Guwange 360

[BPzeBanshee]

And to make this post relevant:
Is it just me or does the arcade-mode seem harder than the MAME-Version?

I'm not sure, though I noticed in Training Mode there's four difficulty modes (this was in X360 Arrange mode, might be different for the others). I did a small play of it and it felt the same to me, but keep in mind with MAME what controller you're using and what version (Shmupmame has less lag input for example).

I'm using Shmupmame and a Hori Real Arcade Pro for PS3, all Sanwa... and on the Box I use a MadCatz TE, also all Sanwa. So the input should be basically more or less the same.

And I haven't found any option to change the difficulty in arcade mode. I don't think there is an option?

No, I don't think there is either. Another thing I dont understand about this release.

[Lunchbox]

C'mon, arcade mode is arcade mode. Why do we need difficulty modes?

I also find it more difficult, and is strange,because I improved my shmup skills considerably since last time I played it (on MAME).
Lets see what the "pros" say.

[antares]

So any statement from Cave yet? I emailed them to blog360@mail.cave.co.jp about the issue.

[Zaarock]

Looks like the friends leaderboard only displays scores of people who are online on your friends list? Pretty dumb. Have to admit though, blue arrange mode seems pretty awesome. Made it to the middle of stage 5, big difficulty spike. I like the more lenient scoring but looks like there is also more boss milking potential? then again you do more damage.

[Elixir]

C'mon, arcade mode is arcade mode. Why do we need difficulty modes?

Why do we need difficulty modes for practice when they can't be used in the real game?

[njiska]

Okay, I was too impatient to fully test this, but I think there's a workaround to get full 4:3. Be warned, it's convoluted:

• Set your 360 to a 4:3 resolution like 640x480 if outputting VGA, or 480p if over HDMI. Also set your aspect ratio to 16:9 (this should cause the menu to appear shrunken horizontally).
• In Guwange's setup, highlight one of the Extra screens (doesn't matter which one) and hit X to activate it. Enter the advanced options.
• Set the picture offsets to 0, and make it fill the screen.

This depends on the assumption that you can adjust the X and Y axes on an extra screen independently, since it seems you can't do this to the main screen.

Sorry I can't refine this, I'm a bit short on time tonight. Let me know if this works!

Any resolution under 1280x720 has borders, it can't be changed via options. This is an actual problem coded into the XBLA port itself.

It might work if you're connected via HDMI or a non-VGA analog input because they both support 480p anamorphic widescreen. VGA on the other hand has no widescreen option beneath 1280x720. The res you set is the res you get.

Also I awoke to this in my Twitter feed:

@RayAyanami @starcreator @njiska @shmups Thanks for the feedback, we will pass everybody's requests on to the 360 team.

[gs68]

It's rather odd that from Futari onwards, support for non-standard ratios (as in non-16:9, non-4:3) has waned with each successive Cave port...

On my 1280x1024 monitor...
- Futari: Entire screen is covered with pillarboxes+gameplay screen
- Espgaluda II: At 1280, game forces itself into widescreen, although switching to 1024x768 fixes this somewhat. There's still a little letterboxing, but not as bad as...
- Guwange: ...yeah.

At any rate, I (as mentioned in the last post) brought this concern to Cave's Twitter, as well as on their Facebook page. Hopefully this issue will be patched, as I (as much as I hate the scoring system) would really like to give this port and its alternate modes a shot.

[Phellan Wolf]

I have just come to the conclusion that Cave will eventually release a patch that will be called DLC and it will cost some money
Now on the serious side, what I don't get why on earth did they put unusable graphic options. Let's wait for their official, statement. Jesus Christ, this port has been on parternet for almost half a year and nobody noticed it?

[Lunchbox]

C'mon, arcade mode is arcade mode. Why do we need difficulty modes?

Why do we need difficulty modes for practice when they can't be used in the real game?

Is that a kōan ?

Sorry just kidding, answer: for nothing (IMO).

[gray117]

Shite release from a commercial perspective... they need a trailer, screenshots and a game description that will attract players who want a challenge - possibly the worst release on xbla I've ever cared about; I can almost see why someone like microsoft would be tempted to turn down crap like this.

On an aesthetic/informed stand point I like it - nice styling that is not what people fear from 'crazy japanese games'. However, as it stands I can't see many people buying this and that kills me... ps. buy it on you're domestic machines if you have them...

[evil_ash_xero]

I also wonder why the game isn't fully filling up the screen(as much as it can anyway) at the start. Also, the "smoothing" should be on when the game is first started. Somebody might check out the demo, get a small ass screen, with choppy wonky graphics(on an LCD) and just not care. Let's not even talk about the confusing menus.

If they patch the 4:3, I will be happy, since I only really like the way these upscaled an filtered games look on a CRT. But for new buyers, they should really straighten out these weird menus, and have the presentation as good as it can look from press start.

[Elixir]

Why are the fireballs' hitboxes so big.

[Jockel]

You should use question marks when asking questions.

[Danza]

Sorry, I thought I was on 4chan. I get easily confused.

I know that feel. I started a thread about this on there, I think 2 people commented on the port and the rest were crying about region free or trolling.

There was an OK STG general thread earlier too, but plenty of idiots as expected. Some guy saying everyone should give up on shmups because the only people who play them are "divas" and Touhou folk getting frustrated at being insulted. Urrrrhhg.

Why would you try to start/participate in any sort of conversation at 4chan?

Without derailing the thread with this, I'll just say it is a mix of habit and sometimes it can be good (in other words, I enjoy going on there from time to time). The most "famous" things/board of 4chan people know about is basically a sink to keep that type of idiocy off the other boards (but it has been seeping through. One board in particular turned to shit a couple of months ago and isn't really recovering). You are quite right for the most part, anyways..

I cleared to stage 5 in Blue Arrange tonight, but still get smashed on stage 2 and 3 boss in arcade. I'm having some fun with this port. Still sucks about the screen size debacle. And yeah, it doesn't seem too good commercialy. I recommended it to a few people and most liked it for "old-school nostalgia" reasons, but I imagine the horrible menu design among other things would be putting them off at this stage.

[supergrafx77]

つ or ツ can be romanized either as tu or tsu. Neither is incorrect, though tsu is certainly more common.

Actually tu is incorrect, the correct phonetic romanized variation of つ or ツ is tsu. Many times, lesser quality english/japanese language learning books use tu for no other reason that the publishers/editors think English speakers are too idiotic to derive the the pronunciation of つ or ツ from tsu, thus the annoying tu used instead. I have in most cases avoided learning texts that use tu instead of tsu, imo 9 times out of 10 they are crap.

On another note: played through Guwange about 10-12 times last night. The port is excellent, and Blue arrange mode is excellent. I prefer it over arcade mode. Seems like the only way to get some of the achievements like the destroying of the statue in the 3rd stage and the collection of high yields of gold is to play the boring xbox arrange mode however. Really loving this port and I demand all of you to purchase it! Proper 4:3 will come soon I believe and the quality of this port deserves your support and helps fund future ports that Asada is making as we speak. Please buy!

[njiska]

]On another note: played through Guwange about 10-12 times last night. The port is excellent, and Blue arrange mode is excellent. I prefer it over arcade mode.

What exactly are the changes in arrange more? I played three or four runs in it last night but didn't really notice any changes aside from the flashing purple bullets. Then again I was also half asleep.

[Danza]

I got the statue destruction achievement on Blue arrange. I didn't do it intentionally however *cough*

[supergrafx77]

On another note: played through Guwange about 10-12 times last night. The port is excellent, and Blue arrange mode is excellent. I prefer it over arcade mode.

What exactly are the changes in arrange more? I played three or four runs in it last night but didn't really notice any changes aside from the flashing purple bullets. Then again I was also half asleep.

Well, I noticed the flashing bullets too and was somewhat confused by this. I thought that when I used my shikigami to kill an enemy when the skull level had reached max to get gold coins, those blue bullets I had previously touched with the shikigami would thereby flash. I also, although maybe my imagination, if flashing and if enemy was already slaughtered, I could cancel the flashing blues with a regular shot, and those flashing bullets would turn into some more gold. Also, one of the bosses on the tatami mats that turns into the beast he is, gets bigger and bigger, the more he is hurt. I did not see this in arcade mode. Bullets and presentation seem cleaner and "more pretty," but this could also be my imagination. I definitely get farther in blue mode and feel more comfortable playing it. I'm sure I'm wrong in one or two ways about my observations, and am interested from the pros on their views...

[supergrafx77]

I got the statue destruction achievement on Blue arrange. I didn't do it intentionally however *cough*

I tried three times in arcade mode, and although destroying the statue, did not get the achievement, until just stealing the award in 360 arrange...

[Thjodbjorn]

つ or ツ can be romanized either as tu or tsu. Neither is incorrect, though tsu is certainly more common.

Actually tu is incorrect, the correct phonetic romanized variation of つ or ツ is tsu. Many times, lesser quality english/japanese language learning books use tu for no other reason that the publishers/editors think English speakers are too idiotic to derive the the pronunciation of つ or ツ from tsu, thus the annoying tu used instead. I have in most cases avoided learning texts that use tu instead of tsu, imo 9 times out of 10 they are crap.

I have to disagree. There are multiple systems of romanization in Japan. Neither are "correct", but an author must stick to one consistently in one work. Under Hepburn romanization, tsu is correct. Under nihon-shiki, tu is correct. It is the same with shi/si for し. It has nothing to do with people thinking English speakers are idiotic. That is a strange insecurity.

I don't think you can seriously stand by the assertion that one system of romanization is "correct". It's like those people who correct others that write "Daoism" as opposed to "Taoism".

Anyways, while annoyed by the lack of proper tate-ing, I'm enjoying the game, though it is very difficult for me.

[Wonderbanana]

New to Guwange but enjoying the 360 port so far (only played arcade mode to date).

Could someone please explain to me twhat they mean by coin milking the bosses though?

[clp]

New to Guwange but enjoying the 360 port so far (only played arcade mode to date).

Could someone please explain to me twhat they mean by coin milking the bosses though?

what? whats to explain ? its a given .

[StarCreator]

I have to disagree. There are multiple systems of romanization in Japan. Neither are "correct", but an author must stick to one consistently in one work. Under Hepburn romanization, tsu is correct. Under nihon-shiki, tu is correct. It is the same with shi/si for し. It has nothing to do with people thinking English speakers are idiotic. That is a strange insecurity.

I don't think you can seriously stand by the assertion that one system of romanization is "correct". It's like those people who correct others that write "Daoism" as opposed to "Taoism".

I'm of the firm opinion that things should be spelled the way they sound, and I've never heard つ or ツ pronounced as "tu". I only consider it valid in Japanese typography, where it's faster to type "tu" rather than "tsu" to get the same character.

[jonny5]

New to Guwange but enjoying the 360 port so far (only played arcade mode to date).

Could someone please explain to me twhat they mean by coin milking the bosses though?

what? whats to explain ? its a given .

Nice if you don't know how to properly play a game, nothing is a given.

Have a read here

It explains the basics of how to play this game properly, including boss milking.

[supergrafx77]

つ or ツ can be romanized either as tu or tsu. Neither is incorrect, though tsu is certainly more common.

Actually tu is incorrect, the correct phonetic romanized variation of つ or ツ is tsu. Many times, lesser quality english/japanese language learning books use tu for no other reason that the publishers/editors think English speakers are too idiotic to derive the the pronunciation of つ or ツ from tsu, thus the annoying tu used instead. I have in most cases avoided learning texts that use tu instead of tsu, imo 9 times out of 10 they are crap.

I have to disagree. There are multiple systems of romanization in Japan. Neither are "correct", but an author must stick to one consistently in one work. Under Hepburn romanization, tsu is correct. Under nihon-shiki, tu is correct. It is the same with shi/si for し. It has nothing to do with people thinking English speakers are idiotic. That is a strange insecurity.

I don't think you can seriously stand by the assertion that one system of romanization is "correct". It's like those people who correct others that write "Daoism" as opposed to "Taoism".

Anyways, while annoyed by the lack of proper tate-ing, I'm enjoying the game, though it is very difficult for me.

Fair. But I disagree with you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiragana As can be seen, as for sa, shi, su, se, so..., not incorporating the (h) in shi, gives a novice english student of the the japanese language the illusion that (し)si, is pronounced as something other than how it is pronounced in Japanese, which would be closest to shi in the English language. For an intermediate student of Japanese who rarely would use romaji at all but rather furigana above complex kanji characters, more often this would make deciphering the text rather stumbling. I agree, I'm 34 now, and in high school my Japanese teacher used to use si and tu for し and つ just because her teaching texts were ancient. I think this is the wrong way to go about teaching the language IMO.

Guwange is difficult for me as well, especially stage 5 and 6...

[Wonderbanana]

New to Guwange but enjoying the 360 port so far (only played arcade mode to date).

Could someone please explain to me twhat they mean by coin milking the bosses though?

what? whats to explain ? its a given .

Nice if you don't know how to properly play a game, nothing is a given.

Have a read here

It explains the basics of how to play this game properly, including boss milking.

Many thanks, please forgive my noobness on such things

[clp]

New to Guwange but enjoying the 360 port so far (only played arcade mode to date).

Could someone please explain to me twhat they mean by coin milking the bosses though?

what? whats to explain ? its a given .

Nice if you don't know how to properly play a game, nothing is a given.

Have a read here

It explains the basics of how to play this game properly, including boss milking.

Oh hai this games only 10 years old so forgive my assumption that its pretty easy to use common sense and look up information and superplays of this game . For the record ive never read any guides on guwange ever all i did was watch icarus and SWY replays and figured it out .

http://www.super-play.co.uk

the internet is your friend .

[KisakiProject]

So I downloaded this last night.

My initial impressions are very positive. I absolutely love how you move differently in this game then most shmups. As Much as I love CAVE there games kinda blind together after awhile this feels very different. That being said the shikigami system is hard to jump into. I really appreciated the xbox360 mode turning this into a twin stick shooter made it very accessible. Granted a bit easy but its still fun. Also the art style is my favorite of caves. Its just absolutely bazaar. I'm actually surprised the US rating didn't drop and M on this cause of Guwange being an undead fetus thing. Anyways I absolutely love this. I hope it does well enough for CAVE to make a new one or spiritual successor built from the ground up on XBLA.

Also is it just me or does this game have less slow downs than ESPgaluda, Mushihime, Dodonpachi etc?

[jonny5]

Oh hai this games only 10 years old so forgive my assumption that its pretty easy to use common sense and look up information and superplays of this game . For the record ive never read any guides on guwange ever all i did was watch icarus and SWY replays and figured it out .

http://www.super-play.co.uk

the internet is your friend .

My point was simply that you took the time to post and bust the guys balls, when you could have just posted a link to push him in the right direction. Just because its the internet doesn't mean you have to be mean to people. We are all friends here. Help out where you can, ya know what I mean? Everybody was a noob at some point, you have to start somewhere.

[clp]

Oh hai this games only 10 years old so forgive my assumption that its pretty easy to use common sense and look up information and superplays of this game . For the record ive never read any guides on guwange ever all i did was watch icarus and SWY replays and figured it out .

http://www.super-play.co.uk

the internet is your friend .

My point was simply that you took the time to post and bust the guys balls, when you could have just posted a link to push him in the right direction. Just because its the internet doesn't mean you have to be mean to people. We are all friends here. Help out where you can, ya know what I mean? Everybody was a noob at some point, you have to start somewhere.

2/10 for attempting to promote yourself with moral high ground.