Shikigami no Shiro III

[EOJ]

LE = Localized English?

Nope. LE="Limited Edition".

[MathU]

Ah, right.

[Veracity]

Isn't this really any great improvement on the second installment? I probably shouldn't ask since I've never really taken to any of the games in this series so far.

I think it's probably the best take on the series' signature features - hi-tension max 'bombing' adds enough to score planning to make it a fair bit more interesting, and while stage three lacks a Tetris mid-boss, I think the addition of the evil shoot the lights or crash into invisible walls element makes the actual stage a better take on the apparently obligatory mid-game detour into emphasis on puzzle mode. There's also much less crawly slow-down in evidence - whether this is just because 'wait' was omitted I have no idea, since I haven't played on original hardware to be able to compare, but the overall pace is both somewhat faster and more consistent, which I like. I doubt it'll convert many who were indifferent to EX and II, though. It's still mostly about bullet surfing while figuring out how to destroy as much as possible with your weird secondary attack, and the unique selling point (imo) remains the impressive ship selection (and 'balance' be damned). If you want something a bit more conventionally shooty, you might get on with Reika, since her shiki is just a focused shot. I think she's less gimmicky than any previously available character, but using her doesn't change the fundamental reliance of the game on tension - if you've never been sold on that, you should probably still steer clear.

[Randorama]

Quick question from hell: I can play the demo at full speed on my work PC, will the complete version play fine as well?

[Erinu]

Ah, right.

Wow.

For this to make sense there would have to be unlocalized English, which doesn't exist.

Good going.

[icycalm]

After a couple of weeks of nagging him, I managed to get Icarus to write an awesome review for my website:

http://insomnia.ac/reviews/typex/shikigaminoshiroiii/

I am trying to get him to review Ibara and other Raizing titles, so if you want to see that happen it'd be a good idea to say so here...

[PROMETHEUS]

His personal records page, complete with pics and replays, will probably make you give up on real games and go back to Super Mario Galaxy or some shit.

xD

[jpj]

don't mean to sound harsh, but it wasn't much of a review. i was hoping to dowload the demo of this game cos i quite liked snsII. but this review was basically just about the new high tension system. didn't mention what it's like on PC (control methods, what sort of requirements, etc), graphics, bosses, games modes, number of characters, when it's out on consoles, different types of shot characters have (ie who is slow, who is fast, etc). i was hoping i would've learnt more from the review

[MathU]

Ah, right.

Wow.

For this to make sense there would have to be unlocalized English, which doesn't exist.

Good going.

Feel better?

[icycalm]

didn't mention what it's like on PC (control methods, what sort of requirements, etc), graphics, bosses, games modes, number of characters, when it's out on consoles, different types of shot characters have (ie who is slow, who is fast, etc). i was hoping i would've learnt more from the review

A review is not a Wikipedia article.

[jpj]

sezu?

edit: it explained the bombing tactics in great detail, and a lot of things that you'd have thought ubiquitous with no detail. i'd have liked it to be much longer (oo-err missus)

that said, i would like to see icarus do an ibara review. but just do a paragraph or two going over the basics first

[Zebra Airforce]

WRITE MORE ARTICLES ICARUS OK

[professor ganson]

Yeah, I liked Icarus' emphasis on the scoring system. I mean, that's what you'd want Icarus to talk about, right? Not system requirements, etc. Maybe some advice on character selection would be nice, though. Always dizzying, those many choices. I remember pm'ing Icarus about 2 years ago asking advice about which character to select for Shiki 2. His remarks were helpful. I still remember what he said and still act on his advice to this day.

[Icarus]

don't mean to sound harsh, but it wasn't much of a review. i was hoping to dowload the demo of this game cos i quite liked snsII. but this review was basically just about the new high tension system. didn't mention what it's like on PC (control methods, what sort of requirements, etc), graphics, bosses, games modes, number of characters, when it's out on consoles, different types of shot characters have (ie who is slow, who is fast, etc). i was hoping i would've learnt more from the review

In short:

- Graphics: everything looks like SnS2.
- Sound: everything sounds like SnS2.
- Controls: controls like SnS2 with an extra button attached.
- Characters: SnS1+2 characters with bits juggled around. Whoopee.
- Modes: Director's Mode = something (still unsure of what it is exactly). Where's Replay Mode damnit?! Everything else present and accounted for.
- Gameplay: see review.

Also, dunno about you, but when I read a review, I'd rather it get straight to the point and discuss that which I find important - gameplay - and not waffle on for ten pages on how many polygons the first boss is made up of, how many beats per bar the second stage music has, how many pixels per second one of the seven characters moves at, how many picture unlockables there are, and how many milliseconds of input lag there is.

You can find out about the graphics, sound etc firsthand by downloading the small demo anyway. Requirements are typical of modern PC games (ie, fast processor, lots of RAM, nice graphics card).

I remember pm'ing Icarus about 2 years ago asking advice about which character to select for Shiki 2. His remarks were helpful. I still remember what he said and still act on his advice to this day.

What did I say? Can't remember.
"Try them all until you find one that sticks, and then learn it"?

[Randorama]

Modest Request again: does the demo and the PC version have the same requirements? So I can be sure that my copy will not stutter...

[Icarus]

Modest Request again: does the demo and the PC version have the same requirements? So I can be sure that my copy will not stutter...

Yes, both full and demo have the same reqs.
http://www.alfasystem.net/game/shiki3/shiki3pc.html

OS ：Windows 2000/XP HOME/Professional
（WindowsXP推奨）

CPU ：Pentium4 2.0Ghz以上、Celeron/2.5GHz以上及び
相当のCPU

RAM ：512M以上

ディスプレイ ：DirectX9.0c対応のビデオメモリ64M以上
（128M以上推奨）を搭載し、ハードウェアT&Lをサポートした
ビデオカード

サウンド ：DirectX9.0c対応のサウンド機能

HDD空き容量 ：500MB以上

CD-ROM ：4倍速以上

入力 ：キーボード及びDirectInput対応のゲームコントローラー
（5ボタン以上推奨）

I use:

OS: WinXP SP2
CPU: Athlon64 2.2Ghz
RAM: 1GB DDR2
Graphics: ATI Radeon X600 (~256MB)
Sound: Soundblaster Live! 24bit
DirectX: DX9.0c
HDD: installed on C, 50GB partition of a 160GB drive (1 of 2)
CD-ROM: 40x speed CD drive
Controller: Saturn-style USB pad

[freddiebamboo]

Just read your review Icarus - very good


EDIT: jpj, what are you wanting from a review? Crap about good graphics etc...????

You're one of the few members that actually plays games for score - why are you critical of someone that reviews a game on its score system?

[icycalm]

Now what I would like someone to tell me is which of these will turn out better:





Having a choice is really frustrating when you've no clue what to do with it.

[MathU]

The PC version will probably turn out better, and will probably be absurdly overpriced.

[jpj]

Just read your review Icarus - very good


EDIT: jpj, what are you wanting from a review? Crap about good graphics etc...????

You're one of the few members that actually plays games for score - why are you critical of someone that reviews a game on its score system?

what's wrong with wanting to know about the aesthetics and style? is it too "basic"... ...to have the odd sentence like "there are X number players, Y numbers of stages, and a practice mode"? is the music good?

[Ghegs]

what's wrong with wanting to know about the aesthetics and style? is it too "basic"... ...to have the odd sentence like "there are X number players, Y numbers of stages, and a practice mode"? is the music good?

Nothing wrong with it. Port's advantages/disadvantages over the arcade original are always valuable info as well.

[Randorama]

what's wrong with wanting to know about the aesthetics and style? is it too "basic"... ...to have the odd sentence like "there are X number players, Y numbers of stages, and a practice mode"? is the music good?

Well...quick comments:

Graphics are functional, usual quite abstract design for enemies (see Shiki II). It also has 10 stages (5 stages split in two halves, plus a long final boss battle I think). The OST is quite good, a mix of drum'n bass, progressive techno and other electronic styles. Stage 3 (low drive) is quite cool and jazzy.

Also, Icarus, the "zomg the Raizing haters will diss it lolz oh noes!?!" bit is quite out of place. No space to the haters, plz kthx.

[JoshF]

Someone turn it into a GameFaqs review and make him happy.

[professor ganson]

I remember pm'ing Icarus about 2 years ago asking advice about which character to select for Shiki 2. His remarks were helpful. I still remember what he said and still act on his advice to this day.

What did I say? Can't remember.
"Try them all until you find one that sticks, and then learn it"?

No, even more helpful than that. I asked specifically about the best character choice for survival. I guess back then my main goal was to beat the game (rather than just dorking around endlessly, collecting the various versions for different platforms-- my current modus operandi). You suggested Kim (because of the power) and Nigi (because of the defensive shield). I have yet to get into a good rhythm with Nigi's shield, but these are still the characters I play the most, along with Kuga. You also said that Kuga was your favorite most days because it's nice just to hold down one button and focus on tension hopping. Finally, you said something general about how character selection is often a complex matter. Agreed.

[Icarus]

Also, Icarus, the "zomg the Raizing haters will diss it lolz oh noes!?!" bit is quite out of place. No space to the haters, plz kthx.

It is an important point to make, especially considering the review focused on the gameplay systems. If you get the game and are looking to play it seriously and score decently (over 5bil), the strategy that needs to be applied (suicides and bomb/extend management) will be difficult to handle unless you're used to doing it often. Like it or not, Rando, suicide strategy is a complicated kind of strategy to learn to use, because unlike other kinds of strategies which are often fixed and easy to describe (scratch this, shoot this, bomb this etc), suicide strategy is variable, and highly dependent on the player's skill and confidence, as well as current in-game situation (which often vary a great deal).

If you're looking to just play it, however, then suicide tactics won't be an issue, and the game can be played just like normal SnS.

The HT-MAX System adds an extra layer of depth to a very well-crafted game. I stand by my comments.

[Randorama]

Like it or not, Rando, suicide strategy is a complicated kind of strategy .

Lolz, really? Since I notoriously hate rank-based games, of course

Again, there is nothing about the graphics, OST, you could have added more about longevity, etc. 2007 and still the same old rants about rank and suicide...

Luckily the demo is convincing enough.

[JoshF]

Again, there is nothing about the graphics,

http://insomnia.ac/reviews/typex/shikig ... nshot1.jpg
http://insomnia.ac/reviews/typex/shikig ... nshot2.jpg
http://insomnia.ac/reviews/typex/shikig ... nshot3.jpg
http://insomnia.ac/reviews/typex/shikig ... nshot4.jpg
http://insomnia.ac/archive/games/typex/ ... railer.avi

BTW Icy you forgot to link the thumbnails.

OST

http://insomnia.ac/archive/games/typex/ ... railer.avi

Not my kind of music, but you might like it.

[Icarus]

Lolz, really? Since I notoriously hate rank-based games, of course

Shame the review wasn't aimed at people like you, and more aimed at people that might be interested in the game who might not be familiar with that style of play. Because let's face it, not everyone finds blowing themselves up to be as much fun as we do.

Again, there is nothing about the graphics, OST, you could have added more about longevity, etc.

You can see the graphics and hear the sounds in numerous clips found on the internet. And you can pretty much deduce that they aren't that different to Shikigami 2. Longevity is what an individual player makes of it - one player could play this game forever, taking on all seven characters and their two subtypes, while another player could play this for a bit and drop it after a month.

Opinions on stuff like graphics, sounds, longevity etc ends up being subjective anyway - one man's trash is another man's gold.

I'd rather present and discuss what I find to be the most important factor(s) of the game in the review for the person reading, and let them make up their own minds. If after reading the review the person in question is still/more interested in trying the game, then the review has served its purpose. If not, then whatever, I couldn't care less anyway.

2007 and still the same old rants about rank and suicide...

Only you mention rank in that context at present, Rando. Not I.
Bear that in mind before you use that argument.

[Randorama]

Justifications, justifications

Agreed, your review is perfect and who reads should find out information by itself. Are now reviews to be about the various aspects of the game or a personal rant against dissers of what the author is obsessed about? Of course not! You just need to write "Ex-ter-mi-na-te!" at the end of the review

Note that in your review you complain about some people may not like the suicide tecniques. Hence, you go from "this game works like this" to "zomg oh noes don't hate what I like!". But please, keep say "no you first", as the Pope of the holy church of rank, I hereby declare that we need more martyrs for the absolute cause!

You can write your reviews as you like. Just don't pretend they're fair and balanced...unless you need them for a place at Fox

2007 and I still lose my time with these posts. Shame on me, actually.

[Icarus]

Agreed, your review is perfect and who reads should find out information by itself. Are now reviews to be about the various aspects of the game or a personal rant against dissers of what the author is obsessed about? Of course not! You just need to write "Ex-ter-mi-na-te!" at the end of the review

Explain to me how and where the review became a personal attack on opposing opinion.

Note that in your review you complain about some people may not like the suicide tecniques. Hence, you go from "this game works like this" to "zomg oh noes don't hate what I like!". But please, keep say "no you first", as the Pope of the holy church of rank, I hereby declare that we need more martyrs for the absolute cause!

"The game works like this... [examples given]" ->
"Ppeople might not like the game working like this, because [reasons given]" ->
"if you're open minded enough, you might enjoy it".

Did I miss anything?

You can write your reviews as you like. Just don't pretend they're fair and balanced...unless you need them for a place at Fox

No review is fair and balanced. I could have gone on for ten pages about how awesome rank control and suicide play is, but I didn't.
My name isn't Randorama, after all. Ten page diatribes aren't in my nature.

2007 and I still lose my time with these posts. Shame on me, actually.

You're the one going on about arguments regarding rank control techniques. I haven't mentioned rank at all until you bring it up.
Isn't that funny?