Deathsmiles PAL release (DATED: Feb 18th)

[Aliquantic]

That was in the last paragraph in the PDF file linked a few posts above yours, along with the Live Gold account comment.

[spadgy]

RSG posted a pretty strategy guide by EOJ
http://www.risingstargames.com/games/de ... x-360.html
You need to register to download it - and that also gives you the opportunity to voice your request for more PAL stgs

Thanks to EOJ for his generosity with this document. I'd also like to say Dan76 from this very forum deserves some credit. Dan76's help with what I did in the document was a great help; I got a credit under my real name, but he escaped the attention. Thanks mate!

EOJ's the real star though!

[Skykid]

Look what the black cat dragged in.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 25#p658225

[Drachenherz]

Look what the black cat dragged in.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 25#p658225

do want!!!!

Alas, only one week more...

[hipgnosis]

Look what the black cat dragged in.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 25#p658225

Holy shit!

Can you check the slowdown accuracy? And what is that poster under the game? And most importantly, how the hell did you get it already?

[Skykid]

Look what the black cat dragged in.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 25#p658225

Holy shit!

Can you check the slowdown accuracy? And what is that poster under the game? And most importantly, how the hell did you get it already?

Just about to line up the PAL and JP 360 to do the testing. I'll see if I can spot any differences.
The 'poster' is just a very nice leaflet with some notes to members of the press. That hopefully answers your third question too.

[Skykid]

Goddamnit boys, this is pissing me off. I keep changing my mind on this slowdown business. I've spent the whole night analysing modes, stages, even recording and playing against you tube vids of the NA release. I'm swaying toward it being the proper JP slowdown more, but I guess the only way to tell is to get to Ice Palace on MBL and record it. That's the best test.

Sigh, back in a bit.

[Tyjet]

Goddamnit boys, this is pissing me off. I keep changing my mind on this slowdown business. I've spent the whole night analysing modes, stages, even recording and playing against you tube vids of the NA release. I'm swaying toward it being the proper JP slowdown more, but I guess the only way to tell is to get to Ice Palace on MBL and record it. That's the best test.

Sigh, back in a bit.

If you need something simpler, then you can try these stages to compare other than the ice palace (all MBL though):
NA MBL Forest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-hcUW8fDo
NA MBL Volcano: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RI4iI5NWUA

[Skykid]

Just did MBL Ice Palace...

Still up in the air. It's harder than I thought it would be, and I definitely don't want to make the wrong call.

Tyjet, I'll check those two in the morning and see if I can't make a better comparison when I'm more awake. Honestly though, EOJ must have played this game to absolute death to be able to tell the two apart so instantly. Either that or this does have the JP slowdown and that's what's confusing me.

Anyways, tomorrow.

[StarCreator]

It's almost certainly not exactly the Japanese build, as the extra "smoothing" option is there (and presumably, full voice is out). But we did hear from Aksys a while back that a slowdown patch for the NA version was in testing, so it's definitely possible they've tweaked the variables a bit to make the slowdown more accurate despite it not being the same code as the JP version.

Though, it's worth noting that the Ice Palace has never been accurate in the port, even in the original JP version. The comparison video that floats around is comparing the NA version to the arcade PCB.

[BPzeBanshee]

This is weird....

I've been trying to find a good Australian website I can buy Deathsmiles from, because the only retail site I know exists where I live doesnt seem to be very reliable in regards to this game. Now I'm looking through and they're all saying March 10.
If it gets released on February 18th, why the delay? Does it really take that long to get a game to Australia from the UK?

[Elixir]

This is weird....

I've been trying to find a good Australian website I can buy Deathsmiles from, because the only retail site I know exists where I live doesnt seem to be very reliable in regards to this game. Now I'm looking through and they're all saying March 10.
If it gets released on February 18th, why the delay? Does it really take that long to get a game to Australia from the UK?

Australia/NZ games have to be rated by their independent OFLC departments. Afterwards the games need to be printed with the rating, since it isn't just a sticker. They usually take longer.

[BPzeBanshee]

This is weird....

I've been trying to find a good Australian website I can buy Deathsmiles from, because the only retail site I know exists where I live doesnt seem to be very reliable in regards to this game. Now I'm looking through and they're all saying March 10.
If it gets released on February 18th, why the delay? Does it really take that long to get a game to Australia from the UK?

Australia/NZ games have to be rated by their independent OFLC departments. Afterwards the games need to be printed with the rating, since it isn't just a sticker. They usually take longer.

Ah, for fuck's sake. And I thought the R18+ bullshit was bad enough....

Really, I gotta say, short of being in Poland or some real out-there country Australia's the worst place to be a gamer in. And I live here too. But at least we get cool thunderstorms where I live.

I'll probably just find the guys at the local GAME store and see if I get the arrogance treatment I got last time there by asking about Deathsmiles. If it all works out I'll report back.

[wariomona]

I've given up trying to buy games in Australia.
Get them from UK, US, Japan, (Hong Kong?), wherever. But not Australia!
Even when I find the games I'm looking for they're always more expensive than other country's RRPs anyway

[OBSCVRA]

I'm with wariomona on that, I was holding out to get it locally, but the wait plus double the cost forced my hand. Hopefully its journey to my place is a swift one once they ship it

[Skykid]

It's almost certainly not exactly the Japanese build, as the extra "smoothing" option is there (and presumably, full voice is out). But we did hear from Aksys a while back that a slowdown patch for the NA version was in testing, so it's definitely possible they've tweaked the variables a bit to make the slowdown more accurate despite it not being the same code as the JP version.

Though, it's worth noting that the Ice Palace has never been accurate in the port, even in the original JP version. The comparison video that floats around is comparing the NA version to the arcade PCB.

Does anyone know which stage and which mode would be best to compare with in terms of missing slowdown in the NA version compared to the JP?
Without having played the NA version it's tough.

Also, the smoothing option is quite nice, although it's a preference thing ultimately. On the cab I prefer it off.

[JDE]

Just read your Deathsmiles review in The Observer Spadgy, I think you did a great job explaining what the game's really about to the average reader.
I'll definitely be buying it, regardless of any potential slowdown issues, to encourage more PAL releases for Cave games. Less than a week to wait now!
And thanks to EOJ, Spadgy and Dan76 for their work on RSG's strategy guide as well; I'll try to familiarise myself with the scoring system before the 18th.

[Zeron]

Well here is the review

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/20 ... NTCMP=SRCH

[spadgy]

Thanks JDE. It was so hard in a newspaper where I have to avoid almost all gaming jargon and treat the readers like something of a beginner (or at least cater for everyone from beginners to dedicated players). I'd actually forgotten that was out today - I'd better go buy a copy or two! It should go online at the end of today, so I'll put a link up, but if any of you what the thrill of seeing some Cave coverage today in the glory that is print, you know where to go

Skykid - I know exactly hat you're going through mate. Comparing slowdown and knowing that slowdown going to be so closely analysed by so many makes it hard to commit either way (I think because this is pretty close to the JPN version. It's certainly not wildly different.)

[exquisite_torture]

Is it just me, or are there little homages to Ghosts n'Goblins in Deathsmiles?

[cools]

Just read your Deathsmiles review in The Observer Spadgy, I think you did a great job explaining what the game's really about to the average reader.

Yup, spot on bit of writing

[Skykid]

Skykid - I know exactly hat you're going through mate. Comparing slowdown and knowing that slowdown going to be so closely analysed by so many makes it hard to commit either way (I think because this is pretty close to the JPN version. It's certainly not wildly different.)

I've taken some video that I won't be making public (don't really want to piss Rising Star off at all) and passed it on to the expert to evaluate. I don't feel I'm experienced enough in the critical NA release to properly say yay or nay, however considering I have the JP one right here, my feeling is that the slowdown has been returned to its proper form which is not what I expected at all.

Let's wait and see.

Nice review there Spadgy. I think mine goes live tomorrow and as it's game of the week, shall be reaching millions of UK'ers in the newsletter.
I don't actually like to post my work here as I'm my own worst critic, but for the sake of spreading the DS love I may do.

[bcass]

Hats off to the Guardian. I don't think I could have found a less interesting screenshot of Deathsmiles if I tried.

[dan76]

Good review Spadgy, now let's hope the game sells.

[Paradigm]

Hats off to the Guardian. I don't think I could have found a less interesting screenshot of Deathsmiles if I tried.

Do you have to be so fucking negative about everything? All it tells me is that you're probably a depressed, miserable cunt in your own personal life.

[bcass]

With a post like that, I'm not sure you come off any better.

[DrTrouserPlank]

Probably should have mentioned that the game caters to beginners, hardcore shmup fans and pedos alike

[DrTrouserPlank]

Here are some of the depressing reviews that fall into the category of "missed the point"

http://www.nowgamer.com/reviews/xbox-36 ... xe-edition

http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/d ... ead-review (probably a review of the US version, but the "cons" make for facepalm inducing rage)

Wonder how many more we can expect like these?

[Skykid]

There are moments in Deathsmiles where we genuinely couldn’t tell if it was broken or whether it was supposed to be doing… that.[slowing down]

Broken =

[phrenzee]

Broken =

Yeah

...your score will essentially be dependent on to what extent you’ve bothered to understand how the scoring works...

Is that so, Mr. Genius?