(1/22/2014 - 1/28/2014) Game of the Week: Drop Off

[SamIAm]

On to week two!

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January 22 - January 28: Drop Off
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(Chosen by esteban)

This descendent of Breakout is a high-score game as much as anything else, and you know what that means. We're having us a good old fashioned competition!

Please submit scores like this:
username - round-stage - score

1. SuperPlay - 2-4 - 51980
2. SamIAm - 2-2 - 26,970
3. glazball - 2-1 - 24,380
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Let's fill this leaderboard out!


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GOTW Schedule:

January 15-21: Battle Royale (TheClash603)
January 22-28: Drop Off/Drop Rock (esteban)
January 29-February 4: Bonk's Adventure (roflmao)
February 5-11: Silent Debuggers (vestcoat)
February 12-18: Somer Assault (BigusSchmuck)
February 19-25: Splatterhouse (FiftyQuid)
February 25-March 5: Bloody Wolf (Jibbajaba)
March 5-11: The Lost Sunheart (Gogan)
March 12-18: Sapphire (BlueBMW)
March 19-25: Energy (PunkicCyborg)
March 26-April 1: Air Zonk (_joshuaTurbo)
April 2-8: Veigues Tactical Gladiator (Punch)
April 9-15: OPEN!

Rules:
-All members are allowed one submission. When there are no further submissions, we will have a reset and everyone will be able to submit another game.
-Each game may only be submitted once.
-If you wish to retract your submission, please do so at least two weeks before your game is due. Your next submission will go to the back of the cue.
-Please don't submit games that have a high language barrier or will take too long to complete (particularly RPGs).
-Please don't submit games that are too expensive. Below $50 is best. Above $100 won't work.

(If you have any questions or comments about the GOTW system, please either PM me or post in the old thread)

[PunkicCyborg]

Thanks a lot esteban for making us play this turd I have Drop Rock Hora Hora and I gave it about a 2 hour session when I got it. I love the cover art of the JP version. I'll give it some serious gametime but I will be amazed if anyone can beat it. It's pretty tough.

[glazball]

Damn Sam, almost 27,000 is really good!  After a few games last night, my highest score was:
glazball - 1-2 - 5070

I consider myself a huge Breakout fan, but this game just rubs me the wrong way.  I was surprised to see it was developed by Data East, who usually made games I like.

First off, no breakout-style game should be played without a paddle controller.  That's Travesty #1.

Next, wtf is your paddle a circular ball?  That always bugged me, but I made myself try to get used to it.  It just doesn't feel right.  Travesty Numero Dos.

Finally, why did NEC put this out in 1990 anyway?  El Ultimo Travesty.  In the 80s I had an NES and I remember seeing Arkanoid at Target and thought "hmm, maybe fun but we've been there, done that on Atari."  Drop Off falls into the same boat as Arkanoid for me, and the sad thing is it could have been a huge improvement on a tried-and-true gameplay style (a la Galaga 90) but the gameplay falls flat.  I've been having a hard time, when items "drop off," not seeing in time if they are crumbling and won't hurt you, or intact and will kill you.

I'll keep practicing certainly, but boy it's hard to give it too much time.

[SuperPlay]

Thanks a lot esteban for making us play this turd I have Drop Rock Hora Hora and I gave it about a 2 hour session when I got it. I love the cover art of the JP version. I'll give it some serious gametime but I will be amazed if anyone can beat it. It's pretty tough.

LOL :-) I have been playing this for about an hour and I cannot get pass the level with the crosses, think it maybe 3-1?  Thing is I keep going back to the game for one more play!

Is the score table for one play with no continue?

Overall I agree with Chris Bucci's review of the game.


cover-art :-)

[PunkicCyborg]

Here's a playthrough if anyone want's to see more of the game
http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm11674560

You can log in with your facebook account to view.

[glazball]

Had more success last night, but still just can't get into the game.  Gonna keep trying though.  My highest score was:

glazball / 2-1 / 24,380

I *almost* want to say that Battle Royale is more fun. 

[SamIAm]

Really? I enjoy it pretty well for a game that's supposed to be crappy. I like the simplicity. The only thing I don't like is how easy it is to crash into stuff when you're moving horizontally.

By the way, I'm going to say say no continues for high scores. If you beat it with continues, let us know, but otherwise it's one credit.

Is that score kosher, glazball? If so, I'd be glad to post it.

[glazball]

Hmm, seems my pic is upside down?  Was fine when I previewed it.

Yea the score is kosher   Did much better after I really got the hang of switching from up/down to side/side bounce.

What destroys the enjoyment for me is your paddle's huge hitbox.  Getting anywhere close to a fruit (or whatever) gets you killed.  And since the items come down so quickly, you find yourself in tight quarters a lot of the time.  On stage 2 the Arrows fall way too fast as well.

The whole game just seems like a near-miss to me, and below average.

[PunkicCyborg]

your score resets after a continue

[SamIAm]

your score resets after a continue

Well that makes things easy.

I wouldn't know, because I never continue. Continuing is for girly men.

glazball, I'll add that score now!

[Punch]

I hate those brickball games with tiny paddles. HATE

Ugh my hiscore is 7150... I'm going to try harder though, maybe there's a good game deep inside hidden by the outer turd layer?

[glazball]

I'm going to try harder though, maybe there's a good game deep inside hidden by the outer turd layer?

If we had a TurboPaddle controller, Drop Off might actually be great.  From what I've seen so far, it just makes me want to Drop Off the kids at the pool.

[SuperPlay]

Had a good crack at this today, managed to get to 2-4 Crystal level with a score of 51980