Who is going to take the first plunge on Soldner X?

[Necronom]

"and i thought i was the only one who HATED that fact."

Not really, it definitely is annoying and stupid to leave out the option for changing the keyboard layout. Though I really don't know why they decided to do this it seems that it was important to them that the game doesn't leave any traces on your harddisc. It doesn't install and there seems to be no config file or anything, it just runs off the disc. Do they want to sell this to people who play at work? Kinda strange imo.
For me the chaining system while playing with keyboard is pretty much useless but once you plug in a pad it really shines.

@Bridget

If you want it wait for the PS3 version on PSN. Should be a lot cheaper (my guess around $10) and hopefully 1080p NOT letterboxed.

[Ghegs]

Though I really don't know why they decided to do this it seems that it was important to them that the game doesn't leave any traces on your harddisc. It doesn't install and there seems to be no config file or anything, it just runs off the disc.

The game leaves its mark on the registry as it still saves the config options and the useless statistics. Leaving out the option to change button configuration is just unforgivable. Even when playing with pad the button setup is less than optimal for me.

I'll just echo what has already been said: The weapons are too weak, it's often hard to see what's actually dangerous and it takes 15 minutes just to reach the first boss. And though the music has been complimented here, I thought it was just the same kind of boring techno that's in every other euroshmup. But then, I'm not a fan of the music genre overall.

I had more fun with Broken Thunder.

[Necronom]

"Even when playing with pad the button setup is less than optimal for me."

Well, there's always Joy2key for that...
http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/Jo ... ersion.htm

"I had more fun with Broken Thunder."

[pixelcorps]

what a fucking DULL game.

it bearly feels like youre shooting anything, some enemies are almost invisible, and some just take stupid amounts of hits.

the bullet and patterns are really, REALLY dull.

The soundtrack just isn't varied, rousing or memorable, sounds like one of my dads tangerine dream LP's

enemy movement ranges from dull, to just random.

I felt like it was less hassle just to avoid enemies than to get in there and fight.

the tutorial interruptions were REALLY annoying.. it felt like someone else kept pausing the game to piss me off.

nice, (if rabidly overdetailed) graphics, but there wasnt enough contrast between the background and the moving objects.

and a shooter that PENALIZES you for shooting too much?? not to mention power downs and INSTANT DEATH pickups? - or least it says there are in the tutorial.. luckily I didnt have he patience , perseverance or hook to get me that far..

bleagh..

[Super Laydock]

I had more fun with Broken Thunder.

Which in all honesty, wasn´t as bad as some people made it out to be.
Could have been SOOO much better, but a complete failure... nah.

All these mixed messages are making me anticipate SX even more btw.
I suppose it can go both ways. (love it or hate it.)

[pixelcorps]

i wonder if play asia will show any negative reviews on this?

[Super Laydock]

i wonder if play asia will show any negative reviews on this?

Why wouldn´t they?

They allow negative reviews on most eveything (even if it´s the game of the week sale).

I´d say, if you´re really displeased about it, why not try it out.

[pixelcorps]

I have, they're publishing it, and considering it's had nothing but 5 star reviews so far on there I was curious if they'd filter them, just curious like.

[Shatterhand]

Not really, it definitely is annoying and stupid to leave out the option for changing the keyboard layout. Though I really don't know why they decided to do this it seems that it was important to them that the game doesn't leave any traces on your harddisc. It doesn't install and there seems to be no config file or anything, it just runs off the disc. Do they want to sell this to people who play at work?

if more PC games did that, I would play them more. I don't know why people doesn't make more games that can be ran off the disc, but also give the option to be HD installed.... console games cn run from the disc, why not PC games?

[ST Dragon]

Not really, it definitely is annoying and stupid to leave out the option for changing the keyboard layout. Though I really don't know why they decided to do this it seems that it was important to them that the game doesn't leave any traces on your harddisc. It doesn't install and there seems to be no config file or anything, it just runs off the disc. Do they want to sell this to people who play at work?

if more PC games did that, I would play them more. I don't know why people doesn't make more games that can be ran off the disc, but also give the option to be HD installed.... console games cn run from the disc, why not PC games?

Nova Storm PC version, could be run straight from the Disc in pure DOS without almost any files written in the HD!
And this way back in 1996!

[Shatterhand]

most of old LucasArts game also did that... if I remember correctly, Outlaw, Rebel Assault I & II, Full Throttle... they would only keep your saved games on the HD (On a very obvious folder, nothing hidden anywhere, so you could easy delete it if you want it to)... it was very hassle-less. I've seen games where the install just copy the files from the CD to the HD, with the very same structure, yet the game doesn't let me play it from the CD, requiring a FULL INSTALL. Goddamn, why can't them let me CHOOSE HOW I WANT TO PLAY MY GAMES ?

[Gwyrgyn Blood]

if more PC games did that, I would play them more. I don't know why people doesn't make more games that can be ran off the disc, but also give the option to be HD installed.... console games cn run from the disc, why not PC games?

It makes them a bit awkward to patch, for one. Something this game REALLY needs.

enemy movement ranges from dull, to just random.

the tutorial interruptions were REALLY annoying.. it felt like someone else kept pausing the game to piss me off.

and a shooter that PENALIZES you for shooting too much?? not to mention power downs and INSTANT DEATH pickups? - or least it says there are in the tutorial.. luckily I didnt have he patience , perseverance or hook to get me that far..

Some of the enemy movements in the first stage are really awful yeah, those little yellow things in specific. Problem is, they change direction nearly instantly without warning so until you memorize which way they go, you can end up getting slammed into them and losing half your life pretty easily.

Tutorials are retarded but they only pop up once for each thing. Should have just made a Tutorial option on the main menu.

As for getting penalized for shooting to much... eh not really. There are tons of Cool Down powerups and your energy recharges really fast when you switch to a different weapon, or you can just hold off firing in any of the many large gaps between waves to help fill it back up. And once you get the Bow weapon, it's not really a problem at all anymore.

I haven't seen any instant death pickups but I wouldn't doubt there being some. There does seems to be some emphasis on avoiding lots of negative powerups as you go on. This whole game reminds me a bit of Fester's Quest actually.

[Shatterhand]

if more PC games did that, I would play them more. I don't know why people doesn't make more games that can be ran off the disc, but also give the option to be HD installed.... console games cn run from the disc, why not PC games?

It makes them a bit awkward to patch, for one. Something this game REALLY needs.

Ohh, I miss the times when we bought a game, we would knew it was the FULL game Constant patching is something that still didn't click with me

[Ceph]

All these mixed messages are making me anticipate SX even more btw.
I suppose it can go both ways.

What mixed messages? On the one hand we have approximately 2 people defeding the game, possibly trying to justify spending money on it, and on the other hand there is everyone else.

No one is saying that Söldner X is the worst shooter ever, it's just pretty uninspired/dull and has a number of flaws, most of which could have been avoided with some shooting love.

[rtw]

Can someone tell me in a simple manner how the
levelling up of the weapon works ?

And if Rafael shows his team members our "constructive" critisicm
maybe this may all be fixed. It looks like all we need is a bit more
balance and no ship lag.

rtw

[koda]

Well. I'm still casual enough to be able to have fun with a flawed shooter.

Come on, UPS. =)

[Ceph]

I have a feeling that the flaws of Söldner X stem from poor understanding of the shoot 'em up genre. It seems to me that the people who designed the gameplay aren't fans of the genre and simply don't understand what makes a good shoot 'em up.

[Gwyrgyn Blood]

Can someone tell me in a simple manner how the
levelling up of the weapon works ?

And if Rafael shows his team members our "constructive" critisicm
maybe this may all be fixed. It looks like all we need is a bit more
balance and no ship lag.

rtw

Your main Pulse gun gets stronger when you pickup the multi-shot powerups. Those are pretty rare but you seem to be able to get at least 2-3 in the first world (that is, the first two stages). There's also the rapid fire pickups which seem to stack, but wear off quickly. I don't know if either of these effect your Beam weapon, but they do effect Bow as well.

If you die, you lose everything. However, you can get a weapon protection powerup that makes it so you lose nothing if you die (looks like a shield). Really important to get.

As for the Chain system... basically you build up a chain as long as you don't switch weapons. Once it hits the line 2/3 of the way through, you complete that level of the chain. You switch weapons to 'bank' that, and then it goes to the next level. If you don't bank, eventually it rolls over and you lose all of the energy. Do note that banking doesn't require you to actually use a different weapon, you can just switch off then switch back to what you were using before.

Basically each time you finish a Chain, you get a powerup. Some times these are worthless things like Cool-Down or whatever, but other times you'll get Health Up or Multi-Shot. Each progressive chain requires more levels and the levels tend to take longer to finish (maybe?), but the powerups you get generally aren't any more spectacular.

I have a feeling that the flaws of Söldner X stem from poor understanding of the shoot 'em up genre. It seems to me that the people who designed the gameplay aren't fans of the genre and simply don't understand what makes a good shoot 'em up.

I think it's more likely the people who made the game are the kind of people who think Tyrian, Raptor, and Jets 'n Guns are the best shooting games ever.

[dave4shmups]

Well, there definitely should have been a demo of this game available for play.

[pixelcorps]

I think it's more likely the people who made the game are the kind of people who think Tyrian, Raptor, and Jets 'n Guns are the best shooting games ever.

it certainly seems like it.

[rtw]

Your main Pulse gun gets stronger when you pickup the multi-shot powerups. Those are pretty rare but you seem to be able to get at least 2-3 in the first world (that is, the first two stages). There's also the rapid fire pickups which seem to stack, but wear off quickly. I don't know if either of these effect your Beam weapon, but they do effect Bow as well.

Thank you for the heads up Gwyrgyn Blood

rtw

[Afterbirth]

Then theres Berserker mode as well. Not sure how that works. Its not assigned on my pad and can't see any info on it.

There is defo ship inertia and/or lag too - the kind doesn't hold up well in a hori shump where gravity rarely plays a part anyway.

With my Madkatz 360 pad I can play any shump in mame and play it as well as i did with a stick in the arcades - and very few arcade shumps have any kind of lag or inertia. Its a little frustrating although i'm sure i can adapt to it.

[icycalm]

I have a feeling that the flaws of Söldner X stem from poor understanding of the shoot 'em up genre. It seems to me that the people who designed the gameplay aren't fans of the genre and simply don't understand what makes a good shoot 'em up.

Even if they do understand it, it takes more than that. It takes practice and experience. Ketsuis or Gradius Vs don't just come out of nowhere.

Give them a decade and they'll get there.

But of course there's also the fact that their games are not created for the arcades... It's hopeless

[Afterbirth]

Yeah, i can see that point.
Coming from the 26'/C64/Amiga/PC scene (and therefore playing little decent shmups in arcades) i can live with that, but i can see the frustration compared to Japanese arcade/PS2/PC games.

Trouble Witches plays a much better hori game.

[Gwyrgyn Blood]

Then theres Berserker mode as well. Not sure how that works. Its not assigned on my pad and can't see any info on it.

Oh right, forgot about that. Berserker activates automatically when you have less than 20% life left. You do something like double damage. The sad thing is that your weapons actually feel adequately powerful while in berserker. :/

[Balzac]

Oh right, forgot about that. Berserker activates automatically when you have less than 20% life left. You do something like double damage. The sad thing is that your weapons actually feel adequately powerful while in berserker. :/

In terms of scoring, it seems like the game is designed around 3/4 suiciding into berserker mode from the very first wave of enemies, which in turn would actually allow you to destroy most waves with the lighting gun and gaining tons of chain levels/powerups in the process. This also deemphasizes the health bar, making most enemies a 1-hit = kill affair.

Too bad a lot of the stage design is still centered around absorbing cheap shots. Toning down those and adding an extra button mapped to "auto berserker" would have gone a long way towards satisfying the purists.

[P_HAT]

Edit

Trouble Witches plays a f*** awesome hori game.

[qatmix]

Out of curiosity, what was teh special pre-order gift?

Mine copy of the game still has not arrived

[Gwyrgyn Blood]

Edit

Trouble Witches plays a f*** awesome hori game.

Agreed, although TW had the same problem with weapons being way too weak in the earlier version. After they patched that the game got a lot better. Weak weapons are just not a lot of fun.

They could do something with Berserker mode in Soldner X to make the game better. Some sort of extra ability with high risk, high reward, that doesn't involve hitting yourself down to 20%.

[Shatterhand]

can't someone point this thread to the developers of the game?

Not that I have bought it or played it, but I think they would like to read what people think about the game in a honest way...