Trizeal (DC) is here! Impressions...

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:28 pm

I just got done with a solid hour and a half on Trizeal and wanted to post some very preliminary thoughts. This is not enough time to really evaluate the package - but I did want to get out my early thoughts and start the DC impressions thread.

I'll start by saying that I was more excited about Trizeal than any recent DC shooter since it felt (from the footage I saw) like a return to the previous era in shooters. And I think this was spot on - the game feels fantastic to me. It's defintely feels like a Toaplan type title rather than one of the new manic shmups. I timed the first 3 stages - they averag about 3.5 minutes each with about 2/3 of that being actual stage and 1/3 being boss battle - a welcome change from the boss fests which seemed to be the norm these days. The second stage has a ton of tanks that shoot those pesky aimed shots - very reminicent of the 16-bit era shooters (though this is pushing around a lot more sprites than would be capable on the Megadrive) and it should really appeals to the twich shooters out there. The third stage feels like something out of Gunbird or the Raiden Fighters Jet series or even the 4th stage of Zero Gunner 2 where you are basically dealing with a huge mothership that rotates in and about with tons of little gun turrets and places for enemy ships to fly out - after dealing with this awesome ship in parts for 2 minutes, it zooms out and you deal with it as a boss... Stage 4 has some great space-visuals with the planet earth zoomed out in the background... The intensity of the first stage is a bit low, but it's a good lead in for stages 2-4 (that's all I've seen sofar with the 3 credits they allow... I normally never credit feed, but I like to see the game before I start to seriously play it). It's got at least 5 levels of difficulty in the settings as well.

There is also some strange stuff going on in the background too... some sort of mech or humanoid walking then sitting along the ground. A "friendly" blue ship that files near you, shooting sometimes, but below your field and it doesn't seem to have an impact on the game. But it does add atmosphere... like you one of many in a larger battle or something. I haven't figured it all out yet but the stages have a nice feel.

Music is VERY retro - feels like late 80's shooter music... the game came with a bonus CD with extra tracks. There are 6 stages, an OMAKE stage (no idea how to get it, but there is a ranking page for it in the game) and a "Lifting Game" (again, I have no idea how to unlock it, but it's there since there is a high score ranking page for it built into the game). Auto-save and VGA support round out the package.

Let me stress... this is a very straight-up shooter. But that does NOT equal boring - I'm having a blast and I can see this is going to get a lot of playtime from me. One button lets you transform from ship to mech to other ship - which is not done very often (it seems that rather than have you choose between 3 ships at the start, you can transform between three ships during play). Other than that, it's shoot (they provide auto-shoot if you need/want it) and bomb. No other gimicks that I could detect - no spinning, no scraping, no color chaining (though something I did caused a few larger score gadgets to appear but I'm sure someone will get the scoring figured out soon enough). It's just straight-up action in the vein of the shooters of yestaryear but in a nice updated package. A few modern touches (ala Ikaruga) where if you clear a series of some enemies fast enough you will extended the stage and open up new areas (there is some cool snake-like enemies if you defeat all the larger drones near the end of stage 1). I think "twitch" shooter fans of the previous generation shmups will find a real champion here on the DC here (and it's SO cool to see a (c) 2005 on a Dreamcast game). Fans of manic shooters may not be so enthusiastic.

EDIT: Ok, I'm 3 hours in and I'm really liking Trizeal! No "oh shit" moments where you don't know what the heck killed you. Good responsive controls (Kiken - I'm surprised you are having trouble, the ships control pretty fluidly with tap-dodge techniques working perfectly). When you die, you feel like you could have avoided it which makes going back for another run encouraging. The ship transformations are linked - that is, if you power up the laser ship and the standard vulcan ship (the shots look _exactly_ like the shots from the Star Soldier series of games on the PCE, by the way), you can get a ship that has a primary vulcan with a bit of laser, etc. It really feels as if the developers must have been classic shmup fans from the Genesis/PCE era... If you are a fan of those types of games this is going to be right up your alley.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:34 pm

Sounds interesting and retro as expected. Nice mini-review, man! It's gonna be a week or 2 before I go home to pick the game though...

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:36 pm

Rock on! Keep the impressions coming. I'd love to hear this is a great game despite my misgivings due to XIIStag...

Super Laydock · Post by **Super Laydock** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:38 pm

Thanks llabnip for your first impressions!

.

I hope the game lands at my doormat tomorrow! Should be an interesting weekend then!

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:48 pm

I'm finding the control to be somewhat sluggish.

I'll post more after I've tried the game in Tate and with one of my joysticks (I played earlier in Yoko 2 with my pad).

AiD · Post by **AiD** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:16 pm

Dont flame me but my preferences are for a more old skool type shooting experience, I loved Star Soldier on the Gamecube but all the modern PS2 shooters are leaving me a litttle cold, I`m thinking of selling my Japanese PS2 because of the lack of use its getting

All my Shmup time seems to be spent on the DC and PC lately

DazTM · Post by **DazTM** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:27 pm

should hopefully have mine early next week. Really looking forward to it

Nei First · Post by **Nei First** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:31 pm

Looking forward to seeing some more reviews in the future, cos right now I'm a little skeptical about this game.

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:44 pm

AiD wrote:Dont flame me but my preferences are for a more old skool type shooting experience, I loved Star Soldier on the Gamecube but all the modern PS2 shooters are leaving me a litttle cold, I`m thinking of selling my Japanese PS2 because of the lack of use its getting

All my Shmup time seems to be spent on the DC and PC lately

I haven't seen Star Soldier (GCN) anywhere

If I can find It my GCN shall be put to some use

I prefer mostly the older games 8-16bit

Fighter17 · Post by **Fighter17** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:46 pm

As of right now, the game is good!

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:53 pm

Well I'm glad there are some good repsones to Trizeal, esp after alot of people flanking It.

PsikyoPshumpPshooterP · Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:58 pm

waiting for someone to be dissapointe so i can snag it on the trading station!

AiD · Post by **AiD** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:59 pm

SheSaidDutch wrote:
AiD wrote:Dont flame me but my preferences are for a more old skool type shooting experience, I loved Star Soldier on the Gamecube but all the modern PS2 shooters are leaving me a litttle cold, I`m thinking of selling my Japanese PS2 because of the lack of use its getting

All my Shmup time seems to be spent on the DC and PC lately
I haven't seen Star Soldier (GCN) anywhere

If I can find It my GCN shall be put to some use

I prefer mostly the older games 8-16bit

You can still get the GC version here

and the PS2 version here

If you dont mind an older style shmup this really is a great game

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:01 am

AiD wrote:If you dont mind an older style shmup this really is a great game

I've been putting time into the original lately

SheSaidDutch · Post by **SheSaidDutch** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:03 am

PsikyoPshumpPshooterP wrote:waiting for someone to be dissapointe so i can snag it on the trading station!

And wait for title to become collectable/rare

AiD · Post by **AiD** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:05 am

SheSaidDutch wrote:
AiD wrote:If you dont mind an older style shmup this really is a great game

You know a cool shmup m8

aphexacid · Post by **aphexacid** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:02 am

alright, im convinced.

but i went to playasia, and they say you get a free bonus cd and bandana.

liksang doesnt say anything about the 2 bonuses. anyone order this from liksang?

playasia in the end will be about 10 bucks more with the higher price and shipping. Lik has free shipping.

but i would rather make sure i get the bonuses. HELP!

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:53 am

Ok.. now that I've had some more time with the game I'm ready to do my own mini review.

Tate is apparently the way to go with this game. I found that running this game in Yoko is not only a pain to play, but it also seemed to take longer to load. When I switched to Tate a little while ago, pretty much all of the loading errors I had been getting before stopped.

Anyhow.. the control feels perfect when played in Tate. I don't know why Yoko feels slightly sluggish, but it does. The first 2 levels are rather boring (in stage 1 you can play most of the level sitting still), however, level 3 and beyond are quite intense. The end of stage 4 has a really nasty asteroid part with enemy craft that actually disguise themselves as rocks and then pop open to shoot at you when you get close. Stage 5 has a large descending part where you can collide with these bridges that you're flying past. The graphics get nicer the further into the game you go.

The weapon system is rather odd. You have 3 weapons, each can level up 5 times, however, once one hits max, by switching, you continue to use the prior weapon and it gets combined with the next weapon in your list. On my last run, I had all three weapon systems firing simultaneously (which starts to become a bit distracting.. like in X2).

The bonus point system is sorta like Blazing Star's Gems: continue to snag the bonus items dropped by enemies to increase their value.. should you miss one, their value returns to default.

The soundtrack is pretty good, with stage 4 being my favourite (I love the version of this theme with lyrics thats on the mini CD included with the game: track 2, Nagai No Traveler).

Definitely not as bad as most made it out to be, and certainly better than XII Stag.

Alright.. currently #4 on their high-score ranking. Whoo! Yeah... like that'll last...

I think I'll be lucky to break 3 million in this game.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:08 am

Dammit...if it's actually good, I have to paypal laydock $50 in addition to buying the game.

Of course I was sort of expecting llabnip and Kiken to enjoy it anyways. Any picky bastards got their copies yet?

Thunder Force · Post by **Thunder Force** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:49 am

llabnip wrote:It really feels as if the developers must have been classic shmup fans from the Genesis/PCE era... If you are a fan of those types of games this is going to be right up your alley.

Kiken wrote:Definitely not as bad as most made it out to be

Good to hear Triangle Service are delivering on their promise of a solid alternative vert shmup for 2005. And in particular that the all-important Tate mode is implemented well.

I wonder how long until we find out whether sales are enough to save Triangle Service from bankrupcy...

Kiken wrote:Alright.. currently #4 on their high-score ranking. Whoo! Yeah... like that'll last...

Congrats!

alpha5099 · Post by **alpha5099** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 6:29 am

Keep the impressions coming. If I fit any label, it's a twitch shmupper. More positive impressions will sell me on it.

Can't decide if I'll join PPPP in prowling the Trading forum, waiting for someone to unload their copy, or if I'll bite the bullet and buy a new copy. That does have some advantages; I'll actually be supporting the company that way, and I could always unload the game for a minor loss if it isn't my cup of tea.

neoalphazero · Post by **neoalphazero** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:48 am

Well here's my break down:

Graphics- This easily could have been a G-net game that Triangle moved to Naomi. Some of the simplest visuals seen in a Naomi shooter, very blocky in spots, HOWEVER, I will say I like the sense of color in the game, reminds me of Psyvariar Medium/Revision, soft colors with a sort of glow to them. Works nice. And though the graphics are simple Triangle added little touches, lots of enemies transform or have moving parts, your laser leaves a particle trail when you release the fire button etc. I will say the opening attract scene is horrid, Triangle may have lost arcade business by how simple and glitchy the ship take-off scene looks.

Sound- Decent music, I agree it has a 16 bit feel to it, sound effects seem a bit tinny.

Gameplay- Very simple and I enjoy it. It does feel like a old PCE game such as Override or Super Star Soldier. I like how a powered up weapon remains (in weakened form) when you switch to another weapon. The score mechanic with medals has been described so the game does have a score element if you choose to go that route. I have to check out the snake enemies described above....

Overall this has been fun so far, the biggest stumbling block has been the graphics which are sub-par, but it doesn't hinder the gameplay. I'd recommend Star Soldier (GC/PS2) or ZanacXzanac (PSone) above it but still this is a enjoyable title. Congrads Triangle Service, I was worried on this. *-neo

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:17 am

Triangle service, if you are reading this, you can count with my purchase. Now you be "samurais" too, and get us an even better shooter for Xmas. Shooting love is not a bluff!

chtimi-CLA · Post by **chtimi-CLA** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:23 am

very encouraging impressions so far, it sounds way better than i expected

Diabollokus · Post by **Diabollokus** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:13 am

I like what I'm hearing a real combination of school skool touches, transforming ships, extra enemies, fairly tough, leveled up weapons, retro music, ships in the back grounds, tight controls and this weapon combo idea sounds great!

I must contact my supplier.

Nei First · Post by **Nei First** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:19 am

So it's basically no Ikaruga or Border Down, but good enough quality to pass, like Chaos Field right?

Super Laydock · Post by **Super Laydock** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:35 am

Nei First wrote:So it's basically no Ikaruga ...

Correct! Trizeal is a shoot em up and not a puzzler

***some Twitching Doctor's voice fades away to the background*** :p

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:41 pm

Nei First wrote:So it's basically no Ikaruga or Border Down, but good enough quality to pass, like Chaos Field right?

I think it's head and shoulders above Chaos Field. After a full night of playing, I'd say this sits pretty close to Ikaruga in terms of initial impact on me and this is right up there with Zanac X Zanac and Ikaruga for a post 2000 shmup that I've been this keen on in the initial stages. Border Down took a while to warm up to - though it has since become a favorite.

And remember, Initial imressions are just that... but I'm really digging Trizeal and I hope others will dig it as well. I think manic types will find the early levels a bit easy (well, at least level 1, I think 2 fares better and both have VERY nasty enenies if you can manage to clear the enemies when it says "SHOOT IT QUICKLY" so even the early levels will ramp up as you get better). It feels decidedly different than the batch of shmups to hit in the last decade. Then again, I prefer older shooters so I'm completely predisposed to enjoy this.

I'm not having any problems with either control nor loading in the Yoko modes (they provide several good screen modes). I'll TATE it on a VGA soon enough.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:56 pm

Wow, sounds like exactly the kind of game I've been wanting. I'm gonna have to order this one up...

Maybe with this and Raiden III there will be a retro (IE: non-manic) revival.

Any idea about game length?

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:22 pm

CMoon wrote:Any idea about game length?

In my video, I make it about midway through level 5. That took 20 minutes, as listed. The rest of stage 5 takes a few minutes to complete (as does the boss) and then you have stage 6.

All together... I'd say it takes a solid half hour to play through (give or take.. depending on how much you feel like milking bosses).