Under Defeat for DC

[MadSteelDarkness]

So, I'm loving this game to pieces...

BUT!

I seem to have found a nasty little glitch in it. The last two playthroughs, on different parts of level 2, the game has frozen, gone to black (except for the green credits number at the bottom of the screen), and showed the following error message:

ERROR!
EXEC HITSYS
POINTER FAILED.
I=13 J=14

Just to clarify, I'm playing on a JP DC, with a legit LE Disc. I dunno if it matters, but the last two times I was playing with "Reverse" controls. Anyone else seen this?

Dammit, and I really like this game.

[drsmoo]

I think that's intentional( the look of the trees) I think they're trying to kindof make it look like a sprite based game, but far more realistic and with crazy effects.

[Kiken]

I seem to have found a nasty little glitch in it. The last two playthroughs, on different parts of level 2, the game has frozen, gone to black (except for the green credits number at the bottom of the screen), and showed the following error message:

ERROR!
EXEC HITSYS
POINTER FAILED.
I=13 J=14

Just to clarify, I'm playing on a JP DC, with a legit LE Disc. I dunno if it matters, but the last two times I was playing with "Reverse" controls. Anyone else seen this?

I've been playing the LE rev on my JP DC and have had absolutely no problems with the game whatsoever. Has your DC glitched while running other games?

[MadSteelDarkness]

^Nope, not ever. Until now, that is...

However, I'm starting to think this isn't the game's fault. After playing through a third time, and getting the same error message, I swapped out my Jp DC for a US one that was just gathering dust in my computer room (I know, I know...and I've got another Jp DC in my closet. Yes, I have problems...). Anywho, I just tried it out and didn't have any problems as of yet. Which is a great relief, because I'd much rather it be a problem with my DC than the game. The system I can replace easily.

Anywho, I'll keep ya'll posted. Since nobody else has had this problem, I can only conclude that my DC is dying...

EDIT: Another play and no probs.

[sammaza]

I have left this game playing for 2 days inside a 29` in vertical candy cabinet...I have double looped and never had a freeze.

Old usa DC. Original Copy.

[louisg]

Yeah, I haven't seen that happen yet and I've played for hours.. sorry bout your DC

[MadSteelDarkness]

^Thanks, man. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's the system now. Oh, well. I've got two backup DC's.

And to think, the GF laughed when she heard that I'd bought an extra couple of 'casts..."just in case".

Back on topic: Wow, what a game. I couldn't imagine this kind of Raiden-esque detail from a polygonal shmup before this.

Amazing...

[J-Manic]

So far I can make it to the 3rd boss on 1 credit, but then it kills me when it goes behind me (WTF btw)?

For real. I wonder why that is. Are you supposed to be able to swing the heli's aim all the way around (360 degrees) like in Zero Gunner 2 or something? Is there like a strategy or certain weapon you're supposed to use when it goes behind you like that?

[Ceph]

Of those 10,000 copies sold, how many were Sega Direct LE? How many LE were made total?

I usually do not preorder, but in this case I'm glad I did. So, who's going to change their top 25 list now to include UD? You got one more day to decide!

[stellarola]

So, is it that every hour that you clock in on the game you earn 1 extra credit? I have about 4hours clocked by the games time.

[Ceph]

As has been stated before, yes. And after 10 hours you get free play.

[llabnip]

So far I can make it to the 3rd boss on 1 credit, but then it kills me when it goes behind me (WTF btw)?

For real. I wonder why that is. Are you supposed to be able to swing the heli's aim all the way around (360 degrees) like in Zero Gunner 2 or something? Is there like a strategy or certain weapon you're supposed to use when it goes behind you like that?

You're supposed to dodge the primary fire as the boss shoots forward then steer his own heat-seeking missiles back into his ship for big damage (just as you did for the first two missiles that were fired when he was in front of you). It's tricky - and I usually have to use a bomb in combination with steering his own missile but it can be done. I can clear the boss on 3 ships easily enough but I have yet to manage to get there with 3 ships remaining

[Nei First]

So far I can make it to the 3rd boss on 1 credit, but then it kills me when it goes behind me (WTF btw)?

For real. I wonder why that is. Are you supposed to be able to swing the heli's aim all the way around (360 degrees) like in Zero Gunner 2 or something? Is there like a strategy or certain weapon you're supposed to use when it goes behind you like that?

You're supposed to dodge the primary fire as the boss shoots forward then steer his own heat-seeking missiles back into his ship for big damage (just as you did for the first two missiles that were fired when he was in front of you). It's tricky - and I usually have to use a bomb in combination with steering his own missile but it can be done. I can clear the boss on 3 ships easily enough but I have yet to manage to get there with 3 ships remaining

By steer I assume you mean you have to angle the heli and shoot the missiles right?

Yeah it's alot harder when the boss is behind you, it's crazy having to dodge the bullets and at the same time having to try to shoot the missiles. Moving from side to side isn't working for me, and if I stay in one corner of the screen for too long, the stream of bullets usually overwhelms me. Is there a method which generally works without having to use bombs?

[llabnip]

By steer I assume you mean you have to angle the heli and shoot the missiles right?

Not quite... the missiles will seek you out - if you bring youself down towards the boss ship, you can cause these heat seeking missiles to impact the boss and do damage. You should not shoot those missiles as far as I can tell - they need to be "steered" into the boss by clever flying of your ship. It's the same concept as when the boss is in front of you - let those missiles fly right past you and back into the boss for big damage (you need to hit a targetable area - the props on the wings or the cockpit area).

[nem]

That's different. Naturally the missiles will be going up the screen, so the concept is different when the ship is infront. However, when the ship is behind, what I do is, I shoot the missiles so that the thrust is exhausted and the missile falls on the ship. Don't shoot too much though, you can also cause the missile to explode.

It's a tricky fight though. Even trickier when I thought that damage is done by shooting the hull, when actually you're supposed to shoot the propellers.

[Kiken]

By steer I assume you mean you have to angle the heli and shoot the missiles right?

Yeah it's alot harder when the boss is behind you, it's crazy having to dodge the bullets and at the same time having to try to shoot the missiles. Moving from side to side isn't working for me, and if I stay in one corner of the screen for too long, the stream of bullets usually overwhelms me. Is there a method which generally works without having to use bombs?

You're supposed to weave in and out of the forward fire twice before the boss returns to the top of the screen. It helps to do it when the boss is in full motion as the salvos are spaced further apart horizontally (IE, when they're diagonal).

And I try to avoid dropping the boss's own missiles into him as they: A; don't do that much damage and B; explode into suicide bullets. The missiles have to make contact with main fuselage or the engines to do damage. The wings are just empty space.

Using the rocket-pod + collision method, it is possible to kill the stage 3 boss before he gets to the bottom of the screen.

[Bingo]

I just steer the missiles upward, then drop down before they surface onto the playing field (become white) and shoot their exhaust. That way they drop onto the boss. Do that for both missiles and the boss moves back in front. The propellers should not have too much life left at this point.

[llabnip]

I just steer the missiles upward, then drop down before they surface onto the playing field (become white) and shoot their exhaust. That way they drop onto the boss. Do that for both missiles and the boss moves back in front. The propellers should not have too much life left at this point.

I didn't realize you could shoot the exhaust to cause them to drop down onto the boss - I'll give that a go tonight! Previously I had been getting down dangerously close to the boss and moving to one side quickly and the missile would hit the boss - but that's much more tricky and dangerous than shooting the exhaust on the missiles to let them fall naturally. With the tips here I've got a chance! I find stage 4 to be a slight bit easier than stage 3 - including the stage 4 boss so I'm hopefull to break the 1 credit stage-3 barrier soon.

[theevilfunkster]

Why is there 2 sets of replays?

[Nei First]

By steer I assume you mean you have to angle the heli and shoot the missiles right?

Not quite... the missiles will seek you out - if you bring youself down towards the boss ship, you can cause these heat seeking missiles to impact the boss and do damage. You should not shoot those missiles as far as I can tell - they need to be "steered" into the boss by clever flying of your ship. It's the same concept as when the boss is in front of you - let those missiles fly right past you and back into the boss for big damage (you need to hit a targetable area - the props on the wings or the cockpit area).

That's quite interesting, never tried this since naturally I didn't think the missiles could actually fly backwards towards the boss. My first instinct was always to shoot the missiles just enough to make them fall back onto the boss.
It sounds like from your method, you'd have to be quite skillful at maneuvering, as you'd be flying dangerously close to the forward firing bullets. Using this method I think I can imagine why you'd have to use bombs in combination, It would be extremely hard not to.

I'll definatly try your method tonight though, interesting.

[You're supposed to weave in and out of the forward fire twice before the boss returns to the top of the screen. It helps to do it when the boss is in full motion as the salvos are spaced further apart horizontally (IE, when they're diagonal).

And I try to avoid dropping the boss's own missiles into him as they: A; don't do that much damage and B; explode into suicide bullets. The missiles have to make contact with main fuselage or the engines to do damage. The wings are just empty space.

Using the rocket-pod + collision method, it is possible to kill the stage 3 boss before he gets to the bottom of the screen.

I suppose it's easier to forget the missiles and concentrate on dodging the bullets. I usually do get killed at least once by the suicide bullets. I'm not sure I get what you mean by it being helpful, when the boss is in full motion, I'll probably will when I play it tonight.
I also wasn't aware that the wings were a wrong target, I thought they were the ones to go for.

So it's really possible to kill boss before all this even happens? I'd love to do this, but right now I'm shit at using rocket-pod + collision method. Have you actually done this yourself?

[Dennis]

I start with the right propeller. I move my ship bellow the right propeller, fire a rocket when the stage boss apears. I move slowly to the bottom of the screen to avoid bullets. When the right propeller is destroyed I move to the left propeller and fire a rocket, and keep shooting. Then I try to aim the missile below me to hit the left propeller, after that I move my ship to the right and avoid the explosion from the second missile. I aim my ship to the left and destroy the left propeller.

[RoninBuddha]

Why is there 2 sets of replays?

the normal one and for the loop

[Frogacuda]

Why is there 2 sets of replays?

the normal one and for the loop

No, there's no replays for the second loop. The first set is basic strategies, and the (EXTRA) set demonstates advanced scoring techniques. Border Down's replays were the same way.

[Kiken]

[You're supposed to weave in and out of the forward fire twice before the boss returns to the top of the screen. It helps to do it when the boss is in full motion as the salvos are spaced further apart horizontally (IE, when they're diagonal).

And I try to avoid dropping the boss's own missiles into him as they: A; don't do that much damage and B; explode into suicide bullets. The missiles have to make contact with main fuselage or the engines to do damage. The wings are just empty space.

Using the rocket-pod + collision method, it is possible to kill the stage 3 boss before he gets to the bottom of the screen.

I suppose it's easier to forget the missiles and concentrate on dodging the bullets. I usually do get killed at least once by the suicide bullets. I'm not sure I get what you mean by it being helpful, when the boss is in full motion, I'll probably will when I play it tonight.
I also wasn't aware that the wings were a wrong target, I thought they were the ones to go for.

So it's really possible to kill boss before all this even happens? I'd love to do this, but right now I'm shit at using rocket-pod + collision method. Have you actually done this yourself?

The boss slows his movement as he approaches either edge of the screen, so the best time to move through his forward shots is when he's moving at full speed (normally in the center of the playfield).
The wings themselves can't be hit by the rockets that the boss fires. They can only hit the engines of the propellers and the main fuselage.

Yes, I have killed the boss using the RP+C method before he reaches the bottom of the screen. It yields fewer points since it's nothing more than a speed-kill tactic, but if the boss is presenting an obstacle from practicing the rest of the game, you might as well learn to kill him as fast as possible for the time being.

[dmauro]

Yes, I have killed the boss using the RP+C method before he reaches the bottom of the screen. It yields fewer points since it's nothing more than a speed-kill tactic, but if the boss is presenting an obstacle from practicing the rest of the game, you might as well learn to kill him as fast as possible for the time being.

Don't you get more points for a speed kill because the timer won't be run down as far? How do you milk the boss for more points otherwise?

[Kiken]

Yes, I have killed the boss using the RP+C method before he reaches the bottom of the screen. It yields fewer points since it's nothing more than a speed-kill tactic, but if the boss is presenting an obstacle from practicing the rest of the game, you might as well learn to kill him as fast as possible for the time being.

Don't you get more points for a speed kill because the timer won't be run down as far? How do you milk the boss for more points otherwise?

The time bonus does not offset the weapon-pod destruction multiplier (in fact, the stage-end bonuses are kinda weak... unless you've already died twice). Optimal boss fights have you killing all major parts of the boss with a weapon-pod attack.

Also, any boss that has a solid feature that can be shot without doing damage will give you score (almost in a Battle Garegga/Ibara sort of way). For instance, when the stage 1 boss has lost all 3 front guns, he slowly turn around to begin his final attack. You can shoot the front of the boss without doing any damage and will gain points for doing so.

[CecilMcW00t]

I don't know if this has been said yet, but the beginning of the bomb animation reminds me of the Special Attack in Raystorm. When I first did it I was so expecting those pretty little blue orbs of destruction! lol But the flames of hell that covered the screen was awesome.

[Frogacuda]

Hrm, so after watching the high-level replays I grasp the scoring a little more, and I like that it's more subtle than many other shooters. Someone with knowledge of the gimmicks isn't just going to do 3 times better than a skilled player who doesn't have that knowledge. It just means a nice 20% boost to your score, and doesn't revolve around anything too neck-risking.

I find this game gratifying because it provides some excellent firing patterns that are fun to dodge, but it's not so twich-centric that I don't continually learn and improve, and get farther. It's a subtle game, but it's very well made.

[RoninBuddha]

something's odd..

1. I occasionally get this "please restart, press ABXYStart" screen, commonly when i first start-up the game
2. THere is no Music/Sound on the Intro->Title screen
3. I get a slight Pause everytime i get hit/die....

im using a jpn dc btw...

[Kiken]

something's odd..

2. THere is no Music/Sound on the Intro->Title screen
3. I get a slight Pause everytime i get hit/die....

im using a jpn dc btw...

#2: Your DC may be dieing. Dropped audio is normally a first sign.

#3: This is to show you exactly why you died. It's a normal function of the game.