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NEC PC-Engine/SuperGrafx => PC Engine/SuperGrafx Discussion => Topic started by: sunteam_paul on January 28, 2010, 08:18:36 PM
Title: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on January 28, 2010, 08:18:36 PM
Book clubs are always a popular thing - where people choose a book to read then discuss it afterwards. So how about doing this for PC Engine games? We could pick a different game every week, then try and get some play-time in on it and post our comments. You couldn't have long RPGs or obscure Mah-Jong games, but there are plenty of others out there. It's not a rush to try to complete the games, just play and discuss, so we are all playing the same games at the same time.
Of course everyone might lose interest after the first week, but it would be fun to try. Is anyone interested in this?
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on January 28, 2010, 08:22:31 PM
sure. what game will we choose for round 1?
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: SignOfZeta on January 28, 2010, 08:22:35 PM
I like this.
I nominate you "game club president" so that you can decide the games ahead of time and give us a list so we can find a copy. If I can't find the game I for one will pirate with impunity.
Suggestion: Make it bi-weekly.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on January 28, 2010, 10:08:11 PM
Two weeks would have both plus and minus points. Plus: More time to get locate the game. More opportunity to play and discuss it. Minus: Harder to remember to set a new game than if it was weekly. Discussion might fade out within a week.
I'm happy to go with whatever the majority opinion is on this.
Although I like the idea of having the next game a surprise, but I suppose we could have Current Game / Next Game to make things easier.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Sinistron on January 29, 2010, 01:01:10 AM
This is a great idea- even if I don't get any play time in (busy as hell lately) because it will be nice reading thoughts on weekly games. Again- great idea.
I don't see anyone losing interest after the first week- it would go by a week-by-week basis. We all have our favorites, we all have games we tend to avoid, and we all have games that we like but never get much time with.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on January 29, 2010, 04:54:06 AM
OK, I think I stick to the one per week to begin with, as that keeps things rolling on nicely, but I'll keep in mind the suggestion of bi-weekly for later. We shouldn't just have good games either, it will be just as interesting to talk about those of lower quality. For the moment I'll start picking the games every Friday, but if I forget or don't have chance to log in and it gets to Saturday, anyone else is welcome to choose the game for the following week.
Might as well start the ball rolling...
This week's game is DAISENPU (http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1696/daisenpu067322656.gif) (or Daisenpu custom if you don't have it)
(next week: Schbibin Man)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Otaking on January 29, 2010, 10:26:37 AM
ok cool sounds good I'm in, was currently playing Legend of Hero Tonma but will switch to playing this. :D
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: ceti alpha on January 29, 2010, 03:04:02 PM
:idea:
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on January 30, 2010, 03:14:29 AM
Graphically, I've always liked the Toaplan style. Very much looking like Raiden and Kyukyoku Tiger, there's something about the way they shade the backgrounds that works really well. They're especially good at broken or cracked stuff - like the broken bridge and canyon walls. Even the plain areas of ground don't look too bad.
The music is kind of cool to begin with, it kicks off into a great beat, but seems to get stuck in a rut after that. It's kind of like the original Afterburner tune that lacked any melody. It's not too bad while you're playing but reduces long term listenability.
One thing always makes me nervous in shoot 'em ups - tanks. There's something about them. You always know the buggers are going to shoot just when you are closing in on them, and there are a hell of a lot of them in this game. It's kind of strange really. Kyukyoku Tiger has a varied spread of ground and air enemies, but Daisenpu seems to focus on the ground based enemies, an interesting choice.
One thing I like is the restart points. I died on the boss tank that splits in two, and the game had the good grace to restart me after it. A bit cheap perhaps, but I wasn't complaining, because I found accurate bullet dodging was sort of tricky because of the shape of your plane. It might be all in my mind, but I find it a lot easier when it's a lumpy spaceship without wings that stick out and attract bullets like magnets. Saying that, generally not too hard so far (although I did put it on easy) and quite fun. It's not the fastest paced of shooters, but the action is fairly continuous and it doesn't seem to have any low spots, unlike Gunhed. I'd call it 'solid' rather than 'spectacular' so far.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Vecanti on January 30, 2010, 09:09:58 AM
Good game so far, though I'm getting confused on the level layout.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: termis on January 30, 2010, 03:13:40 PM
Awesome idea. I'll also take this chance to pirate away if I don't have the game. I also find myself being a bit harsher than most PCE fans on most game reviews, but I figure that'd just make things a bit more interesting.
Anyway, so I tried out the Daisenpu Custom for a few hours, and overall, was very underwhelmed. It's a CD-ROM2 game, so I don't know if the card version is better (I get the feeling it may be -- I was really seeing how more RAM could've helped this title), but carrying on...
First of all, I found the choice of colors to be pretty drab/off. For example, quite a bit of lanscape was in this turquoise color, and I don't recall seeing many turquoise landscape in real life. Not to mention, there aren't a lot of detail in the landscape -- some are completely flat, so there are times when you're flying over a single-solid color landscape like in the pic below. It almost looks like you're flying over calm water at best (with tanks on top!), or at worst, just lazy development -- I vote for the latter. Sorry for the crap cell phone pic, but my point should be evident in the pic.
The animation wasn't much better, as explosions are a quick firecracker-like pop, and that's it -- no crater left in the hole like the MD (and presumably, the arcade) version. When you release a bomb, you just see like a solid explosion for a few seconds, not much else (no bomb dropping down or anything like that).
The music was decent -- a nice tune that keeps an atmosphere of suspense -- the bright point of this title in my opinion.
As for the gameplay, I found this one to be a bit tricky. There's definitely something challenging about shooting away at ground based foes who don't have far movement range, but because of that, you tend to close in on them to get rid of them, but then they might shoot off a pea round just at you're about an inch away from them. And even some of the minor peons take a good 5-6 shots, so that makes things even more difficult. The power-ups definitely help, but not enough to overcome the handicap you have against the multi-hit taking foes, and it really takes some skill and/or rote memorization to get your way through far in the game. I didn't notice the squadron of help you got in youtube clips in the HuCard and MD versions -- that definitely would've helped in certain areas.
Overall, this title doesn't get mentioned often when it comes to good shooters for the PCE, and for a good reason. I'd say it's definitely in the lower-leagues compared to the many alternatives for the system.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on January 30, 2010, 10:17:35 PM
Compared to other Toaplan games, I think Daisenpu lacks variety in its enemy range. The music starts off very nicely but then it gets very repetitive. As termis mentionned, the landscapes are not very detailled and it's often hard to say whether you're in the first, second or third level. The special power up is very interesting though, as you can try to keep as many planes as possible. It can be very tricky at times but overall, I'm OK with it. As usual in Toaplan shooters, the boss are very hard and shoot very fast which is not cool when you know how slow your plane is. It's far from games like Tatsujin and Kyukyoku Tiger.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 01, 2010, 05:33:20 AM
I had a quick go of Custom and the graphics in the card version seem better and more varied. I could swear that a big chunk of level one was removed from the CD version.
The more I play it the more humdrum it seems to be. There's nothing exactly wrong with it, but it fails to generate any excitement, probably because nothing actually stands out either. Other shooters have the hook of a catchy soundtrack or varied/interesting graphics but Daisenpu seems to sit bang in the middle of good and bad.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on February 01, 2010, 11:32:45 AM
same as some peeps already stated before, the game is lacking in pep. and I mean a lot of pep! very untypical for a pce conversion of a toaplan shooter. the explosions are mignon and short, the BGs repetitive and dull und the smart bomb ain't that smart. seems to be more a sorry bomb. at least in a technical point of view.
it's the pure contrary of a kyuukyoku tiger. the cd one also has some terrible flickers here and there, especially when bigger enemies approaching.
there is also no boss excitement. he enters the screen very unspectaculary like every other enemy, you beat him and it just goes on like nothing speciel happened.
and that the card version is superior to the cd one, we could already see in the comparison thread. but it doesn't save too much of the game.
it could have been a very good shootie on the pce, if just AV would have spent bit more effort in it, like they did for some other games before. ok, not like thunder blade probably.
let's call it DAISENPOO from now on!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on February 02, 2010, 01:08:32 PM
I fired it up for about an hour.....
its as "meh" as I remembered. It seems like they wanted to quickly get a airplaney shooting game out the door and forgot to finish it. It is kind of mind numbing to play and the scenery is barely Turbo worthy......older Huey games offer more depth/eye candy/reflex sensations.
if it helps drive the point home any more, I already started playing schbibin man for next week...
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Sinistron on February 02, 2010, 02:06:47 PM
This thread got me playing again- for the first time in at least a month. Didn't play too long- though it was fun for a bit, then got a little bland and didn't make we want to keep pushing further. The shield of planes is pretty cool- pretty original for pce shooties- what I don't like much is the sluggish speed, the monotonous enemies, and that it's pretty difficult to dodge in between some of the bosses' spray shots with that big hit zone due to your plane's wings- better to avoid the spray shots altogether and that just isn't much fun- looping around bosses like a pansy.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 02, 2010, 07:29:46 PM
I think this is the only overhead shooter where I've used Space Harrier tactics to dodge bullets.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 05, 2010, 04:19:28 AM
This week...
KAISŌ CHŌJIN SCHBIBIN MAN (http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/646/schbibinman020263787.gif)
Next week: W-Ring (Double Ring)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on February 05, 2010, 04:26:25 AM
I wait for next week :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: runinruder on February 05, 2010, 04:27:04 AM
I did up a Shubibinman review (with screens) pretty recently. And here it is:
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: exodus on February 05, 2010, 06:50:34 AM
I finally played the first shubibinman just a month or so ago, so I'll go off that.
I really liked it, even though it's clunky, has poor physics, and is rather "early famicom"-like in design. The humor is amuses me, and the backgrounds are kind of fun, if a bit drab. Ultimately I'm just happy any time anybody says SHUBIBEEEEEEEEEEAM
the second and third are better, but the first is fun all the way through...I'll admit I had to cheat on the final boss though. Anyone beat him without cheating?
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: m1savage on February 05, 2010, 03:05:33 PM
I like the game of the week idea.
Hadn't played the game in years before today. Not a terrible game by any means, but the sloppy control was just as I remembered it. Third time was the charm for this series.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on February 06, 2010, 08:00:26 AM
This game is total crap to me. The hitbox is just ridiculously bad. Against the dragon bosses, when I jump and hit them, I must be litteraly meters away if I don't want to be hit, and still I can hit that sucker. Moreover, the beam is not very helpful as you can't move when using it.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Sinistron on February 06, 2010, 09:32:53 AM
the second and third are better, but the first is fun all the way through...I'll admit I had to cheat on the final boss though. Anyone beat him without cheating?
I beat this game some months ago- how exactly did you cheat?
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 06, 2010, 08:40:41 PM
This is one of the early games I got for the Engine, and is memorable to me for being the only game I got by trading another PC Engine game for (I have learned since never to get rid of games, even if the trade was with Power Drift). So naturally I put a bit of time into it and it was well worth the effort.
It's easy to dismiss this game for its faults - repetitive graphics, slippy controls, crap bosses etc but underneath there is a really good platform game. To me this almost feels like a bridge between the old-style 8-bit platformers like Jet Set Willy and the newer games like PC Kid. It requires good dodging skills and very fast reactions as it throws everything at you - platforms move in unexpected ways (or are sometimes invisible), rockets shoot in from the edge of the screen, spiked balls zip around to catch you out. Practice helps and knowing what each level is going to bring is essential in making good progress; as you play more it is quite satisfying to be able to dodge just at the right places. Your schbibin has limited use, but in the right places it can clear some awkward robots ahead and give you some breathing space (as is especially useful for an easy kill on the dragon boss).
Another good thing is the way you can choose your route. There is no need to play every level to complete the game - in fact, once you have learned which levels to play to gain power-ups (such as a powerful sword and schbibin upgrade) then you can get through the game pretty fast (I used to frequently pop it on to complete it back in the day, although I've long forgotten the optimal route and need to relearn it).
To me the downsides are far outweighed by the fun of accurate platforming. The graphics are a bit basic, but this was an early game. The bosses are repeated (with a little variation in attacks) but are mostly pointless. Control of your character takes a little getting used to, learning to duck to stop quickly is an essential skill, and the hit detection is poor, especially on bosses - but certainly not game breaking once you know to be careful.
Music is lound and screechy, but I really like it. Great sampled drums typical of Masaya and lots of sampled speech which was rather a novelty at the time and the ending music is really cool.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on February 07, 2010, 01:29:33 AM
Ha! Late to the party, but I like this idea. I know we are going to do this "weekly, but I don't know if I can keep up with it. I'll try, though.
Quick question 1: For the folks with Daisenpu Custom CD (I have it, haven't played it in a long time).... don't all the Red Book songs sound the same? Or am I MISremembering things? They are separate tracks, IIRC, but sound the same.
As for SHOCKMAN 1 (as I refer to it), I never really gave this game a chance... but will I want to play it today when I have been having so much fun with Gyruss on NES?
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: exodus on February 07, 2010, 06:23:23 AM
I beat this game some months ago- how exactly did you cheat?
I used an invincibility code. As I recall (it's been a couple months maybe) there's no code on gamefaqs, but I just tried the code from Shockman/Shubibinman 2, and it worked.
To me the most amazing thing about this game is that it did well enough for them to make a sequel. It seems so poor overall that I'm surprised. Glad though!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Turbo D on February 07, 2010, 10:00:52 AM
SHUBIBINMAN (Japanese) Stage Skip Pause the game. press L, R, Sel, R, L, Sel, Sel, then unpause the game. Invincibility Pause, U, U, Sel, D, II, Sel, Unpause (must be done for every stage). Death?!?! Pause, R, Sel, L, Sel, Sel, Unpause, Death.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 12, 2010, 07:55:34 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 15, 2010, 05:14:00 AM
W-Ring isn't a game that gets much of a mention which is a pity because I quite like it. While it doesn't do anything out of the ordinary, it has enough to make it one of those games that I have a soft spot for. The graphics are pretty nice, fairly varied from level to level - sure it's no R-Type visually, but the liberal use of colour cycling makes the whole game feel very active and alive. The water level is particularly cool. I also really like the music as well, which has a certain quality to it, almost Darius-like in places, which is really appealing.
I played through on Beginner mode and completing the game is stupidly easy. But I also had fun doing it., and there are also Normal and Expert modes for those who want to test their reflexes.
If you've not played this before, it's really worth giving it the benefit of the doubt.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: m1savage on February 15, 2010, 03:32:35 PM
Very strange and interesting music in some of the levels. Still haven't finished but was worth trying out again. Thanks for the reminder!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on February 17, 2010, 04:41:22 AM
OK, who wants to sell me both of these HuCards? I'm serious.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on February 17, 2010, 08:59:40 AM
I like this game. The design is quite unusual for a PCE shooter. It sometimes looks like a european computer game from the late 1980's or early 1990's. The ship and other sprites are rather small but in general I find it not too bad visually. The weaponry is not bad either. On the downside, the game is wayyy too easy.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 17, 2010, 09:19:17 AM
It sometimes looks like a european computer game from the late 1980's or early 1990's.
Yep, I noticed that some of the graphics were almost Amiga-like in their shading in places.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Sinistron on February 17, 2010, 09:38:20 AM
I love both this game and next week's. I think next week's will have me turning on the turbo again- be nice to see how far people can get in Volfied...
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on February 17, 2010, 03:10:59 PM
i like w-rings level layout and the general feel of it. Its control is pretty smooth and the action is fluid. The galloping music makes it even funner. Its the envy of every Amiga shooter. :)
Plus the over abundance of blue in some levels is nice :) (like the screen shot). I like blue in games!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 19, 2010, 06:18:53 AM
Speaking of 'tards.... it's VolfieV. Get it right.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 23, 2010, 05:11:52 AM
I like Volfied, but I find that the nature of the game puts an upper limit on how fun it can be. When I first played it, I found myself just rushing to fill the screen and that didn't work out too well. Carefully planning to get the pods in the hope of a time-stopper is the way to go. Graphics are OK but sound is disappointing with no music as you play. I think the game would have benefitted greatly from a password system (assuming there are a lot of levels), but it's still fun in short bursts - I would have liked to have seen a CD version with more interesting backgrounds and some nice music tracks.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Sinistron on February 23, 2010, 05:14:51 AM
I've always been a fan of Qix so I love this- it's one of the first hueys I rushed out to get after getting a converter... It can get a bit challenging- but as said above it's a great game to just throw on the screen every now and then- I find it rather relaxing actually- I'm hoping to play some this weekend- how far can you guys get in this?
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on February 23, 2010, 06:18:09 AM
Yeah, a hentai Qix game on the DUO would have been great :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 23, 2010, 06:54:36 AM
I've always been a fan of Qix so I love this- it's one of the first hueys I rushed out to get after getting a converter... It can get a bit challenging- but as said above it's a great game to just throw on the screen every now and then- I find it rather relaxing actually- I'm hoping to play some this weekend- how far can you guys get in this?
I can't get past round 7 at the moment. That big ship is a bitch, I swear it follows me.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on February 23, 2010, 07:09:23 AM
I just went to round 8 and this round is just insane. No bonus, just loads of enemies.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 25, 2010, 06:27:59 AM
Level 7 is beginning to frustrate me greatly.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: exodus on February 25, 2010, 07:30:59 AM
I haven't owned the last two games ;_;
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 25, 2010, 07:31:07 PM
I'm sure there are other means... ;)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on February 26, 2010, 01:30:58 AM
Yeah, a hentai Qix game on the DUO would have been great :)
Back in 1999, I loved playing a game of that ilk on MAME. I want to say it was a "detective" theme, where clues of scantily clad digital women were revealed, à la Qix.
Anyone know the name of that game? Why do I feel it was a Korean developed game?
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Necromancer on February 26, 2010, 02:04:44 AM
Back in 1999, I loved playing a game of that ilk on MAME. I want to say it was a "detective" theme, where clues of scantily clad digital women were revealed, à la Qix.
Anyone know the name of that game?
That sounds like Gals Panic.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on February 26, 2010, 03:22:13 AM
Yeah, a hentai Qix game on the DUO would have been great :)
make one or let one make :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 26, 2010, 04:33:11 AM
This week:
METAL STOKER (http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4381/metalstoker025579249.gif)
Next week: L-Dis
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: m1savage on February 27, 2010, 04:24:37 PM
Metal Stoker is pretty fun once you get a used to the controls. Been so long since I'd played, it took me a minute to figure out how to lock/strafe. Gotta admit though, I'm going to skip ahead to next weeks game. :D
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on March 04, 2010, 04:46:56 AM
There's a few things I like about Metal Stoker. The overhead graphics are well drawn and nicely coloured, and they remind me of an upgrade to some of the old 8-bit games I used to play. The sound is nice - decent if forgettable music with a few voice samples that add some atmosphere to the game. The game itself is generally pretty good; the aiming lock system is a bit of a hassle to get used to, but there's really no way it could have worked better in those days. Of course, today's twin sticks would be perfect. I just find it hard to get really excited about the gameplay. There's nothing wrong with it but it somehow fails to hook me.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: exodus on March 04, 2010, 03:26:59 PM
I didn't really like having to press the direction you want to shoot with the d-pad, because I felt like it made me go in directions I didn't want to, occasionally. Mostly in my head though. I watched a complete playthrough of this, and found that interesting, but largely the backgrounds are too drab for me to really get into it.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on March 05, 2010, 12:19:10 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on March 05, 2010, 05:32:35 AM
(I haven't played Metal Stoker much but I've never been eager to clear it)
L-Dis is just a fun, though hard, amazing game. On of the best shooters on the PCE. I've never managed to clear it but man, what a game! Everyone would expect an easy game by looking at the cute graphics but it really takes you by surprise.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: exodus on March 05, 2010, 03:52:58 PM
the kid anime theme at the beginning definitely threw me off, but it is a pretty good shooter! This is one I've never had the urge to complete though, not sure why. I don't like the cover particularly, but I'll give it another go todayyyy
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on March 06, 2010, 01:53:28 AM
L-Dis. Metal Stoker.
ASIDE: Dear Lord time flies. I'm still playing the first few games.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: runinruder on March 06, 2010, 11:40:36 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: exodus on March 07, 2010, 07:41:46 PM
gave it another go today - it's good, but a bit harder than I'd like. I wound up playing Download 2 instead ;_;
I do love 2D games with sunsets in them though!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on March 08, 2010, 12:30:15 PM
I really should try to beat L-Dis. I don't think I got past the cavalcade of bosses, which made me cry because I thought this game would be easy, easy, easy.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: futurematt on March 11, 2010, 12:26:41 AM
I will play L-Dis tonight but from memory:
In L-Dis you spend a good amount of it bashing your fists as you eat bullets. But apart from that, it's a tight, fast paced shooter which pleases by large degrees. It does this primarily by virtue of its tightness and fastness of pace. The only thing going against it is it's name which in the UK is a common professionaly abbreviation for learning disabilities.
L-Dis is one of those games which is helped along by the CD ROM soundtrack. It always struck me as odd to have anything other than bleepy 8 bit music to these so called cute-em-ups.
By the way, great thread idea, I look forward to commenting on the other games of the week. Maybe even reply to some old posts.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Gogan on March 11, 2010, 02:32:24 AM
Had some time to rip up some L-Dis yestrday. I'm a shmup kinda guy and this game delivers! As the previous post, fast n tight. I like it.
Kinda reminds me of The Lost Sunheart with its cute-but-dark nature.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on March 11, 2010, 10:21:02 AM
I think its a great idea for the game of the week!!! hopefully we all have the same game!!!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on March 11, 2010, 10:23:17 AM
metal stoker is such an awesome game!!! lets do that!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on March 11, 2010, 10:57:02 AM
The only thing going against it is it's name which in the UK is a common professionaly abbreviation for learning disabilities.
Really? I've never heard that used. Maybe I'm just not 'street' enough. I often see carvans with Elddis on them though.
Yes, we often say 'LDs' but sometimes you stick the "I" in to kind of make the term less impersonal...they are people after all...and the funny thing is, folk who work with people with LDs (there you go) can make good humour and jokes about it, without being offensive but the rest of us (me included) can't so I'll steer clear of making any further reference to learning disabilities. Anyway, back to games! !
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on March 12, 2010, 04:52:13 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: futurematt on March 12, 2010, 08:02:51 AM
Legend of Hero Tonma is one of only a few games which utilises the full resolution of the PC Engine. It features at least 33% more pixels on each line, so you are getting a super widescreen game for the price of a 3:4 one. I'd like someone to verify that (see botton).
Anyway, on the game itself, you get a particularly harsh platformer which punishes - fairly I will add - the player's carelessness. Now there's only so many bullets that any crusader can fire from his hand. And in Tonma, without any power ups, that's about three. I suppose it's no different to hack em ups when your moves are on the slow side. Wonderboy in monster land is a good example. How slow the sword. Anyway, with Tonma, it is extremely easy and common to get killed when you are between firing. Those brutes creep up on you from every angle too. You really need to move around alot to avoid them. As with G&G, monsters also come out of the ground and spawn in front of you, so learning spawning points is important.
Onto the design and look - wow, I have got to admit that Tonma delivers a solid, polished performance. Action animation and framerates are impressive. Bullets and other moving parts really do leap around without any judder. I have only got up to level 2 but the graphics and scenery appear very well thought through.
Music is nice, without being brilliant. But that's only my opinion. If I were to sum this game up (which I will as I have spent the whole night on you tube instead of playing any goddam games...!) I would say..."Jeepers, get this slick platform game and don't expect it easy, Montana."
BTW I am literally just uploading a review of HuE for the PSP onto my YT channel, which features this very game. And the reason why is that on HuE's native resolution (cpu mode) you can see how many more pixels you're getting for your buck. Should be up by 4pm pacific state time.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: runinruder on March 12, 2010, 08:48:46 AM
Okay, USA! Hero Tonma review and screens:
http://www.thebrothersduomazov.com/search/label/Legend%20of%20Hero%20Tonma (http://www.thebrothersduomazov.com/search/label/Legend of Hero Tonma)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on March 13, 2010, 08:52:33 AM
The Legend of Hero Tonma and Karnov (NES) are kindred spirits. They both are wonderful, somewhat quirky games, that are often dismissed as "second-" or "third-tier" titles.
I wish Tonma was more polished... but it is a decent game, nonetheless.
The funny thing is that I have developed a higher opinion of Tonma (and other titles, such as JJ & Jeff) after the 32-bit era. Back in the 8-bit/16-bit age, Tonma and JJ & Jeff were runners-up (if that) compared to their contemporaries. Now, though, having exhausted the 8-bit/16-bit libraries, I can better appreciate many games I previously considered "mediocre".
Of course, the alternative explanation is that I have lost my sense of good taste!
I don't think so, though.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on March 20, 2010, 10:02:35 AM
Damn, I completely didn't have time to play Tonma this week, and I was really looking forward to it. However, onwards we must go:
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on March 22, 2010, 12:28:02 PM
ha ha Seems a little rough
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: blueraven on March 22, 2010, 10:05:22 PM
A little?!?!
It looks horrid.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on March 22, 2010, 10:21:47 PM
Dang missed the Tonma. Love that game and the eery, sad sounding music in it.
Energy!
The game is rough as hell. I still like it. Mostly because I like the post apocalyptic setting. I really like those kind of games. I take it slow (you kind of have to since the games all gimped). I get into the atmosphere. Even if the game is rough, it sure does have a neat feel to it.
Its crummy in comparsion to alot of PCE games (Mostly all of them),and is pretty -made-in-a-garage- feeling, but I still thought it was fun. I paid 3$ for it and included it in my order of a ton of other crap, so I pretend I never paid to ship it here.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on March 22, 2010, 10:43:22 PM
Energy sucks in every way. Plays, looks and feels like an early bad NES game.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: ceti alpha on March 23, 2010, 02:28:53 AM
Dang missed the Tonma. Love that game and the eery, sad sounding music in it.
Energy!
The game is rough as hell. I still like it. Mostly because I like the post apocalyptic setting. I really like those kind of games. I take it slow (you kind of have to since the games all gimped). I get into the atmosphere. Even if the game is rough, it sure does have a neat feel to it.
Its crummy in comparsion to alot of PCE games (Mostly all of them),and is pretty -made-in-a-garage- feeling, but I still thought it was fun. I paid 3$ for it and included it in my order of a ton of other crap, so I pretend I never paid to ship it here.
$3 bucks with free shipping isn't bad.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on March 27, 2010, 06:30:44 PM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Hcxs4GEfPUM/SwNZ0UaFIPI/AAAAAAAAFc0/DZaovKbCjMU/s1600/pdrift9.png) Claim first place in every race and you'll gain access to an extra stage in which you'll pilot the After Burner craft.
Hot damn! That's neat. I want to pick up this HuCard now.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: exodus on March 28, 2010, 07:18:11 AM
I played it for a bit yesterday, and confirmed the fact that I don't really like most sprite-based racing games. There's one that maybe Jaleco made that's really awesome, but largely they just make me confused about where the other cars are and what I'm meant to be doing. Power Drift for PCE is no exception. The high gear/low gear thing is cool, but it's not enough to keep me excited about the game, I'm afraid. I do like the wacky character names though, as well as the fact you're basically racing on logs.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: exodus on March 28, 2010, 07:18:24 AM
and the guy on the cover looks like zangeif.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: futurematt on March 29, 2010, 04:48:04 AM
Thank goodness real roads are nothing like the spewing, unpredictable spagetti on this game; it's kind of cool, pimping it round the track, but you never feel totally like you're in control of the buggy. Still prefer it to Mario Kart though (unpopularity comment #1!!!).
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on March 30, 2010, 08:08:30 AM
Damn it all, despite the jerky graphics, scratchy samples, iffy handling and unfair collision, Power Drift gets points in my book for several reasons.
1. The music to Power Drift is excellent. The tunes are classic Sega. The PC Engine version might not have the best sound, but it shouts the tunes out at you as you play and manages to meld all the themes together into one glorious long melody. Combined with the admittedly ropey speech and effects, it does provide the kind of wall of sound that enhances the game.
2. It makes my fingers hurt. After playing you KNOW you have played. I really concentrate while playing, pushing hard on the buttons and getting into the Power Drift zone to get past that one last car. To be sure, you will not fall asleep while playing Power Drift, unlike some other games I could mention.
3. It CAN be fun. Look past all the crap. It doesn't take long to get a feel for it. It is different to every other racer out there and when you are really into it, it is fun.
4. Sega didn't have the balls to convert it. No Power Drift on the Mega Drive, oh no. Credit where it is due, Asmik had a pair of big brass ones to think they could convert such an advanced arcade game to the PC Engine. They nearly succeeded. Just imagine if Hudson had tried it.
It's easy to dump on Power Drift, and it deserves some of it, but certainly not all.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: nat on March 30, 2010, 01:44:09 PM
I have the "arcade" version for Dreamcast, and it demolishes the NEC version in so many ways I can't really play it without feeling like a dipshit for wasting my time. That's just my humble opinion, however....
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on March 30, 2010, 03:07:52 PM
I have the "arcade" version for Dreamcast, and it demolishes the NEC version in so many ways I can't really play it without feeling like a dipshit for wasting my time. That's just my humble opinion, however....
So, I should pick up the Dreamcast version?
Also, you're no dipstick! Chin up!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: nat on April 01, 2010, 12:01:18 PM
If you have a Dreamcast, track down a copy of "Yu Suzuki GameWorks Vol. 1"
It usually comes with a book, although it's possible to find just the collection disc if you're patient and you'll usually save some money that way. The collection includes the arcade versions of Space Harrier, Outrun, Afterburner II, Power Drift and Hang On. In my opinion, an obligatory purchase for Dreamcast owners who are fans of vintage 16-bit SEGA.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 01, 2010, 02:35:33 PM
i have the PCE, the Saturn and the DC version of it. and sure you can't compare the PCE to the very near arcade perfect SS/DC versions. but what paul already stated above, it really deserves some hails for several points!
btw. i dislike yu's book for one reason, they have (had to) change(d) the ferrari testarossa in outrun into a clumsy non-existing shitty car. most probably due to ferrari license reasons, which are expired after 10 years or so. anyway i'ts kinda hilarious to change the TESTAROSSA in an OUT RUN!
for gods sake, i have all the sega ages separately on teh SS.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on April 01, 2010, 03:29:10 PM
If you have a Dreamcast, track down a copy of "Yu Suzuki GameWorks Vol. 1"
It usually comes with a book, although it's possible to find just the collection disc if you're patient and you'll usually save some money that way. The collection includes the arcade versions of Space Harrier, Outrun, Afterburner II, Power Drift and Hang On. In my opinion, an obligatory purchase for Dreamcast owners who are fans of vintage 16-bit SEGA.
Damn, Yu had the goddamned Midas Touch. I was just reading about him...I love his 80's stuff. Looks like I'll have to find this "GameWorks Vol. 1" disc.
GODDAMMIT.
IT NEVER ENDS. :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 01, 2010, 11:14:01 PM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 01, 2010, 11:26:57 PM
To date, its got the best 'punch'd a bitch in the face' sound effect ever. This was one of the first PCE games I ever played (Bonk and neutopia first), and IMO the PCE one is actually better than the Arcade one...
pretty fluid control wise, graphics are basically identical to the arcade, the music isnt farty IREM nonsense, and its fun!
The overall setting of the game just reminds me so much of a cheesy 80s dubbed kung fu flick, and I like to pretend the main character is Jackie Chan, and the chick youre saving really is THE madonna. :D
and jumping kicking the motorcyclists never gets old.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: termis on April 02, 2010, 01:51:39 AM
Also the very first TG16 game I've ever played. As Kung Fu Master was one my arcade favs, I naturally gravitated toward this title.
I definitely like the beat-em up action of this one, and the bosses are pretty cool too. I think the gritty graphics are well fitting and sets up the "run-down hood" atmosphere pretty nicely. Ditto for the music.
The only real con is that it's a bit too easy (Though I've heard of someone complaining it was too difficult :-k), but perhaps because of it, it makes for a good 15 minute beat-the-shit-out-of-everyone-and-you're-done session.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on April 02, 2010, 04:05:39 AM
I was disappointed with Vigilante back in the day (TG-16 launch), because I wanted more depth/length/something. Remember, I also was disappointed with JJ & Jeff.
Now, however, over the years, I have become much more appreciative of Vigilante (and JJ & Jeff).
* Vigilante does have great music that fits the mood of the game perfectly. * The bosses are unique, and, if you take the time, you can find a different strategy to beat each one. * I really like the "pastel grittiness" that Vigilante pulls off--it seems like a paradox, but Vigilante's aesthetics are wonderfully rendered (even the thick, black outlines around the sprites don't turn me off). Pastel+Grit=Vigilante. * THE JAPANESE COVER ART IS ONE OF THE BEST WORKS OF ART. PERIOD. Search the forums for my rantings and ravings on this. * We never really care about the story in these games, but I think Vigilante does a decent job of "The Princess is in another castle!" and stringing us along. I wish there were some brief cinemas between each stage--the story would be so much more compelling! * For KUNG FU gameplay, Vigilante is much more fun and enjoyable than, say, KAZE KIRI, which fails to satisfy basic gameplay needs (I feel good when I smash someone in Vigilante, it seems worthwhile and meaningful, there is a visceral feeling--KAZE KIRI lacks all of these qualities). * FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT USE TURBO SWITCHES WHEN PLAYING VIGILANTE. * I REPEAT, DO NOT USE AUTO FIRE, YOU HEATHENS. YOU BASTARDS. * If you do use turbo switches, you're totally stripping all the fun from Vigilante. The game was totally designed to have a "flow" and "rhythm", and in order to do this, you must push the button at variable speeds. This is most evident with the nunchuks! Again, search the forums for my rantings and ravings on Vigilante. Monster Lair, for example, should never be played with auto fire. * I LOVE ALL THE REFERENCES TO IREM GAMES ON THE BILLBOARDS. MR. HELI! * STRANGLING! Why don't more games have opponents who attempt to strangle you??!!
...it makes for a good 15 minute beat-the-shit-out-of-everyone-and-you're-done session.
EXACTLY. This is why I've come to really appreciate Vigilante. When I was younger, I felt cheated. I paid full price for a short romp. Over the years, though, I realized I should appreciate games for what they actually deliver, and Vigilante is a fun, easy little romp.
Yes, romp.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on April 02, 2010, 06:51:18 AM
The first screenshot of the game I ever saw was back in 1990 in a french video game magazine. I loved the graphics and from then on, searched for that game. Still, I could only grab it a few years ago and I was not disappointed at all. Actually, I think that if I had played this game back when it was released, I would have been blown away. It's true that it's a bit easy, even though the first time I played it I found it a bit tough and could not clear it, but I like the action and pace.
And of course, I like the graphics too. Sometimes, you're sooo disappointed when you finally play a game you were dreaming of for so long.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: runinruder on April 02, 2010, 11:10:15 AM
I am sorry that you don't appreciate the goodness that Vigilante offers.
At least my post served as a pre-emptive counterpoint to your mini-review :)
I know you dig the coverart, though: (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/vigilanteJP.jpg)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 02, 2010, 12:42:47 PM
the cover art is very awesome. provocative and offensive!
it reminds me of the warriors, almost
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 02, 2010, 09:11:26 PM
I have a soft spot for Vigilante. I think the graphics are just brilliant. I love the style of them - so well drawn and coloured and the game really has the arcade quality look to it. I don't usually like Irem sound, but the way it's used in Vigilante works for the game. It's easy to blast it for being too short and easy, but sometimes that is exactly the kind of game I want to play. Something I can just mindlessly play to the finish for half an hour and have a bit of fun in doing so. If only they did a Streets of Rage style sequel...
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 02, 2010, 09:25:28 PM
I have a soft spot for Vigilante. I think the graphics are just brilliant. I love the style of them - so well drawn and coloured and the game really has the arcade quality look to it. I don't usually like Irem sound, but the way it's used in Vigilante works for the game. It's easy to blast it for being too short and easy, but sometimes that is exactly the kind of game I want to play. Something I can just mindlessly play to the finish for half an hour and have a bit of fun in doing so. If only they did a Streets of Rage style sequel...
vigilante was successfully ported ONLY to the PCE. the rest of the ports were craptacular laughs!
they really should have done a sequel
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 02, 2010, 09:50:13 PM
I have a soft spot for Vigilante. I think the graphics are just brilliant. I love the style of them - so well drawn and coloured and the game really has the arcade quality look to it. I don't usually like Irem sound, but the way it's used in Vigilante works for the game. It's easy to blast it for being too short and easy, but sometimes that is exactly the kind of game I want to play. Something I can just mindlessly play to the finish for half an hour and have a bit of fun in doing so. If only they did a Streets of Rage style sequel...
vigilante was successfully ported ONLY to the PCE. the rest of the ports were craptacular laughs!
they really should have done a sequel
I just played the SMS version. It's really fast and hard and the FM music sounds like a 70s porno.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 03, 2010, 12:19:15 AM
I have a soft spot for Vigilante. I think the graphics are just brilliant. I love the style of them - so well drawn and coloured and the game really has the arcade quality look to it. I don't usually like Irem sound, but the way it's used in Vigilante works for the game. It's easy to blast it for being too short and easy, but sometimes that is exactly the kind of game I want to play. Something I can just mindlessly play to the finish for half an hour and have a bit of fun in doing so. If only they did a Streets of Rage style sequel...
vigilante was successfully ported ONLY to the PCE. the rest of the ports were craptacular laughs!
they really should have done a sequel
I just played the SMS version. It's really fast and hard and the FM music sounds like a 70s porno.
i have the C64 one on a tape, and it literally, made me kick the c64 across the room in disgust!
rrrrrqer54rhrgbsfthsfthsfh
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 03, 2010, 02:14:12 AM
That didn't look too bad, considering it was a C64. At least not as bad as the horrific
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 03, 2010, 03:58:54 AM
The overall setting of the game just reminds me so much of a cheesy 80s dubbed kung fu flick, and I like to pretend the main character is Jackie Chan, and the chick youre saving really is THE madonna. :D
Considering that Vigilante is the spiritual sequel to Spartan X (Kung Fu Master) which is a Jackie Chan movie, you're not that far from the truth.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 03, 2010, 05:05:26 AM
I have a soft spot for Vigilante. I think the graphics are just brilliant. I love the style of them - so well drawn and coloured and the game really has the arcade quality look to it. I don't usually like Irem sound, but the way it's used in Vigilante works for the game. It's easy to blast it for being too short and easy, but sometimes that is exactly the kind of game I want to play. Something I can just mindlessly play to the finish for half an hour and have a bit of fun in doing so. If only they did a Streets of Rage style sequel...
vigilante was successfully ported ONLY to the PCE. the rest of the ports were craptacular laughs!
they really should have done a sequel
I just played the SMS version. It's really fast and hard and the FM music sounds like a 70s porno.
how did you play it with FM? as far as i know, and to all sadness, there was never a NTSC-J release of that game. did you play it on a JPN SMS with back plane adaptor or via an FM- moded euro SMS?
btw. i very much dig the PCE Vigilante. it's not pixel arcade perfect, but contains almost every element to be on par with it. the nice "parallax" on the bridge is also very nice. liked it in the arcades and like(d) it on the pce!!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 03, 2010, 05:33:48 AM
how did you play it with FM? as far as i know, and to all sadness, there was never a NTSC-J release of that game. did you play it on a JPN SMS with back plane adaptor or via an FM- moded euro SMS?
Emu of course.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 03, 2010, 06:08:56 AM
lol yeah, it's good ol' c64 style. i've played out the hell of that game back then :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 03, 2010, 06:21:25 PM
the sound effects ruin it. theyre out of tune, shrill, and stupid.
its like what happened to Bonk on Amiga. the music/sound was like O_O WHAT
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Necromancer on April 05, 2010, 03:20:48 AM
I tried to like Vigilante..... but nope, it still stinks. The sprites are big and decently animated but also goofy and oft times cartoonish, clashing with the nicely detailed and gritty backgrounds, whose washed out colors flat out suck. On the plus side, the tunes are pretty good and the sound effects are great; the grunts and the sound of your fist connecting with some poor sap's face almost make you feel sorry for the skinheads, but only almost.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 05, 2010, 03:24:32 AM
I'm doing a big PCE-ARC comparison on Vigilante at the moment. The PCE colours are much better and more vibrant, whereas the arcade is very pale. I've noticed this a lot with arcade games, I wonder if it has something to do with countering all the lighting and reflections you find in an arcade.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on April 05, 2010, 03:56:19 PM
I dunno I liked it. it was what it was. and even though it was short its fun for a quick fix before you go out to a bar to do some shots and kick some ass. japanese cover rocks. plot to save madonna was a chuckle and I like the twin towers in the intro and that boss dudes face on the bridge was pretty cool. Im gonna pop that bitch in now
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 05, 2010, 04:27:44 PM
i wonder, maybe if that is why the arcades are all fadey looking sometimes. but either way, I think the PCE one is actually better than the arcade one on all fields.
better sfx/music for one. Less farty, more smooth yet still gritty. the graphics look alot more crisp... the gameplays a bit more responsive (though that may be a victim of crap arcade control)
oh and it doesnt cost any quarters!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 05, 2010, 05:03:58 PM
i dunno, but the arcade looks and sounds better in almost any aspects. even the PCE is a damn well done port (visually as well acoustic wise), it still is quite different and misses a lot of details in the graphic. also the voice & hit samples are much clearer in the arcade. and there are much more of 'em. and i'm pretty sure, if you make a color on screen count, the arcade wins with a land slide.
what I feel is better in the pce is the faster ans smoother controlls.
anyway, this game rox in the arcade and so does it on the PCE.
can't really comprehend, why it gets so much hate. it's classic arcade at its best, and there the pce was best!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 05, 2010, 06:25:12 PM
i dunno, but the arcade looks and sounds better in almost any aspects. even the PCE is a damn well done port (visually as well acoustic wise), it still is quite different and misses a lot of details in the graphic. also the voice & hit samples are much clearer in the arcade. and there are much more of 'em. and i'm pretty sure, if you make a color on screen count, the arcade wins with a land slide.
the arcade sound is very muddy and farty. typical of IREM.
and color count doesnt really say much considering the PCE one looks about the same and appears to be crisper even....
the samples though are definitely better in the arcade :D That should ALWAYS be the case
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 05, 2010, 06:53:54 PM
do you just judge the colors and crisp factor by emulation pics or actually by real hardware? i had few irem PCBs at home back in days, and they looking quite different in real than on those emulation pix you will find on the net.
as for the crispiness, I know what you mean, but believe me it looks much different on the real deal. it gives that typical arcade smoothed picture. the pce looks great, out of any question, but compared it has no chance.
beside the real strongness of the arcade lies in the graphic details. there is so much more in the arcade to look at. animations, the van is moving, the dirtiness in the car dump etc.parallax.
and actually i like the irems FM music. not the best, but typically irem moody.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 05, 2010, 07:18:27 PM
nah ive played the actual standup arcade one before a buncha times. The colors seem chunky to me. They may have more color to them, but they dont seem to have the same kind of contrast as the PCE one.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 05, 2010, 07:35:14 PM
ok, so taste and opinions do differ sometimes :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 05, 2010, 07:48:46 PM
I was disappointed with Vigilante back in the day (TG-16 launch), because I wanted more depth/length/something. Remember, I also was disappointed with JJ & Jeff.
Now, however, over the years, I have become much more appreciative of Vigilante (and JJ & Jeff).
* Vigilante does have great music that fits the mood of the game perfectly. * The bosses are unique, and, if you take the time, you can find a different strategy to beat each one. * I really like the "pastel grittiness" that Vigilante pulls off--it seems like a paradox, but Vigilante's aesthetics are wonderfully rendered (even the thick, black outlines around the sprites don't turn me off). Pastel+Grit=Vigilante. * THE JAPANESE COVER ART IS ONE OF THE BEST WORKS OF ART. PERIOD. Search the forums for my rantings and ravings on this. * We never really care about the story in these games, but I think Vigilante does a decent job of "The Princess is in another castle!" and stringing us along. I wish there were some brief cinemas between each stage--the story would be so much more compelling! * For KUNG FU gameplay, Vigilante is much more fun and enjoyable than, say, KAZE KIRI, which fails to satisfy basic gameplay needs (I feel good when I smash someone in Vigilante, it seems worthwhile and meaningful, there is a visceral feeling--KAZE KIRI lacks all of these qualities). * FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT USE TURBO SWITCHES WHEN PLAYING VIGILANTE. * I REPEAT, DO NOT USE AUTO FIRE, YOU HEATHENS. YOU BASTARDS. * If you do use turbo switches, you're totally stripping all the fun from Vigilante. The game was totally designed to have a "flow" and "rhythm", and in order to do this, you must push the button at variable speeds. This is most evident with the nunchuks! Again, search the forums for my rantings and ravings on Vigilante. Monster Lair, for example, should never be played with auto fire. * I LOVE ALL THE REFERENCES TO IREM GAMES ON THE BILLBOARDS. MR. HELI! * STRANGLING! Why don't more games have opponents who attempt to strangle you??!!
Brilliant review, couldn't have put it better myself! Agree wither every point you made. First look at Vigilante was in the now infamous PC Engine preview in Computer and Video Games (C&VG) in the UK in 1988. The game jumped out and said "buy this system and everything it stands for". Well 20 years on and I have. Almost, well, not quite....no, really hardly at all if I think about it. Anyway it was the beginning of a hobby, an addiction, a lifestyle, that has, well, stood the test of time! Agree that in some ways it outstrips the arcade version. Something in that about the chunky fluid sprites. A long discussion is probably worth having in the future about why chunky graphics are more aesthetically pleasing that high res muckily rendered ones. Oh, I think I have answered that one. Boss game.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Emerald Rocker on April 09, 2010, 03:11:13 PM
Since Sunteam Raul is running late, I'm taking it upon myself to keep this thread running so that it doesn't just disappear while he's out bedding hookers. At least, that's what I imagine he's doing, because that's a manly thing to do.
This week's game is Axelay. More specifically, that famous first level SuperGrafx demo of Axelay. I don't have a SuperGrafx, so I haven't played it, but it looked kind of cool.
LET'S GET GAMING
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on April 09, 2010, 09:30:33 PM
I've played it on real hardware thanks to my flash card and, what to say? it's just AMAZING. I wish Chris could adapt the whole game. Let's take a vote.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 09, 2010, 09:30:39 PM
Since Sunteam Raul is running late, I'm taking it upon myself to keep this thread running so that it doesn't just disappear while he's out bedding hookers. At least, that's what I imagine he's doing, because that's a manly thing to do.
This week's game is Axelay. More specifically, that famous first level SuperGrafx demo of Axelay. I don't have a SuperGrafx, so I haven't played it, but it looked kind of cool.
LET'S GET GAMING
Sorry I'm late, but the hookers had me handcuffed to the bed and lost the key.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 09, 2010, 10:41:55 PM
:pece änschin:
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 10, 2010, 12:13:17 AM
every time I play alydnes, I feel like I am one with the universe.
There is not a single thing wrong with the game. No flaws. Great tunes, great gameplay, great graphics, killer theme!
hot damn its awesome.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on April 10, 2010, 12:16:34 AM
IIRC (it has been several years): I could never figure out how to kill the last boss in Aldynes. At least, I assume it is the last boss (two metal prongs at top and bottom of screen shoot lazers, a "grey" orb lodged between them).
It was insanely difficult to dodge these laser beams, but I was able to get pretty good at it. Talk about twitch dodging!
Alas, I never identified the Achilles Heel of the last boss, especially because I never knew if any of my shots were registering as hits on the boss (no audio/visual indicators).
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on April 10, 2010, 12:18:28 AM
The only flaw with Aldynes is that it was released on the Supergrafx so it didn't get all the success and fame that it deserved. When videogamers talk about classic shooters, they would refer to Thunderforce 3/4 but never to Aldynes. It's time to let the world know!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 10, 2010, 12:45:49 AM
ITS NOT A FLAW! ITS A FEATURE!
:D
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: runinruder on April 10, 2010, 09:36:14 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: awack on April 10, 2010, 10:20:22 AM
Bought this game the year it was released, i don't know of a more impressive horizontal shooter for a home console at the time of its release.
In my opinion, it has the best soundtrack of any hucard game, good detail, parallax scrolling, huge bosses, scaling sprites and good soundfx. For me, the gameplay is trial and error, very different than say Gate of Thunder.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: ceti alpha on April 13, 2010, 04:21:45 AM
Nice review, runin. The final Aldynes boss looks strangely familiar, though. :-k Aero Blasters, perhaps? hehe
Seriously though, some of those bosses look amazing.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 13, 2010, 05:37:53 AM
I think I'm the only person on the planet that doesn't have much interest in Aldynes. Music is nice, sound could be better, graphics are very uneven and the gameplay has never really sucked me in. I've tried to like it, but it just isn't for me.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: nat on April 13, 2010, 02:36:50 PM
Graphics uneven? I think the graphics in Aldynes are extremely consistent throughout, which is to say, great.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 13, 2010, 08:31:39 PM
Graphics uneven? I think the graphics in Aldynes are extremely consistent throughout, which is to say, great.
Great background:
Good background
Crap background:
You're being silly, right? You could compare just about any shooter like that and make it appear that way, even, say, Gate of Thunder. I'm far too lazy to play into GoT in an emulator to take screenshots to illustrate my point, but I stand by my original assessment. In the "crappy background" shot for example, there is so much stuff going on the in foreground that it's a foregone conclusion the developers intentionally left things comparatively simple on the most distant plane. And that's just it: there is nothing wrong with the background in the given example, it just doesn't have a whole lot going on. It's the antithesis of the first example, not due to poor art or "uneven graphics," but to actual stage design.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 14, 2010, 08:27:33 PM
Call it intentional if you like, but I just think that third background is just fugly and not up to the standard set by the others.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: futurematt on April 14, 2010, 09:56:07 PM
Paul - how many levels of parallax does that top background have - if it's over 5 I think we can safely say it's a great background. The bottom screen, that only looks like it has one or two layers. On a purely objective level, therefore we could all agree that the background 'depth' is uneven. ? :-# Still, most shooters do have good and bad levels - it might be cool to take the 'best and worst' from others shooters for a laugh!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 14, 2010, 10:37:26 PM
Paul - how many levels of parallax does that top background have - if it's over 5 I think we can safely say it's a great background.
actually and technically spoken, it can't have more than two ;)
Sure it can! You can fanagle 3 layers of parallax out of a regular PCE game, possibly/probably more if you are batshit insane.
So supergrafx by nature should be able to rock 6 layers.
Unfortunately, while I like parallax, I don't swear by it. Alot of parallaxless games are better than parallaxy ones. Its just a matter of graphics and visuals that sometimes doesn't make the gameplay outstanding.
Like Shadow of the Beast. Great parallax, but gets a "meh" in the gameplay category from lots of people.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 15, 2010, 05:18:22 AM
Paul - how many levels of parallax does that top background have
9
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 15, 2010, 05:41:11 AM
Yeah, see, bat shit insane. :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: awack on April 15, 2010, 07:37:53 AM
As time goes by, i care less about parallax scrolling and more about art work and animation for some reason, but when i played this back in 91, it was pretty amazing, similar to the canyon level in Musha,but better..hell, the first time i saw that level in musha, i dropped the controller and grabbed both sides of the TV because i thought i was going to fall into the lava steam at the bottom of the conyon :shock:
One cool thing about the this level, is the horizontal and vertical scrolling of the BG.I have more screens of this game i might post.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Arkhan on April 15, 2010, 06:43:56 PM
it takes some strong pixel fu to be able to get parallax to look nice... :)
The effect itself is easy to do, but if you just slap down some ugly messed up, stupid looking tiles and start sliding them around, it looks like pixel puke :)
My favorite parallax still to this day is Shadow of the Beast.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: futurematt on April 15, 2010, 09:25:40 PM
@ awack fine screenshots! Done the game justice.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 16, 2010, 06:19:12 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 16, 2010, 06:24:24 AM
a legendary game.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on April 16, 2010, 06:47:38 AM
I played it through back in 1996 (I wouldn't be able to repeat such a performance) and I think it's a very good old fashioned platformer. The graphics don't always look good but I like them overall. A rather difficult game.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: runinruder on April 16, 2010, 07:04:29 AM
Review and screens for the greatest HuCard ever, The Legendary Axe:
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Necromancer on April 23, 2010, 08:31:42 AM
I gotta break this one out and give it some more love, but here's some preliminary comments: awesome parallax, the backgrounds are inconsistent (sometimes beautiful, sometimes plain), it likes to throw battalions of the same enemies at you over and over again, and the tunes are fantastic. They're not quite up to a Gate of Thunder level of auditory awesomeness, but damn close.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: runinruder on April 23, 2010, 09:09:09 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Necromancer on April 23, 2010, 09:16:29 AM
Quote
Stage 6 seems to be the intended money stage as far as effects go, but it really just looks like a big, wobbly, muddy mess.
Is that the water stage, runin? That level does look like poo; they should've left well enough alone and kept the wobbly background on the third stage where it looked pretty cool.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on April 24, 2010, 05:20:10 AM
I gotta break this one out and give it some more love, but here's some preliminary comments: awesome parallax, the backgrounds are inconsistent (sometimes beautiful, sometimes plain), it likes to throw battalions of the same enemies at you over and over again, and the tunes are fantastic. They're not quite up to a Gate of Thunder level of auditory awesomeness, but damn close.
You said it all.
I like the fast paced action and the musics. The sprites and backgrounds are well drawned and I like the originality.
Now for this :
Quote
The environment is rarely ever a factor (with the rather lame exception being Stage 5, which is extremely dark, making it hard to see rocks randomly positioned in the foreground).
It's rather tricky I know but I'm sure it was made on purpose.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: TheClash603 on April 24, 2010, 08:25:13 AM
Must get this game... looks awesome.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Necromancer on April 26, 2010, 04:41:20 AM
I have a few extra thoughts on Terraforming after playing it over the weekend: first, the exhaust flame that belches out the ship's rear when changing speeds is damn handy for handling rear attacks, but it can leave you moving at a crawl (i.e. - easy target) if you aren't paying attention. Second, the pea shooter is kinda worthless; after you get shot down, you better be good a dodging until you can pick up an upgrade, as many of the enemies can take a ton of abuse from your standard weapon. Finally, while the backgrounds are often pretty, they are also very repetitive (due to the limitations of the 2.0 system card, no doubt); you'll really notice the repetition if you're using the blue homing weapon, as there are a few spots where you can hold down the fire button and enjoy the scenery.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on April 30, 2010, 08:58:55 PM
I recognition of me smashing into the side of a taxi on Thursday, I thought I'd pick a driving game: KNIGHT RIDER SPECIAL (http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/4008/knightriderspecial03069.gif)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on April 30, 2010, 10:10:32 PM
I've yet to play this game on real hardware before I can say anything but I don't think I'd like it.
Edit : OK, THIS is what I call a crappy game. I spent all the time crashing for whatever reason. Jumping on I-don't-know-what on the road that I couldn't even see. Hilarious.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on April 30, 2010, 10:53:47 PM
Ubercrap! Period!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on May 01, 2010, 05:07:52 AM
Well there is always next week #-o.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on May 02, 2010, 10:02:07 AM
Thankfully, Knight Rider Special was not released in North America.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: runinruder on May 02, 2010, 10:07:00 AM
If you find that your car "jumps randomly," you're not using the controls properly.
Yeah, right. So what am I supposed to do in order to avoid jumping randomly? :-k
The car doesn't "jump randomly." You make it jump by pressing button I while you're going over 200 km/h. When you're driving under 200 km/h, button I is a turbo boost. All you have to do to accelerate is press Up on the D-pad.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on May 02, 2010, 07:14:46 PM
Ok, I should have read the booklet before playing the game #-o
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Necromancer on May 03, 2010, 05:36:35 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Emerald Rocker on May 08, 2010, 04:31:08 PM
Here is what GUTS said about Rayxanber 2 back on August 24, 2003:
DAY ONE (August 24, 2003) ----------- Played the first couple of levels last night, and so far it's alright. The graphics are definitely pretty tight for a regular CD game, but there's no intro cinemas so that was a letdown. There's plenty of parallax scrolling (even in the foreground on stage 1), the enemies range from your size up to freakin huge, and they all explode really nicely. The bosses (the two I've seen) are HUGE and take up most of the screen. Through all this there's barely any flickering or slowdown, if any. Now about the meat of the game...
There are no speed power ups, so you're stuck moving at a medium pace, which isn't bad when you're powered up, but when it's just you and your pea shooter it sucks. And about the powerups, all TWO of them. So far I've only encountered a wide shot thing, and a more powerful fire shot. Neither can be upgraded more than once, which I suppose could be seen as bonus since you'll be dying a lot. When powerups appear they rotate clockwise, and whichever direction its facing when you snag it is the direction your secondary weapons will fire.
Hitting the B button will give your ship a split second speed boost in whatever direction you're holding, but if you use it too much it overheats and has to cool down before you can use it again. This is pretty useful for getting behind enemies or dodging bullets, its just tough to remember its there, it'll take some getting used to. I haven't been able to destroy any enemies with the thrusters that fire when you use this, but maybe I just haven't been close enough.
Things I dont like about it- R-Type style checkpoint system when you die, no cinemas (at least so far), slow ship speed, and your main gun never gets any more powerful (it always a pea shooter). Mainly the checkpoint system is the only thing that really bugs me, everything else I can deal with easily.
Overall I feel it's a pretty solid game, but nothing really sets it apart from all the other shooters out there, but this may change once I get good enough to beat a couple more stages. I can see this game really giving you a sense of accomplishment if you beat it since it's all about skill, no BOMBS or invincible options to absorb enemy fire. **************** DAY TWO (August 25, 2003) ------------- Ok well I'm pretty much done then, the game is just too damn hard and not fun enough to make all the practice worthwhile. Checkpoints really suck. **************** DAY THREE (August 26, 2003) ------------- I have better things to do than waste all my time practicing a game that isn't much fun to begin with. Like play HALO JIGGA YEAH.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on May 09, 2010, 01:24:14 AM
Jigoku Megrui is just too hard for me. But it's a good game.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on May 09, 2010, 05:14:10 PM
Here is what GUTS said about Rayxanber 2 back on August 24, 2003:
DAY ONE (August 24, 2003) ----------- Played the first couple of levels last night, and so far it's alright. The graphics are definitely pretty tight for a regular CD game, but there's no intro cinemas so that was a letdown. There's plenty of parallax scrolling (even in the foreground on stage 1), the enemies range from your size up to freakin huge, and they all explode really nicely. The bosses (the two I've seen) are HUGE and take up most of the screen. Through all this there's barely any flickering or slowdown, if any. Now about the meat of the game...
...
**************** DAY TWO (August 25, 2003) ------------- Ok well I'm pretty much done then, the game is just too damn hard and not fun enough to make all the practice worthwhile. Checkpoints really suck. **************** DAY THREE (August 26, 2003) ------------- I have better things to do than waste all my time practicing a game that isn't much fun to begin with. Like play HALO JIGGA YEAH.
Yeah, I remember that. NO JOKE! But it didn't concern me, since I'm in the minority (I don't mind the conventions of old-skool shooters, yes, that's right, they're shooters). "Shoot-em-ups"? Bah humbug!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Keranu on May 09, 2010, 05:18:50 PM
(I don't mind the conventions of old-skool shooters, yes, that's right, they're shooters). "Shoot-em-ups"? Bah humbug!
Yes someone agrees with me! None of this "shmup" crap either. Internet memes suck.
:)
The sad thing is that I have used the term "shoot-em-up" so folks didn't think I was saying FPS.
Word up, by the way.
I've always known them as shoot 'em ups since the early 80s. I thought 'shooters' was a more recent invention.
True that! Ok, me more so since the later 80s :lol:
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on May 10, 2010, 07:39:12 AM
Dragging this back on topic:
I've always liked Jigoku Meguri. It's what I would call good honest platforming, has some lovely backgrounds (with only a few areas that are horribly basic), appealing sprites and jaunty music. Level 2 in the boat is a nice touch and it's just one of those games which is fun to play while still allowing you to test those jumping and dodging reflexes. No as good as PC Genjin, but certianly better than Hero Tonma.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: esteban on May 11, 2010, 05:51:03 PM
No as good as PC Genjin, but certianly better than Hero Tonma.
I have a soft spot for Hero Tonma, because Hero Tonma is like a poor man's Karnov (NES). Karnov was a better, more ambitious game... yeah, I love Karnov.
As for Jigoku Meguri... I'm still playing Rayxanber II!
No as good as PC Genjin, but certianly better than Hero Tonma.
I have a soft spot for Hero Tonma, because Hero Tonma is like a poor man's Karnov (NES). Karnov was a better, more ambitious game... yeah, I love Karnov.
I only know Karnov from the ZX Spectrum version. I was amazed by how colourful the graphics were at the time and thought it was great fun once I put the cheats in :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on May 13, 2010, 08:35:29 PM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: TheOldMan on May 21, 2010, 11:05:36 AM
I remember that game... The bright colors, too-cutesy graphics, and the sickeningly upbeat music. I could only take it for a level or two. Seemed like an okay shooter, though not to my tastes :-)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: ceti alpha on May 21, 2010, 04:23:11 PM
I can't wait to really sink my teeth into this one. Almost makes me want to skip Bikkuri....almost...heh
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on May 21, 2010, 05:29:22 PM
one of the best 80s conversions we ever got! and it beats the MD version in every point with a landslide (exept the missing parallax).
loved it in the arcade, love it on the pce :)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on May 22, 2010, 08:25:15 AM
just got monster lair two weeks ago after not having it for like 18 years.. The the colors are great,and fun bosses. weapons kinda suck but its a different style game. I never beat it. its a long ass game. Its like the never ending frikkin story. not a huge wonderboy fan but I like this game :D
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Emerald Rocker on May 22, 2010, 04:57:46 PM
I haven't played Monster Lair, but I did just post a series of FAQs for the Mega CD game Arcus 1-2-3 (http://www.tolariansaga.net/zigtopia/tag/arcus-1-2-3). <--- shameless advertising
So that was most of my weekend. But if I still own Monster Lair, perhaps I will actually play it for the very first time! I'll post my thoughts if I do.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on May 22, 2010, 09:55:06 PM
When I was a kid, I lost many coins playing the arcade game. When I knew that it was going to be released for the PCE, I nearly wet my pants and I have to admit that it really helped me to make my decision when I didn't what to choose between the MD and the PCE.
This version is great, even though some colours look a bit awkward to me. But the game is long and sometimes repetitive.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on May 28, 2010, 06:23:05 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on May 28, 2010, 01:15:20 PM
Excellent conversion of the arcade. I used to not like the Gradius Series but in the last few years, i've come to love it. This first episode is a classic that I still enjoy now.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on May 29, 2010, 01:02:37 AM
While Gradius is a decent enough shoot 'em up, the appaling slowdown just completely kills this version for me, making it almost unplayable. This one of only two PC Engine games I ever traded in and the only one I didn't regret. Thankfully Konami got ther act together for future releases.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: ceti alpha on May 29, 2010, 04:34:52 AM
While Gradius is a decent enough shoot 'em up, the appaling slowdown just completely kills this version for me, making it almost unplayable. This one of only two PC Engine games I ever traded in and the only one I didn't regret. Thankfully Konami got ther act together for future releases.
That does suck with the slowdown, but yeah, Salamander is quite flawless. I personally don't mind some slowdown, but when it's excessive...
I'm curious to at least try this and Darius.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: nat on May 29, 2010, 08:15:52 AM
Every time I start to feel slightly upset about the slowdown in Gradius, I go and play Gradius III on the SNES to set myself straight.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on May 30, 2010, 02:29:30 AM
Every time I start to feel slightly upset about the slowdown in Gradius, I go and play Gradius III on the SNES to set myself straight.
Ouch.
Sometimes I wonder if Konami fired their first batch of programmers considering the difference between their earlier and later console titles. Either that or they learn very quickly.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Mathius on May 30, 2010, 05:17:52 AM
I have never been a big fan of the Gradius series either. Life Force was the shooter I always went to when I was growing up.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Emerald Rocker on May 30, 2010, 04:03:35 PM
I never played PCE Gradius, but I did play the game during Blades of Steel intermissions. It was too short.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on May 31, 2010, 11:46:35 AM
yeah im going to get it. I was stupid and got paridus da first. it would be cool to compare the two though.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: nectarsis on May 31, 2010, 11:49:33 AM
yeah im going to get it. I was stupid and got paridus da first. it would be cool to compare the two though.
Gradius is a good game, but Parodius Da KILLS it IMO ;)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on May 31, 2010, 03:38:46 PM
Gradius is Grandiose.
a very well done conversion of this 1985 classic. It was a milestone back then, sure the PCE conv. came a little bit too late. but today, this doesn't matter in no way ;)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: geise on June 07, 2010, 07:57:12 AM
Haha I like the Gradius version in Legend of Mystical Ninja aka Ganbare Goemon. Anyways I like the PC-Engine version quite a bit. It's Gradius but with a pc-engine feel, if that makes any sense? Regardless I think it's a pretty good version of the arcade.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on June 11, 2010, 06:09:47 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Gogan on June 11, 2010, 06:58:07 AM
There's nothing to say about this game. Its friggin awesome, and that's it. :D
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on June 15, 2010, 01:27:48 PM
man I love the crap out of this game... Prolly some of the best music on the system..... the bass guitar is frikkin awesomee.... games alot of fun. I like it better than lords cause of the female merchants voice. I still gotta finish the last stage.. just gotta spend more time.. I got some pointers from you guys but I forget.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Necromancer on June 16, 2010, 02:38:52 AM
Just an awesome title with beautiful and varied backgrounds, sweet tunes, a plethora of different enemies, and kickass bosses (particularly the armored unicorn thing). The only thing that might be a bit of a let down for some people is the difficulty level, but it doesn't bother me; I suck and can use a break sometimes.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on June 16, 2010, 04:14:51 AM
There's nothing to say about this game. Its friggin awesome, and that's it. :D
QFT!
in every possible criteria a 10 (out of 10)
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: ceti alpha on June 16, 2010, 04:54:58 AM
When I saw this game in Radio Shack bitd it was like seeing the arcade on a console.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: lord_cack on June 16, 2010, 02:26:34 PM
This game, along with Dungeon Explorer II, were the last two games I bought new in the store before they stopped selling Turbo games in my area. I can't recall a better purchase than these two games....
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: lord_cack on June 16, 2010, 02:29:45 PM
This game, along with Dungeon Explorer II, were the last two games I bought new in the store before they stopped selling Turbo games in my area. I can't recall a better purchase than these two games....
Well, outside of my Duo itself that is hehe
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Otaking on June 16, 2010, 09:47:38 PM
Winds of Thunder is my favourite game of all time bar none.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: futurematt on June 17, 2010, 01:19:50 AM
Winds of Thunder pretty much does it all. For a H-shooter - and I generally prefer V-shooters - it combines stunning visuals with perfect difficulty, amazing sound, allround superb atmosphere and provides I think one of the ultimate shmup experiences on any console. You can't get much better than that. The collusion of sound and action works particularly well here, creating a sparkly, mystical feel to the game, which works as well as in Spriggan or Sylphia. I think this is a game worth preserving so I don't overplay it - I stick to the original disk as opposed to the easy CDR for instance. I included it in my video Gold PC Engine shooters on my YT channel. Great game of the week.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: TheClash603 on June 17, 2010, 12:37:40 PM
Well... I guess there has to be one...
Lords of Thunder is a pretty good game. Music is undeniably awesome, and the control is pretty tight. I think the difficulty is spot on, and the speed seems right.
With that said, I do not think it is one of the elite shmups on the system. I find myself reaching for Air Zonk, Aero Blasters, or Gates of Thunder way before I would consider Lords of Thunder. Something about the character design of this game kinda rubs me the wrong way to be honest with you. I almost think this game feels better as a Sega CD game than a Turbo game...
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: termis on June 17, 2010, 05:04:00 PM
Graphics are awesome with varied scenery, enemies are cool -- especially the bosses. The power-ups are pretty intense, and the music was bar-none the class above the rest at the time (and still now IMO).
For me, arguably the best shooter for the PCE library.
I almost think this game feels better as a Sega CD game than a Turbo game...
You're definitely in the minority there I think. Graphically, the PCE version is better for sure, and the music arrangement is a preference, but for me, the softened up rearrangement of the Sega CD version isn't as fitting as raw & edgy PCE track equivalents.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on June 17, 2010, 05:15:06 PM
I think the same way as termis, exept the fact that for me, it isn't the best shooter for the PCE library. but a damn close one for sure.
I do not know of what could have been done much better in this product. it's an allround perfect game, hence nothing less than an elite shmup.
the Mega CD comparison flawes as well. this game is the pure epitome of PCE shmups! period!
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on June 18, 2010, 10:36:28 PM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on June 18, 2010, 11:02:54 PM
A funny game that I cleared back in the time when I bought it. I like the musics, they have a strange feel but sound good.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on June 19, 2010, 02:40:48 AM
UPL strangeness = greatness!! :D
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on June 19, 2010, 02:47:20 AM
I would advise anyone who has not played this to pick it up. It's unlike anything else on the Engine. It has lovely audio and visuals, and can cause severe thumb fatigue.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on June 25, 2010, 06:40:41 AM
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: Tatsujin on June 25, 2010, 06:47:46 PM
A quite underrated shewty, probably due to its very low price and kinda cheap looking cover. It also looks like it was the inspiration for the later zero gunner series, since you can sligthly turn your heli left and right.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: shubibiman on June 25, 2010, 07:52:29 PM
A shmup that has no flaws but that is just average. It plays well, it is smooth and, as Tats said, it's cool that you can turn your heli. The graphics are poor, with no originality and the enemies look like toys rather than like huge enemy ships. Still it is not an easy shooter and the challenge makes it quite enjoyable. But once you've beat the crap out of it, you won't return to it. It lacks awesomeness in many ways.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: ceti alpha on June 28, 2010, 04:47:10 AM
I don't know why, but the screenshots of Avenger have always called out to me.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: turbogrfxfan on June 29, 2010, 02:32:54 PM
i dunno I just you tubed it.....Im undecided. Intro is cool, music is cool, The grafix I like lol for some reason. like so many games that that grafx arent up to par gives it a certin style.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on June 30, 2010, 08:49:16 AM
First impressions of Avenger are not great, but after I put some time into it, I realised that it's really a neat and overlooked shooter. The changing angle of your shots as you move adds a nice element to the gameplay. It has some nice tunes too - and some of the full screen pictures are just amazing.
Title: Re: Game of the Week Club
Post by: sunteam_paul on July 02, 2010, 11:12:07 PM