Varying levels in Super Star Soldier?

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 9:18 am

The first time I played this game, and reached level 8, my final boss (I think) was a giant brain, who later appears in Final Soldier. However, tonight, upon reaching level 7, I found a much different layout, with no end boss. Level 8 consisted of a boss rush mode, then a battle against a giant space ship that looks like yours. What the hell? Is there some requirement for these secret levels? Or am I just going insane.

Final score:
3,390,100

it290 · Post by **it290** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 3:27 pm

Hmm, not sure. I don't think I've ever gotten anything but the boss rush. Maybe it depends on your score/continues?

DC906270 · Post by **DC906270** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 4:43 pm

I actually got a shock when playing this game, it is actually rock hard compared to the other "Soldier" games

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 1:20 am

This thread encouraged me to play through this game again.
I've 1CC SSS before, and just today I did it again.
Of all the times I've ever played, I've always reached a "boss rush" mode, and then the final large ship; that upon destruction, releases a "mother brain".

The "Brain" is the final challenger...staff roll, credits, etc.

PS: I was even able to get to the "boss rush" mode with my first life, so there were no "continue variables" of any kind that I know of...unless there is a certain score requirement you have to have.
I really don't know what to say. I never thought there were "alternate paths" to begin with.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 1:43 am

TWITCHDOCTOR wrote:This thread encouraged me to play through this game again.
I've 1CC SSS before, and just today I did it again.
Of all the times I've ever played, I've always reached a "boss rush" mode, and then the final large ship; that upon destruction, releases a "mother brain".

The "Brain" is the final challenger...staff roll, credits, etc.

PS: I was even able to get to the "boss rush" mode with my first life, so there were no "continue variables" of any kind that I know of...unless there is a certain score requirement you have to have.
I really don't know what to say. I never thought there were "alternate paths" to begin with.

Aye, it's odd. Both times were with only one credit, and unfortunately I don't write down scores from runs that aren't complete. Maybe I'm hallucinating.....god knows there are dozens of other TG-16 shmups I could be mistaking SSS for. I'll check.....though I've completed most of 'em.

*shrug*

EDIT: Wait...did either Final Soldier or Soldier Blade feature a brain boss? I think Final Soldier had you being chased out of the final complex by a small brain, before the final boss. I remember the bastard was friggin huge, and would bounce around the screen trying to crush you. Am I mistaken and am thinking of another game? Odd, because I don't remember ever beating this boss, but have 1cc'd Soldier Blade and Final Soldier.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 1:58 am

Nevermind. I'm an idiot. I had placed the second-to-final boss of Final Soldier into Super Star Soldier, and had placed the brain-chaising sequence from Soldier Blade into Final Soldier. I only _thought_ I remembered playing SSS that day. *head explodes*

It makes sense now. I rued the day I first played Final Soldier because Napoleon Dynamite was playing in the background, and I didn't remember that I could change speeds. Turnes out that I did beat the boss on the next attempt.

Can you blame me though? Seriously, these games are so much alike that it's hard to keep them straight.

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 2:23 am

Yes, I often get them confused as well. Which is exactly why I wanted to play through SSS once again.
Personally, I consider Soldier Blade to be the toughest one out of the 3.
(Soldier Blade,Super Star Soldier,Final Soldier)

In fact, its been a LONG while since I've 1CC Soldier Blade...I'll give it a shot again tonight!

I guess my shmupping "vacation" is now officially over.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 4:09 am

TWITCHDOCTOR wrote:Yes, I often get them confused as well. Which is exactly why I wanted to play through SSS once again.
Personally, I consider Soldier Blade to be the toughest one out of the 3.
(Soldier Blade,Super Star Soldier,Final Soldier)

In fact, its been a LONG while since I've 1CC Soldier Blade...I'll give it a shot again tonight!

I guess my shmupping "vacation" is now officially over.

Funny...Soldier Blade was the first one I tackled. I really did like the "bomb" system in that one. I think I'll concentrate on SSS and Blazing Lazers, then start my "vacation".

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 7:02 am

'ey Twitch, any pointers for the last boss? The first form (of course) is cake, and even the second form, but when the bastid whips out the blue homing lightning, my ass is fried. I thought I found a safe spot right in front of the brain, and was safe for a few volleys, but got fried about the third go-round. Unfortunately, the game takes you back to the beginning of the level after three quick deaths, so I was basically screwed.

ccovell · Post by **ccovell** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 10:33 am

SSS has the same system as the others: You restart where you died as long as your ship icon is yellow (IIRC). Once this "restart indicator" goes back to normal, you start from the beginning. You can increase the number of restarts by picking up the flashing bomb power-up. So, your restarts are not necessarily limited to 3.

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 11:03 am

ccovell wrote:SSS has the same system as the others: You restart where you died as long as your ship icon is yellow (IIRC). Once this "restart indicator" goes back to normal, you start from the beginning. You can increase the number of restarts by picking up the flashing bomb power-up. So, your restarts are not necessarily limited to 3.

YES, and I discovered this about 20 years ago with Blazing Lazers.

Those powerups that you can "stop" from changing by shooting em?
Blast the crap out of em/grab em when they flash...these are "instant respawns"!!!

Collect em all!

BTW: I don't think that the "Blue Lightning" can hurt you...not unless I've been lucky to have not been killed by it yet.