RANT: For shoot-em-ups, it's not just about 1CC'ing, I can RECOVER from death and still beat the game. I think that's actually more difficult in many games (recovering with no/few power-ups) than simply playing a perfect game (where, DUH, you have full-firepower the entire time). Many SHOOT-EM-UP folks who pursue the vaunted "1CC" are pussies, in my opinion, because they never develop the skills to RECOVER. This applies to any game, really, where power-ups are important. The Gradius series, I've argued countless times, is actually totally beatable even if you f*ck-up, but it is very challenging and you have to have different strategies (i.e. how best to use the handful of power-ups you'll get).
I agree with esteban to a point, but I think a lot of us have had to learn to recover to get that precious 1cc. I haven't been able to clear many games with 1cc (yet) but a lot of them I played the hell out of and played through multiple times via continues, cheats, magazine strategies, online strategies, roll-up-your-sleeves-and-memorize-the-damn-thing strategies. I love trying to achieve a 1cc clear in the games I play, but that is mere a notch on the pegboard in most cases. I still find other ways to enjoy my favorite games.
Btw, the list of games you crush is quite impressive. We have to get together sometime just so I can watch some of your strategies.
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Heck yes, one of these days we are going to play le video games, drink beer/soda/coffee and cry. I'm serious about getting teary-eyed.
When I was ranting last night, I should have mentioned that it's the folks who essentially STOP PLAYING SERIOUSLY when they f*ck-up in a shooter that I'm chastising. Personally, I never understood why anyone would have this mentality
before beating a game. After a person has beaten a game, I can totally understand the desire to "1CC" (a personal challenge that encourages replaying/perfecting...get your money's worth from the game). So, I should have clarified that bit. DIE FIGHTING, I say
, even if it seems futile.
Anyway, to put things in perspective, I still get my ass kicked when I play: R-Type (later levels), Raiden (later levels), any pinball game, any vs. fighting game, probably most "bullet hell" shooters (I haven't spent much time with them, I'll eventually get there, but I'm still playing older games), etc. etc.
I can destroy the first few stages of Raiden (arcade, PS1, PCE), but I still choke on the later levels. I love Raiden, but I just cry when I get to (what I think is the last boss) and get absolutely nowhere. Maybe the "last" boss changes form to a smaller ship (I rarely make it that far)? Anyway, I can't explain why I can't crack Raiden, but I'm pretty sure it's because my paths/patterns are ingrained in me (I haven't altered them in years) and I'm repeatedly creating difficult situations. Also, I panic and instead of tapping the pad/stick to avoid/dodge bullets, I choke (paralysis) or mash the pad/stick (more often).
AND, of course, I wish there were more shoot-em-up fans in the world...so I really shouldn't go off insulting them
.
