 360 in the Plat. collection, but again, I don't know if it's actually region free or not(I think for the original 360 release, there were both region free and non-region free copies. Could someone chime in on that?). Either way, I recommend checking it out.

What didn't you like about DS? It's much different than your average top-down shooter, and I don't care for the loli-ness, but I really like it. Great music and humor, and it's a blast to play co-op.
 
N

nexen

Member
HitokiriNate85 said:
Did you get a copy of the Platinum Hits Black Label(is that the only version since the original release?)? If so, I take it you meant that it is region free. I was wondering since I couldn't find solid info. on whether or not it was region free(I know it originally was, but that's not much of a guarantee). The price for a copy is pretty nice, though at the same time, I want to support the release of any more US distributed Cave games.

As for other top-down shooters, I have Mushihimesama Futari and really love it. I suck at it, but it's a ton of fun and has really great art design and an awesome soundtrack.

Here's a trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG0pyFWlqxw

It has also been rereleased for the 360 in the Plat. collection, but again, I don't know if it's actually region free or not(I think for the original 360 release, there were both region free and non-region free copies. Could someone chime in on that?). Either way, I recommend checking it out.

What didn't you like about DS? It's much different than your average top-down shooter, and I don't care for the loli-ness, but I really like it. Great music and humor, and it's a blast to play co-op.
Click to expand...
I can confirm that Espgaluda II Black Label Platinum is region free. It plays happily on the xbox 360 I bought from a wal-mart in Texas.

I didn't like DeathSmiles for a few reasons:

1. The Loli aspect made it really hard for me to get into.
2. Extreme wall of difficulty and I did not feel like I was improving at it.
3. Gameplay was overcomplicated. I especially did not like the way you move your imp. (there is one mode where you can manually move it with the right stick. I felt that all modes should have been like this)
4. Didn't care for the graphics/art style that much. Espgaluda is very pretty but I find DeathSmiles to be odd and ugly. Something about the Japanese take on halloween horror didn't click with me.

#2 and #3 were probably the dealbreakers.


Mushihimesama is my next shmup get for sure.
 
T

Tain

Member
The Deathsmiles wall of difficulty I often hear about is pretty much entirely due to Cave's goofy-ass decision to allow players to play level 1 as much as they want in 360 mode. Arcade mode is where you go for the original, smooth difficulty curve.
 
P

Princess Skittles

Prince's's 'Skittle's
Tain said:
The Deathsmiles wall of difficulty I often hear about is pretty much entirely due to Cave's goofy-ass decision to allow players to play level 1 as much as they want in 360 mode. Arcade mode is where you go for the original, smooth difficulty curve.
Click to expand...
That's DeathSmiles IIX.

DeathSmiles I 360 mode still only allows two uses of Level 1.
 
Y

Yes Boss!

Member
Get Mushi Futari for sure! THE Cave desert island disc, no contest.

And YAY! It us Akai Katana release week. Can't wait to see them start showing up in the pick-up thread.
 
T

Tain

Member
Princess Skittles said:
That's DeathSmiles IIX.

DeathSmiles I 360 mode still only allows two uses of Level 1.
Click to expand...

I remember reading that the 360 mode of Deathsmiles allowed for unlimited uses of level 1 even before IIX retail was released. I could swear that's the case. I think I even saw friends try it.
 
N

nexen

Member
Hm. I'll try DeathSmiles again tonight to see. I need some achievements out of it anyways :D
I do remember that the first time I played it felt easy until the volcano level and then the castle destroyed me.
 
P

Princess Skittles

Prince's's 'Skittle's
Tain said:
I remember reading that the 360 mode of Deathsmiles allowed for unlimited uses of level 1 even before IIX retail was released. I could swear that's the case; I think I even saw friends try it.
Click to expand...
I am pretty sure it is not as I would probably have some of those 1CC achievements by now.
 
D

danmaku

Member
nexen said:
I'm not entirely sure I know what the hell is going on though. Can someone who knows clue me in some here?

There is an attack I use that allows me to move at full speed and an attack that slows me down and seems to (usually) be more focused. I'm guessing it is higher damage for bosses and minibosses but I'm not sure.
Click to expand...

You guessed right, laser is more powerful and it's especially useful against bosses and strong enemies in general.

Another button flips modes and slows down bullets until I run out of gems and then the bullets go faster. While in this mode I collect gold thingies instead of gems and they seem to power up if I get enough without getting smacked down. Wtf are these for?
Click to expand...

Points, just points. When you destroy an enemy in kakusei (the "slow motion mode"), all the bullets he fired turn to gold. You can stay in kakusei as long as you have green gems. There's also a second type of kakusei (zetsushikai), you activate it by holding down the button. Usually it makes the game harder (it spawns more bullets when you cancel them) and allows you to score higher.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6281&start=0 ;)

Then there is the "bomb" which makes me invulnerable and drains the green bar. If I let go it does a super attack and it seems to be bigger the longer I hold it. I thought it was due to absorbing shots at first but it still grows when I don't hit any.
Click to expand...

Right again. Your bomb's power depends only on how long you keep the button pressed.

Are these things supposed to be angels or what? What is the story here? What is with the laughing a**hole with the giant transforming tank? Who are the two kids at the end?
Click to expand...

http://hardcoregaming101.net/espgaluda/espgaluda.htm ;)

edit: Death Smiles 360 mode lets you choose rank 1 for every level. It forces a limit only if you play Arcade mode.
 
I

iconoclast

Member
Been playing some Ketsui over the last couple days on shmupmame. I've been wanting to play the 360 version for the last few weeks, but since my US console is still in the dashboard beta, I can't go online with JP console until I get the new update. But anyway, I just had a pretty nice run: got the 1-ALL with 2 spare lives and I beat my old score by a good 10m. I've still got lots of room for improvement, but I think I can start aiming for the tsuujou loop now.

5cZF9.jpg


Still my favorite shooter ever... though Futari 1.5 Maniac is a really close second.
 
T

Tain

Member
Nice!

gotta love that 2:1 pixel aspect ratio.

I remember hitting stage 5 in Ketsui and then struggling like mad to get there again. I think I was really tired that week. Very frustrating.
 
I

iconoclast

Member
Yeah, the game can be pretty frustrating if you don't know the exact layouts of each stage. It really forces you to play aggressively, so it's important to know exactly what you need do next. Some parts are still hard as hell though... like dat fucking reverse scroll.

That's one big advantage for MAME though. Setting up a bunch of different save states makes practicing any individual section a lot easier.
 
M

mjemirzian

Banned
iconoclast said:
Been playing some Ketsui over the last couple days on shmupmame. I've been wanting to play the 360 version for the last few weeks, but since my US console is still in the dashboard beta, I can't go online with JP console until I get the new update. But anyway, I just had a pretty nice run: got the 1-ALL with 2 spare lives and I beat my old score by a good 10m. I've still got lots of room for improvement, but I think I can start aiming for the tsuujou loop now.

5cZF9.jpg


Still my favorite shooter ever... though Futari 1.5 Maniac is a really close second.
Click to expand...
Congrats!
 
D

Daigoro

Member
damn. this page reminds me that i need to pick up Espgaluda 2 Platinum. ive never played the game.

gotta fix that this year for sure.

Princess Skittles said:
I am pretty sure it is not as I would probably have some of those 1CC achievements by now.
Click to expand...

odd. ive only 1cc'd a handful of games in my life (all easy ones), and DS is one of them. pretty sure i did it with just about all the characters except possibly one.

its pretty easy if you take the right path and get the food items. check out that faq over at Cave STG.
 
M

mjemirzian

Banned
Anything that brings them back to their classic shmup roots and away from the bullet cancel 100+% slowdown nonsense of daifukkatsu would be welcome to me.
 
HitokiriNate85

HitokiriNate85

Member
I just played the Arrange mode of Mushihime Futari tonight(after having had the game for a good while) and....I have no idea what the point was. Does the scoring still work the same? There was such an insane amount of shit on screen that I was just trying to avoid getting hit. Not that it was very difficult; between the bubble around you that slows bullets and the focus attack that repels them, you can pretty much avoid getting hit at all times. So, what's the deal? I only switched characters when one of them would basically stop working, so to speak(when one would lose the shield). Could someone explain to me the general idea of arrange?

Also, while I'm asking one question about MF, could someone chime in on whether or not the black label content is worth it to a casual player? I play shooters because I enjoy them, not because I'm a serious competitor or good at them. If there were extra levels I'd get it in a second, but it sounds more like content for competitive players, though the color swap for some stages sounds pretty cool.
 
B

BocoDragon

or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
tearsofash said:
Pretty sure that footage is from the new Arcade-only Matsuri version of mushihimesama futari ver 1.5
Click to expand...
It's not Futari though.. it's a new mode of the first game.
 
R

Risette

A Good Citizen
HitokiriNate85 said:
I just played the Arrange mode of Mushihime Futari tonight(after having had the game for a good while) and....I have no idea what the point was. Does the scoring still work the same? There was such an insane amount of shit on screen that I was just trying to avoid getting hit. Not that it was very difficult; between the bubble around you that slows bullets and the focus attack that repels them, you can pretty much avoid getting hit at all times. So, what's the deal? I only switched characters when one of them would basically stop working, so to speak(when one would lose the shield). Could someone explain to me the general idea of arrange?

Also, while I'm asking one question about MF, could someone chime in on whether or not the black label content is worth it to a casual player? I play shooters because I enjoy them, not because I'm a serious competitor or good at them. If there were extra levels I'd get it in a second, but it sounds more like content for competitive players, though the color swap for some stages sounds pretty cool.
Click to expand...
Black Label is easier so it's actually better for a more casual player, I think.

Don't bother with Futari arrange.
 
Y

Yes Boss!

Member
Princess Skittles said:
Lucky boys!

I'll be waiting for the eventual Games on Demand release some time down the line (six months? twelve?).
Click to expand...
I reckon this one will arrive sooner rather than later in NA. What, given the big International push from Cave recently.

I played the demo again (for the third time) and I'm super-hyped! Game is totally my cup of tea. Too bad I don't have it for my four-day memorial weekend.

EDIT: Crap, memorial day monday and no post...hopefully Tuesday!
 
HitokiriNate85

HitokiriNate85

Member
I missed out entirely on the Muchi Muchi/Pink Sweets release, but wanted to get some GAF input. Worth getting at that price? Seems pretty damn expensive when Guwange was only $10. What odds would you guys give to those being released here? Also, does Cave ever do reprints of discs(aside from the PH releases)? I don't want to miss out on any shot of picking those up.
 
T

Tain

Member
Because of the move I probably won't get it until like Wednesday the 6th. I usually don't get shit that late unless I'm ordering from Play-Asia or something. :[


HitokiriNate85 said:
I missed out entirely on the Muchi Muchi/Pink Sweets release, but wanted to get some GAF input. Worth getting at that price? Seems pretty damn expensive when Guwange was only $10. What odds would you guys give to those being released here? Also, does Cave ever do reprints of discs(aside from the PH releases)? I don't want to miss out on any shot of picking those up.
Click to expand...

I'd say the odds are against a GoD release for the Pink Pork pack (and retail is no chance in hell), but it's a really, really good package. I consider both games to be far better than Guwange. Then again, I consider all the 360 releases to have been plenty worth it.
 
D

Dambrosi

Banned
HitokiriNate85 said:
I missed out entirely on the Muchi Muchi/Pink Sweets release, but wanted to get some GAF input. Worth getting at that price? Seems pretty damn expensive when Guwange was only $10. What odds would you guys give to those being released here? Also, does Cave ever do reprints of discs(aside from the PH releases)? I don't want to miss out on any shot of picking those up.
Click to expand...
It's a boxed retail disc imported from Japan, hence the price. Doesn't really compare to a glorified MAME rom released on the XBL Marketplace without a box, disc, or any overhead.

I'll leave it to other, more educated posters who's played the game to say yay or nay, though. But I will say that I've had my eyes on it as well.
 
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