I just couldn't do it...

[Nate]

I put some titles up on ebay the other day. I was on a roll...meh. Fighting Street, Fantasy Zone, Capcom Generation 1...Darius 2 Mega Drive...hey, I favor the Saturn ver. - fuck ME alright?
But, then I got to Rayxanber 2 (PCE - SCD) and Alpha Mission 2 (AES).

I simply could not let these games go! I ordered Ray 2 in late '91 I think. When it came in, I mindlessly spun it in my Turbo-CD combo w/ SCD card for days. I died and died and died and died. I finally got to the 4th boss and it gave me a fingering unlike any before. "How the fuck am I supposed to beat this boss"? I thought as I sat and stared at the screen (safespot). Nothing I shot was blinking. I gave it a couple of tries and then...brick wall. I actually got around to visualizing the boss screen on my off time. It hit me and I came back with a plan! How many shooters of that day - or any of this day- forced you to "take your work home with you" so to speak?
So, I executed and beat it. Caught it on VHS, too.
Then came Stage 5. Pssht. That game has a glitch!!!
But, I can't sell it cause it remains "unbeaten".

Alpha Mission 2: Procured in a package deal. Neo Geo AES system w/ 8 games - $200 - R&R Pawn - 1998.
Sold 4 of the games. All beat em ups. Kept SS1, Thrash Rally, Last Resort, and AM2.

As I sit and watch the demo screens as I type this, I just don't know what could have possessed me to want to sell it! Such a complex yet simple vert! There is enemy pattern memorization, there is a good amount of weapons tactic. This is the antithesis of manic. Lot's of actual thinking involved along with "shooter english". You've got to learn the game before you can enjoy and eventually take it to bitch school. Which will take a lot of tolerance and understanding. Unlike Final Blaster or for that matter Rayxanber 2. I also had realized that I had not played it on the incredible RGB monitor I got last year. That really changes everything. Everything is brighter, clearer, more detailed.
Just the ticket for a title as worthy as a run through Zanac Neo or Shienryu. Titles like these are meant to be tolerated. You'll have an occasional bullshit hit from time to time. Your weapon system is "attachment-based". There are I think...13 attachments. So, the learning curve on the WS is as skunky as learning the levels, bosses, and enemy pattterns...
And 2P mode? Well, in all fairness. You'd have to clone yourself and hope for the best to find anyone tolerant enough in your neighborhood to play with you much less understand the game. Anyone up for some co-op on AM2?...Thought not.

So, yeah. I'm going to just enjoy this game that God or Satan gave me and try to own it again. I guess my idea of extracting fun from the classics is a bit different from most. Eh, I know I'm not the only one around here...

As for 'xanber 2? Hell, I don't even have a system to play it on anymore. They died. yeah, I could ME it. I'm still waiting to get that installed. But, as I consult my Magic 8 ball, It's saying "Not Likely". But, it still remains a piece of my personal history as a "shmuppist"...No way would I have the same amount of time today that I committed around that day, to the title.
And, I would probably get the same results. And I expect to get the same reaction today from bitching/ranting about the game as I did when I posted about it here 6 or 7 years ago...

Somebody told me then that it could be beaten. He did it using something called "savestate". I couldn't bear to respond.

[Bydobasher]

'Xanber 2 is one for the ages. I'll never get rid of my copy.

(And no, I haven't beaten it either, nor do I know anyone who has.)

[chtimi-CLA]

the authors of french retro fanzine "revival" have beaten it during a marathon session and even showed (very poor quality) screenshots of the last stages and ending.
i could try to find that issue, but be warned the quality was really poor and black and white.

[ccovell]

I can vouch for Rayxanber II's difficulty too. It's quite the compulsive game. Alpha Mission 2, though... I have a love/hate relationship with it.

I credit-fed it to the end, so I'm guilty of being a lazy shmupper. But some stages are just downright boring, like the water stage. And I hate it when you die too often, your laser and especially missile are just too weak to take down enemies fast enough. Against the bosses that can only be damaged by missiles, playing with low-powered weapons can be a real chore. Not the frantic challenge that a powerless ship in Gradius games presents.

On the other hand, the graphics in the game are blocky but beefy, and the music is fantastic. So... love and hate.

[Ceph]

I've only played Rayxanber II a couple of times and have so far only made it to the end of the second level; i find the weak weapons to be very frustrating. Where is the fun in being completely outgunned?
To be fun, it would have needed: A) A stronger main weapon or B) power ups that actually pack a punch or at least C) a shield extra.

[jp]

When I had a PC-Engine Duo R Rayxanber II and Nexzr were my two most played games.


With Rayxanber II, I could get to the 4th level (I think I made it to the 4th boss once) on one life. But the 4th level is more luck than anything... ugh. Fucking spider-webs. It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the spider webs.

I hear Rayxanber III is much better and much more reasonable though...

[Bydobasher]

the authors of french retro fanzine "revival" have beaten [Rayxanber II] during a marathon session and even showed (very poor quality) screenshots of the last stages and ending.

So it can be done! Excellent news! This renews my motivation.

[Nate]

Bydobasher:
"..one for the ages"

Indeed. There's a term I often forget. Thanks for that.

Figuring out which ones are and are not is the riddle.

These two are staying, cause I'm not finished with them yet.

Ceph:
"To be fun, it would have needed: A) A stronger main weapon or B) power ups that actually pack a punch or at least C) a shield extra."

Yes, but you see you had that "jet" propulsion escape option...I used that quite often and it worked. It made up for the lack of firepower and the "special attack" feature.

Chtimi-CLA:
"the authors of french retro fanzine "revival" have beaten it during a marathon session and even showed (very poor quality) screenshots of the last stages and ending. "

I'd like to see that anyway...if you can find it. you can either PM me w/ a link or hell put it up here...MODs? Would this be kosher?

---------------

Thanks all.

-Nate

[chtimi-CLA]

ok i'll look for it then

[SAM]

And 2P mode? Well, in all fairness. You'd have to clone yourself and hope for the best to find anyone tolerant enough in your neighborhood to play with you much less understand the game. Anyone up for some co-op on AM2?...Thought not.

Well, I guess that why people here are arranging Shmups Meets. I guess you could easily found someone to play the game in 2P mode during the meet.