Zanac Neo- Opinions?

This is the main shmups forum. Chat about shmups in here - keep it on-topic please!
Post Reply
User avatar
evil_ash_xero
Posts: 6254
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:33 am
Location: Where the fish lives

Zanac Neo- Opinions?

Post by evil_ash_xero »

I was just able to play this game(on emulator...it's too damn expensive).

I got kind of an old school kick out of it. It reminded me of the old Compile games(yeah, I know, it was made by them), but it seemed to have a bit more bullets, with somewhat shorter stages(which is good).

Graphics were alright. Certainly better than most of Compile's games, but not really up for the system it came out on.

Music was OK, but sounded sorta like generic techno.

Overall though, I thought it was pretty good. I'd give it a 7. I had a really good time with it, and it was well put together. It's actually gotten me to try out Super Aleste again(thus far the only Compile games I like are MUSHA, Zanac Neo, and Spriggan). What always puts me off is they always have a long ass first stage that doesn't have much variety. They did it in Super Aleste, and they did it in MUSHA. It usually gets better from there. No a fan of their older stuff for far too much repetition.

Anyway, anyone had a chance to play this sucker? I'm actually curious to hear opinions from Compile fans, as to what they thought of this final Compile game. Did they still have "it" in your opinion?

s/m
User avatar
Kiken
Posts: 3983
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:08 pm
Contact:

Post by Kiken »

I wrote this review shortly after the game came out.
User avatar
evil_ash_xero
Posts: 6254
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:33 am
Location: Where the fish lives

Post by evil_ash_xero »

Kiken wrote:I wrote this review shortly after the game came out.
I had read that actually.

Good review.

However, the review Tim Rogers did for Panzer Dragoon Orta is quite sad. I mean, he's ragging on the best one(and the one the whole gaming word recognizes as the best one)! For shame.
User avatar
BulletMagnet
Posts: 14191
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 4:05 am
Location: Wherever.
Contact:

Post by BulletMagnet »

It's solid, though not worth the prices it tends to go for, imo. Super Aleste is still my personal favorite Compile game.
User avatar
kengou
Posts: 1359
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:50 am
Location: East Coast, USA
Contact:

Post by kengou »

I really like Neo, and I'm not even that big of a fan of the original. The chain-explosives scoring mechanic is great!
"I think Ikaruga is pretty tough. It is like a modern version of Galaga that some Japanese company made."
User avatar
evil_ash_xero
Posts: 6254
Joined: Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:33 am
Location: Where the fish lives

Post by evil_ash_xero »

BulletMagnet wrote:It's solid, though not worth the prices it tends to go for, imo. Super Aleste is still my personal favorite Compile game.
Yeah, the prices it goes for is nuts. And you can still get Galactic Attack for less than 30 dollars. Weird world we live in.
User avatar
Cthulhu
Posts: 1368
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 8:02 am
Location: Colorado

Post by Cthulhu »

I totally dug it. I bought it while living in Japan, paid the equivalent of around $70 for it I think. Worth every penny if you've already got a sizable shmup collection.

Then again, I'm a Compile whore, so my opinion is more than a little biased.
"Am I the only one who thinks it's funny that people start declaring a game is overrated before it's even out? "
"You're at shmups.com. We're all psychics full of righteous indignation!"
dcharlie
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:18 am

Post by dcharlie »

Yeah, the prices it goes for is nuts.
yeah, i quite liked Neo but when i cleaned out a load of retro i couldn't refuse the money games like this, Gaiaseed, Borderdown, RSG etc were getting.

Seemed crazy to not cash in, though obviously, i regret not having those games now (although i did popstation the psx stuff by accident ;) )
"I've asked 2 experts on taking RGB screenshots...."
User avatar
KindGrind
Posts: 1316
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:26 am
Location: Québec

Post by KindGrind »

I wasn't a huge fan of the original Zanac either. Still, I really love Neo. It's a game I can play without concentrating too much and just enjoy the music and the overall flow of the game. The chain mechanic simple but very well thought out, too. I have not regretted selling shmups in the past up until I sold my copy of ZxZ on these boards, and within weeks wanted to play it again. I have long got it back and when I need $ it won't be the game I sell this time!

PS. I *did* sell a copy an hour ago (before I saw this thread) what's the use of owning 2? Better let another member enjoy it for what it is! :wink: Never thought the prices were too high on this...
Muchos años después, frente al pelotón de fusilamiento...
User avatar
ZOM
Posts: 2091
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:21 pm
Location: ǝʇɐןoɔoɥɔ & ǝsǝǝɥɔ

Post by ZOM »

I'm not much of a compile shmup fan but If I were to pick one as a favorite, it would be NEO. Nice look & interesting atmosphere.

Also box crushing/suiciding is fun :o
.
Image
.
User avatar
CIT
Posts: 4673
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2005 2:39 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Post by CIT »

Yeah, playing Neo for score is great fun. In the later stages your all over the screen shooting and ramming stuff everywhere trying to use your 60+ lives for greatest milking effect. :D
User avatar
Shatterhand
Posts: 4102
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 3:01 am
Location: Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
Contact:

Post by Shatterhand »

IMO it's one of the finest shmups ever made. The action is smooth and non-stopping.
Image
User avatar
ROBOTRON
Remembered
Posts: 1670
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:36 pm
Location: Eastpointe, MI...WE KILL ALIENS.
Contact:

Post by ROBOTRON »

Its a fine shmup..I bought it as soon as it came out, i don't know how much it's worth.

BONUS: The import disc has Zanac (old school) on it as well. Killer tunage.

JOY JUICE.
Image
Fight Like A Robot!
User avatar
professor ganson
Posts: 5163
Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 3:59 am
Location: OHIO

Post by professor ganson »

Terrific game. Really lives up to the original-- almost feels more old-school than the original somehow. The cloud level is gorgeous.
Post Reply