Axelay: What makes it work?

[ROBOTRON]

Gameplay on Axelay is great, but the music/visuals really immersed into this game deeply....much the same for Space Megaforce.

[Rob]

The SNES does have Bio Metal, though.

another excellent point rob. everyone go play biometal, axelay isn't worth it.

are there any snes emus that will record to a video file? i'm thinking people might be open minded to a video of a player who likes the material. most every opinion i've heard about this game has been. the first stage is slow, i hate the whole game!

I've linked to a good video on youtube before. Hopefully some people looked at it. Here it is again:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2TBR2MQ87nI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dQh-Omc3E34

Not sure how anyone could describe Bio Metal as slow! Considering.

[Strider77]

another excellent point rob. everyone go play biometal, axelay isn't worth it.

. . . .

[Klatrymadon]

Lots more stages.
Sequel would be nice.

I was being facetious! It feels quite long to me, but then Contra III is one of my faves too.

A sequel would be amazing, but I don't expect them to have the cojones to go with a console-based 2D project these days...

[Rob]

another excellent point rob. everyone go play biometal, axelay isn't worth it.

. . . .

People still aren't ready for Bio Metal.

[BIL]

Bio Metal seems to have some nice music. Reminds me of Zuntata's Megablast soundtrack.

[Dale]

I love Bio Metal, I'm kinda mad at myself for not putting it on my top 25. I've only played it on emulator at my school with just a keyboard and I always enjoy the true version of games more then the emulated version. So I'm really looking forward to getting a real copy.

Axelay is cool too but not one of my favorites, I play it more for the graphics and the sound as opposed to the gameplay.

[Strider77]

People still aren't ready for Bio Metal.

only if it's complete with the 2unlimited soundtrack

[Grant Windsor]

Some would beg to differ, hence I meant "around here at shmups.com".

In the last 10 years around the boards here (which is a relative term, as they have changed a few times), I've been knocked for supporting games like Winds of Thunder (PCE), Super Star Soldier (PCE) and Thunder Force III (MD), among others, on various occasions. I view these games as top shooters...however, some find them rather dull (point taken...I could possibly see that viewpoint). For any other oldsters who were here back in 1997, remember Aurang used to profess his man-love for Task Force Harrier EX on Genesis? I used to cringe when he'd label it as the best shooter of all time. Eeek. Guess that's better than labeling God Panic on PCE as the best shmup of all time.

- Grant

[Icarus]

For any other oldsters who were here back in 1997, remember Aurang used to profess his man-love for Task Force Harrier EX on Genesis? I used to cringe when he'd label it as the best shooter of all time. Eeek. Guess that's better than labeling God Panic on PCE as the best shmup of all time.

Yes, I remember that.
And the review. *shudder*
"Man-love" is putting it... politely...

Well, people have different opinions on what constitutes "top shooters". Only natural that opinions will clash. I believe that no matter what people find good or bad, the most important thing is that you have fun with your games.

Partly the reason why I wouldn't care if no more shooters were in the making from this point on. I've got a pretty big backlog of stuff I want to play (and conquer), plenty to keep me happy for another decade or more. I don't see me buying any more games for any genre unless it really grabs my attention.

[Specineff]

another excellent point rob. everyone go play biometal, axelay isn't worth it.

. . . .

People still aren't ready for Bio Metal.

Are you being sarcastic, or is it just me?

[shinsage]

People still aren't ready for Bio Metal.

Are you being sarcastic, or is it just me?

Spec is not ready for Bio Metal.

God knows when he will, but it shall be a glorious day, oh yes.

[Rob]

And I think it's sad people think Bio Metal appreciation is sarcastic / ironic / whatever.

[Shatterhand]

For any other oldsters who were here back in 1997, remember Aurang used to profess his man-love for Task Force Harrier EX on Genesis? I used to cringe when he'd label it as the best shooter of all time. Eeek. Guess that's better than labeling God Panic on PCE as the best shmup of all time.

Yes, I remember that.
And the review. *shudder*
"Man-love" is putting it... politely...

Well, people have different opinions on what constitutes "top shooters". Only natural that opinions will clash. I believe that no matter what people find good or bad, the most important thing is that you have fun with your games.

Partly the reason why I wouldn't care if no more shooters were in the making from this point on. I've got a pretty big backlog of stuff I want to play (and conquer), plenty to keep me happy for another decade or more. I don't see me buying any more games for any genre unless it really grabs my attention.

When I first begun checking those foruns, there were some huge Soldier Blade loving. I remember a lot of people were going crazy.. like the game had been released yesterday, or everyone was just finding out about the game... It even made me believe I was missing something... Soldier Blade couldn't be THAT fantastic...

[sfried]

Well, at least everyone can agree that Ikaruga is at least "good".

...

...

...

In before disagreement.

Going back to Axelay, I seem to have a consensus that it's all about Round Vulcan and the final boss. Nobody seems to remember that wierd Level 2 boss that looks like a humongous R-Type reject. (It would've been cool if blocks fell of from the cieling that its lasers hit, a la Guardian from MegaMan Zero.)

[Specineff]

I prefer Macro Missile in that stage. Has more punch and can mop the floor with the Towbar somethingsomething boss.

[Carmen]

I love Axelay. I think it is the first excellent shooter I played. Yea, maybe its not too hard but its just so tightly made... not only is every level unique and wonderful, every PART of the levels are too. Compared to say, Gradius III SNES where you spend three-five minutes in a stage with little variation. And of course, the music and looks add to that experience. The weapon system is awesome and it leaves you with challenges... try using only the rear firing bomb (Clusters?) and see how well you do!

And, uhh, its the only game where I'm number one on the score boards

Seriously though, this is a wonderful game. Also, I wonder why some people say the control in the vertical stages is poor? I've never had a problem, but then again I never had issues with RayStorm either...

[RHE]

Not poor, but somehow it's just imprecise. The movement feels out of control mainly due to the slightly auto forcing which happens sometimes. Every second death I die is just because of that but I got used to it. Besides that, the controlling is okay.

[Grant Windsor]

When I first begun checking those foruns, there were some huge Soldier Blade loving. I remember a lot of people were going crazy.. like the game had been released yesterday, or everyone was just finding out about the game... It even made me believe I was missing something... Soldier Blade couldn't be THAT fantastic...

Oh, yeah...there were several people bitching at me for disliking Soldier Blade. That was probably the largest amount of flack I ever received, come to think of it. And, yes, it's still here on my shelf...and, yes, I still think it sucks. Sorry, Hudson. I do adore Super Star Soldier, Final Soldier and Star Parodier, though...so I don't have some bias against the series. Oh...and if I can be a bit more controversial here with any still-existing Soldier Blade fans, I like Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth (N64) more than Soldier Blade.

- Grant