Xbox 360: Eschatos (April 2011)

[chempop]

So what's the feeling on this game? Is it worth the £30 that it's now going to cost for the wonder price version?

Does it feel like a proper shmup or does it feel a bit... I dunno; like some sort of ghetto indie release?

I held off on buying it for a while because I am usually not thrilled about 3D graphics and wasn't sure the ode to oldschool gameplay would click with me. I did eventually pick up a copy and after my first credit I immensely enjoyed the experience. It is VERY different from just about anything I've ever played, so many refreshing ideas, addictive score play, wild and creative environments, unique and surreal bosses, and an outstanding soundtrack. What makes it especially cool is how the entire game feels like a contained experience, the way the levels progress is like a journey, it is an epic game.

Now the down sides. The strange perspective changes are jarring at first, but i did get used to them. In some instances I was crashing into things that I wasn't sure were in the background or foreground, but I was able to figure them out quickly.

I haven't even tried advanced mode or the 2 classic games included. Original mode will keep me busy for a while, unlike many other games I will attempt to progress through each difficulty level.

[Special World]

Yeah, Eschatos is A+. I did a write-up on it a while back:

http://catstronaut.wordpress.com/2012/1 ... -shooters/

[hermit crab]

Now the down sides. The strange perspective changes are jarring at first, but i did get used to them. In some instances I was crashing into things that I wasn't sure were in the background or foreground, but I was able to figure them out quickly.

Come one man... Those perspective changes are awesome! They add so much feeling of speed to the game.

Sure they can be confusing when you don't know which way it's gonna go. But they are only used that way when the game wants to confuse you. Consider it part of the enemy's attack pattern. It's an additional challenge to the gameplay (and one that feels natural).

You can love them or hate them but to present them as some kind of downside to the game just feels silly if you ask me. Not that anyone did but I'm just putting it out there in case people who haven't played the game read your comment and think this is another one of those cases where a good game gets ruined by poor camerawork, when in fact the camerawork in this game is masterful.

[Special World]

Yeah, I rarely ever get killed during perspective changes, and it adds a lot to the feel of the game. I love Eschatos.

[VixyNyan]

That's why Eschatos is so great. The feeling of the "adventure" to reach the enemy base with the means of perspective change. Not to mention the music by the SuperSweep team (Yousuke Yasui being among them) adding to the excitement and awesomeness. Mamoru-kun wa Norowarete Shimatta on the 360/PS3 has beautiful music by Yasui too and being able to hear the synthesized music in Eschatos too is soothing and beautiful to hear. When you listen to this Omega Five arrange by Yasui himself, you understand what I mean~ ^^

Even back when I completed the game (achievement-wise), I still consider it being among one of my favorite games out there and I enjoy it even now. Can't wait for Ginga Force to spice things up the same way as this game did. ^^

[Aquas]

Now the down sides. The strange perspective changes are jarring at first, but i did get used to them. In some instances I was crashing into things that I wasn't sure were in the background or foreground, but I was able to figure them out quickly.

Come one man... Those perspective changes are awesome! They add so much feeling of speed to the game.

Sure they can be confusing when you don't know which way it's gonna go. But they are only used that way when the game wants to confuse you. Consider it part of the enemy's attack pattern. It's an additional challenge to the gameplay (and one that feels natural).

You can love them or hate them but to present them as some kind of downside to the game just feels silly if you ask me. Not that anyone did but I'm just putting it out there in case people who haven't played the game read your comment and think this is another one of those cases where a good game gets ruined by poor camerawork, when in fact the camerawork in this game is masterful.

Thirded. Camera changes are great. If this aspect ruins it for you, get real. (Hi Elixir)

[Zaarock]

Thirded. Camera changes are great. If this aspect ruins it for you, get real. (Hi Elixir)

Or just go play JSS (until divine flow I guess, lol)

[Special World]

I'm really afraid that Ginga Force will be weird in a bad way, but Eschatos (and JSS and CS) are so good that I will absolutely take the plunge anyhow. I can't wait. Eschatos is a sleeper hit even in a niche genre.

[colour_thief]

Or just go play JSS (until divine flow I guess, lol)

Man, what's wrong with Divine Flow? That's an awesome boss.

[VixyNyan]

Or just go play JSS (until divine flow I guess, lol)

Man, what's wrong with Divine Flow? That's an awesome boss.

It sure is awesome. With lasers that home in on you and make you wait for the next one to avoid the attacks.

Also the TLB~ <3

[gs68]

All you whippersnappers need to play more Cardinal Si--

*boom*

NO!

[szycag]

Is this planned for a Games On Demand release ever? If not, is Play Asia the best price?

[Chaos Phoenixma]

Divine Flow on Hard is completely ridiculous though. First you have to tap dodge very precisely at precise times. The laser boxes become a much bigger issue. The bullets on the falling rocks attack, WHY? Probably some other stuff I'm forgetting about. Not that I can even get to it on 1 credit without the completely overpowered Secret Ship on Hard.


The game is very doable on Normal though, but my consistency just like any other game pretty much sucks.


I'd like to actually get the 1,000 gamerscore for this, but I don't want to put in the effort on Cardinal Sins at the moment. Maybe later.


It's not going to be released on Games on Demand officially elsewhere.

[Special World]

All you whippersnappers need to play more Cardinal Si--

*boom*

NO!

Do you guys not like Cardinal Sins or something? It's not as good as Eschatos or JSS, but it's still fairly fun and really unique.

[colour_thief]

All you whippersnappers need to play more Cardinal Si--

*boom*

NO!

Do you guys not like Cardinal Sins or something? It's not as good as Eschatos or JSS, but it's still fairly fun and really unique.

Umm, sort of the complete opposite. "NO!" is a reference to blowing up your extends during the sloth trial.

[VixyNyan]

"NO!" is a reference to blowing up your extends during the sloth trial.

If you are careful enough it wasn't so tough racking up those extends ( although you could still shoot them down by mistake )

It took so many attempts to get 106.4％ on Greed, but I was happy when I got it. But I think you only need about 100% for S rank.

Pride was fun too, thanks to the shield. ^^

Wrath is pretty tough to S rank too (no miss), but not impossible.

[gs68]

wrath is so-called because you get to wrathful trying to no-miss it

[colour_thief]

Every time you kill wrath's mirror shield the difficulty rank goes down. As time elapses it goes up. But if you can keep the pressure on it can really pay off and make the no miss easier.

Each sin has to be approached differently, but for the most part it's easy to get S ranks once you know what you're doing. By easy, I mean there's lots of room to do significantly better than the S rank minimum requirement:

[VixyNyan]

You're right, altho I was happy enough getting an Overall S rank on Cardinal Sins (a few A ranks on some sins) and then complete Eschatos 1000gs that way. ^^;

[Nick420]

I prefer bullet hell however eschatos just knocks every other shooter out the park for me. I think it might be my favourite shooter ever. For 30 quid you really, really cannot go wrong with this. I love how the game plays, I really like the perspective changes, without them you wouldn't get that going on a journey vibe. Like when the camera looks up and you see the next boss you are going to face and stuff. It's just pure epicness.
I love how it plays, the simple controls and don't let an enemy escape gameplay to me is just fun, fun, FUN! Not to mention the two excellent bonus games. No other shooter will have you jiving in front of the screen like this one either. What a soundtrack!! Perfect video game tunes. (Ketsui and mushi hd come close) but still, eschatos rules in the tunage department)
Cave can become a little stale at times but eschatos is fresh as fresh can be.

If there is anyone left who hasn't took the plunge on this one...DO NOT HESITATE A SECOND LONGER!!! WE NEED MORE QUTE IN OUR LIBRARIES!!!

Also on the Jss/cs tate patch. Is there no way to get that without live? Like a dl'able patch the same as doj?

[d3vak]

So what's the difference between the regular and the "wonder price" editions? Is it just that the second one is region free?

[BareKnuckleRoo]

I'm pretty sure all releases of Eschatos were region-free. The "Wonder Price" release is just a later reprint at a lower cost. It's common for games to have a full-priced initial release, and then after that's sold, get reprinted later at a lower reprint release cost (to try and get other people to buy the game who did not buy it when it was first released).

Also on the Jss/cs tate patch. Is there no way to get that without live? Like a dl'able patch the same as doj?

Would this work? http://www.xbuc.net/browse/eschatos/

I've never used the site, but it seems like a download repository for title updates... not sure if you need a hacked console though for it (doesn't look like title updates need it though).

[d3vak]

Thanks for the info!

[Nick420]

I'm pretty sure all releases of Eschatos were region-free. The "Wonder Price" release is just a later reprint at a lower cost. It's common for games to have a full-priced initial release, and then after that's sold, get reprinted later at a lower reprint release cost (to try and get other people to buy the game who did not buy it when it was first released).

Also on the Jss/cs tate patch. Is there no way to get that without live? Like a dl'able patch the same as doj?

Would this work? http://www.xbuc.net/browse/eschatos/

I've never used the site, but it seems like a download repository for title updates... not sure if you need a hacked console though for it (doesn't look like title updates need it though).

Ah sweet man! Thanks for that, yeah that looks like just the ticket
I own the game but I have a rgh 360 in my cab which is where I want to apply the patch il edit this post if i get it to work.

[cave hermit]

Really looking forward to getting this from Playasia! Until very recently I didn't even know it came with 2 other games for free; that pretty much sealed the deal