G Darius

Matsunaga · Post by **Matsunaga** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:20 am

G Darius was released today in the JPSN store for psp. I've never played a darius game, is this worth buying?

Observer · Post by **Observer** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:32 am

Let me put it simple: Yes!

Especially if G-Darius was fine tuned with silk-smooth framerate (no slowdowns) in comparison to the original PSX release. Dunno which treatment do PSN games receive.

Other than that and if you don't mind the 'old' graphics, it's really good, full of huge battleships approaching fast, surreal (and I mean it: towards the end they take all the acid) and Zuntatastic. (yes, horrible new word)

dpful · Post by **dpful** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:27 am

The game's great. PSP is so little I wouldn't worry about frame rate (I think it's exactly like psx version- which I don't think was so bad). I have it hacked on my PSP and I play revisit it often.

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:49 am

in short: brilliant game.

SockPuppetHyren · Post by **SockPuppetHyren** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:10 pm

Yes! Yes! A THOUSAND TIMES YES! Don't waste time dilly dallying here, go get it, you won't be disappointed. Hell, just being reminded of this game makes me want to drop everything and play it. In fact...*Drops everything...*

Post by **Shatterhand** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:45 pm

dpful wrote:The game's great. PSP is so little I wouldn't worry about frame rate (I think it's exactly like psx version- which I don't think was so bad). I have it hacked on my PSP and I play revisit it often.

You've never played the arcade version then. PS1 G-Darius is horribly slow on PS1. It's still a great game, but it's a lot easier because for like 95% of the time it's running at about 50-75% of the speed of the arcade original. In rare moments when there's nothing on screen you can see how the game was supposed to run.

Observer · Post by **Observer** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:04 pm

Shatterhand wrote:
dpful wrote:The game's great. PSP is so little I wouldn't worry about frame rate (I think it's exactly like psx version- which I don't think was so bad). I have it hacked on my PSP and I play revisit it often.
You've never played the arcade version then. PS1 G-Darius is horribly slow on PS1. It's still a great game, but it's a lot easier because for like 95% of the time it's running at about 50-75% of the speed of the arcade original. In rare moments when there's nothing on screen you can see how the game was supposed to run.

That's what I meant with the slowdowns. By the way, did anyone trying to play the game with ePSXe or other PSX emu? Do those offer improved performance over the PSX?

Ah, this thread makes me want to go pew pew some huge surreal mecha fishes and re-ignites my desire for a new Darius title. Just picturing next-gen graphics for all the huge fishes and scenery... A Golden Ogre HD!

captpain · Post by **captpain** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:21 pm

G Darius is that rare type of Rule that actually turns into Hella Rule.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:17 pm

The original Taito FX-1B variant mobo that runs the G-Darius game, that is one legendary arcade shmup title not to be missed. ^_~

Have bought the USA region T-HQ released version of G-Darius for the PSX, it does play at a slower framerate and has the usual grainy FMV clips for the opening and ending stories -- could've easily been done in real-time with the PSX's graphical capabilities. To see the main G-Darius game title move in all it's 3-D polygonal glory (shown in between game demo and attract screen sessions) is just extra frosting on the cake. ^_~

Please do pick it up if you come across it, you won't be disappointed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

captpain · Post by **captpain** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:29 pm

PC Engine Fan X! wrote:The original Taito FX-1B variant mobo that runs the G-Darius game, that is one legendary arcade shmup title not to be missed. ^_~

Have bought the USA region T-HQ released version of G-Darius for the PSX, it does play at a slower framerate and has the usual grainy FMV clips for the opening and ending stories -- could've easily been done in real-time with the PSX's graphical capabilities. To see the main G-Darius game title move in all it's 3-D polygonal glory (shown in between game demo and attract screen sessions) is just extra frosting on the cake. ^_~

Please do pick it up if you come across it, you won't be disappointed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

This might be a dumb question, but is this what the MAME version emulates? It's all ingame 3D IIRC, and it looks way cool...

Post by **Shatterhand** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:41 pm

IIRC, the PS1 version has 2 intros, one that's identical to the arcade one, and a new one, the grainy FMV that PC Engine Fan says. If you let the intro rolls, you will first see the arcade one, then the demo rolls in, then you see the FMV one. (or was the FMV one first? Don't remember).

I played a lot of this game. Even though it's isn't one of my top 25 shmups, for some reason I always kept getting back for more, even after the 1cc. Must have been the music

. Best darius game IMO.

kengou · Post by **kengou** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:42 pm

I play it on MAME and have experienced very little if any slowdown.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:10 pm

captpain wrote:
PC Engine Fan X! wrote:The original Taito FX-1B variant mobo that runs the G-Darius game, that is one legendary arcade shmup title not to be missed. ^_~

Have bought the USA region T-HQ released version of G-Darius for the PSX, it does play at a slower framerate and has the usual grainy FMV clips for the opening and ending stories -- could've easily been done in real-time with the PSX's graphical capabilities. To see the main G-Darius game title move in all it's 3-D polygonal glory (shown in between game demo and attract screen sessions) is just extra frosting on the cake. ^_~

Please do pick it up if you come across it, you won't be disappointed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
This might be a dumb question, but is this what the MAME version emulates? It's all ingame 3D IIRC, and it looks way cool...

Yep, the MAME version of G-Darius emulates everything including the cool shifting 3-D polygonal G-Darius main title.

THe PSX version of G-Darius has an entirely new CGI opening intro that was never included or shown on the arcade PCB version of the same name. Also, the 2nd FMV clip is that of the actual arcade PCB's opening intro -- the PCB displays it in real-time as opposed to the PSX's usage of FMV clip footage.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

yojo! · Post by **yojo!** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:28 pm

Is the PSP version better than the PS2 version on Taito compilation ?

FIL · Post by **FIL** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:59 pm

If its based on the PS1 version then probably not, the PS2 version isn't in constant slo-mo. Still kinda makes me wish I had a PSP, and access to the JPSN store.

Matsunaga · Post by **Matsunaga** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:00 pm

I'm guessing it's a direct port of the ps1 version, like all the other psn classics. For some reason this one is psp only, can't be played on ps3. Are there any differences between the import and US release?

ott0bot · Post by **ott0bot** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:20 pm

Yes indeed. Great game. And although the ps1 version runs slower than the arcade or MAME version, it's still a blast. I love the weapon stealing aspect, it reminds of Gaiares! The poly's look a bit dated, but on par with Thunder Force V and Einhander.

dai jou bu · Post by **dai jou bu** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:54 am

I have a feeling that the arcade original didn't have an autofire button, which was present in the PSX port. That would've made those Alpha/Beta beam struggles more dramatic since you probably would've been tired at that point from pressing it almost repeatedly earlier in the stage.

Anyway, if the PSP version is like the PSX version without the slowdown, it would be more than awesome. Not awesome enough for me to get though since I already own the PSX port and have a personal vendetta against the handheld.

I'm Alec · Post by **I'm Alec** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:00 am

Oh shit are you kidding me? I'm getting a Japanese PS card on ebay TODAY! I FUCKING LOVE THIS GAME!

Observer · Post by **Observer** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:10 am

WARNING

A HUGE BATTLESHIP
ABSOLUTE DEFENDER
IS APPROACHING FAST!

(gotta love Darius bosses and their engrish names, Eternal Triangle, Queen Fossil, etc., etc.)

mmm, that's odd it's only for PSP as a PS3 arcade-perfect port could've been done as well to 'test' Darius for the next-gen and see if people like it, right?

Then we would be getting gigantic flying space mecha-fishes eating up entire fleets in full HD and people going all "WOW" till they realise it's "just a shooter" and "you can beat it in 30 mins" despite "it's too hard" and "it has no replay value, no extras and unlockables and achievements".

Matsunaga · Post by **Matsunaga** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:54 am

I decided to buy it, seeing that the replies I got were 100% positive. Yeah, it's an awesome game, looks great on the psp. There's just something awesome about giant-ass crazy fish robot bosses. Is Darius Gaiden as good as this? I think I need to pick that up too.

Post by **Shatterhand** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:35 pm

Matsunaga wrote:I decided to buy it, seeing that the replies I got were 100% positive. Yeah, it's an awesome game, looks great on the psp. There's just something awesome about giant-ass crazy fish robot bosses. Is Darius Gaiden as good as this? I think I need to pick that up too.

No, it's not as good. It's also stupidly easy if you play it with autofire. The level design is bland, and the game has some glitches. It's not bad, but it's not great either.

The music is better than G-Darius though, which says a lot

captpain · Post by **captpain** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:05 pm

Shatterhand wrote:
Matsunaga wrote:I decided to buy it, seeing that the replies I got were 100% positive. Yeah, it's an awesome game, looks great on the psp. There's just something awesome about giant-ass crazy fish robot bosses. Is Darius Gaiden as good as this? I think I need to pick that up too.
No, it's not as good. It's also stupidly easy if you play it with autofire. The level design is bland, and the game has some glitches. It's not bad, but it's not great either.

The music is better than G-Darius though, which says a lot

I like the music in Gaiden... it's suitably trippy.

I'm Alec · Post by **I'm Alec** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:00 pm

Hmmm I personally prefer Gaiden. G is awesome though just the same.

Zuhzuhzombie!! · Post by **Zuhzuhzombie!!** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:01 am

Which is better?

Darius Gaiden or G Darius?

captpain · Post by **captpain** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:12 am

Decide for yourself, they're both on mame.

Mischief Maker · Post by **Mischief Maker** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:44 am

G Darius. Without a doubt.

KindGrind · Post by **KindGrind** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:46 am

G Darius +1.

Master O · Post by **Master O** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 3:36 am

Matsunaga wrote:G Darius was released today in the JPSN store for psp. I've never played a darius game, is this worth buying?

Of course! How many shmups let you blast away at robotic fish with crazy nicknames?

dpful · Post by **dpful** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:11 am

Oh man, I think Gaiden is better. I'm into the new wave music. Plus, I guess some of the level designs could be bland, but others are fantastic, and the general use of fancy 2d effects is just phenomenal. I think it's got some of the best 2d graphics ever. I don't think it's too easy either. G-darius seems more bland/repetetive to me.

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