rajirugi or under defeat...

[Dylan1CC]

Rajirugi is my top pick so far between the two as a die hard JSR fan and lover of all things shooty. Plus, unlike Chaos Field it is gasp a full game containing some busy looking levels to go with its pretty "cel shaded" presentation.

Speaking of which, I still haven't bought Chaos Field based on all the lukewarm-negative impressions here (Zweihander's new avatar says volumes lol). So I wasn't really interested in Rajirugi until I saw some video of it in action (I love the static appearance of the explosions, and again, JSR fan love on my part) and positive impressions from folks like qatmix.

Under Defeat will probably end up being the better game by default. Yet, I still haven't played anything by GRev so who am I to say? I plan on getting both, so I am glad they are a month apart. I am sure each title will at least be a good introduction to both companies for me.

Also gotta give GRev props for making a "modern" vanilla heli shmup with no bullet clouds. However, as reliable as old school heli games are, Rajirugi has me more intrigued just for the fact that as a shooter it looks so different and it is good to see Milestone apparently putting in more effort this time.

[J-Manic]

Under Defeat [cut]...[/cut] And the graphics really seem to push the Dreamcast's hardware.

Personally I feel underwhelmed by the graphics of the game when compared to Border Down (and Ikaruga for that matter). Not feeling it's extraordinarily beautiful. I do like the graphics though (especially explosions), but to say I feel it's pushing DC's limit's... no.
It's preordered!

Yeah, I can see what you mean. Both Ikaruga and Border Down are gorgeous. But have you seen the boss explosions and smoke effects in Under Defeat? Pure eye-candy IMO. Also, the gameplay kinda reminds me of Ray Crisis a little bit. It looks like the bosses are flying in a distance, in the background if you will, and not straight up with you like in Zero Gunner 2.

Well, they might "almost" look cell shaded just because the graphics are cell shaded!

Well, there you go! Just the reason why I'm picking Under Defeat over Rajirugi. I can't stand cell shaded games.

[neoalphazero]

Incidentally do we have proof that Radigry has a TATE mode? All screens of DC Radigry show the cropped aspect setting, plus Sega's page for it only mentions the framed screen.

I'd hate for this to be like Gigawing Generations. *-neo

[Dylan1CC]

Incidentally do we have proof that Radigry has a TATE mode? All screens of DC Radigry show the cropped aspect setting, plus Sega's page for it only mentions the framed screen.

I'd hate for this to be like Gigawing Generations. *-neo

Uh oh. Yeah, can anyone confirm either way on this?

[Frogacuda]

Under Defeat [cut]...[/cut] And the graphics really seem to push the Dreamcast's hardware.

Personally I feel underwhelmed by the graphics of the game when compared to Border Down (and Ikaruga for that matter). Not feeling it's extraordinarily beautiful. I do like the graphics though (especially explosions), but to say I feel it's pushing DC's limit's... no.

I gotta disagree. It might not have Ikargua's art direction (but hell, what does? Yasushi Suzuki is a genius), but it certainly has all the detail and style that Border Down had, and those explosions and particle effects are simply the best ever in any shmup by a mile.

[Dandy J]

Seriously, the level of detail in UD is phenomenal. From what I've seen, it's the best-looking Naomi game to date.

[al138]

Hands down the graphics of Under Defeat are quite amazing considering the hardware. Furthermore, I think the music will be better than Rajirugi, too. I listened to samples of both, and Under Defeat's score really captures the spirit of 16-bit arcade shmups. The bubble gum dance club beats of Rajirugi are lifeless and simple. While neither title sports innovative music, at least G REV is trying to coax feelings of nostalgia with its soundtrack.

However, graphics and music aside, I still believe that Rajirugi might hold the edge in pure gameplay. It's going to be a fun couple of months!

[yojo!]

If Rajirugi is half as good as chaos field I'll go for it in an heart beat. I don't understand why chaos field gets some much hate; it's one of the most innovative shooter that had come up in the last few years.

[Super Laydock]

I don't understand why chaos field gets some much hate

Word!

CF is a very nice and welcome addition to the shmup genre!

Concept is great, graphics average (though NOT ugly), and music is better than the music in any recent Cave shmup!

Lack of high score saving in the DC version probably is the main cause of it's bad rep. (and yes it is close to unforgivable!)

[Rob]

That's a minor thing. My problem is I couldn't get into the scoring system because there were too many attacks/items/meters + fields. It all seemed too much of a hassle, like a Cave approach. I think Cave fans should've enjoyed this scoring system. I don't care that there were "no stages," bad graphics, etc. I just prefer simplicity. And the ship was hyuge.

[J-Manic]

I think the music will be better than Rajirugi, too. I listened to samples of both, and Under Defeat's score really captures the spirit of 16-bit arcade shmups.

I agree. I just sampled the music myself, and it brought a big smile to my face. I love those fast paced, techno style beats. Makes for a good adrenaline rush. Damnit! I can't wait 'til this game comes out!

CF is a very nice and welcome addition to the shmup genre!

Concept is great, graphics average (though NOT ugly), and music is better than the music in any recent Cave shmup!

I feel the same way. I was pretty excited when Chaos Field first came out. As soon as I got my copy in the mail, I played it right away. I wasn't blown away by the game at first, but it did catch my interest automatically. The music is excellent for one. And the idea of fighting only bosses and mini bosses through out the whole game, instead of fighting your way through levels to get to the bosses, is a welcomed change from the same routine. It's not a masterpiece, but it's something different. And a good something IMO.

And the ship was huge.

Yeah, this is the only thing that bothers me about Chaos Field. It looks like someone zoomed in the camera from it's original size, which should be a little smaller IMO. I get the feeling of claustrophobia sometimes when trying to dodge bullets/manuever thru bullet patterns.

[chtimi-CLA]

I don't care that there were "no stages," bad graphics, etc. I just prefer simplicity. And the ship was hyuge.

the ship was huge but the hitbox was small. But i can see how one could find CF too gimmicky, what with the bullets cancelling combos and sword cancellable bullets and fields. Like psyvariar, it is hard to really call it a shmup. It certainly wasn't for everyone, even if it had better graphics, and if you're not playing for score the game is horribly boring, that doesn't make for an easy first contact either.

[MASTER SATAN]

I'd guess Under Defeat will be better as I too loved Zero Gunner 2. Hopefully it will exhibit some of ZG2's magic.

I seriously thought Trizeal would be the last shooter to be released on DC last year. Would be great if they just keep porting all these naomi arcade shooters to the DC. SEGA should release a list of all recent naomi arcade shooters that they would be willing to port to the DC for the fans and let us vote on what to port next. Say 5 games a year. Though i'm ass whistling a bit here, i don't even know how many shooters use naomi hardware. Last years Chaos Field and Psyvariar 2(naomi ports?) were fun but trizeal was very disappointing to me due to the extremely small viewing area(smaller than the normal arcade/TV screen ratio in arcade vert shooter ports). I wish vertical arcade shump ports would always include a fullscreen stretch option. Sure some let you increase the screen size a little, but it doesnt matter. Shooters that keep the arcade screen ratio when ported will never get the respect they deserve from me.