Aleste 2: explain please

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:57 am

I played a bit of this in BlueMSX...eh, this doesn't really seem to be the sort of shooter for me. A lot of you have this in your top 25 lists, so tell me what about this game is so special. Is it just that it's a shooter on the MSX2 (that sounds better on the 2+), or does it have good scoring + gameplay mechanics that invite replaying?

Super Laydock · Post by **Super Laydock** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:14 am

Best thing ever by Compile (Zanac Neo can suck Aleste 2's balls)!

Mainly good childood memories of a game that was undoubtedly best of it's time! That and I love that time's games!

As you may have noticed before, I don't give a f*ck about scoring systems.
(mostly)

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:19 am

How about playability, then?

One thing that bothers me about the game is the two-button setup; the second button (afaik) just launches your second attack. Hooray, two buttons to hold down! :( Is that playing it RONG?

(I'm wondering if I should get this before a shooter with a caravan mode, in case you were wondering.)

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:10 am

I enjoy Compile games like Musha Aleste, Spriggan and Sylphia more. Of the old-style Compile shooters, I like Zanac Neo best. In my opinion Aleste 2 features too many small sprites and the ship's weapons are a little weak.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:17 am

Ceph wrote:In my opinion Aleste 2 features too many small sprites and the ship's weapons aren't that good.

That was my impression too, unfortunately.

Zeether · Post by **Zeether** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:45 pm

use weapon 4

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:53 pm

ZeetherKID77 wrote:use weapon 4

That helped a good bit! Still got a crappy run, but I haven't played this much. Hmm, upgrading that weapon REALLY helps it, but even at the first level it didn't seem like garbage.

Edit: Saw the fully powered-up version on my next play.

Results of third playthrough?

- Game loves its filler
- The border is kind of annoying and I wonder if it should be there even on an MSX2+
- 235K highscore so far, coulda gotten a better one if the first stage mainboss hadn't offed me once seconds before it died

ROBOTRON · Post by **ROBOTRON** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:53 pm

Aleste 2 is Powerstrike 2 in U.S.A....correct?

Never got a chance to play powerstrike 2, couldn't get hold of a copy. I do have Powerstrike 1 and it is a blast. Zanac, Zneo, Blazing Lazers, Space Megaforce, Guardian Legend, Musha, etc. all = win.

Compile make good shmups period.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:48 pm

Powerstrike 2 was not released in the US/Japan, it was a Europe-only release. And no, Aleste 2 is not Powerstrike 2.

captain ahar · Post by **captain ahar** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:12 pm

somehow, i've never played it before. great fun, as laydock said, most fun i've had with a compile game, and i've liked a handful before.