DDPDFK vs. Deathsmiles - which would you get? (store owner)

[McMasters]

Hi, all, haven't been on here for a while. Honest question, since I can't take just my opinion: our store is looking to get a shmup in with a candy cab. Honestly, we don't want to get something people can just play at home - that was our problem with our candy cab of Melty Blood (all the 'yay Melty Blood' players just go 'yay, this is just like the torrent I downloaded and play on my PC at home *dosn't play the cab*' -_-.

So.

DoDonPachi DaiFukkatsu vs. Deathsmiles. Which do you like better? By how much? (DDPDFK is about 60% more expensive than DS) I'm a big fan of the vertical DDP danmaku action, but that's just me. DS has character design, and as bad as it sounds, that's actually a pull for a game.

Thank you all very much for any input you can give - this forum is pretty much responsible for getting our store into the import game business.

[moozooh]

Well, I'm not sure DDP will make up for its cost anytime soon.

DeathSmiles and Mushi Futari (1.5 or BL) are both cheaper, arcade-exclusive, have attractive character design and also the option to choose difficulty setting, which will prove useful for most beginners: I wouldn't expect anyone to empty their wallet just to finish the first stage of DDP DF, but that seems to be a given. I guess you could also consider Espgaluda 2 and perhaps MMP out of the recent Cave stuff.

[elfhentaifan]

If price doesnt matter (mainly) you should aim for ddp4, since you already mentioned that you like the ddp-system, and as far as i saw, it is not much different in the new ddp.

Death Smiles has awesome character design, but the chain system is not as challenging for me.

[zap]

I've played them both (DDP4 at location test), and I say that the little I got to play of DDP4, it was much much more fun than Death Smiles.

Death Smiles is fairly easy though, so if you're going for casual customers, you would probably make more out of Death Smiles. I'm sure some emo dudes would try it out too

[McMasters]

A couple questions (just so I'm clear)

DeathSmiles and Mushi Futari (1.5 or BL) are both cheaper, arcade-exclusive, have attractive character design and also the option to choose difficulty setting, which will prove useful for most beginners

*edit*

BLAH, I'm rambling. Let me sum up this post:

- Of the various DDP / MushiFutari / Death games, which do you recommend and why? Please note that Arcade exclusivity is a must. Feel free to add games not listed here, but they should look 'new'. DDP is one of my favorites, but that's old and busted looking compared to new games, no matter how awesome it is.

- Is Deathsmiles really that easy?



So many questions, I feel like such a whiner. Thank you all so much.
Oh, and the store is Hammergirl Anime, in Rochester, NY, just so you know I'm not pulling your chain.

[evil_ash_xero]

Well, I for one would actually drive a couple of hours just to play Death Smiles(or ESP Galuda 2 or Mushi Futari, for that matter).

The new DDP...eh, I mean i'd play it, but seriously, most people have access to DP, DDP, and DOJ, so it's not like they're getting something "brand new" if you get it at your store. They may lose interest because they can play games that are very similar to it at home.

Death Smiles is not a sequel, and is a bit different than most Cave games. I'd get that one.

s/m

[McMasters]

The new DDP...eh, I mean i'd play it, but seriously, most people have access to DP, DDP, and DOJ, so it's not like they're getting something "brand new" if you get it at your store. They may lose interest because they can play games that are very similar to it at home.

Excellent point, thank you.

So, Deathsmiles vs. MushiFutari, I guess. Where would I check on if these games are being ported? I haven't found anything out there..

[moozooh]

MushiFutari = Mushihimesama Futari, I assume.

I'm assuming that 1.5 means that bugfix Mushi that came out, but even though I think BL = Black Label, I don't fully understand the meaning of it

The assumptions are correct. Futari Black Label has some gameplay tweaks compared to Futari 1.5, there are other threads here that elaborate on them.

And how do you know what's exclusive and what isn't? Have they said 'no Deathsmiles ports'?

Well, there has been not a bit of information about ports yet, and by exclusive I mean those that haven't been ported or not going to be in the nearest future. Both DS and DDP DF are very recent, they will most definitely not be ported anytime soon.

Also, DDP4 = Daiohjou?

DOJ is DDP3 in this case (DDP2 is Bee Storm).

Another question - we're scared to crap of buying a PCB / GD, only to have the game come out on the Dreamcast / PC / PS2 / whatever two months later, so Arcade exclusivity is a must.

All the info so far seems to suggest there will be no Dreamcast, PC, or PS2 ports. Actually, only the latter had any Cave ports on it at all, and the last one was released in what, 2003?

And, is Deathsmiles really that easy? I mean, there's a tradeoff. 'Yay fun' is great, but if your average gamer can drop in 50 cents and sit there for a half hour, it isn't really making our decision a good one. ('hey, buy this 2000$ game + cab! It'll make 2$ a day!')

Well, it's supposedly one of the easiest Cave games — but it's still a Cave game, so I wouldn't expect anyone to beat it within the first 40 hours or so. Plus, anime art inside the game is probably a good thing for an anime store. :D

If you have games to suggest other than these, please do, but again, Arcade exclusiveness if at all possible.

Well, there's not that much of a choice except what was listed above + Ibara Sorekara, but Ibara is a bit too inaccessible. In my opinion, DeathSmiles and Mushi Futari 1.5/BL are the best choices out of the recent Cave games so far.

Where would I check on if these games are being ported? I haven't found anything out there..

Because there's nothing on them being ported to be found, perhaps. :) In fact, the only ports confirmed to come out soon are Ketsui and DDP DOJ Black Label, which are both many years old. How likely it is that they'll be followed on by games they released like a year ago?

[McMasters]

You are just one of the best persons in the world.

I'm going to go get me some video footage of Deathsmiles and Mushi for the locals, and see what they like. Thanks so much. I'll be back with comments.

[evil_ash_xero]

The new DDP...eh, I mean i'd play it, but seriously, most people have access to DP, DDP, and DOJ, so it's not like they're getting something "brand new" if you get it at your store. They may lose interest because they can play games that are very similar to it at home.

Excellent point, thank you.

So, Deathsmiles vs. MushiFutari, I guess. Where would I check on if these games are being ported? I haven't found anything out there..

Now that is a tough one. Buzz is Futari is pretty awesome, but Death Smiles still has the "you can't play this at home" thing going on.

However, there's only one other Mushi(shmup) game, so I think it would be different enough.

Between the two, I dunno. Tough call, but I think either would be a good purchase. Don't forget about ESP Galuda 2..but some complain of it's difficulty.

In terms of how they look, both Mushi and ESP look really good, but DS is kinda gorgeous, honestly. The animation is really something, and I do think it would grab people's attention in that department.

OH, and as far as any of us know, NONE of those are being ported, so i'd feel pretty secure with any of them.


s/m

[Plasmo]

Do yourself a favour and DON'T buy a shmup. If you really ever want to get at least 50% of the money back you had paid for the PCB, a shmup is the wrong choice for a store in the U.S.
If you want to enjoy the game on your own and if you're a fan of shmups then get Mushi Futari and/or Dodonpachi DFK.

[evil_ash_xero]

Do yourself a favour and DON'T buy a shmup. If you really ever want to get at least 50% of the money back you had paid for the PCB, a shmup is the wrong choice for a store in the U.S.
If you want to enjoy the game on your own and if you're a fan of shmups then get Mushi Futari and/or Dodonpachi DFK.

But if he wants an arcade game, that is newer...what other choices are there?

s/m

[Plasmo]

Some kind of fighting game or 3D flight sim would be a MUCH better choice. The most important thing is 3D anyway.

[Gwyrgyn Blood]

With shmups at least you can typically resell the PCB for a decent value after you are done with them. Fighting games almost always get timely home ports or revisions, and it seems like they don't resell nearly as well. That's what I've noticed anyway, your mileage may vary.

[Plasmo]

You lose around 200€-300€ if you buy a new (like Mushi Futari and Death Smiles *new*, not DDP DFK *new*) Cave game and resell it after 6 months. There's NO WAY you get that money back from credits. I don't think you can earn more than 5€ from a shmup PCB a month.

[Gwyrgyn Blood]

It's not like you can't buy used, I got Futari 1.5 for 800$ back in November and I'm sure I could sell it now for pretty much the same price.

If he's in a large city with a decent scene, then yeah buying a new fighter is a much better choice. If he's not, then it doesn't matter because nothing he puts in will make any money anyway. A used Cave PCB will just resell a lot better is all. :I

[honorless]

Oh, and the store is Hammergirl Anime, in Rochester, NY, just so you know I'm not pulling your chain.

Pardon this lapse into blithering idiot for a second—HOLY SHIT REALLY!?!?!!!1 asdfjkl;

...I would probably choose Deathsmiles.

Lower level of difficulty overall. Granted, a Cave shooter is still going to be more intimidating than the past games you've put in, but hopefully not everyone will go "Oh, I can't do that" and completely ignore the machine.

Though Mushi Futari and Espgaluda II do have beautiful artwork and are beautiful games, DS' presentation is a bit more anime and RPG-like. By this, I mean that there are things like...cutscenes featuring the characters between levels. I know that this is a "who cares?" among shooter players, but I'm pretty sure most of your clientele are anime and RPG fans who expect a stronger character and story presence from the games they play. (Correct me if I'm wrong!)

Please let us (me) know what you decide (so I can drive down there and play it)

[undamned]

...3D flight sim would be a MUCH better choice.

Drunk much?

I think that Deathsmiles would appeal to a majority of anime fans. Anime is largely about art and this game delivers.

DDP DFK will probably garner some "try it once" wages, but when people discover they actually need to be a good player to get into it, they may give up. I think Deathsmiles should be quite accessible for most anime fans.
-ud

[EOJ]

Deathsmiles will probably appeal to a wider audience, with the 4 different characters and flexible level select. And it's not easy if you play at all Rank 3 - it's harder than Mushi Futari's Maniac mode. Also, the scoring system is very deep, and takes a lot of skill and a lot of button tapping.

Also, Futari Black Label is more than a few tweaks to Futari 1.5. It's pretty much a whole new game (different game modes, different enemy layouts in all of the levels, different bullet patterns and bullet speeds, different scoring systems, different shot types, different background colors, etc).

If I could have only one, I'd get Futari Black Label.

[jpj]

mcmasters: like others have said, given your clientelle, get deathsmiles

[Daedalus]

I haven't played either the new DDP or DS, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But from what I've seen...

Deathsmiles really looks like the better option:
1. It's cheaper
2. The visual style will appeal more to anime fans.
3. (Perhaps most importantly) I'm sure both the new DDP and Mushi 2 kick ass, but while they are arcade exclusive, they have console releases for prior games in the series. Deathsmiles is totally new - So people can play DOJ and Mushi at home, but they have nothing comparable for DS.

[overkill55]

McMasters - on a related note, which type of candy cab do you want for your store?

[McMasters]

I have an Atomiswave for MeltyBlood, and another on the way. I like them overall, they fit the store's look. As for 3-d flight, the only good one out there is the Lindbergh AfterBurner, and let me tell you, ID4 is enough Lindberg for now - those cost as much as the store did to start. -_-

honorless - you are correct. also, shmups have a good 'starting' difficulty curve, so Mr. dies-in-5-seconds sees guy-who's-played-3-times get through the first level no prob, and go "I can do that".

As for the "don't get a shmup", fighting games do HORRIBLE on the per-credit east coast. people just play them at home, or go to a game place and beat on each other in Smash. The only thing that gets credits is the 'something you cannot get at home', hence the prevalence of gun and driver games - shiny shiny that you can't recreate at home (Wii Zapper is not Giant Ghost EVO gun, etc)

I'm really thinking the Deathsmiles here. Also, any game that people come to the store to play has its own secondary market. Initial D, for example, sells Ramune, as people get a drink and snack between rounds.

[Radiant]

Deathsmiles...this game is also playable for non hardcore shmup players...

[sven666]

only VS fighter that can pull in the money and crowds is street fighter 3 (well i guess the latest release of tekken or VF before they hit the consoles aswell).. that game still has an amazing appeal.

as for a shmup id go for Deathsmiles if i was you, its easier and it has a fantastic artstyle to it that many will find appealing.
DDP5 (yeah it is part 5!) i think is just too much danmaku for regular people to play, ive had several Cave games on operating in the past and the only one that did halfway decent was ESPgaluda mainly due to its difficulty being a bit lower than others.

[moozooh]

DDP5 (yeah it is part 5!)

It's DP5 or DDP4. :)

[evil_ash_xero]

Some kind of fighting game or 3D flight sim would be a MUCH better choice. The most important thing is 3D anyway.

You know, Afterburner Climax would probably be a good choice(but I don't know for a anime store tho)

s/m

[sven666]

DDP5 (yeah it is part 5!)

It's DP5 or DDP4.

nope.. its DDP part 5 (DP part 6)

[moozooh]

Campaign Version doesn't count.

[sven666]

Campaign Version doesn't count.

indeed it does not, however DOJ BL does