The Under Stellar 2 (Doujin Caravan by STUDiO B-ROOM)

[BIL]

---2008, A Long Time Ago ♫---

Has anyone else heard of this game? I downloaded and played it about a year ago. Having searched around a bit here and elsewhere, it doesn't seem to be discussed much.

Youtube Replay 4 Minute Score Attack.

I was hooked on it for a few days, but there didn't seem to be anything more to it than the stage seen in the above video. I was wondering if anyone knew, is there an expanded version of this game (or any other similar titles by the developers, Studio B-Room)? Although it didn't seem all that serious a challenge (massive lifebar), I had a good time using both the mech and fighter forms to clear out the crowded stage unscathed. Seemed like a very fun shooter, potentially.

Apparently there's a Yahoo Japan auction for it, with the back of its case labeled "score attack shooting game" along with pics of only the above stage, so maybe it's a lost cause. But I'm really curious about whether this game was ever expanded on, beyond the score attack mode I played.

edit: or maybe I should look about for info on The Under Stellar 1, rofl.

---Flash Back 2024---

Take down the enemy's supply lines, Caravan-style!



A skilful and very informative 2016 upload from Nalcia Alford! Many thanks to Nalcia for illuminating this thread. Google Translated notes below:

[THE UNDER STELLAR 2: 4 Minute Mode, Personal Best]

"This is a hardcore side-shooting game from erotic game maker STUDiO B-ROOM. There are 2-minute and 4-minute modes, and you compete to get the highest score within the time limit.

It's like a caravan shooter. There are also EX 2-minute and EX 4-minute modes as bonuses. EX 4-minute is really difficult, and in 2001 I was the only person to have completed it (´・ω・｀) To switch to EX mode, enter "ATAMI" on the title screen.

This game was originally included as a bonus with the DVD version of a shooter called Ganburu. The game was also given out on CD at Comiket, and I got my copy from a friend who bought the CD for me at Comiket. It's a rare item now. By the way, Stella 2 is much more interesting than the main Ganburu game (lol).

Stella 2 was later distributed for free as a DirectX 9 compatible version. STUDiO B-ROOM's website is no longer available, so the company itself may no longer exist. I still have the replay of when I won first place, so I might upload it if I feel like it."

[Ghegs]

Never heard of that before. Tried it out and it's pretty cool, especially since I have a soft spot for Score Attack games like this. And it has transforming mechs, which just elevates it even higher. I don't think I fully understand all that's going on yet, though - what are those meters in lower left and the upper right corners?

Getting a physical copy of the game would be a nice lil' item to have...

[BIL]

Been a while since I played it, but iirc the lower-left meter is your missile stock (it slowly builds back up over time). I think the upper-right is your health (the game gives you a ton).

I love the transforming mechanic too, tearing around the screen as the jet in between strafing as the mech just feels badass. The game's use of debris is exactly the kind of destructive aesthetic I like in a shooter, too. I'd love to play a version of this game which forced you to really fight for your life.

I wonder if this game relates to Hyper Duel in the same way Kamui resembles Rayforce? Never played HD, but from watching a few vids it seems it had at least some influence on this game.

edit: Come to think of it, the music sounds a lot like something Hyakutaro Tsukumo would do.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Is there a link to d/l this game demo? Thanks in advance if there is one... ^_~

[BIL]

Sorry, I don't know if there actually is a demo of this game (the YT video seems to be the entire thing, as it is). I was under the impression that the version I played was a demo itself at first, to be honest.

I'd not heard of this developer at all, before, so I hope they might have something similar to this game somewhere later on in their catalogue. It's got such a great feel to it.

[mjclark]

A bit late to the party but so astonished at how good this is that I've created a hi score thread for The Under Stellar 2

This game deserves to be played and loved!

[Moniker]

So, the missile stock at the bottom right builds the longer you hold down fire... Both Z and C seem to fire, and X changes you from ship into mecha, and V releases all missiles at once... Is that all of it?

Are there any scoring nuances? I assume getting killed does something bad. My eyes aren't adjusted to the craziness yet.

PS: We definitely need a top 20 doujin/indie shmups of all time.

[mjclark]

More will be revealed...
...and the graphics on this really are astonishing for something so ancient- you can chip the heads of the big Space 1999 carriers and all sorts!

[mjclark]

So, the missile stock at the bottom right builds the longer you hold down fire... Both Z and C seem to fire, and X changes you from ship into mecha, and V releases all missiles at once... Is that all of it?
Are there any scoring nuances? I assume getting killed does something bad. My eyes aren't adjusted to the craziness yet.
PS: We definitely need a top 20 doujin/indie shmups of all time.

Tapping shot also releases missiles, as does transforming. You can change the mecha's direction of fire by not firing whilst using the directional controls.

An old 2chan board also reveals some secrets such as:
a) EXTRA mode-
Score 80,000 points in 2 minutes or 120,000 points in 4 minutes to unlock EXTRA mode
(maybe if someone actually achieves this they can tell us what it is lol )

and

b) Ship and laser colours-
Enter the following names in Name Entry to change the colours of the Gimlet and it's laser:
CREA (Brown/ Blue)
AISHA (Yellow/Yellow)
LEASE (Green/Green)
REN (Purple/Black)
CAROL (Red/Red)
MAY (Red/Red)
SMITH (Black/Purple)
EMIT (Blue/Brown)
LIZA (Yellow/Yellow)

[Gespenst]

So, the missile stock at the bottom right builds the longer you hold down fire... Both Z and C seem to fire, and X changes you from ship into mecha, and V releases all missiles at once... Is that all of it?
Are there any scoring nuances? I assume getting killed does something bad. My eyes aren't adjusted to the craziness yet.
PS: We definitely need a top 20 doujin/indie shmups of all time.

Tapping shot also releases missiles, as does transforming. You can change the mecha's direction of fire by not firing whilst using the directional controls.

An old 2chan board also reveals some secrets such as:
a) EXTRA mode-
Score 80,000 points in 2 minutes or 120,000 points in 4 minutes to unlock EXTRA mode
(maybe if someone actually achieves this they can tell us what it is lol )

and

b) Ship and laser colours-
Enter the following names in Name Entry to change the colours of the Gimlet and it's laser:
CREA (Brown/ Blue)
AISHA (Yellow/Yellow)
LEASE (Green/Green)
REN (Purple/Black)
CAROL (Red/Red)
MAY (Red/Red)
SMITH (Black/Purple)
EMIT (Blue/Brown)
LIZA (Yellow/Yellow)

Is it me or the color change is for cosmetic only? I didn't notice performance changes between colors :\

edit: I just noticed that killing enemies using ship mode's beam nets higher score than robot mode's spreadfire :V

The only way to refill the missiles are by continously firing, so don't stop firing until it's completely filled.

[mjclark]

Yeah colour change is just cosmetic and there's also something in the readme about the game ranking up if you kill enemies quickly...

[BIL]

Haha, I was so clueless when I made this topic. Good call on bumping it mj, US2 deserves the recognition! An awesome little score attack shooter with tons of style. It's the Hyper Duel caravan mode that never was. I'd definitely pick up a copy if I ever encountered one.

[Gespenst]

Speaking of Extra Mode, anyone know what kind of horror is this?

(that's two boss ships as well as endless streams of popcorn + transport enemies BTW)

[mjclark]

Haha, I was so clueless when I made this topic.

But thanks for finding it in the first place BIL- how did you get to know about it?
And seriously this game is amazing and right up there with the toppest caravan shmups. It's hard to understand why it's been so widely overlooked.
C'mon everybody- get on that hi score thread

[BIL]

Stumbled across it completely at random while searching for doujin stuff artistically similar to Samidare and Kamui (ie lots of badass ships and mechs!). I've no idea why I waited a year to make a topic about it.

[Gespenst]

Speaking of, I'm confused about the credit count in the main menu. As it keeps increasing each time we complete the stage, is it means that the HP bar will increase each time we play?

[hyp36rmax]

Saw a clip this morning and found this to soak more info. This game looks awesome. Hyper Duel vibes loving it.

[BIL]

Ha, glad to see the video's still there! yt-dlp'd for posterity.

Now it's been a while, I wonder if SDF Macross 2's Caravan concept was any influence on this game, as well. Still so cool.

[kid aphex]

Thanks for resurrecting this thread. Never heard of this one, but it looks awesome.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

You can d/l the Under Stellar 2 doujin caravan stg here: https://doujinstyle.com/?p=page&type=2&id=163

Enjoy.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~