Down by Law Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Finished it on Normal difficulty this afternoon, what good fun this was. Just as it's starting to get a bit samey, it'll chuck a load of new weapons , stage types and enemy variety at you to keep you invested. For a game with 20-odd bosses , it's an achievement that so many of them were so uniquely designed. Probably the best side scrolling shooter I've played in over a decade, and an absolute must if you like synthwave and 80's action tropes. Bargain for 8 quid at the moment, don't sleep on it. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaveDisco Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 On 27/02/2021 at 08:36, Benny said: Reveal hidden contents The blades part is probably what you're struggling with. It has a very distinct pattern though to learn. It's something like: first is jump jump jump, second instance jump crouch jump etc. Try to keep the sentry gun special from the previous screens, and only fire your gun at him when he's either sword swiping ineffectually or while you're jumping the blades. Thanks for that, just finished it all (and started again). Was mow man, but not sure who I'll stick with for the second loop. Absolute belter of a game. Can I strongly recommend Cyber-shadow for fans of this. You've a sword rather than a gun, but also focuses on the action, rather than the platforming, with the same checkpointing system. I really, really like it. It's on gamepass for those with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirubagan Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 OK. This is getting better the further I get. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by Law Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Lining up a bunch of enemies in a row and vaporizing them with the blaster's charge shot is proper cathartic. Going for the 100% on normal at the moment and it's playing each stage without dying that shows just how tightly designed this game is. You really need to think about hoarding specific weapons and explosives for bosses and vehicles, so mastering and switching to your default gun becomes ritualistic as opposed to the thing you just use when the power weapons run out. Music's awesome too, I haven't heard that sample at 0:28 since Probe games on the Mega Drive 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbearboy Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I’ve played the first two chapters so far and I’m very much enjoying it. My only complaint is the repetitive speech samples the bosses spew out, which are a bit annoying (especially for my wife) when you’re learning their attack patterns and dying a lot. As mentioned above, I’ve also realised that using your default weapon is useful so you can save special weapons for the right situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarlaccfood Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Also it helps that that standard handgun looks and sounds fucking great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinbee Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I am absolutely hopeless at games like this, but am really enjoying it. It’s the game equivalent of modern thrash metal bands that do the 80s revival thing really really well by remembering what was rad about them, and actually improving on them at times with knowing, gleeful references and killer production values. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirubagan Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 3 minutes ago, Twinbee said: I am absolutely hopeless at games like this, but am really enjoying it. It’s the game equivalent of modern thrash metal bands that do the 80s revival thing really really well by remembering what was rad about them, and actually improving on them at times with knowing, gleeful references and killer production values. You’re 100% correct as usual. Such a great song. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Okay, well, I've managed to 100% all of the areas except the final one, so I guess I'm going to have to learn how to beat the first boss of the final area and finish the game. It's incredible when everything goes right and mildly annoying when you take a rocket in the face and plummet to your doom in some levels. "I hate these flying assholes!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 All right, so I've now completed the game on Normal. That final stage was epic, though the very end was a bit chaotic. Since I basically fluked my way through the bosses of the final area, I decided to go straight on to Hard and have managed to 100% all of the first area which felt good. Being the stubborn sort, I tend to try for all of the challenges (kill X enemies, get all three stashes, don't die) in one run which is stupid, considering some of the stashes require something akin to a suicide run, but it's pretty satisfying when I manage it so fuck it. Is the main difference between difficulties just extra enemies and less health? I'm barely managing on Hard and I get the feeling Badass difficulty is going to be just one health bar. Well, let's just see if I can get 100% on Normal and Hard first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benny Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Badass is horrifying basically. I'm working my way through Hard, as I've given a save slot for each difficulty, but could never see myself 100%ing Hard let alone Badass. But then again it's so good learning to ace the levels is a real joy... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GokouD Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 Got this on recommendation in the eShop thread, it does not disappoint! Up to the 4th area on normal now and having a total blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 Now have 100% on all levels except for the final one. That's going to be a challenge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 After some hilariously comical deaths during the final boss fight (mostly of the self-inflicted plunging to my doom variety, the worse of which happened when the Shogun only needed one more hit), I've managed to claw my way to 100% on Normal. Hard should be within sight, since by the end of Normal I was able to beat a fair few number of the bosses taking minimal damage (apart from the Shogun, because damn if that last part isn't a total arse) and I've managed to 100% the first area already. Badass? Well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. For now, let the (Hard) Huntdown begin! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo1990 Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Is there any cherry for 100% ing it on Normal? Different ending or screens etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Not really. All I saw was that a cheats menu unlocks, allowing you to enable Immortality, Unlimited Ammo and to disable the HUD (for what that's worth). The only issue being that it's only applicable to that save, so a bit pointless really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo1990 Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Bah, that’s a shame. I was looking forward to tackling it on Hard, but if there’s no incentive I’ll likely just beat it on normal. I’m surprised really, given the absolute perfection they achieved recreating the genre and aesthetic. A ‘true ending’ should have been a necessity imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benny Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 For me 100%ing normal is just an excuse to play the game more because it's so enjoyable just blasting through. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 A true ending or some kind of proper reward would have been nice, but on the other hand who needs cut-scenes or unnecessary bullshit like that? Just give me a finely tuned gameplay machine and I'm all over it. I mean, I just completed it 100% on Normal and I went straight back in on Hard, which has been mostly fine apart from a few bumps during The Heatseekers area (specifically the Suki Sniper and Overseer levels. The bosses themselves weren't that difficult, but their levels are a pain in the arse to finish without dying - fucking homing missiles, snipers and flying assholes? Worst combination of enemies ever ) A few sections had me re-doing them over and over again which made me think that the level design wasn't so suited to the harder difficulties, but then I realised I just needed to bring the right weapons for the job and then those tricky sections became a lot more manageable. I reckon Badass is do-able, but I might end up pulling my hair out over a few levels all the same! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by Law Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 There's a secret room in the Drago level of the Misconducts area that is properly brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benny Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 I think the Misconducts level might be my favourite. It's the music and vibe and especially last boss just all together works so well. Probably helps if you hate jocks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 30 minutes ago, Down by Law said: There's a secret room in the Drago level of the Misconducts area that is properly brilliant. The one with the blaster? I have to admit that I didn't get the reference. Also the one on the Overseer with the Personal Howitzer. What's that all about then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarlaccfood Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Hunt DOWN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarlaccfood Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Love how he delivers that. Like he got the line on two separate messages on his phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by Law Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 1 hour ago, Talvalin said: The one with the blaster? I have to admit that I didn't get the reference. Also the one on the Overseer with the Personal Howitzer. What's that all about then? Movie reference spoilers: Spoiler The Misconducts one is from The Running Man (Arnie Choking Sub Zero under the ICS Television sign) and the Overseer one is from Escape from New York (The Duke's Embassy) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Man, this is SO GOOD. It’s the Megadrive game your mum would never buy because it was too violent, and also because it wouldn’t be released for another thirty years. The visuals are up there with early Metal Slug games. There are so many unique animations - like, there’s one bit where some reinforcements turn up, and rather than just have them teleport in, you see their shadows cast against the wall of the alley before they spill out in front of you. The references to eighties and nineties games and films are actually pretty well done too - it’s not some kind of Ready Player One “who remembers Spangles?” ref-off, they’re generally funny and well-chosen. I particularly like the subway stations in the second area that are modelled on the ones in Flashback. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Finished on Hard with 99%, only missing out on 100% due to a few careless deaths during the second phase of the Shogun fight. I've finally realised that I've been moving around far too much during that part of the fight and so putting myself into dangerous situations unnecessarily. Third time was the charm and I finished him without taking a hit (well, if one can ignore environmental hazards) so I reckon a few more attempts should do it (although I thought that with Normal and lost count of my attempts). Brilliant game though and I'm glad I didn't miss out on it for that long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benny Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Finished it on Hard now. Decided to play Badass difficulty and before I knew it it was 1am. It's very very difficult, but enormously rewarding working out the best way to approach each checkpoint. Bosses might be too hard later mind, but they do have very specific patterns to learn. This game is just stupidly well playtested as the difficulty curve is spot on and enemy placement and activation is so precise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talvalin Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 How far have you got so far? I've just done the third boss of the first area and argh that took an absolute age because I kept misjudging his movements. Fail. I did finally manage to get 100% on Hard, after far too many attempts at the Shogun. Annoyingly enough, the majority of my deaths occurred before the boss fight because I was rushing, but damn that felt good by the end. I'm going to try 100% on Badass, but right now I'm just focusing on trying to beat each boss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarlaccfood Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Just finished on normal and now about to start from the beginning without getting killed. Can’t imagine I’ll ever do Shogun though. Jeez. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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