Akai Katana - playable/ fun as plane only?

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

Since I just can't get into that retarded plane turning into a gigantic dude-shit in this game but love most everything else about it, I'm thinking about attempting the whole thing as a plane only. Is this doable/ realistic in your opinion? Stupid idea?

[iconoclast]

I think there's an achievement for beating the game without transforming, so it's doable.

[Chaos Phoenixma]

That achievement requires it to be a 1cc(despite not even mentioning that and every other don't do whatever in a Cave release has allowed continues), for less gamerscore than the actual 1cc achievements, which means the 1cc requirement on it is probably a bug.

[mamboFoxtrot]

I haven't actually watched them, but there are two YouTube videos of this if you looks up "Akai Katana Sheer Grit", "Sheer Grit" being the name of the achievement you get for doing this.

I can't comment on how fun this would actually be to do. I've played a lot of AK, but this isn't something I've tried yet.

[Jeneki]

If your goal is to avoid gigantic dude silliness, even if you never transform you're still out of luck since every boss fight is still a gigantic dude.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

I know, but I can live with that since they don't turn into planes...

I wish somebody did an arrange version of this with a simple scoring system similar to Progear or something akin to DDPDOJ (hypers!). Is it just me or is Akai Katana's scoring system endlessly convoluted? I just can't seem to find the fun in it... admittedly, Mushi Futari/ maniac is as far as I'm willing to go...

[trap15]

It's pretty far from convoluted. Watch the STG Weekly episode.

[dan76]

Yes, it's really enjoyable playing for the sheer grit achievement. In fact, I suggested a mode like this to Rising Star back when they were localising it - I had the job of explaining the scoring system to them. Fell on deaf ears. I think there is a great "Mr. Stoic" game in there, but the scoring gets in the way (great though it is).

I've been trying for the sheer grit achievement myself and haven't got it yet. You can use Novice mode to get it, but, you know, what's the point.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

Shit, that would have been ace.

Have played tha game through twice today, and apart from that hateful last boss everything at least seems to be doable without switching to ninja mode. How close are you to the 1cc, mate?

[Eaglet]

Why would you want to avoid the main mechanic of the game for such a shallow reason?
Might as well play any other basic shooter with planes.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

Sorry for not enjoying the same things you do... this shit just doesn't click with me. Gameplaywise, I enjoy straight shooters, and a plane changing into a giant person is so out of place it takes me out of the game.

also, if you follow this link you can see a picture of a squirrel

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/2d759cf ... 2J64JD.jpg

[dan76]

Why would you want to avoid the main mechanic of the game for such a shallow reason?
Might as well play any other basic shooter with planes.

Why not? It's a great looking game but the scoring system(s) aren't for everyone. The basic elements of a shmup, dodging bullets and shooting things are really enjoyable in this game. Taking out phantom mode makes a good challenging survival game.

Shit, that would have been ace.

Have played tha game through twice today, and apart from that hateful last boss everything at least seems to be doable without switching to ninja mode. How close are you to the 1cc, mate?

To be honest I've not played in a few weeks. I was getting part way through the final stage, once to the mid boss but no further. I was playing Climax mode, not sure it's the best mode for sheer grit but I really like the extra stage and boss.

Btw I also think this is one of Cave's best looking games, the background art is some of Tanaka's finest, it looks stunning.

[Eaglet]

I don't know. To me, the idea is completely alien. Why would I play something where I'm literally missing the entire point of the game just because of a small hang up?
It's like playing a From soft game with God mode on.
The one thing these games have going for them are the gameplay and sure, you're "allowed" to play in whatever way you want, but you're still missing the entire point if you're not using what the game was designed around.

[dan76]

I don't know. To me, the idea is completely alien. Why would I play something where I'm literally missing the entire point of the game just because of a small hang up?
It's like playing a From soft game with God mode on.
The one thing these games have going for them are the gameplay and sure, you're "allowed" to play in whatever way you want, but you're still missing the entire point if you're not using what the game was designed around.

See you in the hi-score thread then, yes?

Edit: you're not missing the "entire point" of the game either.

[Eaglet]

Sure! Swing by the Garegga thread.

I think you are. From a design standpoint (which surely is "the point of the game").

[Cagar]

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[Strikers1945guy]

I hated the more complex scoring in espgaluda ii so I attempted to clear it in that "overheat" mode with the crazy fast red bullets and not bother with scoring. Never got the clear

There's some videos of people playing this way on YouTube one of the 4th boss battle I think.

[Chaos Phoenixma]

I've also tried playing Guwange without the Shikigami before. I could only get up to stage 5 though, but it is definitely possible to clear.

Much funner that way too. Less slowdown for harder dodging, less bullet cancel stuff, not having your vertical movement locked for most of the game since you're not using Shikigami to score. Also no score extends, so you don't lose out on most resources.

[Shepardus]

If we're going to be naming gimmicky playthroughs of games ignoring their core mechanic, might I suggest Dragon Blaze without the dragon shot, or with only the dragon shot? I've gotten up to 1-5 in both, though I haven't tried either lately so 1-6 might be within my abilities.