Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype: PS3

[kengou]

This game could be pretty sweet on the hardest difficulty setting.

Is it challenging on the hardest difficulty setting?

[ex.machina]

The difficulty seems to be more in keeping the play rank high (and then scoring higher), rather than just making it through the game. I haven't played on the harder settings yet, but from what I saw so far I've been pretty impressed. Well worth the money.

[Krondelo]

Saw this added today on the PSN. Wondering if its worth $13. If anyone makes a review that would be great, I only want someones opinion from a hardcore shmupper, so all the other reviews don't mean much to me. Seems decent though... but it has a health system? Not a one hit death? me no like.

[MadScientist]

Is it challenging on the hardest difficulty setting?

Don't know yet as I haven't unlocked the harder settings. I probably need to unlock the last two levels (need to find a couple more of the hidden 'keys' to do that), then beat all 7 levels on normal.

[drunkninja24]

The difficulty seems to be more in keeping the play rank high (and then scoring higher), rather than just making it through the game. I haven't played on the harder settings yet, but from what I saw so far I've been pretty impressed. Well worth the money.

I have to agree. I think that's where a good portion of challenge comes from, because even one hit knocks your rank down considerably. I didn't make it as far as some others here on my first run (got to the end of Stage 4), but still had a good time with it, and it left me with a FAR better impression than the first time I sat down with Solder-X 1.

[ROBOTRON]

Pretty cool game so far, its challenging finding the extras in this shmup....neat bosses, cool tunage and excellent graphics. So far I rate it an 8 out of 10.

[postman]

Is it just me or is the text way too small to read? I beat the 4 levels, then it said something about what to do to unlock the other three (keys I guess) but good luck trying to see what they are saying......

Also the tutorial is useless as it just tells you how to kill bosses. I have no idea about the game mechanics, chaining, or scoring. Poor job on explaining basics to the user.

That having been said, I like the actual shmup parts of the game. Much improved over the first Soldner X.
Better bosses, more hectic patterns, good hit detection, and a variety of attacks and bullets. Actually reminds me of the old Thunderforce games, which is a good thing.

[Kollision]

Agreed on the Thunder Force feel.

I for one hand liked the tutorials during the game. On a single run it gave me a good overview of the main aspects of gameplay. Another good point is that it's up to you to check the tip or not, so even if you play with tutotial ON you're not bothered by interruptions as in the first Söldner-X.

Also, no problems here reading in-game text.

[Shalashaska]

I also had no problem with reading the text and found the tutorials to be fine. I really wasn't a fan of the original game but I'm finding this one to be much more enjoyable. The bullet patterns and weapons are more interesting. I like that they got rid of the story cut scenes inbetween stages and the whole game just seems much more refined. I also enjoy the rank based scoring system as it was a pain in the original to HAVE to constantly change weapons to increase your chain count. I was kind of skeptical but so far, the sequel is worth checking out.

[postman]

I have about a 50 inch TV, but not with HDMI output.......and I can't read the text for crap. Very annoying.

I hate the tutorial system, in that it makes the player work to learn how to play the game. All pages should all be available from the start, IMO.

Other than that, I love the actual game itself. I'm just opening challenges and the final level, so finding keys isn't all that hard. Glad they ditched the weapon combo system too, this one is much better. Bosses have improved too, along with environments. Hope the trend continues if they make Soldner X3. Well worth the $13 bucks to me........

[drunkninja24]

I have about a 50 inch TV, but not with HDMI output.......and I can't read the text for crap. Very annoying.

What input are you using? I have a 42" and I'm using HDMI and it looks fine. However, I could easily this being they type of game in which standard def resolutions would be difficult to read text on.

[Kollision]

II hate the tutorial system, in that it makes the player work to learn how to play the game. All pages should all be available from the start, IMO.

I think they are available from the start. Check the options.

[ex.machina]

II hate the tutorial system, in that it makes the player work to learn how to play the game. All pages should all be available from the start, IMO.

I think they are available from the start. Check the options.

You still need to unlock the pages it seems. I don't know how many there are but as someone mentioned before you will get a good grasp of it during a play through.

I just got enough keys to unlock all stages, but still haven't played many of the challenges. It seems I will be busy for some time until I try to play on score. I actually liked the first game, but this one is a big improvement in many ways.

[postman]

Standard red,yellow,white ps2 style sony av cord......

I like the challenges too......can't wait to unlock the 3rd ship.

[ROBOTRON]

I have about a 50 inch TV, but not with HDMI output.......and I can't read the text for crap. Very annoying.

I hate the tutorial system, in that it makes the player work to learn how to play the game. All pages should all be available from the start, IMO.

Other than that, I love the actual game itself. I'm just opening challenges and the final level, so finding keys isn't all that hard. Glad they ditched the weapon combo system too, this one is much better. Bosses have improved too, along with environments. Hope the trend continues if they make Soldner X3. Well worth the $13 bucks to me........

1080i HDMI Tube looks fantastic....words easy to read. must be your connection.

[MadScientist]

Are there keys on stage 6? I played through it twice but didn't get any.

[ex.machina]

Are there keys on stage 6? I played through it twice but didn't get any.

Yes. I think most of them were in some hidden level elements. Try shooting some of the icicles.

[drunkninja24]

Standard red,yellow,white ps2 style sony av cord......

Ah, yeah, that's probably it then. If your TV is HD-capable, getting a component (or if the TV supports it, HDMI) cable and setting the PS3 to at least 720p would definitely help. Not just for this game, but probably a few others as well.

[handsome_rakshas]

Are there keys on stage 6? I played through it twice but didn't get any.

Yes. I think most of them were in some hidden level elements. Try shooting some of the icicles.

I'm having trouble finding all the keys in stage 5. As the fella above said most of stage 6's are either in top icicles or bottom boulders. I think 1 key from every level can only be aquired from a chain powerup. And it's pretty far into it, you have to focus on enemies only and have complete disregard for damage to your ship. I am loving this game so far. Unlocked all 6 levels and had a pretty good score run going today until my power went out during stage 5.

[ex.machina]

Which key are you missing in stage 5? I think some keys only appear on higher play ranks. And the last key in stage 5 is coming from the chain system. Hope you can unlock the final stage soon, I especially love the music in stage 7.

[handsome_rakshas]

Which key are you missing in stage 5? I think some keys only appear on higher play ranks. And the last key in stage 5 is coming from the chain system. Hope you can unlock the final stage soon, I especially love the music in stage 7.

Kay I opened up stage 7 and the third ship (It's the Soldner X 1 ship with the lightning and bow laser weapons) but I'm still missing the 3rd key in stage 5! Maybe play rank factors into it since more enemies appear at higher ranks.

Edit:Alright it took me a few tries but I got the 5th key on world 1, you have to have a B rank after killing the midboss, enemy will appear with the 2 large ships directly after midboss.

Edit 2: Nvm, I found it, key 3 on stage 5 appears at bottom of screen dropped by squid guys. C rank required.

[Matsunaga]

How exactly does the chaining work? I've 1cc it twice and haven't really figured it out.

[ROBOTRON]

How exactly does the chaining work? I've 1cc it twice and haven't really figured it out.

It has something to do with the "Sonic the Hedgehog" rings you collect doesn't it?

BTW....I wish this was on disk media that would include an instruction book and in case I want to play it way in the future after PS3 is no longer supported by Sony.

[NR777]

How exactly does the chaining work? I've 1cc it twice and haven't really figured it out.

It has something to do with the "Sonic the Hedgehog" rings you collect doesn't it?

BTW....I wish this was on disk media that would include an instruction book and in case I want to play it way in the future after PS3 is no longer supported by Sony.

That will be a while. Sony tends to try and keep consoles alive as long as possible.

[replayme]

played this earlier. graphics are really good, but it all just seems a little... flat. the bosses take waaay too many hits to kill, and the normal enemies just seem somewhat pedestrian. the music is also not as energetic as it could be. plus the ships weapons could be further improved.

although not a bad game, soldner 2 just doesn't even come close when compared against the likes of gradius v and einhander.

8/10

[postman]

You need to collect a ring before the chain meter/power meter runs out. Shooting lowers the meter, so just hold bullets if there are no rings, or space them out so there is always at least one ring on the screen.

[NR777]

Fun game. Just 1cc'd normal mode...I could probably 1lc it with more practice. Not a difficult game by any stretch of the imagination. Made a few stupid mistakes mid-way through the game and no-missed stage 7. Score is ok. Currently ranked 39th.

[MadScientist]

The web-page has a lot of detailed stats for each user - my current 'global rank' is #19;

http://www.soldner-x.com/sx2/dscore.php?score=11342

Extra hard seems like a proper challenge. Only had time for a couple of attempts, but only got to lvl 3. Th multiplier starts off at x96 and drops considerably if you get hit, so the further you can go without taking damage, the better.

The #1 ranked player S-ranked the first 3 stages on extra hard and got an A-rank on the rest. It doesn't look like you need that many chains to score highly either.

http://www.soldner-x.com/sx2/dscore.php?score=10850

[replayme]

completed the game today. is it just me or does the collision detection seem a bit weak? the game is also rather easy.

man, i wish i could sell my game on because i don't think i am ever going to play it again...

[ex.machina]

completed the game today. is it just me or does the collision detection seem a bit weak? the game is also rather easy.

Apparently the game has been designed in a way that everyone can play through it (with a bad score on a low difficulty). It's kind of like anyone can credit feed almost any shmup and finish it in 30 minutes or so. How much more you invest into it will be up to you.

For me the game's difficulty started to pick up quite a bit once I unlocked hard (and especially extra hard) and managed to maintain higher play ranks. On the harder difficulties you will easily die when you get hit 1-2 times. Also some of the challenges are very tough, I don't think I will finish all of them unless I put a lot of time into them.