Raiden III PAL delay?

Gorecki · Post by **Gorecki** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 1:21 pm

This isn't official as I'm at work at the moment and can't check, but I'm sure that there were two yoko modes, one of which was described as "stretching the image to better fit yout tv screen". I can confirm it later, but I haven't tried it out so far.

One thing I can say is that the default yoko setting seems very small. It's literally about 1/3 of the screen. I don't know if this is actually any different to other yoko games but to my eyes it definately seems like the smallest viewspace out of the recent PAL shmups.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:13 pm

Gorecki wrote:This isn't official as I'm at work at the moment and can't check, but I'm sure that there were two yoko modes, one of which was described as "stretching the image to better fit yout tv screen". I can confirm it later, but I haven't tried it out so far.

One thing I can say is that the default yoko setting seems very small. It's literally about 1/3 of the screen. I don't know if this is actually any different to other yoko games but to my eyes it definately seems like the smallest viewspace out of the recent PAL shmups.

Try to see if there's a "normal b" option - checking older threads I red that the default yoko mode is supposed to be used by 16:9 tv sets. the "b" setting is for 4:3 guys.

Gorecki · Post by **Gorecki** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 5:49 pm

Yeah you're right. Normal B is like a standard yoko mode for 4:3.

Also worth noting, the port also features the totally crazy "double" mode, where you control 2 ships on one controller. I suck at it.

Daigohji · Post by **Daigohji** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 6:34 pm

Sounds pretty extensive. Was all this stuff in the Japanese version?

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:39 pm

Yes, it's in the Jpn one too.

Hmm.

You know, I thought I was going to skip Raiden III - but the price sure is tempting and I'm curious enough... Heck, I bought Silpheed and XII Stag before, it's hard to imagine worse.

So, here's the question:

Raiden III or Homura?

They are both ports from Type-X, and both PAL available for relatively small amount of cash.

I know almost nothing about Homura, except it's samurai-themed, and it's by Skonec. But I suppose (hope) it isn't based on Psyvariar "joystick-wiggle" technique...

Moss certainly doesn't have Skonec pedigree, but I've heard lots of shmuppers here happy or at least neutral with the game...

Cast your vote.

Gorecki · Post by **Gorecki** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:30 pm

Homura is way better. The scoring system is more interesting (although still a little simplistic), there are multiple paths to the levels, the challenge is far greater, the music is superb, the patterns are mind-blowing (bosses especially), and charging headfirst into a huge screen-filling cloud of bullets before cutting them all aside with your sword is great fun.

dakidski · Post by **dakidski** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:19 pm

Ended up ordering from play.com anyway. Finally played it today and I'm pleasantly surprised! I don't know much about shmups, but I know what I like. (I'm very casual).

Maybe it was just my mood today; but the music was awesome and the gameplay was tight. Just what I needed to make my day! God bless 505gamestreet!

Post by **Icarus** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:22 pm

Speaking of el-cheapo UK versions, I was shopping in HMV last week and saw XIIStag on sale for £5. I laughed, as thats how much its roughly worth. ^_-

dakidski · Post by **dakidski** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:55 pm

Icarus wrote:Speaking of el-cheapo UK versions, I was shopping in HMV last week and saw XIIStag on sale for £5. I laughed, as thats how much its roughly worth. ^_-

man, you are giving it too much credit. I got XIIStag brand new for 3 quid but returned it again for a full refund.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:51 am

OI! I liked XIIStag lol, you guys are just jellous because you don't have a big enough stick to waggle...

Saying that I just got this game yesterday and WOW I really am enjoying this one. Raiden III's simplistic nature (controls, power-up system, scoring system) makes the game a lot more acessable for begginers than Homura (which I also happen to own heh) thus the player can concentrate on whats most important when playing a shmup and that's blowing stuff up!

As many people have already pointed out on this thread already the game comes with all the addiotnal options and extra's that a shmup fan would want from a game. Hell it even allows the player to make recordings of there game and save it to the memory card, it's does not get any better than that!...

Overall I would say that this is definatly up there with the "big boys" when it comes to Shmuping on the PS2 here in the UK. Essentaly once you buy this game you will need Psyvarar(!), Dragon Blaze, Homura and Gradius V (and to a lesser extent Gunbrid Collection and R-Type Final even with their flaws) and you have a pretty complete PAL Shmup collection on the PS2!

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:58 am

Oh and to answer the question of Homura vs Raiden III it really depends on you gameplay tastes. These games are essentaly at two completely differnt ends of the field playablity wise. While Homura is fairly complex by nature in terms on gameplay and controls (yeah I said it!) Raiden III is the opposite and thus it's like comparing chalk to cheese. So the question is what type of shooter do you perfer, Raiden III with it's more simplistic old school aproch or Homura with it's rather modern (and fairly unique), complecated take on the gender.

Personaly I would suggest buying both after all you can essnetaly pick both up for what? £22? I spend more than that on meals and drink on nights out, it's hardly a kings ransom is it?

dakidski · Post by **dakidski** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:58 pm

I agree, they are both good games and dead cheap. No reason not to get both. Raiden III just have that oldschool feel which I love. My only complaint would be that the ship moves a bit too slow, but I guess thats part of the gameplay.