Ocean Commander

Post by **Ghegs** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:31 pm

In response to this post about an upcoming budget PS2 shmup release. Didn't want to derail the thread totally.

postman wrote:Ocean Commander has a PC version out:

http://www.bigfishgames.com/downloads/o ... nload.html

I downloaded the trial version and played it out. It was an emotional rollercoaster from "Zzz..." to "Cool!" until finally stopping at "My eyes are a river of blood!"

Now, the game starts pretty slow. The first stage is relatively enemy-free and your ship feels sooo slow and huge (the hitbox is the whole ship). But I had used my starting cash to buy the Laser weapon, and it was kinda fun to blast at enemies with the thing.

By stage 4 it feels like you're fighting for your life. There's enemies constantly pouring in and you're wildly swinging your mouse around to target the next one while moving your ship to get out of the way. I had bought one of each special weapons at the store, which meant I had three types of missiles flying out, the laser, a bouncing energy ball and mines circling my ship. There was power at my fingertips and I was quite willing to deal out the pain.

In short, the game was pretty rockin' at this point. It was still quite easy, the game was giving out enough life energy to keep me at tip-top shape at most times. I had figured wrong in my earlier post, there's only one life, the other counter being your smartbomb in the shape of wild lightning.

By stage 6 or thereabouts I was getting a bit numb. There was a new enemy type introduced every stage or so but the pace of the action had seemed to peak already. There was so much going on it was hard to see just what was happening. Didn't stop me from surviving stage after stage. Now, every stage is long-ish, about 6-7 minutes with the last few being the boss battle. Which are pretty cool, actually. Boss Rush -mode would've been nice. Anyhoo, since the stages are so long and there's 30 of them it would take about 3 hours to finish this. Mercifully by the time I had reached stage 10 the trial's one-hour limit passed and the game exited by itself, saving my tired eyes from bright 'n shiny colors.

So yeah. Fairly basic euroshmup that tries to get by with quantity instead of quality. No scoring system to speak of either. Fun for the first (well, the one's following the first 5, actually) 20 minutes.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:45 pm

What about the 30 weapons Ghegs?

And, (since screenshots look somewhat nice) is it nicely animated or seeing it in motion completely screws it?

Post by **Ghegs** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:58 pm

Turrican wrote:What about the 30 weapons Ghegs?

And, (since screenshots look somewhat nice) is it nicely animated or seeing it in motion completely screws it?

I'm guessing if you count each weapon's each level (you can buy upgrades to them) as a separate weapon plus the normal peashooter (and that one's levels) there's 30.

The game does look decent, the graphic style is nice. It's the amount of bright colors that wears your eyes down quickly, though. Not much animation going on, but it's nice to see your ship's turret move as you move the cursor around.

I imagine by the end of stage 30 it'd look like 700 rainbows suddenly appeared and threw up.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:55 am

I suppose this is Euro only for the PS2?

At any rate, thanks for the link; I'll have to try this one out.

sideshow · Post by **sideshow** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:50 am

Awesome to hear the PS2 getting more shmups.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:00 pm

sideshow wrote:Awesome to hear the PS2 getting more shmups.

'

It is, but AFIK we're not getting this one, and I cannot understand why SCEA won't loosen the heck up about 2D titles now that the PS3 is out.

Post by **Ghegs** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:51 pm

dave4shmups wrote:
sideshow wrote:Awesome to hear the PS2 getting more shmups.
'

It is, but AFIK we're not getting this one, and I cannot understand why SCEA won't loosen the heck up about 2D titles now that the PS3 is out.

It's not like you're missing anything. The game is poor in the first place plus you can buy the full PC version easily. Though why anybody would do that is beyond me.

sideshow · Post by **sideshow** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:11 pm

dave4shmups wrote:
sideshow wrote:Awesome to hear the PS2 getting more shmups.
'

It is, but AFIK we're not getting this one, and I cannot understand why SCEA won't loosen the heck up about 2D titles now that the PS3 is out.

Well, the PS2 is still selling very well and will get some big titles this year such as God of War II and Persona 3 so maybe Sony will wise up with the 2D games in 2008?

sideshow · Post by **sideshow** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:38 am

I was just browsing the phoenix site and the release date is set to September 11th. Its listed as a puzzle game?

http://www.phoenixgamesgroup.com/uk/gam ... ander.html

Lawfer · Post by **Lawfer** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:29 am

Ghegs wrote:http://www.bigfishgames.com/downloads/o ... nload.html

Take off this link, it makes you download this:

oceancommander_s1_l1_gF1013T1L1_d37900346.exe

and it's definitly not the game.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:59 am

http://www.phoenixgamesgroup.com/uk/gam ... tales.html

Heh heh heh...furries...

worstplayer · Post by **worstplayer** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:15 am

Gotta love DRM wrappers.

GeneralWong · Post by **GeneralWong** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:28 am

The game is actually kinda fun, something I didn't expect at first. It has some kind of charm I can't describe that well. If you have some spare time, just download the demo.

-Bridget- · Post by **-Bridget-** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:53 am

dave4shmups wrote:
sideshow wrote:Awesome to hear the PS2 getting more shmups.
'

It is, but AFIK we're not getting this one, and I cannot understand why SCEA won't loosen the heck up about 2D titles now that the PS3 is out.

Because it's SCEA, that's why.

2D isnt "kewlz" enough for them *grumble*. Doesnt show off the "power" of the console. Oh noes!!!11

......sorry, but I *really* dont like them.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 6:08 pm

-Bridget- wrote:
dave4shmups wrote:
sideshow wrote:Awesome to hear the PS2 getting more shmups.
'

It is, but AFIK we're not getting this one, and I cannot understand why SCEA won't loosen the heck up about 2D titles now that the PS3 is out.
Because it's SCEA, that's why.

2D isnt "kewlz" enough for them *grumble*. Doesnt show off the "power" of the console. Oh noes!!!11

......sorry, but I *really* dont like them.

Do you really think that SCEA's main concern at this point is showing off the power of the PS2?? That has nothing to do with this. If it won't sell in this market, then they won't release it over here.

sideshow · Post by **sideshow** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 1:36 am

I just looked at phoenix games website and now Ocean Commander is due December. Talk about delay after delay.

http://www.phoenixgamesgroup.com/uk/comingsoon.html

mainpatr1 · Post by **mainpatr1** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:10 pm

http://ufointeractivegames.com/details.asp?k=2424&p=nds

Ocean Commander is coming to the DS with the name Underwater Attack.

Udderdude · Post by **Udderdude** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:19 pm

By utilizing the Touch Screen to fire your weapon

MASSIVE FAIL DETECTED.

Fudoh · Post by **Fudoh** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:02 pm

Hard to believe, but true. Yesterday I got the PS2 version. It's only available in PAL format and can only be bought in Italy (!) in a single chain of stores (which does not ship outside Italy). It's a budget release at 9.99 EUR, but still way better than expected. Of course it's a flawed euroshmup with an energy bar and repetitive enemies, but the graphics are nice, the conversion good (though 50Hz only) and to be honest, after getting out of the first few levels and once you get a nice weapon setup, it's actually fun.

It was a hard journey tracking it down, but actually worth it (at this price).

PS: It's played with both analogue sticks (left maneuvers the ship, right aims at enemies), so playing it on a DS with the touchscreen would actually make sense.

FSR · Post by **FSR** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:37 am

The game will also come to America, but on the Wii. It's scheduled for a Sept. 2008 release
Take a look here:
http://www.amazon.com/VALCON-GAMES-8533 ... B001D0F1LY
Glad to see they sell it at a budget price.

This should work well with the Remote+Nunchuck Combo.

I hope this will also get released across PAL territories. Fudoh's and Ghegs' descriptions made me interested in this.
505 Games and Rising Star Games, I'm looking at you.

Post by **Ghegs** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:43 pm

FSR wrote:I hope this will also get released across PAL territories. Fudoh's and Ghegs' descriptions made me interested in this.

Clearly I didn't do my job well, then. That was supposed to act as a warning against a boring game with very limited fun in it.

mjclark · Post by **mjclark** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:01 pm

Ha ha-I get the message that this game is probably pants but i still want it for my PS2 collection

The UK Phoenix Games site lists it as available in UK for £6.99 but where oh where???
I emailed Phoenix games both in UK and Europe but no replies yet (which can't be good for sales).There must be a UK outlet somewhere,eh?

Post by **spadgy** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:38 pm

mjclark wrote:Ha ha-I get the message that this game is probably pants but i still want it for my PS2 collection
The UK Phoenix Games site lists it as available in UK for £6.99 but where oh where???
I emailed Phoenix games both in UK and Europe but no replies yet (which can't be good for sales).There must be a UK outlet somewhere,eh?

Tesco bargain bins probably! I've seen Phoenix Games in Costcutter before (That's the UKs answer to 7/11 by the way).

mjclark · Post by **mjclark** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 4:13 pm

Yes-there's a "Wilkinsons" in Torquay which could be just the place

Fudoh · Post by **Fudoh** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 4:30 pm

I would be surprised. I hat lots of talks to the people at Phoenix Games and as of two months ago there was just this limited test release to a few retailers in Italy. This is where I got mine.

If you find any in UK let us know (or better buy all available). I know quite some people who would like to get one.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:05 pm

Ghegs wrote:
FSR wrote:I hope this will also get released across PAL territories. Fudoh's and Ghegs' descriptions made me interested in this.
Clearly I didn't do my job well, then. That was supposed to act as a warning against a boring game with very limited fun in it.

earlier, Ghegs wrote:By stage 4 it feels like you're fighting for your life.

I can't say I disagree with your most recent statement, Ghegs...

Post by **Ghegs** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:18 am

Ghegs also wrote:Fun for the first (well, the one's following the first 5, actually) 20 minutes.

If a game becomes so boring you never want to play it again after 20 minutes then yes, it is a boring game with limited fun-factor even if those first 20 minutes feel okay.

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:05 pm

Fudoh wrote:I would be surprised. I hat lots of talks to the people at Phoenix Games and as of two months ago there was just this limited test release to a few retailers in Italy. This is where I got mine.

If you find any in UK let us know (or better buy all available). I know quite some people who would like to get one.

By a weird coincedence, I just got an email from Lexicon Entertainment, with the following release attached. It seems they are now publishing in the UK for DS and Wii:

Ocean Commander

Sheffield UK , 22nd September 2008 – Lexicon Entertainment, a leading publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure software for video game console systems and personal computers world-wide, is pleased to announce, in collaboration with CyberPlanet Interactive, the publishing of Ocean Commander for Nintendo DS and Wii.

Game Story:

In the year 3011 the planet Earth evolved through disastrous changes. Mountains and sheets of ice in the Arctic melted due to global warming. Volcanoes under the sea emerged causing 90% of Earth’s continents to be entirely flooded.

What are left of the mass continents are scattered islands. Ten years after the Chaos Empire was born, marine technology progressed instantly to adapt to the changing environment, whilst the main objective is to rule the Earth.

At the same time, the Earth Federation is developing a special submarine in preparation for this war. Its code name is “BS-7001A Metal Fin”. It has dexterous movements and adjustability to become many forms.

However, this war machine is only a prototype model, in which some parts are still under development. But the war has already begun. There is no time and you must get out of the base to protect the Earth.

Don’t worry.., you will find more weapons and spare parts in your ship. Your mission is to destroy all of Chaos Empire’s ships and bases. The future of the Earth lies in your hands!!

Ocean Commander is a stylized side scrolling shooter, aimed at casual and hardcore gamers alike. Featuring a plethora of missions, enemies and weapons to blast, it’ll certainly keep that trigger finger ready. Players control the weapons via the touch screen on the Nintendo DS and Wii mote and Nunchuck, allowing for true 360 degree aiming and precision.

Players take on the role of the Ocean Commander ship, with the aim to complete the 21 stages and 30 levels throughout. Sounds simple but at the end of the stage, a boss ship must be destroyed in order to progress onto the next mission. Addictive game play ensures Ocean Commander will entice gamers of any age or sex.

Features Include:

· Two modes of play, Mission Mode and Survival mode

· Highly accurate and innovative control system

· 12 upgradeable weapons to take the aliens out

· Adrenaline filled ‘boss’ encounters

· 21 stages and 30 levels

· A true pick up and play feel; suitable for anyone

EDIT: Oh - and the UK release is listed as Q1-2009, so early next year...

Fudoh · Post by **Fudoh** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:31 pm

DS and Wii versions will be coming to the USA as well.

Still makes me wonder about the PS2 version and how a company succeeds in delivering a mere 2 pieces of a game to Italian retailers. I would imagine you can't press anything less than 500 at Sonys' (?)

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:40 pm

Here's a DS screen, followed by one apparently from the Wii but rather familiar looking. Now I can't the PS2 version I want it!

shmups.system11.org

Ocean Commander

Ocean Commander

Re: Ocean Commander

Re: Ocean Commander