Aero Fighters/Sonic Wings feels like psikyo

RoninBuddha · Post by **RoninBuddha** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:18 am

esp. AF1 (with the true vert screen)..

the 'characters', the powerups/icons, the "pacing", etc,..

all it lacks is the psikyo logo...

or maybe its jsut me

Nemo · Post by **Nemo** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:33 am

Employees of Video System went onto work for Psikyo.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:27 am

Are these games worth getting.. I'm not expecting the world from them and they are cheap on neo cd

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:33 am

Strider77 wrote:Are these games worth getting.. I'm not expecting the world from them and they are cheap on neo cd

If you like early Psikyo (pre-Strikers II stuff) then yes. The Sonic Wings games play pretty much the same. I also recommend Sonic Wings Special (Saturn or PSX) if you don't have it already, which is my favourite of the series.
Sonic Wings 1 is available for the PS2 from Hamster and its an alright port which only lacks autofire, but the game is very very easy (unlike the other games, which aren't too hard either, but quite challenging).

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 am

Sonic Wings Special... whats different about this next to the stand alone games?

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:07 am

Strider77 wrote:Sonic Wings Special... whats different about this next to the stand alone games?

It's a completely independent game. It takes classic levels from all three games and heavily remixes them. In most cases they just barely resemble the original versions. New graphics and new enemy formations are also added. Some of the stages are completely new.

There are 17 stages in total (19 if you count the alternative versions of two stages you get when you play with one of the secret planes), but you have to play only 9 of them to reach the end, as you can choose your path twice in the game. There are three different final levels you can reach.

There are 14 Pilots and 26 planes to choose from, all of which play differently. Most of them have to be unlocked first, though.

PS1 and Saturn versions are pretty much identical. Saturn has a slightly smaller playfield (which doesn't make a noticeable difference to the gameplay), but comes with a hilarious mini audio CD. Avoid the PAL version of the game, as it doesn't save your progress or highscores (thus keeping you from unlocking new planes) and has most of the endings removed.

I've written an FAQ a long time ago, which should answer some questions. I really should update that file one day, as I know a lot of little things I'd like to add. Most likely, I will turn it into an ST and post it in the strategy section. Well, someday.

Note that there's also an arcade game called "Sonic Wings Limited", which is also a remixed version of the three original games, but, surprisingly enough, is not identical to Sonic Wings Special.

DarkWolf7 · Post by **DarkWolf7** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:47 am

The game designer for the original Sonic Wings, Shin Nakamura, designed most of Psikyo's shooters (possibly even formed the company himself).

RoninBuddha · Post by **RoninBuddha** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 3:51 pm

doh... that explains it all...

thanks for the SWSpecial info.. i thought it was just a bundle pack of Sonic wings 2/3 or somethin..

Xexyz · Post by **Xexyz** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:06 pm

DarkWolf7 wrote:The game designer for the original Sonic Wings, Shin Nakamura, designed most of Psikyo's shooters (possibly even formed the company himself).

I had a feeling the designer of Sonic Wings didn't work on the sequels. It also makes sense that he's the head designer of most of Psikyo's output, since they really resemble a progressive evolution of Sonic Wings gameplay wise. Am I the only one here who thinks Sonic Wings 2 & 3 are crap, but that the first one is gold?

segasonicfan · Post by **segasonicfan** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:37 pm

I had a feeling the designer of Sonic Wings didn't work on the sequels. It also makes sense that he's the head designer of most of Psikyo's output, since they really resemble a progressive evolution of Sonic Wings gameplay wise. Am I the only one here who thinks Sonic Wings 2 & 3 are crap, but that the first one is gold?

You're not alone. I love the original and the 2nd is definitely crap to me. I don't own the 3rd one but from what I've played I think it's very decent (mostly the charge shot) but 1 still holds the cake so far.

-Segasonicfan

shinsage · Post by **shinsage** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 12:01 am

SWS is definitely worth the $20 you'll pay for it.
I've always considered it to be Strikers 1945 Lite.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:05 am

Sonic Wings Special and Sonic Wings Limited are pretty much the epitome of pure shmupping.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:17 am

So, taking all this info in leads me to believe I should either pick up SWS on saturn or SW1 on neo cd.... wich one out of the 2?

shinsage · Post by **shinsage** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:34 am

Strider77 wrote:So, taking all this info in leads me to believe I should either pick up SWS on saturn or SW1 on neo cd.... wich one out of the 2?

1 was never released on the Neo-Geo at all, just 2 and 3.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:56 am

Really? I didn't realize that.....

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:35 am

It's true. Only SW2 and SW3 were made on NeoGeo hardware. That's the reason why those two are the only games in the series that are not playyed in tate. The only ways to play SW1 at home are the Hamster PS2 release (which is just an emulation of the arcade game and has scaled/filtered graphics, although that doesn't hurt the game at all) or the watered-down SNES port.

If you have to choose between SW1 and SWS, I recommend SWS, because it has tons of replay value, while you'll finish SW1 on your third go. In fact, I recommend SWS over all other entries in the series, as IMO it's pretty much the ultimate Sonic Wings game. (SW3 is pretty cool, though.)

Now, what I really want is some way of playing Sonic Wings Limited at home. Come on, Hamster.