Thexder Neo (PSP downloadable)

[jiji]

I did a search, but I couldn't find an official thread about this. Square-Enix have just put out a remake of Thexder for PSP. It came out yesterday on the US PSN store. I bought it ($10), and it feels really solid and polished (it's a smooth 60fps). It gives me the feeling I got from the original game, except without the headache inherent to such an old PC game.

It has two difficulty modes, and while Normal might be slightly easier than the original, it's still tough.

Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzIkUm1KxLs&translated=1

Has anybody else picked this up?

[undamned]

I don't have a PSP, but man did I spend a lot of time on the original game as a youth! I don't know how the PC version fairs against others, but I used to play the TRS-128 cartridge version, which I can only assume was somewhat limited compared to the PC version. That video brings back a LOT of memories. Thanks!
-ud

[Thunder Force]

I bought it yesterday and played it for about 10 minutes. It's... still Thexder. As far as I can remember anyway, since I haven't played the original Thexder in a millions years. Graphics are significantly upgraded but still don't push the PSP at all (I think I recall hearing this is an iPhone port?). First impression is that this seems like a niche remake for fans of the original only. But maybe it gets better in later stages...

[Andi]

Thexder is the first video game I ever played.

[Thunder Force]

1080p home console version coming?

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4 ... 7831379364

I guess either the demand for more versions of Thexder is surprising high... or the PSP version of Thexder Neo was completely overlooked in the flood of PSP download titles since the PSP Go launch, and now they're trying to recoup costs with a quick port...

[sjewkestheloon]

That looks great! Shame it isn't on the PAL shop.

[undamned]

Semi on-topic: I came across a boxed Fire Hawk (sequel to the original Thexder) game at Bookmans yesterday for like $5 I passed it up, though as it would have involved transfering data from floppies to my old compy which is in the garage and then back to my current PC, possibly to find that it won't run properly, heh.
-ud

[ZOM]

1080p home console version coming?

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4 ... 7831379364

I guess either the demand for more versions of Thexder is surprising high... or the PSP version of Thexder Neo was completely overlooked in the flood of PSP download titles since the PSP Go launch, and now they're trying to recoup costs with a quick port...

I don't mind. I was one of those "overlookers" and would very much prefer to wait and see if a port for the big screen shows up.

[junkeR]

I downloaded this for $4.99 on the PSN. Looking forward to playing it as my PSP has been collecting dust.

[DJ Incompetent]

I like this game

[Andi]

I wrote a little blurb about Thexder Neo on my blog.

In case anyone anyone cares about my (ahem) highly informed opinion.

http://lasthumanfamily.wordpress.com/20 ... exder-neo/

[Super Laydock]

didn't want to make a whole new topic, but as of today (in Europe) it's also out on PS3 (PSN download ).
Pretty version of a real classic (also included), with online stuff and all.
If you liked the game before, it's worth the 8 Euro pricetag imho.
I really like it.

[ZOM]

didn't want to make a whole new topic, but as of today (in Europe) it's also out on PS3 (PSN download ).
Pretty version of a real classic (also included), with online stuff and all.
If you liked the game before, it's worth the 8 Euro pricetag imho.
I really like it.

Great! Will buy it nao. thanks for the info.

[junkeR]

didn't want to make a whole new topic, but as of today (in Europe) it's also out on PS3 (PSN download ).
Pretty version of a real classic (also included), with online stuff and all.
If you liked the game before, it's worth the 8 Euro pricetag imho.
I really like it.

I've had difficulty find ANY online players the past few times I've tried. Actually I have never even played it online. Hopefully with the release on the PS3 that will change.

[Drum]

I wrote a little blurb about Thexder Neo on my blog.

In case anyone anyone cares about my (ahem) highly informed opinion.

http://lasthumanfamily.wordpress.com/20 ... exder-neo/

"Thexder is hardly lost classic"

How dare you sir >:(

But seriously, even though I love Thexder (I played the PC version when I was a kid), it did have a few flaws, many of which the remake fixed. I liked Firehawk a fraction more, but I badly miss the score and the no-shield bonus. Took some of the more interesting dynamics away.

Anybody know how the PS3 version compares with the PSP? It's basically the same, right? Maybe I'll double dip when I pick up a PS3.

[Thunder Force]

Kinda disappointing to see the PS3 port only running at 720p. I expect a PSP port like this to be rendering at the system's native 1080p on PSN. Guess I've been spoiled by recent comparable PSN games like Gravity Crash and Pixeljunk Shooter in that department. Even so it does look and feel somewhat better on PSN than the PSP version did, but I didn't closely compare the versions for differences. Maybe it just plays better because the small enemies in this game are easier to see on a bigger screen.

[kengou]

I never played the original. Tried the demo of this on PSN and I just hated it. It felt like a euroshmup, but in run-and-gun form. Enemies take too long to die, avoiding attacks is frustrating.

[Drum]

It felt like a euroshmup

>:(

Also: lrn 2 play

But really: Yeah, some of the enemies do take too long to kill, and there are some more annoyances - but otoh the whole game is designed in such a way that you're supposed to decide when to fight and when to fly, and you have all the tools you need to do that. There is definitely some bullshit, but you gotta remember that Thexder (1985) was designed before the 'rules' to action games were laid out. That's not to wax apologetic - what I mean is that Thexder had its own solutions to the issues you're raising that later games didn't try to do because things were a bit more codified - people had figured out what 'worked' and didn't deviate much. Get more familiar with the gameand I think you'll see that the flaws aren't quite as bad as they seem at first. But they're still pretty bad, so you might not want to give it that slack.

[Ruldra]

Anybody know how the PS3 version compares with the PSP?

I'm considering buying the game and I'd like to know the version differences. I heard the PSP version had a lot of content cut from the original (missing levels and such). Was the missing stuff added back in the PS3 version?

Also, does the game get harder after each loop?

[Drum]

It really does need to get harder on the loop. It's basically impossible to die after the first loop (unless you're speed running or something and are missing max energy upgrades - tho I don't know why you'd try to speed run a game that loops endlessly derp). It's just stupid that the only way to play the game for score is on the non-looping easy mode - which is really, really, really easy. At least the PS3 version comes with the original - good luck beating that the first time through.

Also, if you haven't, play Thexder 2: Firehawk. Runs great in dosbox.

More Thexder-related stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppT6DvM2Gd0

I just stumbled upon this. It looks like ... a Thexder action RPG? :o

[Ruldra]

So uh, I bought the game and played a bit yesterday.

On my first attempt ever, I died on stage 4, fair enough. On my second attempt...I beat the game In fact, I looped five times and killed myself as I was too tired to play anymore.

Is the game supposed to be this easy? I was expecting a challenge...looks like getting the "loop 10 times" trophy is just a matter of endurance.

[Drum]

Looks like you may need to play the original. :/ I thought they made it too easy (without really properly rebalancing it, which is what it actually needed) but I still had a lot more difficulty than you did - took me seven or eight tries iirc.

[PsychoGun]

I played this on the PS3 when it came out, and it was just kind of, boring. Maybe I'll give the nes version a try.

[Drum]

NES version is an abortion, we do not speak of it. Better off just playing the OG MSX version that came with the PS3 version. Or play the awesome sequel, Firehawk - runs great in DOSbox. Or Alisia Dragoon!

[Ruldra]

It really does need to get harder on the loop. It's basically impossible to die after the first loop (unless you're speed running or something and are missing max energy upgrades - tho I don't know why you'd try to speed run a game that loops endlessly derp). It's just stupid that the only way to play the game for score is on the non-looping easy mode - which is really, really, really easy. At least the PS3 version comes with the original - good luck beating that the first time through.

Well, turns out normal mode doesn't go on forever. After I beat the 10th loop yesterday, the staff roll appeared again and the game ended. Total playtime was about 3 hours, but after the 1st loop I was just speed-running through the stages.

I think I might attempt beating the top score in the leaderboards (12mil). Killing all enemies in a level will result in about 1,6mil per loop, so doing that for the whole game will easily break the top score. Though the whole run could last for 6~7 hours lol.

By the way, anyone here who has the PS3 version would like to help me get the co-op trophy?

[Ruldra]

Okay, I think I'm done with Thexder Neo. After a run that lasted for EIGHT HOURS and killing every single enemy in all 100 levels (except a single one I missed in lv. 73), scored 11.8 mil and got #2 on the leaderboards.

I wanted to beat the top score, but I can't figure it out for the life of me how to do it. The secret to scoring high seems to be getting 100% destruction rate and finishing the level as quick as possible. I do all that but somehow the top player is scoring 70k more points per loop than me and ends up with a big lead in his final score. I have no idea what he's doing that I'm not.

I guess it doesn't matter anymore. I'm not playing another eight-hour session again. That's insane.

Now, to beat the original Thexder. Still stuck on level 4