Deathsmiles IIX (Xbox 360) - GoD US/Can/Mex, Platinum JP

[apple arcade]

Anyone figure out how exactly Arrange mode works?

[fagin]

On an arcade monitor this is not a problem for me. I get mine to be fullscreen in 4:3 on my cab, by adjusting the appropriate geometry.

There's something I need to know.

So the package contains arcade mode, 4:3 but no screen adjust, so no fullscreen on any TV, even 4:3?
Xbox mode which plays like the arcade version (?) but with updated graphics and widescreen (?) no 4:3?
Then arrange mode which is a different gameplay (?).

Is that correct? Is there a black label somewhere?

Arcade mode on Deathsmiles II 360 plays with artwork borders on both sides of the screen on a 16:9 display. On a 4:3 display, black borders are added to the top and bottom in addition.

IIX mode does not play like Arcade mode - there are significant differences besides the expanded play area, such as the level selection and extra stage/boss. All the modes in the disc are unique.

[BulletMagnet]

Anyone figure out how exactly Arrange mode works?

I tried to cover the essential stuff in here, though if anything is unclear I'll put in for an edit.

[nZero]

Anyone figure out how exactly Arrange mode works?

Use Lei (broken god tier) spam rapid shot and familiar throw to stay in fever and suck items the whole time and if the game slows down to the point that it takes about an hour to clear then you're doing it right. If the game becomes vaguely threatening at any point before the last boss then you messed up.

[apple arcade]

Nice article!

Another question. Each character has 2 endings and then the 1 jitterbug ending for the whole cast right? or are there more hidden endings?

[EU03]

Well...

It's not Daifukkatsu, but I guess this means things can only go up from here.

[Zeron]

Well...

It's not Daifukkatsu, but I guess this means things can only go up from here.

CAVE goes into North America as a publisher? well thats unexpected guess it makes sense since they lost Aksys but Rising Star Games has europe covered..


I have not played Death Smiles II but I think this not a good title to begin with because it will get jackhammered in the reviews due to its graphics.

[BulletMagnet]

it will get jackhammered in the reviews due to its graphics.

Yeah, they're definitely heading into some rocky territory with this one...something tells me they'll be going the digital (or at least budget-priced) route to take the edge off.

[bcass]

Will be interesting to see if they make any improvements to it, ie - adding replays to arcade mode.

[rancid3000]

it will get jackhammered in the reviews due to its graphics.

Yeah, they're definitely heading into some rocky territory with this one...something tells me they'll be going the digital (or at least budget-priced) route to take the edge off.

I agree. I may be slightly biased against the loli stuff but I think that DDP DFK or Akai Katana Shin would have been a better place to start. I feel sketchy enough just having Deathsmiles in my game library or recently played.

[mesh control]

LOL

[apple arcade]

I think the main reason they're starting with DS2 is name recognition.

It's going to be a tough one.

The game is tons of fun but it has an off putting aura for those who haven't played it.

[Weak Boson]

Hopefully the 3D will count for something. Saying that seems excessively optimistic, though, the aesthetics of this game look to be an even harder sell to the average player than the first one's. At least with DS1 you could hide the cover art and make a contrived reference to Castlevania - DS2 just looks weird. Still, I hope it finds its way to Europe, I'd love to play this (without forking out for the Japanese version).

[Chaos Phoenixma]

Hopefully we'll have access to the same leaderboards as the JP version on this one.

[rancid3000]

I think the main reason they're starting with DS2 is name recognition.

It's going to be a tough one.

The game is tons of fun but it has an off putting aura for those who haven't played it.

I definitely fall into the "has an off putting aura for those who haven't played it" category. However I have heard good things about the gameplay and I do want to try it.

[Elixir]

It still has to be rated by the ESRB even if Cave doesn't have a publisher.

Even if they can't publish independently.

Even if it's not being worked on by any western publisher.

Even if it's not a retail game.

[Tetsuo]

ive just bought deathsmiles, but the upgrades look smashing, im in

[hamfighterx]

It still has to be rated by the ESRB even if Cave doesn't have a publisher.

Even if they can't publish independently.

Even if it's not being worked on by any western publisher.

Even if it's not a retail game.

Not sure I understand you correctly - if you're implying it hasn't yet been rated, it has. That's precisely how Siliconera found this info, ESRB rating linked in their original news post.

If you mean something else, I'm not quite sure I get your point.

[Age of Kings]

Bah, I hope it sells well. The one thing keeping me from buying a US 360 of my own is DFK, which is at the very top of my most wanted list. But hey, I suppose any localization news is good...

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Athough I want to play DFK the most, I always thought that DS2 was most likly next candidate for localisation due to DFK (and soon AK) been recently released in Japan, while DS2 isnt.
There is no way in hell Cave are gonna localise new JPN titles as that would lessen the money they get from export sales and ppl double dipping.

Fingers crossed that this is a boxed release with RSG releasing 2-3 month behind the NA release

[stryc9]

Deathsmiles IIX is a bit of a strange one. After crafting a game that would be more palatable to the west with the first, they went pretty tonto with the second, changing the Halloween theme to a bizarre Christmas thing and using boxy, third rate CG in place of the unique draw of the 2d look. Suits me, I imported and had a good old chuckle at the dated display and ridiculous Bosses. Unfortunately of course its going to draw critisism from the western 360 community.

But then again the 16:9 ratio works in it's favour as do the lolis, as that shit, as we all know, is popular EVERWHERE now.

I havn't even mentioned gameplay because we all know it's not a factor here.

Maybe Akai Katana would have been the better choice- Cave need to sell themselves as what they are good at- that is, super polished 2d graphics.

[MachineAres 1CC]

LOL

@ localization, that is.

[AntiFritz]

Deathsmiles IIX is a bit of a strange one. After crafting a game that would be more palatable to the west with the first, they went pretty tonto with the second, changing the Halloween theme to a bizarre Christmas thing and using boxy, third rate CG in place of the unique draw of the 2d look. Suits me, I imported and had a good old chuckle at the dated display and ridiculous Bosses. Unfortunately of course its going to draw critisism from the western 360 community.

But then again the 16:9 ratio works in it's favour as do the lolis, as that shit, as we all know, is popular EVERWHERE now.

I havn't even mentioned gameplay because we all know it's not a factor here.

Maybe Akai Katana would have been the better choice- Cave need to sell themselves as what they are good at- that is, super polished 2d graphics.

They should really have done (and what i hoped for) daifukkatsu bl + 1.5. Although their probably trying to play it safe with a sequel.

[Special World]

I do think it's a sketchy pick for localization, but if you can get past the graphics it's an extremely fun game.

Also, I think the soundtrack rules.

[Phellan Wolf]

I do think it's a sketchy pick for localization, but if you can get past the graphics it's an extremely fun game.

Also, I think the soundtrack rules.

Yep, I have to agree with you. Despite having horrible graphics the game is a lot of fun and a much better game than the first one IMO. I have lots of fun when facing Satan Claws

[TrevHead (TVR)]

considering the big news this thread is suprisingly quiet. Probably because its the DS2 thread and no one bothers looking in here

[Zeron]

considering the big news this thread is suprisingly quiet. Probably because its the DS2 thread and no one bothers looking in here

Yeah perhaps a split will give it more attention

[Jeneki]

Oddly enough, I was waiting for a Best Hits version to come out so I could pick this up cheaper. A NA release will work just as well.

... Unless they wonk around with the slowdown or other such "improvements".

[rockaroller]

Oddly enough, I was waiting for a Best Hits version to come out so I could pick this up cheaper. A NA release will work just as well.

... Unless they wonk around with the slowdown or other such "improvements".

Here's hoping that they don't modify anything, only translate the texts from japanese.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

So what format do you guys think this release is gonna be in? Boxed or XBLA / Games on Demand?

I personally expected it to be boxed given Cave have done the same in Japan and that the fans would be royally dispointed if it was download only. Now a bit of time has past, im becoming more and more worried / convinced that itll be download, which kinda sucks for me as I always expected RSG to bring DS2, DFK & AK to PAL as boxed which probably wont happen if Cave release on DD