Gradius V: what does everyone think?

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 1:49 am

Tsk, I see some serious case of "Treasure Fanboy Syndrome" here. Its symptoms are very easy to tell:

Basically, when a Konami classic game from the eighties / early nineties is good it MUST HAVE BEEN MADE by Treasure. Which of course is nonsense. Get to read some credits rolls guys.

By the way, Gradius V is excellent.

Minzoku · Post by **Minzoku** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 1:47 pm

captain ahar wrote:this is just random note and didn't want to create a topic for it.

i am only average at Gradius and I just discovered something that makes me feel better. Watching the Gradius movies at Gamespot. it is something to see someone power through there entire bar and not choose anything (check out movie 2 ).

here it is

The person playing in the US Breakdown DVD for GV does the same thing, in addition to including a DEATH [including restart] in not only stage 3, but in the demo for how to play Gradius Gaiden

That was hilarious when we saw that... so much for "masterplay"

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 2:01 pm

Stormowl wrote:gradius v is very good. the japanese version is the same in terms of enemies, the only difference is that "options" are called "multiples"

They're called that in some of the old ones too. I think Gaiden and III

Anyway, I like it alot. It's best to look at it as a merging of Gradius and Salamander. It's a bit of a departure, but purism aside, it's a shot in the arm that the series needed.

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 2:17 pm

Turrican wrote:Tsk, I see some serious case of "Treasure Fanboy Syndrome" here. Its symptoms are very easy to tell:

Basically, when a Konami classic game from the eighties / early nineties is good it MUST HAVE BEEN MADE by Treasure. Which of course is nonsense. Get to read some credits rolls guys.

By the way, Gradius V is excellent.

Hey, I'm the president of the Treasure Fanboy League and I've spent alot of time dispelling these myths.

It's not a product of being a fanboy, it's just myths perpetuated by the mainstream gaming media. Their developer profiles and reviews always allude to them being a defected konami "team", when in fact they were formed from various members from the arcade, console, and handheld divisions, many of whom had never worked on a game with each other before.

But when you read reviews they always talk about how Treasure made Contra and Castlevania and all these games that they had nothing to do with. People beleive this because of the amount of misinformation out there, not because they're "fanboys". They aren't pulling it our of their asses, they probably just read it on IGN or something.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 2:24 pm

Turrican wrote:Tsk, I see some serious case of "Treasure Fanboy Syndrome" here. Its symptoms are very easy to tell:

Basically, when a Konami classic game from the eighties / early nineties is good it MUST HAVE BEEN MADE by Treasure. Which of course is nonsense. Get to read some credits rolls guys.

By the way, Gradius V is excellent.

Yeah, that is nonsense. The only reason I assumed that Gradius: IA was made by some Treasure developers was becuase it is a bit different from other Gradius games, not becuase it's good, though it is good IMO. And as I said before, the guys who did that Treasure site need to get those Gradius pages up ASAP, perferbly with the credit rolls. Also, I knew about that site before, but there was no way of me knowing that they already checked Gradius. They're not listed under "not related to Treasure" and the site doesn't have a credit list. Honestly, all this confusion with Gradius could be prevented with just a small little update.

BTW, I really hate how every time someone makes a mistake, people call it fanboyism. You know people can love Treasure games without being a fanboy. The fact is some employees did work at Konami. While they may have had a minor part with most Konami games, many of their games do have a strong Konami infulance. Nobody in this topic assumed a game was designed by Treasure just becuase it was good. Honestly, what is the point of calling someone who mistakenly says a game is by Treasure a fanboy? How do you know he's a fanboy and not just someone who mistakenly said a game is by Treasure?

Also, Konami still kept on rocking even after Treasure left, so you know that the Treasure developers wasn't what kept Konami alive, even before the developers left. Contra Hard Corps, Castlevania SotN, the GBA Castlevanias, Twinbee Yahho, the Parodius games, Gradius Gaiden (my favorite Gradius), Contra Shattered Soldier, and the Metal Gear Solid games prove that Konami rocks without the Treasure developers and quite heavily, I might add.

BTW, this topic is about Gradius V, which was designed my Treasure and proves that Treasure knows their stuff, even though they didn't work on previous Gradius games. However, Gradius Galaxies wasn't designed by Konami and that turned out great too. My guess is that some Konami developers were overseeing both games.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:47 pm

Frogacuda, of course you're right. BrianC, you're right too. Sheesh guys, I was doing a bit of irony, you know. Cool down. And I did not call anyone fanboy. I just said you could have get a fanboy syndrome, that's like catching a cold.

I didn't make names nor I wanted to sound offensive. Of course asking ourselves which games Treasure's members were involved with is a legitimate question. That's why I compiled this list with the help of gamefaqs friends, to help making things clearer.

It's just that, as Frogacuda says, the misinformation on topic is incredible. I've heard the worst things ever about this, you know, and it gets on my nerve that the common widespread opinion is that "Konami started to suck 'cause all the good guys left for Treasure". I'm just happy that none of you is
that kind of Treasure fanboy.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:57 pm

Turrican wrote:Frogacuda, of course you're right. BrianC, you're right too. Sheesh guys, I was doing a bit of irony, you know. Cool down. And I did not call anyone fanboy. I just said you could have get a fanboy syndrome, that's like catching a cold.

I didn't make names nor I wanted to sound offensive. Of course asking ourselves which games Treasure's members were involved with is a legitimate question. That's why I compiled this list with the help of gamefaqs friends, to help making things clearer.

It's just that, as Frogacuda says, the misinformation on topic is incredible. I've heard the worst things ever about this, you know, and it gets on my nerve that the common widespread opinion is that "Konami started to suck 'cause all the good guys left for Treasure". I'm just happy that none of you is
that kind of Treasure fanboy.

oh ok. I understand. Sorry I took it the wrong way. Thanks for making a list. Now to keep this on topic, what is your opinion of the unlockable edit mode in Gradius V?

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:22 pm

BrianC wrote:Now to keep this on topic, what is your opinion of the unlockable edit mode in Gradius V?

It looked a bit superfluous to me. I don't like Gradius III that much, so I was never really into edit mode (heck, if I'd want tons of customization, I'd play parodius games). But this one is quite more limited than GIII one, and basically feels like an extra gimmick so that fans won't complain about ripple laser absence. (and it works; I would have hated them forever if they didn't include ripple.)

Of course, once you unlock it you stick to it in order to balance your weaponry at best (like option type 2 and eagle missiles!) but you still get that feeling that the game is meant to be played with the four default types.

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 7:23 pm

BrianC wrote:And as I said before, the guys who did that Treasure site need to get those Gradius pages up ASAP, perferbly with the credit rolls. Also, I knew about that site before, but there was no way of me knowing that they already checked Gradius. They're not listed under "not related to Treasure" and the site doesn't have a credit list. Honestly, all this confusion with Gradius could be prevented with just a small little update.

"Those guys" are me and Sqoon. Just, FYI. I've spen ALOT of time digging to complete those gameographies. I don't usually add games to the "Not related" section, because really, almost everything's not related. Sqoon usually does that.

However, there are many games that I know were worked on by various Treasure members that I don't have up, simply because I can't get credits rolls for these games (some might not even have them, and a couple are in kanji, or I just don't have them). If you want to help me finish this section, please feel free. Off the top of my head:

Taromaru (Saturn), worked on by Hiroshi Iuchi (pretty much 100% sure on this one, but credits in kanji. Even screenshots of the credits would be enough for me, since I know what his name looks like).

Roller Games (Famicom) : I beleive Maegawa worked on this port

Quarth (MSX): Sound by NON

Quarth (Arcade): Also sound by NON

Punk Shot: Music by NON

Langranian Point: Nazo2 did the music

Yume Penguin Motonagari: Ditto

Escape Kids (Arcade): Iuchi probably worked on this

Mitsumete Knight: Nazo2 Suzuki worked on this

Pop'n Music: Nazo2 was the "music director"

I have these games listed in the developer gameographies, but I simply don't have enough info to give them their own pages yet.

But FWIW we have checked all the obvious games. The Gradius, Contras, Castlevanias, and more or less every Konami arcade title from the time (though a few I can't beat or don't have endings). There's a few notable omissions, namely i haven't looked at the SNES port of Gradius III.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:47 pm

Look how clever I am, resurrecting a Gradius V related thread so that Geona & friends can leave Broken Thunder alone ^_^

Please guys, have a seat.

rockaroller · Post by **rockaroller** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:05 pm

On one hand, the game is wonderful: the graphics are top-notch, so is the soundtrack. Not to mention it's very challenging, and I think even the most skilled players had some headaches with it. And, the most important: it's Gradius!!!

On the other hand, the levels (and the overall game) are too long for my tastes, some stuff (specially background art) feels uninspired and sometimes it's a little too frustrating.

So, for me, it's 7,5/10.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:32 pm

I didn't have the game yet back when this topic was active, I might as well weigh in on it before it vanishes again. In summary:

The Good: Looked and sounded nice, and controlled fine. The return of the weapon config was good to see, and the four option types added a welcome dose of variety and strategy. Instant respawn and the ability to recollect options did a lot to reduce the "die once and you might as well reset" syndrome of previous series entries. In true Treasure fashion the game forces you into nasty predicaments regularly, but the smaller hitbox leaves you far less likely to worry about accidentally running the flame from the back of your thrusters into a wall and dying. Enemies and bullets tend to pass over obstacles rather than under them (finally). Despite being less frustrating than previous Gradii, still plenty challenging...separately-recorded scores by difficulty level was a nice touch too.

The Bad: While graphics were high quality, they felt a bit too uniform...unskippable cutscenes were a minor annoyance. Practice mode was lacking, and while Treasure improved several series-long annoyances (mentioned above), they failed to address the tiny gray (worst possible color choice) bullets and no-warning cheap come-from behind deaths (especially inexcusable, since Gaiden saw fit to include warnings years before). Both very easy adjustments (or at least an option menu item or two), but Treasure didn't bother. Not to mention the fact that it's on a Blue Disc of Death (tm).

The Rest: Still no real scoring system, which either oversimplifies or focuses the gameplay, depending on how you look at it. The whole "no Moai" thing. Definitely doesn't feel like a "true" Gradius, but personally that's fine with me.

In short, not the Messiah of shmupping, but good enough to sneak into my personal Top 25.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:27 pm

love it...

Belmont · Post by **Belmont** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:08 am

One thing i really feel that this game needs is the option to start with multiples when using practice mode to start from a lvl. I can breeze through the first 4-5 lvls of this game but suck terribly at the last 3 because lack of practice. I cant simply start from those lvls because being severly underpowered its almost impossible to survive, exspecially the green goo lvl. I figure since the game lets you keep all 4 multiples when you die it should let you start with them on practice mode.

WarpZone · Post by **WarpZone** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:50 am

Belmont wrote:it should let you start with them on practice mode.

To power-up, pause and press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, and then L1, R1 (for Laser) or L2, R2 (for Double). You can also do this once per stage in the full game, although the high score table will indicate this.

Arvandor · Post by **Arvandor** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:52 am

It's pretty good for a horizontal -_^

Pirate1019 · Post by **Pirate1019** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:53 am

tehkao wrote:...although it doesn't feel like Gradius...

That's what makes it awesome. Treasure changed (almost) everything I tried to love about the series but couldn't.

mirkvid · Post by **mirkvid** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:15 am

awsomeness and it looks rad on my new hdtv too! i do think its too long tho.
(RSG is too i think.) i like my shmups to be around 5 levels. something to play while you get your beers cold!

Pixel_Outlaw · Post by **Pixel_Outlaw** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:11 am

I really hate the later levels such as 5 and 6. I don't like being barraged by oddly moving non bullets items.

That being said the game is wonderfull. The plasma glows are impressive and the visuals are dramatic. The sound is also great. It's almost the Ikaruga of horizontal scrollers.

Aquas · Post by **Aquas** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:49 am

It's long. It's not something you sit down and play 3 runs consecutively, let alone even two. As beating the game takes about 45 minutes or more (or finishing first loop, whatever.) It's nice to come around to it every now and then and give it a go, usually you're always improving each time you play. The practice mode is handy for learning stage 7, that stage is a bitch! I with it were more like Gradius III, if it had less mechanical designs, and more out of this world kind of stuff (MAIOIA'S?)

I generally enjoy the game. Using Type 2 is simply mesmerizing and beautiful. I hate that guy who says "Brush up on your skills," and "You need more practice." I want to shoot his core, that damn fucking bastard. He really ticks me off for some reason, I think he's just a guy that I can fuel all my gradius-related rage into, rather than punching a puppy (aw...)

It's fun to blow up stuff.

louisg · Post by **louisg** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:38 am

I dunno, man, G5 just didn't click with me. I'm not a big Gradius fan to begin with (though I liked some of the old ones, and the little I played of Gaiden seemed really good), but I felt like the other games had an urgency that many levels of G5 lacked. I also wish the bosses weren't pretty much all cores, and that they had placed the boss parade much later in the game, and that the cutscenes were skippable. That said, the game looks really good and is pretty slickly done overall.

tuoma · Post by **tuoma** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:04 am

This game woke me up from a one year break from shmups when i played it.
I have always liked gradius since the day i got it for my nes but this really is the ace in the deck of gradius games for me.

I can understand more arcadeoriented players being frustrated with the length of it, but that was just a bonus for me. I loved the bosses and I loved the levels.

And guess what Aquas, i used to do 4-5-6 consequtive runs each day for a week when going for my 1cc. I just laid on my couch non stop after school, smoking cigs and eating junk food while playing.

Here's hoping for a G6.

Krooze L-Roy · Post by **Krooze L-Roy** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:06 am

I liked the game much more before my ps2 decided to carve a nice deep circular scratch around the entire disc. Matter of fact I liked my ps2 a lot more before that too.

But yeah, the game itself is awesome. Some very memorable parts, which is really what separates great from classic. But I never have figured out how to get through that huge wall of respawning organic muck.

tviks · Post by **tviks** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:55 am

Best game of the best series.

Xargon · Post by **Xargon** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:37 pm

This was my first real shmup and I love it. GV also made me like horizontals a bit more than verticals which is... not so good maybe. Of course there is that "the first one" inculded, so that's probably why I love it so...

But now, after 55h of playing and still no 1CC, I think I've had enough of this sh*t.

MX7 · Post by **MX7** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:16 pm

It brings back warm memories every time I play it, but it can get very boring because of the length, especially in one player mode. Frankly, i've always pretty much ignored one player mode, because It's simply the best two player game ever made. Gradius V is all about teamwork and synergy, and that bitter struggle to determine who get's to control the forth option. Magic.

FRO · Post by **FRO** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:41 pm

Great game - probably my fav US-released shmup for PS2 (close second is R-Type Final).

LSU · Post by **LSU** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:17 pm

Love it. Really high production values and some very nice ideas, and it's different enough to the rest of the series to make it a little bit unique. And oddly enough I like the post-death option recovery system from Salamander being incorporated.

On the minus side, I do wish the Moai Heads had made an appearance (just doesn't feel 100% Gradius to me without those) and I think the graphics, whilst being very obviously quite gorgeous, are just a little too similar to the other Treasure shooters. The other Gradius games had a little more stage variety overall.

Gaiden is still my favourite Gradius, but V is still an absolutely outstanding game.

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:56 pm

Love G5, only down side to me is that I can't control the best weapons system on the game.. the one where you can aim the multiples.

I don't see myself pulling off a 1CC without using it unfortunately, there are too many backwards parts. Would have preferred if the game was programmed to turn your ship around for those parts.

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:05 am

tviks wrote:Best game of the best series.

Nuff said.