New NEOGEO / Dreamcast game: "NEO XYX" NG: DEV.TEAM 2013

[LordHypnos]

Neo XYX gets 8/10 on Destructoid. Seems this reviewer was lucky enough not come across any freezing, mid-boss bugs and such.

I reckon they were playing in arcade mode, and didn't catch the more subtle bugs such as the disappearing bomb fragments (I never noticed those), and the midboss bug (needed to have someone else tell me about that one as well). CGR also reviewed quite highly btw, with the main negative points being "could have used an easy mode," and maybe there was one other, or something. Mark quite liked the game, though.

[LordHypnos]

Sorry to double post, but I figured I might as well say, for those who haven't figured out yet: The audio in this game is redbook; you can listen to the music in a cd player / rip to mp3/ogg on a computer >_>
Looks like it's only the actual music and not the sfx though... which is probably not an issue for most (?)

[ptoing]

This probably explains the stutters right before bosses. Change of music track and bad buffer code. Also, of course it is just the music. It would not be possible to access sound effects using red book audio like that.

[LordHypnos]

This probably explains the stutters right before bosses. Change of music track and bad buffer code. Also, of course it is just the music. It would not be possible to access sound effects using red book audio like that.

Oh. did not realize. This is also true of Fast Striker and Sturmwind btw. I bet Gunlord too. I think I'm gonna try that next. I quite like the music in these DC indie games, and think that it's pretty cool that they used redbook, even if it leads to more stuttering. I'm guessing using redbook audio is the nature of the MILCD format (aka audio / data, as opposed to data / data, which would probably not use redbook.)

Edit: I never noticed stuttering in Sturmwind, though, so maybe that has better buffer code. Probably, as that game is quite polished.

[ptoing]

Well, technically it is blue book not red book (which is just audio). But does not matter. If the other NGDev games have that kinda stutter on audiochange that just means that Timm never did any better code for it. I am sure it is possible. And at the same time I am sure that the music in the NGDev games could also just be made in a tracker format, which would be more flexible and not produce stutter, and probably would leave enough space to put the audio on there just as a bonus.

[LordHypnos]

Well, technically it is blue book not red book (which is just audio).

I'm kinda bad at rainbow books

But does not matter. If the other NGDev games have that kinda stutter on audiochange that just means that Timm never did any better code for it. I am sure it is possible.

Yeah, I didn't mean stutter is inherent to MILCDs. I meant CDDA is. It's a cool touch, but yeah, I bet they coulda done the code better. Sturmwind, for example, doesn't have stutter that I recall

And at the same time I am sure that the music in the NGDev games could also just be made in a tracker format, which would be more flexible and not produce stutter, and probably would leave enough space to put the audio on there just as a bonus.

Haha. I bet you're right.

[Austin]

Sorry to double post, but I figured I might as well say, for those who haven't figured out yet: The audio in this game is redbook; you can listen to the music in a cd player / rip to mp3/ogg on a computer >_>
Looks like it's only the actual music and not the sfx though... which is probably not an issue for most (?)

Wait..... what?!

I will have to try this later. If it works, then what's the point of the included OST disc for the LE versions? Heh.

[ptoing]

Wait..... what?!

I will have to try this later. If it works, then what's the point of the included OST disc for the LE versions? Heh.

Getting more money from unsuspecting buyers, of course.

[LordHypnos]

Yeah, i don't think that it's common knowledge that MIL-CD implies Blue Book and therefore CDDA >_>

It's possible that they included something extra in the LE OST disc, but I kinda doubt it.

[IrishNinja]

where do you guys rate this one, when compared to say Sturmwind?

[LordHypnos]

where do you guys rate this one, when compared to say Sturmwind?

Gameplay- I think it's totally a matter of taste which you'd prefer. Neo XYX has a very strong Toaplan feel (like Truxton of Fire Shark), and if you're not much into complex weapon systems and stage hazards, that's the one you're gonna prefer. Sturmwind has cool bosses, and some interesting stage hazards, but there are a few spots that feel a bit cheap. This is significantly less pronounced in the arcade mode, however. Another thing is that Neo XYX is very high difficulty, wheras Sturmwind is pretty damn easy (mostly normal difficulty arcade mode, though), both are beatable in any available mode, however (actually, I'm not sure if anyone has managed a 1cc of normal mode hard difficulty of Sturmwind)

Other things to consider include - Sturmwind has a lot more content. 3 difficulty levels, unlockable extras, a ton of stages in normal mode. Neo XYX has only one mode, 5 stages. Some people might think that Neo XYX is "too short," but if you're on this forum you probably understand why this isn't the case.

Here's the big thing though - Sturmwind has more polish than a lot of non-doujin shmups, and while there is a scoring exploit that allows for infinite milking (which precludes playing for score), you're not going to be running into any serious bugs. The Dreamcast port of Neo XYX, by comparison, has tons of bugs. It's still playable, but for that reason, I wouldn't recommend it. You can read through the last couple pages of this thread to get the gist of the bugs.

[IrishNinja]

^that was...thorough! i appreciate the details, and as a fan of both Truxton & Fire Shark this one's going on the list. I'm gonna go back & read over the last few pages for bug details.

[LordHypnos]

^that was...thorough! i appreciate the details, and as a fan of both Truxton & Fire Shark this one's going on the list. I'm gonna go back & read over the last few pages for bug details.

I try ^_^;

[Austin]

^that was...thorough! i appreciate the details, and as a fan of both Truxton & Fire Shark this one's going on the list. I'm gonna go back & read over the last few pages for bug details.

Sturmwind also has a pretty rad limited edition package too if you feel inclined to shell out the big bucks.

[LordHypnos]

^that was...thorough! i appreciate the details, and as a fan of both Truxton & Fire Shark this one's going on the list. I'm gonna go back & read over the last few pages for bug details.

Sturmwind also has a pretty rad limited edition package too if you feel inclined to shell out the big bucks.

Yeah, isn't there like a ship model or something? That's some cool shit.

[Austin]

Yeah, isn't there like a ship model or something? That's some cool shit.

Yeah, and a big-ass plushy, too. (link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sturmwind-Winds ... 1310308367)

[synapse]

Hello.

My name's Carlos and I'm a staff writer for spanish multiplatform magazine Games Tribune. I just registered as a user after lurking these boards for years always looking for info and impressions or both old and new shmups...

The reason is I must write a 6-page review about this game, and even though I consider myself wise enough (heh), I'm no shmup expert. I've played Neo XYX for quite a few hours already and I really like it, actually I think it's my favorite NG:Dev.Team game so far, but I want to write the best review I can.

So I thought I'd ask for some of your collective wisdom

What I'd like to know is, what bugs or glitches or gameplay issues were in the original MVS version and which ones were fixed? Are these fixes part of the Dreamcast version? Also, would you please just briefly list the new bugs/errors found in the Dreamcast version and what basic differences can we find betwwen the two?

I've actually pretty much written the whole thing, but I just want to be sure that I let our readers know what they can expect and that I'm as unbiased as possible.

Thank you!!

[TransatlanticFoe]

Dreamcast bugs:

Vertical S mode is unplayable - introduces significant input lag and the game frequently locks up, particularly from stage 4 but has been seen as early as stage 2. Also its default size is horizontally stretched and requires manual adjustment (which is at least supplied) to reach 3:4 aspect ratio

Small medal counter always shows zero at the end of stages

Bomb fragments sometimes carry over between stages and lives, but sometimes do not

Stage 2 midboss has periods of invinciblity (if the hitflashes stop, its life bar does not go down) whereas it is vulnerable at all times in the the NeoGeo version

There's also an easter egg which gives you a pair of gunpod options in the NeoGeo version, which as far I know wasn't included in the DC version (or no-one has found out how to do it yet).

[synapse]

Thanks for the reply!

But is that all? I mean, Weren't there some bugs or gameplay issues in the Neo Geo version that were fixed for the update and/or the DC version?

[chempop]

Not exactly a significant, but the animation of the dude running in the attract mode was removed form the DC port.

Also, I've heard the sprite of the stage 6 boss was slightly altered (not the TLB), but I haven't been able to do a comparison yet. Since this isn't confirmed I wouldn't mention it.

[synapse]

Not exactly a significant, but the animation of the dude running in the attract mode was removed form the DC port.

Also, I've heard the sprite of the stage 6 boss was slightly altered (not the TLB), but I haven't been able to do a comparison yet. Since this isn't confirmed I wouldn't mention it.

There's been un update for the Neo Geo version already, right?

[chempop]

You might want to read this thread if you haven't yet: http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthrea ... -TEAM-2013

[synapse]

You might want to read this thread if you haven't yet: http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthrea ... -TEAM-2013

Uh... ok, do I have to go through all its pages to find out?

[system11]

You're the journalist, best get reading

[RaidenViper]

Great news for us MVS players:

NEO XYX MVS update version 1.3. An update for NEO XYX MVS is now available by email request.
v1.3
- Added "Easy/training" mode (no score saving)
- Reduced boss safespots (S1,S3,S4,S5)
- Remaining lives bonus at game end
- Added DIP setting for "training mode", can be disabled for coin-op
- Improved CMVS / AES mode support (force "TATE" with holding 'A' button on startup)
------------------------
v1.2
- Normalized diagonal controls (to select old controls hold 'D' button on startup)
- Improved CMVS / AES mode support (add credits with select button)
------------------------
v1.1
- Bug fixes
- Improved CMVS / AES mode support (reads DIP settings on a CMVS set to AES mode)

[Ghegs]

Their habit of sharing updates by e-mail only is silly, but an update is good nonetheless. I wonder if the training mode allows one to choose a stage to practice?

[RaidenViper]

I wonder if the training mode allows one to choose a stage to practice?

I think it is just a easy mode. not stage select.

Btw I read this on Facebook...

[synapse]

Ah, this is all I needed to know. If I had known they would list the changes on Facebook I wouldn't have bothered...

NEO XYX MVS update version 1.3. An update for NEO XYX MVS is now available by email request.
v1.3
- Added "Easy/training" mode (no score saving)
- Reduced boss safespots (S1,S3,S4,S5)
- Remaining lives bonus at game end
- Added DIP setting for "training mode", can be disabled for coin-op
- Improved CMVS / AES mode support (force "TATE" with holding 'A' button on startup)
------------------------
v1.2
- Normalized diagonal controls (to select old controls hold 'D' button on startup)
- Improved CMVS / AES mode support (add credits with select button)
------------------------
v1.1
- Bug fixes
- Improved CMVS / AES mode support (reads DIP settings on a CMVS set to AES mode)

[ptoing]

I wonder if there will be a free disc replacement for people who bought the DC version, esp since getting a whole bunch of discs pressed does not cost too much.

[RaidenViper]

Just updated to 1.3.

After you press start, this mode select screen appears. This can be disabled in the soft DIP setting menu.


Training mode enables the side pods.