Do Don Pachi or Do Don Pachi DOJ

noisuf · Post by **noisuf** » Sun May 03, 2009 5:48 am

Hi Everyone,

I love my Raiden DX and Strikers 1945 II.

I'm going to take a punt (based on Top 25 Shmup previous results) and get a Do Don Pachi and not sure which one to get (arcade).

I don't have these arcade games nearby to try first.

Looking at the previous Top 25 Shmups of all time threads, Do Don Pachi has been the top apart from last years where Do Don Pachi DOJ scored better.

Can you guys let me know which one you prefer and why?

Thanks,

Michael.

kengou · Post by **kengou** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:24 am

They're both fantastic games. Cave's best in my opinion. You can't miss no matter which you choose.

Personally, I used to prefer Dodonpachi, but just lately I've been liking Daioujou more. The pace is faster and tighter, the bosses are better, and hypers are a great addition.

If you'd like to try them out before buying anything, Dodonpachi works perfectly on MAME. Daioujou, you'll need a PS2 emulator (and a good computer) if you want to play it for free, which isn't nearly as easy.

it290 · Post by **it290** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:29 am

^^ Agreed. I would add that DDP is better if you're new to the series, whereas DOJ offers a little more of everything for the long time player. I personally still prefer DDP, though, since it's a little more forgiving of my mediocre skills.

LtC · Post by **LtC** » Sun May 03, 2009 7:08 am

For casual play DOJ is propably better but when it comes to playing the games for score DDP is far better since the scoring system of DOJ is horrible.

When it comes to level designs I'd say DDP is better and the ship types are more balanced than DOJ where 1 ship can do pretty much everything every other ship can do.

DOJ's bosses play better if you don't count the final stage bosses. Even though I was never fan of how DOJ's bosses looked since they all look like terminators or something and don't look similiar to any enemies in the DP series at all. @_@

DBHashman93 · Post by **DBHashman93** » Sun May 03, 2009 7:27 am

I largely prefer DOJ's atmosphere (be warned: it is definitely the more difficult of the two games), but there's no reason you shouldn't try out DDP on MAME.

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Sun May 03, 2009 9:26 am

DOJ all the way.

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Sun May 03, 2009 10:30 am

it290 wrote:^^ Agreed. I would add that DDP is better if you're new to the series, whereas DOJ offers a little more of everything for the long time player. I personally still prefer DDP, though, since it's a little more forgiving of my mediocre skills.

This. DDP is definitely more accessible. DOJ is a bit over the top for my tastes.

originalz · Post by **originalz** » Sun May 03, 2009 11:58 am

How is DDP2, anyway? I've never played the game and there's very little discussion on it.

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Sun May 03, 2009 12:02 pm

Underwhelming. It's a decent game and all, but not on par to the rest of the series. Thats probably why there isn't too much discussion about it.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sun May 03, 2009 1:58 pm

Both are very much worth playing assuming you don't have an innate dislike for Cave's style - which you like better is more or less a matter of personal preference. As others have said, DOJ is definitely the tougher cookie, though it also adds another layer to the scoring with its "hyper" system - as far as I'm concerned, it's tough to go too wrong with either.

kernow · Post by **kernow** » Sun May 03, 2009 2:48 pm

I prefer the bee system in DOJ by far, compared to the bee hunt that is no fun at all on DDP.

dpful · Post by **dpful** » Sun May 03, 2009 5:26 pm

DDP is awesome, obnoxious, and a little dated (if there were no DOJ, it would be the ultimate in heavy metal fast paced action)

DOJ is more urgent, more addictive, and more beautiful (it's become one of my favorite games). When I play it, I feel like I'm fighting for my life, and fighting for my score every milisecond.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sun May 03, 2009 5:37 pm

dpful wrote:DDP is awesome, obnoxious, and a little dated (if there were no DOJ, it would be the ultimate in heavy metal fast paced action)

DOJ is more urgent, more addictive, and more beautiful (it's become one of my favorite games). When I play it, I feel like I'm fighting for my life, and fighting for my score every milisecond.

Then Cave did their job properly with DDP-DOJ since it keeps you on your toes. Never a dull moment with either DDP or DDP-DOJ, noisuf. You can play the SPS release of DDP on the PSX if you have a region modded PSX or a JPN region PSX...goes for about $85 without a spinecard and upwards of $100+ or more with said spinecard. As a cool extra bonus, you can listen to DDP's redbook audio BGM tunes on a regular music CD player. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Spanky · Post by **Spanky** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:47 am

I now own DDP with my DOJ and I have always loved both but to be honest. I love the desperation I feel when I dodge a shit storm of bullets coming my way in DOJ. Besides stages 1,2,3 are gorgeous and the music is great for DOJ
(but not Ketsui stage 1 great)!!

DDP has a awesome soundtrack also but for some reason it feels a bit stiffer to me.

damakable · Post by **damakable** » Mon May 04, 2009 6:29 am

Wow, seems people are quite divided on this one and I can understand that.

DDP was the first Cave shooter I played, my first manic shmup, and the first game I played that made me realize this kind of game was still being made and in such new and different ways. Ever since Round 42 on my old XT as a toddler I loved shmups, but until I played DDP I didn't know what to call them. So there's a soft spot in my heart for that one -- but it carries over pretty well to the rest of the series.

I must have logged well over 200 hours on DDP in mame before finally making it to the second loop (and added slowdown by my old pc means I can't confirm that I've ever done it as a legitimate run, though I've done it a few times now). Since then of course I fare a bit better in most other shmups, especially manics, but I haven't cracked DOJ yet. I haven't put much time into it yet, though, so that doesn't really mean anything. That said I've been playing it a lot this past week and am gradually crawling forward in it.

DDP is slower, has a simpler scoring system, and rewards you heavily for never using bombs, which is good for honing your dodging skills. It's still really tough, but the hidden bees aren't nearly as important (you can fairly easily make it to the 2nd loop without them).

DOJ is harder and faster, brings new things to the scoring system, and rewards you for using 'hypers' which are not exactly bombs, more like temporary super-powerups that also make the game even harder as an added wrinkle. Bombs still exist only so you may never use them.

Unlike in DDP, DOJ is hard enough that I always use my bombs anyways (I'm not good enough to be going for score past the extends). Bees are much more important because you need them to get hypers.

I'd suggest looking at the strategy forum topics for each to learn more about how they play and the details of scoring, keeping in mind I'm no pro and may have gotten some details off or given 'non-optimal' advice. Try out DDP in mame and see if that feels 'too tame' or 'just right' (unless you're a pro of course they're both hard). I have a feeling that whichever one you pick [first], you'll be getting the other one in due course.

I know that DOJ is a better game for me, but I have a nagging feeling that DDP might be better to start off with. After all, that's the order they came out and that's the order most of us played them in. DOJ was made with fans of DDP in mind and that's why it's even harder, so you might want to start with DDP, the classic that really kicked off the bullet hell / curtain fire craze.

noisuf · Post by **noisuf** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:40 am

Wow, what a response. Thanks to all that have responded.

I would LOVE to get both games, but my budget doesn't allow for it.

I do need to look into MAME for DDP at least.

I'm taking down all the advice...and will let you all know the outcome.

It's trying to find an available board at a ok price that's proving difficult.

moozooh · Post by **moozooh** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:19 am

PS2 port of DOJ is as good as a port can get, and DDP is available via MAME, so you don't even need to look for a PCB in the first place.