Is anyone excited about Namco's forthcoming GBA shmup rpg?

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 4:13 am

I just recently heard about Namco's Sigma Star Saga, a title for the GBA due in the U.S. in June. It is supposed to include both rpg elements and horizontal shmup action. Any information or opinions?

Blue Lander · Post by **Blue Lander** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 4:49 am

I'm intrigued, but I don't know how well it'll work. When I'm shmupping, I don't like the action being broken up by a lot of dialog or RPGing. It seems to break my concentration. I'll give the game a try if it's cheap enough, though. I like RPGs and I like shmups, I'm willing to give the combination a try.

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:21 am

Yeah, I'm very interested. I submitted an email interview to Namco a while back. Currently waiting for it to come back. I'll let you guys know when it goes up.

OptimusPrimeX · Post by **OptimusPrimeX** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:51 am

i'm interested to see how it comes out. I actually had this idea when i was like 14 or so. For some reason i really wanted to meld the two together. Guess i've been beaten to the puch lol..

sounds cool

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:55 pm

What about The Guardian Legend for NES? That is some good stuff.

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 2:40 pm

I'm more excited about the RPG/freelance space game aspects of this title than the shooter part. Most likely it will be probably a mediocre shooter, but a fantastic RPG.

Melf · Post by **Melf** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 3:55 pm

BrianC wrote:What about The Guardian Legend for NES? That is some good stuff.

If it's half as good, then it's a must-buy.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:08 pm

Andi wrote:I'm more excited about the RPG/freelance space game aspects of this title than the shooter part. Most likely it will be probably a mediocre shooter, but a fantastic RPG.

Yes, I'm worried that the shmup-side of the game will be weak. The GBA may very well turn out to be the last system designed for 2D games, and yet it lacks any shmups that really make a mark on the genre. Sure, Iridion II and Gradius Galaxies are decent games, but are no more than that. It would be great if Namco could improve the situation, but I'm not terribly optimistic. I don't really recall the last time Namco made a game to get excited about.

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:22 pm

When I hear the term "RPG Elements", I cringe, because most of the time the the whole term is totally thrown out of proportion. One could say that Forgotten Worlds has "RPG Elements" to it for the simple fact that it features a "shop" where you can buy life and magics, as well as weapons.
Still, its a shmup, not a shmup with RPG elements.
Same goes for Radiant SilverGun, just because your weapon of choice increases with use; doesn't mean it has RPG elements.

What was so "RPG-ish" about Guardian Legend? Personally I thought that the game VERY BLAND at best.

So, RPG and a Shmup put together? I'm curious now...

Zhon · Post by **Zhon** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:39 pm

Well, Tyrian was pretty enjoyable, despite it being less of a test of skill, so if this turns out like it, I could see myself liking it.

FRO · Post by **FRO** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:47 pm

Even though I suck at Guardian Legend I think this one looks interesting. I'd buy it to play on the GB player...

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 12:58 am

TWITCHDOCTOR wrote:What was so "RPG-ish" about Guardian Legend? Personally I thought that the game VERY BLAND at best.

I agree.

On a seperate note: Thinking of this game as a shooter and an RPG combined is really the wrong mentality. Despite the fact that Secret of Mana was real-time battle, no one really thinks of it as an action game. Sigma Star Saga should not even be thought of as a shooter as the shooter element is going to be minimal, and your success in it will be directly proportional to your success in the RPG element.

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 1:54 am

There's a "shmup RPG" for the Dreamcast, called Armada - and it sucks.

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 2:35 am

BrianC wrote:What about The Guardian Legend for NES? That is some good stuff.

Matt Bozon, the game's creator lists Guardian Legend among his top 10 favorite games, so it's likely a deliberate influence.

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 2:47 am

Stormwatch wrote:There's a "shmup RPG" for the Dreamcast, called Armada - and it sucks.

Oh really? (sarcasm) I always thought of Armada as an "Asteriods with A Purpose".
Still, never cared for it ...even when it was $4.99 bargain bin fodder.

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 3:48 am

Stormwatch wrote:There's a "shmup RPG" for the Dreamcast, called Armada - and it sucks.

Whoa! I rather enjoyed Armada actually. Although, again, the enjoyable part is the exploration/RPG elements, and not the action segments.

captain ahar · Post by **captain ahar** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 7:53 pm

might be interesting. i've always kind of liked of Wayforwards art style. the shooting portion doesn't look amazing, but to be fair i haven't seen it move yet.

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 6:36 pm

My interview will be up later today at www.got-next.com.

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 7:20 pm

Here we go:

http://www.got-next.com/features_read.php?id=118

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Sun May 22, 2005 7:57 am

There's some new screens and videos (E3 stuff) up at gameboy.ign.com for this one, BTW. Should still be up on the front page.

Post by **Ghegs** » Sun May 22, 2005 2:05 pm

Thanks for the tip, Vexorg.

I'm not liking some of the stuff they say, though...

These shooter battles are meant to be short and random

Your ship has multiple hit points in action sequences, as well as multiple lives to get you through the biggest battles, which should make for a shooter less frustrating to regular players just aiming to get through it all (newbies can also hang out and level up until they're ready to handle the tricky shooter stages.)

Meh.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Sun May 22, 2005 2:18 pm

yeah, that's a bit disappointing. I was thinking of preordering this one, but now I may wait for the reviews.

sjewkestheloon · Post by **sjewkestheloon** » Sun May 22, 2005 7:41 pm

yeah but if it handled the shmup sections like the more difficult examples of the genre it would totally alienate the majority of its audience. i wonder whta the ratio of rpgers is to shmupers? as long as the shmup sections are interesting and entertaining i'll be more than happy

druuna · Post by **druuna** » Sun May 22, 2005 8:27 pm

Seems interesting...

http://media.gameboy.ign.com/media/725/ ... mgs_1.html