I originally played FixEight before Outzone, but I'd pick the latter any day of the week. Outzone's game flow is pretty tight once you get the hang of the stage layouts, where to bomb, etc, and is a lot of fun for marathon play with autofire. Can't say the same for its sequel (motorbike sections with horrible hit detection, the question mark system, platforms that can softlock, and a 5 min+ milk on the stage 5 walkers for each loop?!)UD2 wrote:There's a few major issues that really keep me from enjoying FixEight.Redfox wrote:I played both of these games today for the first time. I don't get the love for Outzone against Fixeight.
Fixeight looks better (better colors, more animation, faster, smoother than outzone).
Fixeight doesn't have that goddam checkpoint system (instant respawn on death will always be preferable to me).
Fixeight has 8 different characters each with multiple weapon types, lots of variety.
Given everything I would pick Fixeight every time, I just don't get the love for Outzone unless you're a massochist who likes crappier everything
Full disclosure: I historically have always preferred Shock Troopers 2nd Squad over the original if that means anything
The music is terrible, probably the worst in Toaplan's entire library. Out Zone, on the other hand, is among their best.
Stage design is okay, but nothing close to Out Zone's brilliant layouts. FixEight feels slow and plodding, while Out Zone is for the most part a fast-paced, shoot-like-crazy experience that almost plays like a traditional shmup since you really don't stop moving very often.
FixEight's design doesn't really seem to be geared for instant respawns. In Out Zone, each checkpoint is a fun little puzzle (except the recovery on the stage 6 boss, that can go right to hell). FixEight feels a lot sloppier. Instant respawns can work as shown by countless games, but FixEight doesn't do them well.
Sure, the hardware used for FixEight is a lot newer, but I still think Out Zone is a better looking game (artistically).
Anyway, I'd highly encourage giving Out Zone another go.
Outzone's stage 6 boss recovery isn't too bad in the first loop if you can misdirect his attacks to get some damage in his eye & bomb when he gets too close to you. It's a lot tricker on subsequent loops, especially if you don't have autofire.