Gradius VI hopes / fears speculation thread

[MJR]

Let's speculate, just for fun, that someone developing Gradius VI would be reading this thread - what would you hope it would be, if there was another Gradius? What would you never want to see again?

For my part, I would keep the production values of V but have some of the invention of II.

I actually did not care much for gradius rebirth. I guess I am expecting too much.
I still think the first one has the best playability. Gradius Gaiden seems to be really well loved. I only liked the boss graveyard scene.

[BIL]

Half the duration and twice as intense, basically. The only problem I have with Gradius V is it taking too long to really heat up.

I'd like the series to develop some kind of scoring system, as well. Nothing complicated, just something basic but engaging like R-Type Delta's x2 bonus for Force Pod kills (edit: while "dose" is at max)

Artistically, a return to the old games' environmental diversity would be great.

[Thunder Force]

Keep the Gradius V graphics engine but fully upgrade it to native 1080p please. In terms of design at this point, the series is in risk of becoming too formulaic. V and Rebirth implemented the existing formula well, with both modern and retro styles respectively, so now a genuine reboot/revamp/reinvention of the game would be nice. If that means changing the iconic weapons system, so be it, replace it with a new and inventive complex weapons system, instead of reusing a weapons system that was only considered inventive in 1985. Similarly, introduce an all-new fierce enemy race with a different visual theme and imaginative attack patterns, for players to get excited about, instead of enemy designs and stages that are at risk of just seeming stale and similar to previous games. Basically, Konami get creative and take some chances with the series!

[Raizen1984]

It needs to be developed by Treasure and G.Rev with Hiroshi Iuchi at the helm.

Day one purchase if those requirements are met.

[WarBovine]

It needs to be developed by Treasure and G.Rev with Hiroshi Iuchi at the helm.

Day one purchase if those requirements are met.

Seconded!

Greatest fear: Gradius VI becomes Otomedius 2...

[Skykid]

It needs to be developed by Treasure and G.Rev with Hiroshi Iuchi at the helm.

Day one purchase if those requirements are met.

Great as they are, I can't see G.Rev working well with Gradius for some reason.

Iuchi all the way though.

[Thunder Force]

Great as they are, I can't see G.Rev working well with Gradius for some reason.

Let's give G.Rev credit for their graphics/programming contributions to Gradius V...

[ZOM]

I WANT RANK! ...oh, wait... then gimme medal-chaining!

[kozo]

Something bold and fresh. Something that awes you with a sense of the scale of your journey. And as mentioned, a scoring mechanic of some kind.

[t0yrobo]

Just don't let it be like R-Type Final, I don't like deaths caused by total boredom.

[BrightSuzaku]

One word: Moai.

[Warp_Rattler]

I clicked on this thread thinking there had been some mention or hint on Konami's part of another Gradius. Now I see it should be filed next to the "Project RSG 3" thread.

[viniciusvbf]

lolis plz

[Gozer]

I'd like to play on the side of the Bacterion Empire this time. Fuck planet Gradius. Moai options FTW.



But seriously, Gradius VI is going to be a turn based tactical shooter.....with lolis.

[captpain]

In terms of design at this point, the series is in risk of becoming too formulaic.

At risk? The Holy Gradius Formula is etched in stone by now.

[Aquas]

I hope it's a by the books Gradius game, with sweet next-gen graphics with more shit to destroy. I'd also hope they keep some of Gradius V's influence. I'd also hope it's more colorful than Gradius V. You could mix it up a bit, but please not any more than Gradius V did, the formula is there for a reason. It kicks ass.

[DJ Incompetent]

Famitsu has a new article out for Gradius 6 that somebody at NeoGaf translated:

- Xbox 360 timed exclusive
- Options/Multiples will be changed to 'Familiars' and they can give players valuable tips, using words like "Hey!" and "Listen!" to get the player's attention
- Gamespy, IGN, and Twin Galaxies are sponsoring the project with a representative from each having a major role in game development
- Billy Mitchell currently has the world record for Gradius VI
- Gradius VI will not be released in Japan or South Korea
- The powerbar is eliminated in favor of a new system that gives players infinite bombs and allows for bomb powerups such as autobomb from crates or exploding red barrels
- Players now have infinite lives and instant respawn
- Checkpoints are now permanent save points
- A checkpoint is marked every eight seconds
- Gradius VI will have over 40 stages! None less than 8 minutes long
- The stage design team will consist of veteran map designers from Halo 1
- Movement is limited only to the Xbox360 directional pad (only analog stick in PS3 version)
- Arcade stick controller peripherals are officially not supported
- Guitar, drum, and turntable controller peripherals are official supported
- Gradius VI will be a pack in game in the Project Natal launch
- The 'Vic Viper' aircraft is officially renamed 'Vic Molyneux', after Peter Molyneux, the executive producer
- A new 'super guide demo play' will be available for players having difficulty surviving eight seconds. The game will play itself to get through the difficult parts until the player decides to jump in at anytime by waving their arms wildly in front of the Natal sensor
- Replay recording and uploading is supported. There is no distinguishable difference between regular play and super guide demo play mode so novice players can gain recognition for their accomplishments
- Gradius VI is four player. All players will be able to control Vic Molyneux with quick time events. The lead producer of the Sega CD classic Sewer Shark has been heavily involved in the project
- 'Death Replay' is a new feature where players will discover various ship wreckage in the game from when other players lost a life. Touching the ship wreckage will show a replay on how that player died at that part
- There is no way to cancel or skip a 'Death Replay'
- Online play is not supported
- Online Leaderboards are supported by region for up to six (6) entries
- Special DLC is preplanned as preorder bonuses that will give players advanced special powerups that will give players tactical advantages over other players
- Players can only see other friends scores by trading a sixteen digit code with a friend who must enter the code. Peter Molyneux is calling this system "friend codes". This prevents unauthorized players from looking at other player's scores.
- Rumors circulate about an unlockable career mode
- Gradius VI will come with party minigames such as tennis, golf, bowling, hit the scrolling music notes, and feed the pet hamster. All minigames are four player and Natal/Motion Wand supported
- The Vic Molyneux pilot (still unnamed but confirmed unrelated to James Burton or Leo Steinbuck) will be able to leave his ship during gameplay and be able to gain a wife and kids in the game
- The artwork theme will be women with big butts
- Gradius VI will be heavily censored for the Australia market
- The Gradius VI Playstation 3 version will be playable only in Playstation Home
- Only one person will be able to play the Playstation Home version at a time and the virtual kiosk resets the game every two minutes
- Additional DLC is preplanned that will reset the virtual kiosk every three minutes
- Arcadia magazine has reportedly boycotted all coverage of Gradius VI
- In an interview, Peter Molyneux has coined the term "4.2.5/3D Days". Nobody know what it means yet.

[MJR]

Famitsu has a new article out for Gradius 6 that somebody at NeoGaf translated:

That was funny!

[gs68]

- Bring back Gauge Edit.
- Keep the respawn-in-place system, but offer compensation upon dying (i.e. 5 power-up capsules like in Gaiden)
- Make the stages varied and with unique environmental hazards/effects; V had a bit more machinery and grey than I wanted. (Think Gaiden's refracting crystals or the volcano stage that gets sucked into a black hole. Something with those levels of creativity.)

...yeah I'm basically asking for a Gradius Gaiden 2. >_>

[Estebang]

Scrap the entire project and make Salamander 3/Xexex 2.

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

If there's a God, they will make a proper sequel and fix the shortcomings from V (too long, not enough level variety.) Please no more cheap-ass Rebirth games.

[Ex-Cyber]

Scrap the entire project and make Salamander 3/Xexex 2.

Pretty much this. I'm not saying that Gradius is done for all time, just that they should give it a longer break.

[Mortificator]

Scrap the entire project and make Salamander 3/Xexex 2.

Pretty much this. I'm not saying that Gradius is done for all time, just that they should give it a longer break.

In a similar vein, they could make the final boss not be a total pussy.

[BIL]

He should "scare you... like you've never been scared before!" (ie: shoot at you)

[MJR]

Scrap the entire project and make Salamander 3/Xexex 2.

Pretty much this. I'm not saying that Gradius is done for all time, just that they should give it a longer break.

In a similar vein, they could make the final boss not be a total pussy.

I thought it was always fun that the final boss was super easy; it was kinda of breather after going through some insanely difficult areas.

[kid aphex]

let treasure help. that's it.

[NAVVARR]

I was playing Gradius Gaiden yesterday, hadn't played it for a few months- what a great game, definately going to play it more often.

As for a new Gradius 6- its got to have some new enemies- whilst still being familiar to the old style of the series- something new- a new bunch of levels and ideas- perhaps some vertical levels - in the same vein as Xmultiply perhaps?? - the idea of descending into a pit or some subterreanean caverns to wipe out the bacterians sounds good to me - perhaps some new mechanised worm type aliens.

Lets face it- we've seen Moa and all the usual Gradius enemies in every Gradius game since the mid 80's when it all began.

[Herr Schatten]

I thought it was always fun that the final boss was super easy; it was kinda of breather after going through some insanely difficult areas.

It also explaines why the boss surrounds himself with such strong defense, which wouldn't really make sense if he was super-powerful himself.

[Taylor]

Fill it with buxom ladies, touchscreen, and tedious dullness.

[gs68]

Make sure to throw in lots of fucking bullets, because no true shmup these days has a shortage of cuteness or bullets.