Vasara 2.....what do you think about it?

[TheRed]

Well, I picked it up based on pos feedback on the game. Then posted at a few other sites and things came up way differently. The overall feeling was that it was garbage. So, I did what I told myself I wouldn't....I tried one of my 2 new games on mame. I liked it ok, but was really only looking at the things that were pointed out to me. Someone said it was "floaty" and the ships were too "big and klunky". I can understand what they were saying after trying the game, but still enjoyed it. Again, I am super new to shmups with only having owned Radiant Silvergun and Blazing Star. Vasara 2 only ran me about $110 with shipping included from Hong Kong, so hopefully if when I actually put some time into it....if I feel the way others do I can make that back. But.....I was wondering what the overall feeling about the game was here since this is where I got the couple pos feedbacks on the game.

thanks

[Damocles]

Personally, I think it's a pretty good game. If you loot at it from the normal shooter perspective, it's substandard. However, from a ralatively tactical point of view, it's pretty damn good.

[captain ahar]

its alright. but given some of the other games on your "help me" list though, i wouldn't have bought it first (not nearly in fact). there are several things i dislike about it, the gameplay itself seems fine (and i love killing those banner carrying guys ^_^ ), but i hate the bouncing. if i run into an enemy i want one of two things to happen:

1) i pass through it without effect (a la Mars Matrix)
2) i die immediately, and without hesitation (a la almost any other shmup in existence)

also, shame on me for thinking this (i normally love this stuff). but i don't like the melee mechanics. in particular in vasara 2:

having to kill everything with melee to keep combo going, all the while bouncing around the screen like an excited particle = i'm just going to play cyvern

i'll just say right here that i play through mame (alternative is way too unrealistic on my budget right now). it seems like if i bought a pcb i would play the shit out of it, just to make sure that i absorb it enough to decide if its worth keeping. playing on mame things are more abstract, so in short, i have not spent gobs of time with it.

[crithit5000]

I've played the original Vasara rather heavily...2 not so much, but I am familiar with it decently enough. In my opinion, both games are fun variations on the Psikyo-style of play...I think the biggest complaint that I've seen before with either game is that they're both charge-a-thons...for the most part, you really don't shoot much if you're playing for score. That turns off players, and I can see why...but I just view it as a different take on the genre.

[TheRed]

given some of the other games on your "help me" list though, i wouldn't have bought it first

yeah, I tried for Terra Driver but it was sold out. Then, the day the package ships, he emails me saying he has it. Kinda pissed about that, but still think it will be nice to have this one. I am not into keeping games I will never play though so maybe if I don't like it after having it in the cab, someone will get a nice deal on it.



Edit: Still though...I definitely plan to give this game a shot once I get it in the cab. I never base my opinion on a game off of what others tell me. Maybe a purchase, but never an opinion.

[BulletMagnet]

having to kill everything with melee to keep combo going...

I don't think that's quite how it works...IIRC you can kill some stuff with melee to start the combo, wait awhile, and then kill more later and it'll still go...I think the key is not to "whiff" a melee attack, I think that's what resets it. I'd hafta check to make sure though.

In any event, I like the game for the most part: it's not the Best Shmup Ever (tm), but it is definitely something different, at least, and for the most part is pretty well put together. If you want to submit a high score for it, I run the HS thread for both it and the first Vasara, I think the link is in my sig...stop in if you feel like it.

[TheRed]

I played a bit more on mame and think it's going to be a keeper. I played as Magoichi. I like it because it is a bit different, not that I have put time into many shmups. I don't think I will be putting in any high scores any time soon though, unless they can have a very large number on the right end, lol.

[Dave_K.]

I love the overall artwork and direction, but the gameplay mechanics are what kill it. You can complete the entire game without figing a single shot, just melee attack, all the time. In fact, if you want the highest score possible, this is pretty much what you have to do. Check the marp replay for an example.

If you disregard scoring, and just play for fun, and melee only when you need to (get out of trouble) it seems fun. Although I agree the bouncing thing is annoying.

[captain ahar]

I think the key is not to "whiff" a melee attack, I think that's what resets it. I'd hafta check to make sure though.

yeah this is what i meant, clarity is not one of my strong suits..

edit: and don't be so modest BM, you know you're right

[BulletMagnet]

Heh, nah, it's honestly been a little while since I've played it, I wasn't sure.

[system11]

I think it's excellent personally. Very underrated, the melee is no more overbearing than the reliance on melee attacks in Gunbird 2 (and a lot safer).

[Rob]

I think it's excellent personally. Very underrated, the melee is no more overbearing than the reliance on melee attacks in Gunbird 2 (and a lot safer).

It's more comparable to Gunbird 1 (both junk). There's little unsafe about GB2's close range attacks, they're mostly for prevention.