A question for fellow Compile shmup fans...

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:55 pm

How does PCE Duo Spriggan (the first one) compare to Robo Aleste and MUSHA, as a Compile mech shmup?

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:24 am

It's been a while since I've played Spriggan, but I guess I'd say the main difference is the weapon system which is quite complex. You can combine up to three different weapon orbs for different effects, and even fire off the orbs as bombs sort of like in Soldier Blade, whereas in the two Megadrive Alestes you mostly pick up one weapon and try to power it up as high as it will go.
Generally I found the graphics and music (obviously) a bit spiffier than in Musha. Also, one thing I don't like about Musha is the big status bar on the top of the screen, I think it makes the game feel somewhat cramped, whereas the score etc. is superimposed in Spriggan.
Anyway, if you're a Compile fan there's no reason for you not to like Spriggan.

Nemo · Post by **Nemo** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:36 am

It's the best of the 3. So if you like Robo Aleste and MUSHA, you'll like it as the gameplay and style are almost identical. As Seven mentioned, the biggest difference between it and the other two is the power-up system and bombs.

Bydobasher · Post by **Bydobasher** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:52 am

(Just to make sure we have the full spectrum of opinions covered....

)

It's the worst of the three. It just doesn't involve me, unlike Robo Aleste, and especially unlike MUSHA, which is one of my favourites. However, if you like Robo and MUSHA, there's certainly no reason not to try Spriggan as well.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:53 am

Excellent, thanks for the input guys!

I suppose one of these days I should get an MSX 2, as those are about the closest you can get, AFIK, to an "all-Compile" gaming machine.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:31 am

dave4shmups wrote:I suppose one of these days I should get an MSX 2, as those are about the closest you can get, AFAIK, to an "all-Compile" gaming machine.

That's what I've been trying to do for a while, but it's easier said than done. MSX2s are actually pretty rare and pricey. Not like the crappy first gen Sony MSXs that run like $15 a pop here.
And then finding the three Aleste games is another story alltogether. Especially Aleste Gaiden, as it was never officially released other than as a pack-in for a Japanese MSX magazine. And it's really only supposed to be 1/2 of a game anyway.

I dunno, I think PC-Engine is the ultimate Compile machine. You got Gunhed, Spriggan 1&2 and Sylphia and they all rock. With MSX it really only is Aleste 2 that you can't find on any other system (not counting Gaiden) and that would be seriously worth owning.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:44 am

Thoroughly mediocre in comparison. Easy and boring, next to no highlights. Can't remember anything but a few repeating background graphics, which are also mediocre.

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:36 am

Rob wrote:Thoroughly mediocre in comparison. Easy and boring, next to no highlights. Can't remember anything but a few repeating background graphics, which are also mediocre.

Isn't this your opinion on pretty much every Compile game in existence?

Seven Force wrote:With MSX it really only is Aleste 2 that you can't find on any other system (not counting Gaiden) and that would be seriously worth owning.

If you're only interested in Compile, yes. But there are tons of other excellent MSX exclusives to hunt down. Space Manbow alone would be worth getting an MSX2 for. In fact, I'm currently looking for one, but as you mentioned, they are rare and pricey.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:08 pm

No, I like MUSHA, parts of Robo Aleste are outstanding. Space Megaforce, Gunhed, and Zanac are all pretty cool. Spriggan is pretty much the blandest Compile game I've played. Well, before Zanac Neo.

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:18 pm

Rob wrote:No, I like MUSHA, parts of Robo Aleste are outstanding. Space Megaforce, Gunhed, and Zanac are all pretty cool. Spriggan is pretty much the blandest Compile game I've played. Well, before Zanac Neo.

Oh, I see. For some reason I always thought you just hated Compile's style of games period. Must have confused you with someone else. Sorry for that.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:25 pm

Well, I'm in quite a dilemna right now. I DEFINATELY want to get a PCE Duo, and Japangamestock.com has them for $175 shipped, and that's complete with all the original cords and a controller. I asked them about the quality of their Duo's, and here's what they had to say:

"Hello sir
We have 100 oif them in stock sir, we are professionnal second hand
videogames wholesaler here

We only sale quality items to the export site www.japangamestock.com we
choose test and clean the machine that we sale overseas, be assured that
we are serious and handle any problem if it happens, we know second
hands machine can sometimes become faulty, if there is problem, there is
always a solution at JGS

We recommend you if you want to purchase such systems is to purchase the
original AC adapter and video cable + controller, we test and check the
system and ship it to you carefully afterwards, because sometimes some
customers want to purchase a system and use their own Ac adapter and
they burn down the system and ask for refund, so we recommend you to
purchase a full system with Ac + video cable so we check and make sure
to send you a working and good shape, cleaned machine

Please try our service, you can try buying some games first if you want
and check the quality of the items

Thank you for your interest in our web store
Please visit again
www.japangamestock.com"

Now, Kiken has one from these guys, and the sound has problems sometimes, and there are freezing issues. I know Duo's are finicky. $175 is a great deal, but it's still an expensive gamble for what I'm currently earning at my job.

Perhaps I should save up for a new or mint PCE Duo on Ebay, like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Turbo-PCE-Duo-R-SYS ... dZViewItem

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:02 pm

Well, it's a tough decision. Buying used PCE CD hardware is always a bit of a gamble. You have to keep in mind that these systems can be almost 15 years old and were essentially the first CD-Rom drives for home use. Some problems with the laser readers in the first line of Duos (the black ones) are often reported, generally making the Duo-R and Duo-RX more popular nowadays, but I also know many, many people who's black Duo works as good as new. It's just a risk you have to be willing to take.

However, there are ways to minimize your risk. Personally, I would only order PC-Engine hardware from professional and well-established sellers. For example people on Ebay like yamatoku or hit-japan. I haven't ordered from Japangamestock myself, but know others who have and they seem very reliable, too. With these sellers, if there really is some problem you can probably work it out, whereas if you just buy a Duo from Joe Shmoe in Arkansas (nothing against Arkansas) you're probably left to your own devices if it turns out it's busted.

Buying a brand new system is obviously also a way to minimize risk, but remember that it's no guarantee that they won't maybe have any problems either. It's also a lot more expensive, so it's a cost-benefit relation that you have to work out for yourself.
The Duo-R in the Ebay link, BTW, is not in mint condition and overpriced IMO. "Mint" should really mean "like new", so I expect the system and the other items to still be in the plastic bags, etc. The absolute maximum price for a real mint system should be $300 IMO.

So anyway, I guess what I'm saying is, if you order from Japangamestock the system will probably be okay. Whether you want to get a new system however, is something you have to work out on your own.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 3:31 am

Ok, well thanks for the advice man!

Yeah, Japangamestock.com seemed to indicate that problems mainly occur with their Duo's when people use their own cords and controllers with them. I don't have any, so obviously that wouldn't be a problem for me.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 3:34 am

Seven Force wrote:
dave4shmups wrote:I suppose one of these days I should get an MSX 2, as those are about the closest you can get, AFAIK, to an "all-Compile" gaming machine.
That's what I've been trying to do for a while, but it's easier said than done. MSX2s are actually pretty rare and pricey. Not like the crappy first gen Sony MSXs that run like $15 a pop here.
And then finding the three Aleste games is another story alltogether. Especially Aleste Gaiden, as it was never officially released other than as a pack-in for a Japanese MSX magazine. And it's really only supposed to be 1/2 of a game anyway.

I dunno, I think PC-Engine is the ultimate Compile machine. You got Gunhed, Spriggan 1&2 and Sylphia and they all rock. With MSX it really only is Aleste 2 that you can't find on any other system (not counting Gaiden) and that would be seriously worth owning.

Well the MSX does also have Gulkave-that came out as a card game on the Sega SG-1000, so it would work on a Master System or Power Base Converter, but compared to SG-1000 cartridge games, it's impossible to find.

I hear 'ya on the MSX2; they are hard, and VERY expensive to find. But thanks for mentioning Sylphia; didn't know that was Compile. BTW, Compile did PCE Xevious, and it rocks!

tehkao · Post by **tehkao** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:32 am

Spriggan? It's better than Robo Aleste IMHO but nowhere as good as MUSHA, which is one of the best shmups of ALL TIME.

And whoever said that Spriggan has better music than MUSHA...I dunno...despite the CD audio, Spriggan kinda has elevator music....it's nice but doesn't grab you like MUSHA does

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 3:08 am

tehkao wrote:Spriggan? It's better than Robo Aleste IMHO but nowhere as good as MUSHA, which is one of the best shmups of ALL TIME.

And whoever said that Spriggan has better music than MUSHA...I dunno...despite the CD audio, Spriggan kinda has elevator music....it's nice but doesn't grab you like MUSHA does

Well, I do have very short video of Spriggan, which I have no idea how to put up a link to, but the music sounds pretty good, IMO-more elevator then MUSHA, but not as bad as Daisenpu Custom!

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 4:18 am

Herr Schatten wrote:
Rob wrote:No, I like MUSHA, parts of Robo Aleste are outstanding. Space Megaforce, Gunhed, and Zanac are all pretty cool. Spriggan is pretty much the blandest Compile game I've played. Well, before Zanac Neo.
Oh, I see. For some reason I always thought you just hated Compile's style of games period. Must have confused you with someone else. Sorry for that.

If he doesn't now he at least used to think they were "extremely overratted" as I recall in a thread about Compile games he posted in on the last forum.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 4:52 am

No one talks about them anymore, so they're easier to like.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 5:03 am

Rob wrote:No one talks about them anymore, so they're easier to like.

Unpopular = good huh?

Nemo · Post by **Nemo** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 5:55 am

Music of MUSHA + Story and Cinemas of Robo-Aleste + The design and style of Spriggan = The ultimate Compile shooter and Aleste game.

DC906270 · Post by **DC906270** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 3:41 pm

Is Sylphia a Compile game? It is published by Tonkin House (who also published Gunhed) It looks, feels and plays a lot like Spriggan. But no where does "Compile" appear - not on title screen, not at end and not on back of box or CD etc. Can anyone confirm this?

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:14 pm

DC906270 wrote:Is Sylphia a Compile game? It is published by Tonkin House (who also published Gunhed) It looks, feels and plays a lot like Spriggan. But no where does "Compile" appear - not on title screen, not at end and not on back of box or CD etc. Can anyone confirm this?

I think it first became widely known that Sylphia is a Compile game, when it was listed in Compile's own shooter gameography on the Zanac X Zanac official website.

Also, Gunhed was published by Hudson (at least in Japan, dunno about USA).

Koa Zo · Post by **Koa Zo** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:21 pm

DC906270 wrote:Is Sylphia a Compile game? It is published by Tonkin House (who also published Gunhed) It looks, feels and plays a lot like Spriggan. But no where does "Compile" appear - not on title screen, not at end and not on back of box or CD etc. Can anyone confirm this?

I'd read recently (sorry I can't remember where) that the SFX person is the only confirmed Compile member.

...
http://www.classicgaming.com/shmups/xen ... inecd.html

Post by **Shatterhand** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:47 pm

There are lots of Compile games out there that doesn't show "Compile" in the title, so finding out what games they made is not that simple sometimes.

It has been said that they were responsible for the SMS version of R-Type (Sega), the MSX version of Thexder(Game Arts), Gulkave(Sega), Pnickles(Capcom), and that in many of those games you would only find info about them if you hex edit the code.

And the MSX is worth for Aleste 2 and Space Manbow alone. But like Herr Schatten said, the system is full of amazing games. But everyone knows how much I love the MSX

Tychom · Post by **Tychom** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:55 pm

Personal opinion: I prefer Spriggan to both Musha & Dennin Aleste.. I think it has a better weapon system, it's more colourful, overall better graphics & better enemy design IMO. Generally find it more fun, but then I find Musha to be eternally bland.

ROBOTRON · Post by **ROBOTRON** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:03 pm

I am a huge Compile fan, but I don't have this. I wish I could get my hands on it for a decent price.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:45 pm

ROBOTRON wrote:I am a huge Compile fan, but I don't have this. I wish I could get my hands on it for a decent price.

With a little patience you should be able to pick one up for about $50-$60. PCE prices have luckily bottomed out during the last year and a half.

Zeether · Post by **Zeether** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:54 pm

Compile did the MSX2 Xevious, not the PCE version.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:57 pm

ZeetherKID77 wrote:Compile did the MSX2 Xevious, not the PCE version.

Did both.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Tue May 27, 2008 7:59 pm

Spriggan had team members from Mahou Daisakusen.

Shou sold me a copy...if it turns out I don't like it, I'll sell it to somebody.