Death Smiles: Countdown to North America Invasion

[Elixir]

He was claiming that because the game is getting "attention" on US gaming sites that people might accept it more and "expand the niche." With the kind of comments people are making, it shows that this exposure changes nothing about the current situation of US/EU gamers' view of 2D shmups. That's my point. What was your point in questioning it? I thought it was pretty obvious. And like the previous guy said, look at reviews of shmups from these same sites just a few weeks prior.

Shmup reviews have been like this since the early 90's. It's really nothing new.

and even awards an achievement for using 50 continues, which many people have reported earning in their first run.

How the hell do you even accomplish that? These guys could end up using 50 continues in DOJ no bullet mode.

It basically requires (encourages?) you to keep dying over and over in a single game. The other achievements in the game are fine, but that one's just stupid.

[Taylor]

Seriously, I don't think Cave realizes the "Oily otaku pedo" market doesn't really exist over here.

Maybe Arksys will replace the cast with bald space marines and dull the palette.

[Jeneki]

These guys could end up using 50 continues in DOJ no bullet mode.

Oddly enough, in Raiden Fighters Aces I tried using no-bullet mode to get some achievements while afk surfing the web. Turns out planes and stuff can still crash into you; no free achievement for me.

[WarpZone]

For what it's worth, here's a very positive western review of the game:

http://www.edge-online.com/features/review-deathsmiles

[BIL]

That one was written by E. Randy Dupre, a member of this forum.

[Udderdude]

That one was written by E. Randy Dupre, a member of this forum.

wah-wah-wah-wahhhhhhhhhh~

[evil_ash_xero]

Has anyone reviewed Futari? I remember a number of sites would review PS2 imports, but I can't find much of anything for 360.

If DS gets a bunch of sucky reviews, i'm just gonna say "fuck it" to the critical community. It's different, it's fun, it's longer than most(especially MBL), and has multiple modes......hmm...but I do remember a review talking about how "short" Gradius V was. Jesus... It's like if it's not a download game, it's not worth your money.

Well, i'm glad it's coming over. I still wonder if the cover or anything else is going to have new art. That piece on Destructoid was nice, and never seen by my eyes.

[Zeether]

Inevitable IGN review: "Too easy, too short, should have been an XBLA game"

[originalz]

The fact that IGN was gushing over Deathsmiles 2 of all games is really weird.

I love how western media loves to get "import street cred" by fawning over these games, but the second that they hit Western shores, they do a complete 180 and say that the games aren't worth the cash!

They should localize it with limited continues, and you have to unlock all characters and difficulty levels. Dumb as it is, I'm sure it would be considered a positive thing.

[StarCreator]

They should localize it with limited continues, and you have to unlock all characters and difficulty levels. Dumb as it is, I'm sure it would be considered a positive thing.

I agree that limiting the continues extends the game's perceived value - sorta like back in the 16-bit era and earlier where nearly every game had limited continues. But I don't think I agree with locking characters and difficulty levels. At that point, you're just locking things for the sake of locking them.

IMO, I think I prefer a system like DOJBLEX or Shikigami no Shiro 3 where you get, say, 5 continues to start, then get another for each hour, up to around 4-5 hours where you finally get unlimited. I also think, however, that there should be a code for unlimited continues that will conveniently get circulated around 4 months after release, so that the unpleasantness of having to unlock the continues in the first place is wiped away a bit.

... man, that was a lot of fantasizing for things that will never happen.

[honorless]

and even awards an achievement for using 50 continues, which many people have reported earning in their first run.

Hahaha, I think I know exactly where they got that from:

Don't worry it's very beginners friendly, the easiest mode does have patterns that are still w/in human level, it will ease you in. There's even an achievement for doing 50 continues (which I got on my first playthru lol)

So, "many people" = one dude on Siliconera who calls the game "beginner-friendly" and probably just achievement-whored his first run. Got it.

[gs68]

They should localize it with limited continues, and you have to unlock all characters and difficulty levels. Dumb as it is, I'm sure it would be considered a positive thing.

But then they'll say it's retarded that home ports of arcade games get limited continues. "BAWWW I PAID 30 BUCKS FOR THIS GAME SO GIVE ME MY DISGUISED UNLIMITED LIVES PLZ"

It's a lose-lose situation.

[Iori Branford]

We could win if the porters are smart and actually adapt the game for the home, rather than running the arcade code through the console's compiler. (I'm looking at you, every console shmup after Thunder Force 5.) First, how about a real penalty for continuing? Kick the player back to the stage start, or at least some checkpoint. Second, don't just dump credits into the player's hands; start with 0 and award one for every stage clear, or something.

It would also help for us to grow some skin and stop taking those comments in the balls.

[EOJ]

First, how about a real penalty for continuing?

There already is one. Your score is reset to zero.

[Udderdude]

First, how about a real penalty for continuing?

There already is one. Your score is reset to zero.

It would be nice if the game actually told you you suck for continuing/getting a crap score. At least they would know then. A letter grade at the end would help immensely (You continued like 20 times? D- .. you got to the end and your score is ass? C-, etc.)

[EOJ]

A crappy score is self-explanatory for most people.

A grading system (end of stage and/or end of game) would be neat, though. I always liked that aspect of Ikaruga.

[MrPopo]

A crappy score is self-explanatory for most people.

That only works if you have a real context of what constitutes a good score.

[BulletMagnet]

That only works if you have a real context of what constitutes a good score.

Would leaderboards count on that front?

[Udderdude]

A crappy score is self-explanatory for most people.

"Most people" won't even notice that little number up in the corner unless it's shoved in their face at the end of the level. They won't notice continuing over and over resets it, either. "Playing for score" is an entirely alien concept outside of the world of shmups. :/

[Udderdude]

That only works if you have a real context of what constitutes a good score.

Would leaderboards count on that front?

That only works if you have some really good players putting out WR-level scores on there. Otherwise it will look like the "WR" boards for Twin Galaxies.

[EOJ]

A crappy score is self-explanatory for most people.

"Most people" won't even notice that little number up in the corner unless it's shoved in their face at the end of the level. They won't notice continuing over and over resets it, either. "Playing for score" is an entirely alien concept outside of the world of shmups. :/

And why should we care about what people like that think of these games? I certainly don't give a rat's ass.

[BIL]

Second, don't just dump credits into the player's hands; start with 0 and award one for every stage clear, or something.

That would get bitched about too, probably.

[Udderdude]

A crappy score is self-explanatory for most people.

"Most people" won't even notice that little number up in the corner unless it's shoved in their face at the end of the level. They won't notice continuing over and over resets it, either. "Playing for score" is an entirely alien concept outside of the world of shmups. :/

And why should we care about what people like that think of these games? I certainly don't give a rat's ass.

The whole point of the idea was to show them they suck by credit feeding/ending game with crap score. Why would you even get into this conversation if you don't give a shit?

[EOJ]

The whole point of the idea was to show them they suck by credit feeding/ending game with crap score.

Yes, that was your point. My point was this isn't necessary. The score reset upon continuing is sufficient for anyone who knows anything about these games. For everyone else, who gives a shit? Let them credit feed into oblivion, content with their #1224 ranking on the leaderboards before they send the game back to gamefly.

I'll never understand why so many of you care how ign or whatever other worthless rag reviews these games.

[Iori Branford]

Yes, that was your point. My point was this isn't necessary. The score reset upon continuing is sufficient for anyone who knows anything about these games. For everyone else, who gives a shit? Let them credit feed into oblivion, content with their #1224 ranking on the leaderboards before they send the game back to gamefly.

All the more reason for my suggestions: they don't affect those playing for score.

[Jockel]

For everyone else, who gives a shit? Let them credit feed into oblivion, content with their #1224 ranking on the leaderboards before they send the game back to gamefly.

I'll never understand why so many of you care how ign or whatever other worthless rag reviews these games.

It's simple: a better review helps to sell copies, and if the game is successful, it will more likely encourage developers and publishers to release more shooters. And i think we can all agree that having more shooters is a good thing.

[Phellan Wolf]

I am not aware if you have already seen the limited edition of the game Agarest wich has been localized for the US market by Aksys, but if the company continues with the same trend (just like they did with Blazblue) I am quite sure that DS is going to have a much better LE than the japanese one.

[Zaarock]

First, how about a real penalty for continuing?

There already is one. Your score is reset to zero.

It would be nice if the game actually told you you suck for continuing/getting a crap score. At least they would know then. A letter grade at the end would help immensely (You continued like 20 times? D- .. you got to the end and your score is ass? C-, etc.)

Add in some annoying text as in Blazing Star: "Hey poor player" when you keep dying, etc.

[BIL]

Ha, that would at least spice up the "2 short / omg dis game impossible" review drudgery. "This game is too insulting, it repeatedly told me to 'get sum skillz FGT' despite my finishing it in 30 minutes."

[Zero Gunner]

I am not aware if you have already seen the limited edition of the game Agarest wich has been localized for the US market by Aksys, but if the company continues with the same trend (just like they did with Blazblue) I am quite sure that DS is going to have a much better LE than the japanese one.

Given the fan service that Aksys is putting into Agarest, and the simply awesome LE they released for BlazBlue, not only do I now wish I didn't still have a sealed copy of Death Smiles' Japanese LE, but I'm highly considering passing on ESPGaluda's LE as well. Not that it's been formally announced for US release, but given that it's looking less likely to be region free I think it's a no brainer...