Ketsui X and Daioujou Black Label X - Ports for Xbox 360

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:57 am

Let's say that the x-mode was released in arcades and then a week later, the Black Label version. Would you (try to be honest to yourself):

a) continue playing X-Mode and ignoring Black Label cause it's "boring"
b) say, "wow" finally a challenge, although the lack of bullet cancelling won't let me score as high

If new players (average joe types) get access to the X Mode from the get go, why would they want to play a game with "less" features later on? If they *have* to play the white/black version first, they'll perhaps get a taste for it.

BryanM · Post by **BryanM** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:57 am

adversity1 wrote:Maybe it's my LCD?.

There are LCD's that don't have severe crippling ghosting?

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:53 am

Whoa, Daioujou BLEX superplay on the JP marketplace. For free. Downloading now, impressions later.

moozooh · Post by **moozooh** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:12 am

Link!

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:23 am

I can't.. it's on the Japanese Xbox Live marketplace. As in, you need a 360, and you need a Japanese account to access it. I'm not sure if it's restricted to Gold members only or what, I'll report back once it's finished downloading.

originalz · Post by **originalz** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:36 am

emphatic wrote:Let's say that the x-mode was released in arcades and then a week later, the Black Label version. Would you (try to be honest to yourself):

a) continue playing X-Mode and ignoring Black Label cause it's "boring"
b) say, "wow" finally a challenge, although the lack of bullet cancelling won't let me score as high

If new players (average joe types) get access to the X Mode from the get go, why would they want to play a game with "less" features later on? If they *have* to play the white/black version first, they'll perhaps get a taste for it.

The average joe will play X-mode and enjoy themselves. They will then play Black Label, get destroyed fast, and likely go back to X-mode because it's likely more fun and they actually stand a chance of progressing. Maybe eventually they'll get good enough at X-mode so it's no longer a satisfactory challenge, and then they'll move on to Black Label.

Your mindset is the reason shooters are so niche now, they only appeal to a hardcore crowd that likes the challenge. Outside of the character designs, Deathsmiles and Otomedius also have a common low starting difficulty level, and they've both been the most popular shooters in a long time for the mainstream. I don't think you realize how frustrating it can be for a inexperienced player to start up and lose all their lives in the first stage of the game, they'll think "this shit is impossible" and never touch it again. Give them a bone, and they'll keep coming back.

ex.machina · Post by **ex.machina** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:45 am

I do agree that the game is pretty tough, especially for the more inexperienced players. But maybe the publisher already regards the title as pretty much for "hardcore gamers only" and they don't wanna disappoint those.

The X-Mode doesn't seem to be available for me yet, but I moved up to 6 credits now and played through all five stages a couple of times. It's not that difficult for people that aren't all new to the genre. Even though I generally suck in extreme bullet shooters.

Kron · Post by **Kron** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:53 am

moozooh wrote:Link!

http://marketplace.xbox.com/ja-JP/games ... 00465607d2

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:59 am

Kron wrote:
moozooh wrote:Link!
http://marketplace.xbox.com/ja-JP/games ... 00465607d2

I don't think moozooh owns a 360. I get the feeling that you still need a JP account even if you download it from your PC, as it's only available to that specific marketplace. Which looks like this:

moozooh · Post by **moozooh** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:18 am

I do own a jp 360, but, sadly, not the jp account for it (yet). Oh well. :\

emphatic · Post by **emphatic** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:25 am

originalz wrote:Your mindset is the reason shooters are so niche now, they only appeal to a hardcore crowd that likes the challenge. Outside of the character designs, Deathsmiles and Otomedius also have a common low starting difficulty level, and they've both been the most popular shooters in a long time for the mainstream. I don't think you realize how frustrating it can be for a inexperienced player to start up and lose all their lives in the first stage of the game, they'll think "this shit is impossible" and never touch it again. Give them a bone, and they'll keep coming back.

I think you might have misunderstood me (English isn't my first language) here. I'm just trying to offer up an explanation to why the publisher's put a 6 hrs unlock on the X-Mode. If you know that you'll be able to try the "fun" mode later on, you will play the original mode first, if not because you think it's awesome, but at least because you're curious about what to come. Perhaps you'll make some progress, at least clear 2 stages in 1 credit. This is very satisfactory, even for inexperienced players (I hope) and perhaps will spark an interest in the original mode. Then when X-Mode it unlocked, it will of course feel a lot more relaxing and a reward even.

This would be the bone/carrot.

adversity1 · Post by **adversity1** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:29 am

Elixir wrote:Whoa, Daioujou BLEX superplay on the JP marketplace. For free. Downloading now, impressions later.

Downloaded this yesterday, it's just this guy playing the first stage of X-mode with Shotia. Sucks.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:05 pm

adversity1 wrote:
Elixir wrote:Whoa, Daioujou BLEX superplay on the JP marketplace. For free. Downloading now, impressions later.
Downloaded this yesterday, it's just this guy playing the first stage of X-mode with Shotia. Sucks.

Is that what it looks like in the real game? It's blurry as all hell. I wouldn't normally complain but it looks like DOJ running through composite on a HDTV.

And yeah, there wasn't anything special about that run. He didn't even get any hypers from the first boss.

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:00 pm

Elixir wrote:I can't.. it's on the Japanese Xbox Live marketplace. As in, you need a 360, and you need a Japanese account to access it. I'm not sure if it's restricted to Gold members only or what, I'll report back once it's finished downloading.

No need to be a Gold member, just a Japanese XBox Live a/c, I assured you. I had downloaded it.

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:08 pm

BryanM wrote:
adversity1 wrote:Maybe it's my LCD?.

Sorry, no true low res mode this time.

But try getting a VGA cable, set the resolution to 1024x768, and connect to a Tate CRT. This setup should be much much better.

At least it is much better than the interlace from PS2 Mushi Hime Sama & Ibara IMO.

XBox360 really shine when you play HD games like Radian IV & Otomedius.

Acid King · Post by **Acid King** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:56 pm

So what's the word on the actual port? Is the game itself, barring little stuff like continues/menus/x mode, up there with the PS2 port?

Sonic R · Post by **Sonic R** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:21 pm

My game was hold up at customs for a whole day. I won't have until tomorrow

I was looking forward to putting the 6 hours in tonight…

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:41 pm

Acid King wrote:So what's the word on the actual port? Is the game itself, barring little stuff like continues/menus/x mode, up there with the PS2 port?

It takes quite a while to boot into the game, even if you installed it in the hard drive. But once you are in game, the game run smoothly.

My experience is based on playing withe the standard game pad. As I don't have a Joystick yet. But I fell nothing wring with the control so far.

For the screen, IMO

in Tate
True Low Res > Progressive Scan > Interlace
(You can't use a 29" arcade monitor.)

In Yoko (littler box)
Progressive Scan > True Low Res > Interlace
(The resolution is so high that the image display clearly, but small size of the image really slow your reflex time.)

Notes: I am using a VGA cable, and I found if you are using a resolution higher than 1024x768, the game would automatic treat you as using a 16:9, other it would treat you as using 4:3. Anyway, 1024x768 is already more than enough.

For the game,
I guess I don't need to tell you what is DDP DOJ and how it is played.

It the only "Black Label" console port so far.IMP, Cave has made this version more accessible to non-export players, and they make it easily to get hyper power up. But be warned, the game is still very hard. (Using hyper would rank up the game a lots, so more hyper *not equal to* easily, it just more fun.)

And "White Label" is also included on the disc.

Other Issue,
You could download other players' replay from the online ladder board. This would be a great resource.

No online co-operate mode, WHY?!?!

I still haven't unlock X-Mode yet, but as ..
(1) you could cancel bullet withe your own shot and/or laser
(2) you got auto bomb

It could be just a easy mode of the game.

I think this should be enough for you to decide whether to get the game or not..

8 1/2 · Post by **8 1/2** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:55 pm

Got my copy and my new 360 yesterday afternoon. It was hard to tear myself away from Raiden Fighters Jet to really dig into DOJ yet, but so far the port seems comparable to the PS2 version, at least where gameplay is concerned. I chained up through stage 2, and the old patterns came back to me pretty quickly. I didn't feel like anything was out of place. I've never had the fortune to play the arcade version, so my only point of reference is the Arika PS2 port.

Graphically it's another story. It's really dull looking, even with the filters turned off. I'm running it through HDMI to my LCD @ 1080p. I tried even turning the 360's resolution down to 480p, but I didn't notice any gains. I will try out my CRT later today, which is probably what I'll end up using. This is nothing that will keep me from enjoying the game, but compared to the unholy glory of the Raiden Fighters ports on the same system it comes up lacking.

Lots of little baby achievements to get, which will add a good few hours of point-hunting to the title. Some are really trivial, like I think I got one for using my first Hyper, and there seem to be one for beating each mid-boss too. They definitely went the Valve route here, drip-feeding little achievements throughout gameplay.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:55 pm

What is the initial load time when installed to the HDD?

8 1/2 · Post by **8 1/2** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:59 pm

bcass wrote:What is the initial load time when installed to the HDD?

I'll time it with a stopwatch this evening, but it still seems to be around the 30 second mark, which feels like an eternity.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:02 pm

Cheers. What is the loading time without the install? Something like 2 minutes isn't it?

dmauro · Post by **dmauro** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:21 pm

Does DOJBLEX have a scanlines option, and has anyone tried it in 480p on an arcade monitor to see how it looks?

Udderdude · Post by **Udderdude** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:38 pm

From CAVE-STG

"Update to Sakari's blog tonight indicates that 5pb is officially working on a patch. Sounds like the poor guy got flooded with (mostly) angry emails."

Who saw that coming ..

Trevor spencer · Post by **Trevor spencer** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:47 pm

im interested to know what its like on a CRT via RGB scart

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:50 pm

SAM wrote:You could download other players' replay from the online ladder board. This would be a great resource.

God, I love you SAM (even though every time you post I want to punch your avatar in the face)! From now on, I will be refering to leader boards as ladder boards.

moozooh · Post by **moozooh** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:56 pm

bcass wrote:Cheers. What is the loading time without the install? Something like 2 minutes isn't it?

About 63 seconds.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:11 pm

How long does the PCB take to initialise?

antron · Post by **antron** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:12 pm

Trevor spencer wrote:im interested to know what its like on a CRT via RGB scart

it is believed that the 360 can only do 480i via scart, like the first xbox.

jpj · Post by **jpj** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:18 pm

bcass wrote:How long does the PCB take to initialise?

about 5 seconds