Game Cube rail shooters??...

[BrianC]

(see that Saturn flame war a few days ago).

I missed a Saturn flame war?



I'M KIDDING I'M KIDDING! Don't everybody write me a novel at once.

Seriously, though, JP-how are the Saturn Panzer Dragoon games? I even liked Panzer Dragoon Mini, which I tried out on an SMS/GG emulator!

And BrianC, I didn't know Super Space Invaders '91 came out on the Game Gear; thanks for that bit of info! Is it a hard to find game?

I'd love to get a Game Gear at some point (OK, I do like playing handhelds-heck, I like playing games anywhere! ), but it seems like so many of the great games are friggin' impossible to find! Gajin Punch, for example, told me that GG Aleste goes for like $100 over in Japan!

Super Space Invaders GG seems to be more common in Europe than the US, but it did come out in the US. It is fairly hard to find, but not very expensive. As for the Aleste games, definatly keep an eye on ebay for UK sellers selling Power Strike II GG. Actually, the other versions of GG Aleste 2 don't usually don't go too high, but some overzealous bidders often bid for more than it's actually worth (thankfully, the price generally stays low). I got lucky with GG Aleste 1. I found one for $24.99 cart only.

As for games that are easier to find, definatly try to look for the Mickey Mouse "of illusion" games, the shinobis, Streets of Rage 2, and Fantasy Zone. www.sega-parts.com still has some brand new Game Gear games in stock, including some good ones like Shinobi 2.

[jp]

(see that Saturn flame war a few days ago).

I missed a Saturn flame war?



I'M KIDDING I'M KIDDING! Don't everybody write me a novel at once.

Seriously, though, JP-how are the Saturn Panzer Dragoon games? I even liked Panzer Dragoon Mini, which I tried out on an SMS/GG emulator!

And BrianC, I didn't know Super Space Invaders '91 came out on the Game Gear; thanks for that bit of info! Is it a hard to find game?

I'd love to get a Game Gear at some point (OK, I do like playing handhelds-heck, I like playing games anywhere! ), but it seems like so many of the great games are friggin' impossible to find! Gajin Punch, for example, told me that GG Aleste goes for like $100 over in Japan!

Panzer Dragoon is one of those "You had to be there..." types of games. Right now it comes off as choppy and slow (but it still has the best music of the series as well as the coolest levels/boss fights IMO), but back when it came out... WOW! I'm pretty certain though that its the nostalgic value that makes it my favorite of the series (that, and all the crazy ass cheat codes).

*Note: The PC version of Panzer Dragoon is an unlockable on Panzer Dragoon Orta, it runs a lot smoother than the Saturn version. *

But it is the most straight forward of the series (barring Mini, haha, I didn't even know that many other people KNEW about that one), and there is no evolution or anything like that. Just straight forward shooting shit up on your dragon.


Panzer Dragoon II Zwei introduced the evolution system (pending on how well you play your dragon evolves) and branching paths (which also affect your score hence your evolution). Panzer Dragoon II Zwei improved on the speed, graphics, and gameplay of the original, all while delivering a completely new experience. Also, you HAVE to play PDII before playing Saga... for reasons... but you must. It makes PDSaga that much better.

As for PDSaga, its my favorite RPG ever, I've played through it 57 times and counting... some speed runs... some all Excellent runs... some all Poor runs... some 100% runs... some max level dragon runs... if there's a way to play that game, I've played it. Most fast paced and enjoyable battle system ever, an incredibly deep story that none one ever seems to get (hence why one should stay the fuck away from panzerdragoon.net, sheesh), and it just tied the series together and ended it (hence why I'm kind of lukewarm towards Orta) in an incredibly depressing, but awesome, fashion.


FYI, Panzer Dragoon Mini is a mixture of levels/bosses from the first two games... so you'll be seeing similar enemies there. Though no black/red dragons are playable in the first two.

[LoneSage]

P.N.03 and Space Raiders aren't rail-shooters, but they are great and OK, respectively. SR gets old fast for me.

[ahnslaught]

Whoa, totally resurrecting this thread, but after I got Panzer Dragoon and Zwei from gaijinpunch, I'm really impressed. Just as good as Orta, in my opinion. Anyway, I know the thread is for GC rail shooters, but since it had digressed already, I thought I would ask here...what other good rail shooters are out there for PS2/Saturn/DC/Xbox? I really haven't got into this genre except for starfox way back in the day, but I really enjoy it, as it's very cinematic and plays great.

BTW, jp, if you have any idea (since you seem to be the master of PD Saga), is there a good site for translations to be able to play the japanese version? I really want to play this game, but don't want to pay for the US version. Also, I've heard that it's hard to get this to play in a japanese Saturn? Anyway, if you or anyone have any idea, I'd appreciate it!

[BulletMagnet]

...what other good rail shooters are out there for PS2/Saturn/DC/Xbox?

If you can get Rez cheap (the JPS2 version is still on clearance at Play-Asia), I'd say go for it...it's pretty easy (though playing for score is a little trickier), and a bit limited in terms of scope, but for a decent deal the gameplay is solid and the presentation alone is almost worth the cash...if you don't mind something a ways more abstract than the norm.

[Arznei]

Rez is a great game! I recommend it even if you don't play for score.

[Valgar]

Everything is rubbish compared to S&P. I swear to god just get that game.

[professor ganson]

Whoa, totally resurrecting this thread, but after I got Panzer Dragoon and Zwei from gaijinpunch, I'm really impressed. Just as good as Orta, in my opinion.

Interesting. I had the opposite reaction. I guess so much of what I liked about Orta was how it looked. I just couldn't get interested in Zwei. I have yet to play the first.

[ahnslaught]

I've heard great things about sin and punishment, but I just can't get myself to pay for a N64 just for that game. Especially since I got Zelda collector's edition for gamecube. Oh I wish it were ported to something, anything...

Yeah, and I noticed the Rez sale a couple of days ago, and picked it up. Looking forward to it in a couple of days!

[Valgar]

N64 = $20
S&P = $35

There are some other good games on N64...but seriously...S&P takes the idea of a rail-shooter and launches it into an orgasmic explosion of Treasure bosses and crazed concoctions.

For God sakes, YOU DESTROY AN ENTIRE NAVAL FLEET ON A HUNK OF METAL RIPPED FROM AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER.

Later on Treasure turns the game into a 2D side-scroller, for no reason other than that Treasure loves 2D side-scrollers. The game then seamlessly molds itself back into a rail-shooter where you combat giant insects, DRAGONS, centaurs, fucking ROBOTS, and every soldier that wasn't already dead.

I just lost my pants out the window while typing this, that is how good this game is.

[WarpZone]

Rez and Sin & Punishment are my favorite rail shooters, although almost opposites. Rez shows the extent to which aesthetics alone can make a satisfying play experience, while S&P demonstrates the versatility and scope a "rail shooting" engine can provide for a skill-based gameplay experience.

[ArrogantBastard]

Speaking of Sin & Punishment, I always enjoy watching StrangenessDSS's (a girl omg) replay video every time I fire it up on WMC.

Link: http://super-play.co.uk/index.php?superplay=77

Makes me want to go grab myself a copy and play it. Too bad I'm broke...

[ahnslaught]

ok I just saw parts of that video, and the game looks amazing...damnit, those impulse juices are flowing.

If I bought a US N64, what do I need to do to play this game? Get a converter? Take off the tabs? If it's relatively easy, I really, strongly may consider it. There goes $60-70...sigh

[Valgar]

Take the tabs out of the N64. There are guides on this I'm sure.

[ahnslaught]

Yeah, I did some digging and found one. It's pretty cool that that's all you have to do, eh? Not any of this mod chip business nowadays.

Damn you shmups forums, I've yet again found a cool game but, yet again, will have to eat ramen for a while longer! Unforgivable

[Koa Zo]

Damn you shmups forums, I've yet again found a cool game but, yet again, will have to eat ramen for a while longer! Unforgivable

For Sin & Punishment, it will be completely worth it.

And just because this thread has gotten way off the subject of GC rail shooters, I'll throw out another mention of Project Lambda from Triangle Service. There is no release info for the game, or any concrete evidence on the web, but the Shooting Love DVD shows a long highlight video and it sure looks like it will kick as much ass as StarFox or PanzerDragoon ever did.
Apparently Triangle Service's current project is converting XIIStag for stylus play on Windows palm devices (DS release, please), so Project Lambda is on the back burner somewhere - let's hope it doesn't evaporate into thin air!

[Benjamin]

Sin & Punishment is a good game, but for some reason I just can't get into it much. I think the tone and atmosphere of the game just doesn't excite me much or seem very Treasure-ish, and the gameplay, while good for a on-rails shooter, still is pretty limited.

Personally, I think Pokemon Snap is the better N64 on-rails "shooter." Seriously though, I think it's much more replayable with trying to get the best possible shot of all the Pokemon; S&P isn't terribly challenging or replayable in my opinion.

[Valgar]

S&P defaults start it on EASY mode. You were probably playing the wrong mode, and if not, there is a HARD mode which is balls to walls hard. I think you played the game wrong.

I don't understand your complaint about being limited. Yes you have your basic moves (roll, double jump, run), melee attacks (which is brilliantly integrated) and your gun. The thing is, the game needs nothing more, and anything more would hamper it (this is a mistake I see in lots of games). What keeps you wanting more is the ideas and bosses that Treasure keeps throwing at you.

As far as replaybility, it is like any shmup. It has a scoring system, and a high score table. Honestly I can't imagine not wanting to replay it since the game is like having a 1000 orgasms.

[ahnslaught]

As good as the game may be, I just cannot go and get myself to buy a pokemon game. Call me vain, stupid, whatever, buy I just cannot do it, as a grown ass man

[Benjamin]

I think you played the game wrong.

You'd think wrong. I find the melee attack to be extremely powerful, almost too much so. Being able to deflect pretty much anything thrown at you is both exciting at first but then seems to diminish the challenge too much for me. I find it limited because it's an on-rails shooter -- you have no control over how to approach an enemy, instead only being able to watch, wait, and react to their attacks.

Again, not a bad game in the least, just not one I really enjoy. I think the game has a couple of memorable encounters (the carrier fight and the last scene) but not much else that appeals to me.

[RoninBuddha]

hrmm, since the topic derailed towards rail shooters in general.
i'd reccomend these.

Rez - DC/PS2, My favorite game ever.
Planet Harrier - Arcade, Not as good as the Original, but it's fun cuz it's now TwoPlayer
Panorama Cotton - Great MD game in vain of harrier..
Rainbow Cotton - DC, WORST of the series, horrible control... but hey, it's Cotton, i still like it.
Burning Force - Harrier Clone, but quite awesome still, you ride a hover craft instead of free flying... Arcade and MD versions are equally spiffy. Female hero aswell.

hrmm.... cant think of any others..