Fire Barrel: How is it?

[robivy64]

I've always been curious about this one, but not curious enough to pull the trigger on a PCB just to see how it is.

[Ed Oscuro]

I second rob's request!

I really shouldn't comment since MAME plays it with broken graphics, and there may well be some scoring mechanic that's not apparent...but it seems kind of like any standard vert of the time. Dodge bullets, go side to side, pick up medals (iirc they're fixed in location). It's hard to play much so that's about as far as I can say, surely it gets more involving later.

[robivy64]

I'd love to see some videos from anyone who owns the PCB.

If I get a copy, i'll record some gameplay footage.

[Dave_K.]

Given I use this as my avatar, of course I love it. IREM really pulled out a good Raiden clone with Fire Barrel, much better than Air Duel. Once your ship is powered up, and using a rapid fire circuit, the game is rather easy, but die once in the later levels and you are toast playing without any powerups. Checkpoints probably do more harm than good here, but I believe they get disabled when starting with 2 ships. The game loops, and I'm pretty sure most people that have played the PCB have made it past the first loop.

The PCB was a real bitch to find, so if you do come across one don't hesitate to pick it up! I'll pull this out today and give it another play through. Unfortunately I don't have recording equipment.

[robivy64]

Here are a few copies for sale:
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

Perhaps i'll buy one eventually so I can upload some videos and check it out.

[Dave_K.]

Wow, I wish starpine had these 3 years ago when I was on my quest for one. I remember dragon1952 was also looking for one for the longest time back then.

If someone wants to send me a Jamma -> svideo and easycap pcmcia card, I'd gladly record it.

[Ruldra]

I cleared the game in MAME despite the broken graphics and music, and found the game too easy. Rank barely changes between the three loops, and there's no real scoring system besides shooting enemies and collecting medals.

[robivy64]

Gameplay

[robivy64]

After watching the gameplay footage a few times today, I have to say I am a little underwhelmed by this game. I expected a little more of Irem's classic detailed sprites. The scaling on the terrain is a nice touch when the ship is taking off into the clouds. The M107 hardware is far more powerful that the M92, and yet, there are few indicators that this is running on more advanced hardware than an M92 game.

Not worth what the board commands monetarily IMO.

[mesh control]

Irem's vertical games look pretty.

Did they make anymore besides this and Image Fight I/II?

[Dave_K.]

There were several internal IREM teams working on games. I'm sure the team that did the subpar Air Duel worked on this sequel, and not the team that did R-Type Leo or In The Hunt. So I agree the detail may be little underwhelming compared to others. I think the value is high because of the rarity of the board, than being superior to other irem efforts.

[dave4shmups]

Looks awesome to me! Here's the first part of a 1cc of this shmup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWjZQj9rVe4

[robivy64]

Don't get me wrong, it looks like a great game, I just expected a little more out of a late Irem game.

The rarity certainly plays a part in it's value, but also the lack of emulation.

[esreveR]

One thing that's awesome about this game is that the second and third loops aren't actually different in terms of enemy ranking - They just remixed all the enemy locations, kind of like MSX was to MS2. Very cool idea, shame no one else took the strategy.

That said, I only have it in MAME so I have no idea how much better it can get.

[Ed Oscuro]

Don't get me wrong, it looks like a great game, I just expected a little more out of a late Irem game.

The rarity certainly plays a part in it's value, but also the lack of emulation.

I'd take it further: It LOOKS like a great game, but a great game it ain't.

Though the enemy remixing sounds pretty cool.

I'll stick with Mystic Riders and Dragon Breed. I think Air Duel - which has some similarities to this game (I noticed the aircraft carrier going diagonally up the screen) - may even be a bit better for me to play. Heck, In The Hunt is from the same year as Fire Barrel!

[esreveR]

I think Air Duel - which has some similarities to this game (I noticed the aircraft carrier going diagonally up the screen) - may even be a bit better for me to play.

I'm pretty sure Fire Barrel is a direct sequel to Air Duel - Gunforce 2 and In The Hunt technically take place in the same post-apocalyptic "World is 98% covered in water" setting, and I wouldn't be surprised if Fire Barrel is some sort of "After humanity got its act together again"-style continuation (Kind of like how Metal Slug 2 feels a bit less grim than the first game).

[robivy64]

It's funny, all three of those Fire Barrel PCBs have sold, after sitting on YJ for more than 6 months.

Vultures here said "OH SHI- FIAR BAWELL" and scooped them up!

[Dave_K.]

I think thats typical, probably collectors bought them to keep given its rarity, while flippers avoided them thinking its too expensive to make money off of.

[robivy64]

Anything from G-Front is expensive, but I don't think Neotropolis has penetrated the PCB market yet.