Gekirindan

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:39 pm

I've got some odd love for this game; it's gotta be the music. I've also heard some guys from Toaplan worked on this; the graphical style reminds me a bit of Toaplan, but other than that...
The simple gameplay is also a nice change of pace after playing something like DDP.

I've got the Saturn port, and a question for anyone who owns/has played the arcade original: Any notable differences between the Saturn port and the PCB?

I guess my biggest complaint with this game is the shit yoko mode, it's the worst yoko I've ever played.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:56 pm

Good game...though nothing particularly special. I really need to get around to beating this one....turrets on stage 5 throw me.

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:53 pm

I've heard it's a TERRIBLE port with all kinds of glitches, slowdown and whatnot. Haven't experienced that myself though.

I've only played it in MAME (where sound emulation is way off, but I have the OST) a couple of times and ADORE it because of the music (it's by Karu, he worked with Yack on Pu.Li.Ru.La for instance), the graphics are great aswell.

There are a lot of homages/similarities to Toaplan games. The characters, bomb items, patterns, stage 2 (Kyukyoku Tiger-like) etc.

Although it seems to be quite a simple game, I enjoyed it. I'll be buying the F3 cart sooner or later, it's pretty damn cheap.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:36 am

I hear quite a few people say they like the music in this thing a lot...if I recall correctly, isn't every stage's music just a "remix" of the same melody?

I'm personally not a big fan of the game as a whole, but it was included along with everything else on one of the Taito Memories packs, so as long as I have it anyway I'll load it up once in a blue moon...

Post by **system11** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:48 am

zinger wrote:I've heard it's a TERRIBLE port with all kinds of glitches, slowdown and whatnot. Haven't experienced that myself though.

Actually pretty much the same as the PCB, which does all of the above to a slight extent.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:52 am

bloodflowers wrote:
zinger wrote:I've heard it's a TERRIBLE port with all kinds of glitches, slowdown and whatnot. Haven't experienced that myself though.
Actually pretty much the same as the PCB, which does all of the above to a slight extent.

I think some of the graphics are different, I also recall mid-level loadtimes.

It's a meh game with a decent soundtrack...song I should say. I could recommend several better verts on the system...so many that it wouldn't be worth touching Gekirindan again.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:30 am

I really like it too. Beautiful in its simplicity, if you're a fan of simpler shooters. If you're stuck on a tough game, playing Gekirindan is relaxing.

If you're playing yoko, you might as well be playing the Taito Memories that has this game. I hear it's better in that version.

ccovell · Post by **ccovell** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:11 am

I have the Saturn Port and while it's good for 20 minutes, it's an awful conversion. The opening and closing cinemas, as well as the demo mode (I think) are all digitized movies of the original game -- they're not the emulated/converted game at all! And if you know the quality of Saturn streamed video, you know that's disappointing.

Anyway, in-game the first level has a rotating & scaling space station in the background. In the arcade original, it's smooth and impressive; on the Saturn it's jerky and incredibly blocky. Imagining it to be a limitation of the Saturn's emulation of the game in Yoko mode, I tried it in Tate mode, and it was identical -- absolutely awful. It is just a shoddy conversion. Metamor Jupiter on the 8-bit PC-Engine does a better job.

There are other differences between the arcade and the Saturn version in Yoko mode, but they are minimized when played in Tate. It's similar to the differences in Layer Section: The Saturn can do line scrolling, but probably can't do column scrolling, I guess. So when games like Gekirindan and Layer Section are in Tate mode, they are identical to the arcade and do wavy background effects (appearing vertically on the monitor). But in Yoko mode, the game is flipped, and so the same effects just can't be done. In Layer Section, they compensated for this by using different effects. But anyway, there is just no excuse for the horrible blockiness of it all in Gekirindan in Tate mode. No excuse.

Good music. A fun game... but it's so short -- HOW many levels does it have??!? Don't spend too much money on the Saturn Version.

gameoverDude · Post by **gameoverDude** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:23 am

Taito did a fine job, but Virgin definitely cocked it up. Don't let any negative impressions you have of the Saturn version ruin the F3 one for you.

There's EXTRA slowdown on the Saturn one at places where the F3 one doesn't have any. The scaling on the 2nd stage boss battle is a lot smoother on the F3 cart, for one more thing.

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:36 am

I bought the Saturn version after play this game a bit on the Taito Mem pack.

LoneSage wrote:I've got the Saturn port, and a question for anyone who owns/has played the arcade original: Any notable differences between the Saturn port and the PCB?

Never got the chance to play the PCB version. But according to other members. It is not a very good port in terms of graphic effect.

LoneSage wrote:I guess my biggest complaint with this game is the shit yoko mode, it's the worst yoko I've ever played.

Well, I play in Tate, and never play this game in yoko mode. Besided the mid-level loadtimes and no high scores save. I don't see any problem.

Fighter17 · Post by **Fighter17** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:19 am

ccovell wrote:I have the Saturn Port and while it's good for 20 minutes, it's an awful conversion. The opening and closing cinemas, as well as the demo mode (I think) are all digitized movies of the original game -- they're not the emulated/converted game at all! And if you know the quality of Saturn streamed video, you know that's disappointing.

Anyway, in-game the first level has a rotating & scaling space station in the background. In the arcade original, it's smooth and impressive; on the Saturn it's jerky and incredibly blocky. Imagining it to be a limitation of the Saturn's emulation of the game in Yoko mode, I tried it in Tate mode, and it was identical -- absolutely awful. It is just a shoddy conversion. Metamor Jupiter on the 8-bit PC-Engine does a better job.

There are other differences between the arcade and the Saturn version in Yoko mode, but they are minimized when played in Tate. It's similar to the differences in Layer Section: The Saturn can do line scrolling, but probably can't do column scrolling, I guess. So when games like Gekirindan and Layer Section are in Tate mode, they are identical to the arcade and do wavy background effects (appearing vertically on the monitor). But in Yoko mode, the game is flipped, and so the same effects just can't be done. In Layer Section, they compensated for this by using different effects. But anyway, there is just no excuse for the horrible blockiness of it all in Gekirindan in Tate mode. No excuse.

Good music. A fun game... but it's so short -- HOW many levels does it have??!? Don't spend too much money on the Saturn Version.

The worst part about the Saturn version was the horible sound.

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:07 am

Nobody seems to have mentioned the way to make the Gekirindan Default 1CC easier? Maybe its common knowledge?
If someone doesn't mention it, then I'll list it for you.

Regs, DEL

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:11 am

DEL wrote:Nobody seems to have mentioned the way to make the Gekirindan Default 1CC easier? Maybe its common knowledge?
If someone doesn't mention it, then I'll list it for you.

Please do so.

Plasmo · Post by **Plasmo** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:21 am

cool game with GREAT music (made by Zuntata so im not wondering anyway.....great guys

)

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:40 am

Hi Herr Schatten! - Hope you don't mind me posting that photo of you in the Meets Forum

Ok, here it is: So simple - Just play on the 2 Player side.
The game will rank down/play easier.

Cheers, DEL

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:56 am

DEL wrote:Hi Herr Schatten! - Hope you don't mind me posting that photo of you in the Meets Forum

Not at all. I really should have shaved that day, though.

DEL wrote:Ok, here it is: So simple - Just play on the 2 Player side.
The game will rank down/play easier.

Interesting. I'll have to try that on the Taito Memories collection.

Post by **Ghegs** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:30 pm

I like Gekirindan as well. Not sure why, but it has a certain charm to it. The weapon system is to my liking. I've been meaning to dedicate the time to clear it, maybe I finally should...though I did get pretty far the last time I played (Stage 5 boss, I think) so doing the 2-player side trick might feel like cheating now.

DEL: I was also supposed to ask you quite a while ago how to trigger the extra bomb on the first stage, right after the asteroids? I can do it fairly consistently, and I can feel when I'm going to get it, but I have no idea what the actual trigger is.

Post by **Shatterhand** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:39 pm

Yes, I personally like the game, but I do like simple shmups. And this one is real simple, but fun enough.

I have the saturn version too, I got it after playing the game in Raine many times.

The Saturn port indeed has more slowdown than the arcade one, less cool efects, the graphics are very pixelated in many areas, it loads before bosses, the sound was butched, the intro was butched too...

Also, yoko mode is horrible. If I remember correctly, you have only "wooble mode".

But I used to play the Atari 2600 port of Defender and have lots of fun of it, so I have no problems with no pixel perfect ports.

The Saturn one is playable. The worst problem is the yoko mode, but if you play it on tate and can stand some slowdown, nothing is real that bad with the port.

But obviously they could have done a much better work on the saturn.

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:46 pm

Ghegs - I can't remember that ST1 extra bomb trigger, sorry. However I can offer you some other oldskool tips while we're on the subject of Playing on the 2 player side:

Play Twin Cobra on the 2 P side also! - The Stage 2 Boss spreads will be easier.

Obviously you know that the original Raiden 2 Player ship is faster (as a homage to Toaplan).

Plus - Here's one that I doubt anyone knows;
HELLFIRE PCB - Stage 1 and Stage 2-1 - Shoot the gray medium sized powerup carriers from behind with rear-laser only. You should get a 1up icon from one of them.

Cheers

DEL

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 8:12 pm

DEL wrote:Ok, here it is: So simple - Just play on the 2 Player side.
The game will rank down/play easier.

That sounds like kind of a stupid feature if you ask me...maybe I'm just thick, but what exactly is the rationale behind it? I can't think of a practical one offhand...

incognoscente · Post by **incognoscente** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:31 pm

Ghegs wrote:DEL: I was also supposed to ask you quite a while ago how to trigger the extra bomb on the first stage, right after the asteroids? I can do it fairly consistently, and I can feel when I'm going to get it, but I have no idea what the actual trigger is.

At the midboss/antagonist's first appearance, attacking its center only will make it retreat faster giving bonus garbage and an extra bomb carrier. Is this the one?

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:01 pm

Same thing as always. Overuse of the word 'HORRIBLE'.

Graphics are subpar, and there are a couple of choppy moments, but there is no way anyone who defends the saturn port of donpachi should be attacking this.

The real issue is that with the nearly perfect port of Layer Section, there is no excuse for this to be subpar.

Everytime Gekirindan is brought up, someone who doesn't own the game screams 'I heard this port is horrible'; I don't get it.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:46 pm

I didn't want to start a whole new thread for this, but while we're discussing F3 conversions: Did Kyukyoku Tiger 2 on Saturn have an autofire button? That might actually make the game playable.

I hope whoever decided "LETS MAKE THEM TAP SHOT REAL FAST 4 MAX POWER LOL" didn't do any other work on the game, worst bit of game design ever.

@ CMoon: In defense of Saturn DP, it has the score attack mode for practicing levels 4 and 5 which are balls hard and as such is worth owning, even if you have it on PS.

I am growing bored with conversion nitpicking. *plays PC Engine Hucard Daisenpuu, has fun*

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:29 pm

Bulletmagnet wrote:
DEL wrote:
Ok, here it is: So simple - Just play on the 2 Player side.
The game will rank down/play easier.

That sounds like kind of a stupid feature if you ask me...maybe I'm just thick, but what exactly is the rationale behind it? I can't think of a practical one offhand...

Bulletmagnet - Not everything in life has to make sense. It is what it is, and its true. Toaplan just happened to change gameplay for single credits on the Player 2 side of some of their games.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:06 pm

Neon wrote: @ CMoon: In defense of Saturn DP, it has the score attack mode for practicing levels 4 and 5 which are balls hard and as such is worth owning, even if you have it on PS.

I am growing bored with conversion nitpicking. *plays PC Engine Hucard Daisenpuu, has fun*

I'm with you. That's the reason for my comment. Both ports are very playable and fun. It is the misleading reports of games being HORRIBLE that drives me crazy, especially when it (at least until last year) was the only port. And is still the only port with tate.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:44 pm

DEL wrote:Bulletmagnet wrote:
DEL wrote:
Ok, here it is: So simple - Just play on the 2 Player side.
The game will rank down/play easier.

That sounds like kind of a stupid feature if you ask me...maybe I'm just thick, but what exactly is the rationale behind it? I can't think of a practical one offhand...
Bulletmagnet - Not everything in life has to make sense. It is what it is, and its true. Toaplan just happened to change gameplay for single credits on the Player 2 side of some of their games.

This from Mr. 'I need lower difficulty levels to practice with?' ^_~ In the arcade, there's no other way to do it, you can't change the DIP switches unless you're the operator.

DDP has something benefitting the 2p side as well (check the HS thread for specifics), in that case it makes sense. 2P starts off levels in a less-ideal position to chain than 1P, in most cases.

LoneSage · Post by **LoneSage** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:59 am

Neon wrote: Did Kyukyoku Tiger 2 on Saturn have an autofire button? That might actually make the game playable.

I remember the last time you mentioned that a few months ago, I checked it out myself. And now I can't remember.

If I had to guess, though, there had to be an option to turn auto-fire on. But meh, I honestly don't like KT2-Plus much anyways.

Anyways, very glad to hear more fans of Gekirindan. Right after this thread, I remembered I had made a previous thread on the game when I was buying it over half a year ago :D But the answers here are much more concise, gracias.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:55 am

Neon wrote:This from Mr. 'I need lower difficulty levels to practice with?' ^_~

Darn tootin'!

It's not even the fact that there's a way to lower the difficulty present that bugs me, it's just why they'd only include the option if you're playing on one side or the other of the arcade machine. It's like the "1P ship / 2P ship" thing in Ibara: for heaven's sake, it's 2006 (well, back then it was '05), how hard is it to add a craft select screen? In similar fashion, why not just include a selectable "easy mode" or something? Heck, even Raizing included several difficulty/length settings on several of its arcade games...

Limiting access to something "major" in a game to the controller/joystick port you're using, rather than making it selectable/available to either player, just somehow strikes me as really, really lazy programming.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:55 am

I like the game better than I remember. Stage 5 music owns.

Did anyone from Toaplan work on this? There are a *lot* of similarities, it's like a history lesson.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:58 am

The game is definitely a tribute to toaplan, but it clearly isn't a toaplan game. It may well have had members working on it. There are parts ripped right from Truxton and fireshark/twin cobras. Maybe that's why I enjoy the game more than others...

shmups.system11.org

Gekirindan

Gekirindan

Re: Gekirindan

Gekirindan

Re: Gekirindan

TIP

Re: TIP

Gekirindan

Re: TIP