Mushihime Sama Ps2 impressions

Naiera · Post by **Naiera** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:31 am

twe wrote: (P-A priced Mushi $5-$10 higher than everyone else).

Not true. Lik Sang wants $65 for the ASIAN version, which shouldn't go for more than $50 if you're really pushing it.

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:11 am

Wanderer wrote: Not sure if this is common knowledge, but while waiting during those long practice mode loading times, I was rapidly pressing all the buttons and moving the d-pad side to side and to my surprise Reko started to run faster and move forward slightly. Faster running did not equal faster load times though.

Tried this again as the game loaded up at the start, and I got Reko to run across the screen and fall down on her face.

Just mash the face buttons and the left and right on the d-pad as fast as you can.

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:17 am

Naiera wrote:
twe wrote: (P-A priced Mushi $5-$10 higher than everyone else).
Not true. Lik Sang wants $65 for the ASIAN version, which shouldn't go for more than $50 if you're really pushing it.

Right, Liksang sucks even more. But they don't have the Asian version because there is no Asian version (look at the PS2 shooter section on their site, EVERY game says "Asia", clearly an error). One giveaway is the CERO rating on the cover-- Asian releases do not have this (Cero ratings only apply in Japan). The other is the phrase "For Japan Only" on the UPC code on the back. Finally, this game has simply not been released in Asia. I doubt it ever will. Galuda and DDP DOJ similarly were only released in Japan.

Post by **system11** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 1:37 pm

twe wrote: Right, Liksang sucks even more.

They do seem expensive now - I wonder if they've been hiking the prices due to the multiple hits they took over modchips - when part of your established business is shut down, the lost revenue has to come from somewhere. Seems counterproductive of course.

oxtsu · Post by **oxtsu** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 4:41 pm

twe wrote:
Naiera wrote:
twe wrote: (P-A priced Mushi $5-$10 higher than everyone else).
Not true. Lik Sang wants $65 for the ASIAN version, which shouldn't go for more than $50 if you're really pushing it.
Right, Liksang sucks even more. But they don't have the Asian version because there is no Asian version (look at the PS2 shooter section on their site, EVERY game says "Asia", clearly an error). One giveaway is the CERO rating on the cover-- Asian releases do not have this (Cero ratings only apply in Japan). The other is the phrase "For Japan Only" on the UPC code on the back. Finally, this game has simply not been released in Asia. I doubt it ever will. Galuda and DDP DOJ similarly were only released in Japan.

Sometimes for Asian releases they will just put a sticker on the wrapper that says to disregard the Japan price and territory marking on the case. That is what they did for the Asian releases of Espgaluda, DOJ, etc.

FMK · Post by **FMK** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:01 pm

My DOJ copy doesn't have the CERO marking, but there's that "For Japan only" warning on the back. I bought from Play-Asia as being an Asian version. And P-A is pretty accurate when distinguishing Jp and Asian versions.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 8:31 pm

twe wrote:Tried this again as the game loaded up at the start, and I got Reko to run across the screen and fall down on her face. Just mash the face buttons and the left and right on the d-pad as fast as you can.

That's HOT! Now I REALLY can't wait for my copy to arrive

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 9:31 pm

FMK wrote:My DOJ copy doesn't have the CERO marking, but there's that "For Japan only" warning on the back. I bought from Play-Asia as being an Asian version. And P-A is pretty accurate when distinguishing Jp and Asian versions.

This is because DOJ came out before CERO ratings were in wide use (i.e. no copy of DDP DOJ has a CERO rating). It is still the Japanese release because of the "for Japan only".

And people, THERE WAS NO ASIAN RELEASE OF DDP DOJ OR ESPGALUDA! It doesn't matter what sticker people put on them, if it says "For Japan Only" on the back on the actual DVD backcover, it is the Japanese release. All true Asian releases have "For Home Use Only" on the back with the UPC code.

oxtsu · Post by **oxtsu** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:22 am

twe wrote:And people, THERE WAS NO ASIAN RELEASE OF DDP DOJ OR ESPGALUDA! It doesn't matter what sticker people put on them, if it says "For Japan Only" on the back on the actual DVD backcover, it is the Japanese release. All true Asian releases have "For Home Use Only" on the back with the UPC code.

Yes there was, you just can't tell once the wrapper is off. :p

It was distributed in Asia at the usual lower price, hence the sticker.

bigbadboaz · Post by **bigbadboaz** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:42 am

OK guys, here's my sitch - I don't have a tate setup and don't have the space to get one anytime in the near future. I've enjoyed the Arika ports since the yoko modes were pretty damn respectable. Now Mushi looks awesome, but I'm reading all the bad news about the excessive filtering in the yoko mode. I won't get to see this game for myself unless I take the plunge on a purchase, so what do you who have seen it think? Is it worth it for playing strictly in yoko?

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:35 am

I play on Yoko mode and it's fine really. After a few days it looks pretty good. Not as nice as Galuda or DDP DOJ, but close enough for me at least. It is more 'animated' than either of those games, with some lovely transparency effects.

And Oxtsu: Buying the Japanese release in bulk and distributing it to Asia w/ a sticker on it is not an "Asian" release. It's just distributing a Japanese release in Asia. They probably put a sticker on there to explain the title of the game and such in Chinese (because most of the Asian gaming market outside Japan can read Chinese). Now, if they sold a Japanese release without a sticker and a Japanese release with a sticker side by side, each with different prices, then I'd agree with you. But of course they don't do that.

A good way to check if a game has had a true Asian release is to search NCSX.com. They carry basically all Asian and Japanese version releases of the same title, so if they don't have an Asian version (particularly for a big name title), then odds are there was no Asian release. I really don't know of any shmup getting an Asian release, though I think maybe Gradius V did (it also got a Korean release).

Geezer · Post by **Geezer** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:39 am

I'm sure the Psikyo double packs had Asian releases, as well as Gigawing Generations

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:59 am

Geezer wrote:I'm sure the Psikyo double packs had Asian releases, as well as Gigawing Generations

The first Psikyo pack (Vol 1) did have an Asian release, you're correct. But I don't believe vols. 2 or 3 did, and as far as I can tell Gigawing Generations did not have an Asian release, though it did have a Korean release. If you can provide evidence to the contrary, I'd be happy to see it (i.e. a scan of an Asian release with "for home use only" printed on the UPC on the back).

Geezer · Post by **Geezer** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:41 am

Sorry, my mistake, I just checked and they were Korean releases ^_^

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:28 pm

twe wrote:But I don't believe vols. 2 or 3 did, and as far as I can tell Gigawing Generations did not have an Asian release, though it did have a Korean release.

Outta curiosity, what's the difference between an "Asian" and "Korean" release? Is the content of each the same?

MadSteelDarkness · Post by **MadSteelDarkness** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:41 pm

Alright, *now* I'm starting to get a little miffed at PA. I just received a game that shipped from them a full 5 days after Mushi supposedly shipped. If TSS:LPP arrives next, I'm going to be more than a bit peeved.

Anyone else get there's from PA yet?

Gozer · Post by **Gozer** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:58 pm

I received mine from Play Asia on Saturday. I used the cheapest shipping method.

I definitely like this game. The four modes give this game a very high replay ability factor. The port itself is fine but it could have been better. The lack of digital audio is my only gripe.

Alske · Post by **Alske** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:02 pm

Is anyone else extremely dissappointed in this game?

I feel the chaining system is even more rigid then DDP:DOJ.
I hate Psikyo so thus I hate original mode.

Most of all, I hate the hitboxes that bullets have. Bullets that I think will kill me will harmlessly pass over my hit-box, other times I'll get killed by a bullet that I was sure would just pass over me.

I don't see any reason for these irritating hitboxes to be present. They add a frustrating element of memorization to the game, and the only benefit they seem to offer is putting more bullets on-screen.

I haven't been this quickly turned off by a shooter since Psyvariar 2.

Naiera · Post by **Naiera** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:51 pm

MadSteelDarkness wrote:Alright, *now* I'm starting to get a little miffed at PA. I just received a game that shipped from them a full 5 days after Mushi supposedly shipped.

Some postal worker in Hong Kong must've brought home a load of Mushihime-sama's or something...

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:57 pm

Alske wrote:Is anyone else extremely dissappointed in this game?

I feel the chaining system is even more rigid then DDP:DOJ.
I hate Psikyo so thus I hate original mode.

Most of all, I hate the hitboxes that bullets have. Bullets that I think will kill me will harmlessly pass over my hit-box, other times I'll get killed by a bullet that I was sure would just pass over me.

I don't see any reason for these irritating hitboxes to be present. They add a frustrating element of memorization to the game, and the only benefit they seem to offer is putting more bullets on-screen.

I haven't been this quickly turned off by a shooter since Psyvariar 2.

I think you need to play the game more and get a better feel for it. The chaining system is far LESS rigid than DDP once you learn how to do it. And the hitbox is nice because it's so small, and you can see it, making boss fights less irritating. Seriously, don't even think of comparing this to Psy2, it's a billion times better than that (I loathe Psy2).

I agree with you Original mode smacks of Psikyo. I find it far more frustrating and difficult than Maniac mode, all those varying bullet speeds really throw me off.

MadSteelDarkness · Post by **MadSteelDarkness** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:43 pm

Naiera wrote:
MadSteelDarkness wrote:Alright, *now* I'm starting to get a little miffed at PA. I just received a game that shipped from them a full 5 days after Mushi supposedly shipped.
Some postal worker in Hong Kong must've brought home a load of Mushihime-sama's or something...

Heh. That would explain it...

Actually, I'm hoping it's not PA's fault (although you bet I'll be checking the date on the package once it gets here). It could be one of those quirks in international shipping. Seeing as how Gozer got his on Saturday, I'm now guessing mine will turn up tomorrow or Wednesday.

*crosses fingers*

Alske · Post by **Alske** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:18 pm

twe wrote:
Alske wrote:Is anyone else extremely dissappointed in this game?

I feel the chaining system is even more rigid then DDP:DOJ.
I hate Psikyo so thus I hate original mode.

Most of all, I hate the hitboxes that bullets have. Bullets that I think will kill me will harmlessly pass over my hit-box, other times I'll get killed by a bullet that I was sure would just pass over me.

I don't see any reason for these irritating hitboxes to be present. They add a frustrating element of memorization to the game, and the only benefit they seem to offer is putting more bullets on-screen.

I haven't been this quickly turned off by a shooter since Psyvariar 2.
I think you need to play the game more and get a better feel for it. The chaining system is far LESS rigid than DDP once you learn how to do it. And the hitbox is nice because it's so small, and you can see it, making boss fights less irritating. Seriously, don't even think of comparing this to Psy2, it's a billion times better than that (I loathe Psy2).

I agree with you Original mode smacks of Psikyo. I find it far more frustrating and difficult than Maniac mode, all those varying bullet speeds really throw me off.

It's not Reko's small hit-box that annoys me. Or necessarily that the bullets have a small hit-box. It is that my hit-box can visually overlap with a bullet and I will not die. It's the fact that there is no visual space between bullets in the wall of a corridor, yet I can safely cross said corridor. Very similar to the results of buzzing in Psyvariar 2 if you ask me.

I hate chaining in DDP but at least there are alternate methods of scoring, such as the "maximum" bonus. Mushi doesn't seem to have this flexibility.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:21 pm

Argh... My copy is in my city somewhere (since two days ago, damn the long weekend!). The last event on Canada Post tracking has it being sent off for customs clearance... eeep.. I'm having second thoughts about putting it in the same shipment as UMD kiddie-looking pr0n

sffan · Post by **sffan** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:33 pm

twe wrote:I agree with you Original mode smacks of Psikyo. I find it far more frustrating and difficult than Maniac mode, all those varying bullet speeds really throw me off.

I see this as a positive comment about Original mode. Something's gotta keep the game challenging (or frustrating and difficult, if you will

). The varying bullet speeds make it very tense and thrilling for me. And difficult, which is good. What I don't understand is that some are saying that Original mode is easy to 1CC. What ?!?!?

Anyway I've also noticed that Maniac isn't any harder than Original. It's got more bullets, but they're slower.

Ultra, however,

. Great fun if you like being overwhelmed.

thesuperkillerxxx · Post by **thesuperkillerxxx** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 12:34 am

Got my LE from play-asia today (same 5 day lag), But have been playing an ISO for about 5 days anyway

So do I keep the SOB NIB? hmmmmmmm

gunbird18 · Post by **gunbird18** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:03 am

MadSteelDarkness wrote:Alright, *now* I'm starting to get a little miffed at PA. I just received a game that shipped from them a full 5 days after Mushi supposedly shipped. If TSS:LPP arrives next, I'm going to be more than a bit peeved.

Anyone else get there's from PA yet?

Finally received mine today, MadSteel! Odd about your other game getting to you first. Sounds like a lot of us in the US are getting them in a very inconsistent manner. Screwy!

I know I usually get other games from ebay sellers shipping from Japan in a week flat, sometimes 6 days tops!

I think I am quoting Big here when I say this game is like CRACK!!!! I love it. Thank you Cave! (and yes) Thank you Taito for bringing it to our homes!

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:03 am

I got mine today too. I love how different original and maniac are, and how relatively straightforward the weapon system is (I've always found Galuda's a bit cumbersome). I also like the restart button, but then the game pissed me off by saying something like "Let's challenge without the restart." F_ off!

gunbird18 · Post by **gunbird18** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:07 am

Good to hear that, Professor! Were you bouncing off the walls when you saw it in the mail? I practically tackled my wife when I asked her if I had a package in the mail today and she said, "Yeah, phhht, it's over there...". I was so used to finding out that it wasn't there, that I was overcome with extreme joy!

What a geek!

mannerbot · Post by **mannerbot** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:07 am

Man. Oh well, I guess there has to be some advantage to living in states like Ohio, Missouri, and Arkansas.

gunbird18 · Post by **gunbird18** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:09 am

Don't worry Mannerbot, it'll be there. I'll pray to the bug gods for ya tonight!