Nurarihyon no Mago: Hyakki Ryouran Taisen (PS3, XBox 360)

[stryc9]

Fighting game from Arc System Works and published by Konami It looks pretty damn sick if you ask me - some of the backgrounds look amazing, there's multiple tiers to the stages (think Smash) but moves and combos look more serious than that one. Theres not a lot of info on this yet, just a few videos, but I've dived in anyway and will post impressions.

Anyone else been looking into this?

[stryc9]

No one else get this? I received my copy today and it seems very impressive, like a version of Jump Ultimate Stars but with awesome graphics and some fluid animations to be seen. Incredible stages!
I have not found how to win new cards (which seem to be assists or something) or how to equip any etc.
The games in Japanese, obviously, and so are all the menus and options - all of them, so I'm not surprised I'm sketchy on this
I think you can win cards off opponents in online Vs, but there must be some way to do it in offline mode too, since the cards themselves seem to be a pretty integral part of the games structure

[Rebel Ninja]

What's the netcode like for the online mode? Is it as smooth as Blazblue: Calamity Trigger?

[Estebang]

For clarifcation, it's based on an anime series.

[stryc9]

What's the netcode like for the online mode? Is it as smooth as Blazblue: Calamity Trigger?

I Haven't even tried online yet, just trying to get a feel for the actual combat and I have yet to work out how to equip those damn slots. I played a bit of something that came off like a story mode, and seemed to uncover what looked to be assist cards when I beat my opponent, but so far no dice. I'll get back to you on that one, but I'm expecting good things (BB netplay is indeed excellent, regardless of region)

As Estebang mentioned, yes it's based on the anime and seems to play like Jump Ultimate Stars on steroids, so if I can get this card thing sorted, this will be dope.

I got my NTSCJ UMvC3 in the same delivery so obviously that's eating into my time as well.
I hate having to go to bed in time to get up for bloody work, but it's the only way I can afford these games

[Estebang]

I'm much more interested in how Persona 4 Ultimate turns out.

[stryc9]

I'm much more interested in how Persona 4 Ultimate turns out.

Same here, but the fact another ArcSys fighter just crept up with practically no introduction is good in itself, wouldn't you say? The production values, particularly in regards to visual design, are on par with BB, at least.

Anyway, I figured out why I could'nt equip assists. I was using an arcade stick, and due to the nature of the assist system (you can equip up to 8 assists all mapped to the right analog stick in a circle and activate multiple character by sweeping thru all the points on the stick), you gotta use a Duel Shock. Movement is controlled with the digital, don't worry. Everyones got regular moves, specials and supers as you would expect in a game like this, but one thing that sets it apart is the Influence Gauge.

Although you can have up to 4 player simultaneous, you don't have 4 gauges, just this Influence Gauge, the mechanics of which are a bit of a mystery to me so far. Hitting your opponent doesn't seem to directly affect it, at least not straight away. There's gems you gotta hit around the stages as well.

A word of warning - This game is not the most accessible fighter on import owing to the convoluted nature of the missions and the fact everything is in Japanese. You can win cards on line by beating others though, I had a card stolen from me by a Japanese gentlemen last night

Also, the netplay is great, seems to be on par with BB at least.

[Skykid]

Same here, but the fact another ArcSys fighter just crept up with practically no introduction is good in itself, wouldn't you say?

Only if you like ArcSys fighters/games. Otherwise no.

I watched a YT vid of this and it just looks like the same old hyper frenetic can't-see-what-the-hell-is-going-on stick waggling mechanics. I don't find that particularly appealing.

I'm way more interested in Yatagarasu, the Tomoyuki Kotani designed doujin fighter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQvXmVZDfdw

[BulletMagnet]

I'm way more interested in Yatagarasu, the Tomoyuki Kotani designed doujin fighter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQvXmVZDfdw

Looks like we've found out what the robot-woman background announcer from DoDonPachi has been doing lately.

[Skykid]

I'm way more interested in Yatagarasu, the Tomoyuki Kotani designed doujin fighter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQvXmVZDfdw

Looks like we've found out what the robot-woman background announcer from DoDonPachi has been doing lately.

Lol, yeah.

I've been watching this game forever know (it's been in development for ages.) I was initially seduced by Tomoyuki's solid character designs and then some of the sweet combo videos that started emerging on the demo release.

Sorry for the thread derail btw, but Doujin fighters > Arcsys

[stryc9]

Sorry for the thread derail btw, but Doujin fighters > Arcsys

As good as some of these Doujin fighters are, there's little chance they're as good as Arcsys, sorry Skykid.
You mention 'Hyper frenetic can't-see-what-is going-on stick waggling', but like anything, this only applies if you don't know how to play them. GG and BB are not button mashers and you can clearly see what's going on at all times. You need skill and execution to pull off long chains, 'stick waggling' will get you KO'd.

Of course, this is all personal opinions

Played the game for about 6 hours last night, locally with a mate and numerous online challenges, this is the best 'party' fighter I've played, structured similar to Jump Ultimate Stars, but with more depth as you have to hit 'Shima' (gems) around the stages as well as hit your opponents to influence the outcome of the fight. Your main fighter can be K.O'd multiple times, and respawn to rejoin the fight. Due to the nature of the assists (there are 100 of them apparently) the combo potential/options in this game is vast.
Very fun, and I had some sick challenges last night from Japan, netcode is robust with no lag, some of the shit people are dong online is incredible - I held my own for a while there, actually winning a few matches that started off badly for me - but then somehow pleasing the Influence Gauge enough to turn the battle around in my favour.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say there's nothing quite like this.
Congrats on your DOJBL 1CC by the way

[mesh control]

Skykid You have't played GG, have you? >_>

GG's gameplay is so tight. There is a couple of characters you can get away mashing some stuff out (pot buster + pilebunkers).

Arcsy needs to bring GG back.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

Sorry for the thread derail btw, but Doujin fighters > Arcsys

You do realize that most doujin fighters are influenced by Arcsys, right? The only reason Melty Blood is popular is for ripping the mechanics and slapping 'em on those Moon-speaking Twilight characters.

[stryc9]

Sorry for the thread derail btw, but Doujin fighters > Arcsys

You do realize that most doujin fighters are influenced by Arcsys, right? The only reason Melty Blood is popular is for ripping the mechanics and slapping 'em on those Moon-speaking Twilight characters.

Hasbro could rebrand Melty Blood and sell it in the west as Twilight the Official Fighting Game - gasp as SSFIV's rampant popularity is overshadowed by millions of sales to tweenage fangirls as a new era of fighting dawns

[Estebang]

Speaking of Melty Blood, I'm also very interested in the ongoing development of Under Night: In-Birth, which has been silent for a long time now. They seem to have ditched the absurdly long combos and stupid damage scaling of MB, making it much more along the lines of Guilty Gear. At the moment their only publisher is Ecole, though, so they'll be depending on Arc if there's ever a console port. And there's no way the word salad title would make it through in localization.

[Skykid]

Skykid You have't played GG, have you? >_>

GG's gameplay is so tight. There is a couple of characters you can get away mashing some stuff out (pot buster + pilebunkers).

Arcsy needs to bring GG back.

Yeah I've played GG quite a bit, Blazblue too. Just not my cup of tea. I prefer my fighting games to be clearer and less OTT wild. I didn't click with Capcom's crossover stuff for the same reason.

My fave Arcsys game is Hokuto no Ken. My Fave GG's are on the Wonderswan actually.

And Melty Blood... urgh. No.

[mesh control]

Hahahaa.
That game is so broken, but entertaining as hell to watch.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

It's too bad most FG fans refuse to play older iterations unless it's SF... I would totally recommend GGX to anyone who finds the later GG's too overwhelming as it is the closest Arcsys has ever come to making a traditional fighter. If you ignore the FDC glitches that is...

[mesh control]

so goddamn awesome.

kurosol is my hero.

[stryc9]

Speaking of Melty Blood, I'm also very interested in the ongoing development of Under Night: In-Birth, which has been silent for a long time now. They seem to have ditched the absurdly long combos and stupid damage scaling of MB, making it much more along the lines of Guilty Gear. At the moment

yeah it's looking tasty that's for sure.

their only publisher is Ecole, though, so they'll be depending on Arc if there's ever a console port.

Why? Ecole published the Melty Bloods on PS2 in conjunction with Type Moon didn't they? Not saying that particular partnership wouldn't work well, though.

And there's no way the word salad title would make it through in localization.

A name like Under Night: Inbirth wouldn't even need to be changed for the west in this day and age, surely.

Gonna have to check out the demo for that doujin Skykid mentioned though. Anyone here got opinions on that one? I hadn't even heard of this until he mentioned it

Back OT: I would recommend Nurarihyon no Mago to any Arcsys fan, or those that have played and enjoyed the Jump Superstars games on DS. I struggled at first with the concept, as it's so different to traditional fighters and the language barrier kept me guessing for a few days, but for me at least this has definitely been worth my while. Some of the most OTT chaotic battles ever seen to be had in this title.

[Shelcoof]

I'd love to support this game but I don't want to pick up a game that no one else around me will not play. Good examples Battle Fantasia, Melty Blood, Fate Unlimited Codes, KOF 98/2002um, Gaoru and the list goes on.

I really want to pick up this game due to it being a totally different type of experience. Same with Gundam Vs but it has to be released in North America.

[stryc9]

I'd love to support this game but I don't want to pick up a game that no one else around me will not play. Good examples Battle Fantasia, Melty Blood, Fate Unlimited Codes, KOF 98/2002um, Gaoru and the list goes on.

I really want to pick up this game due to it being a totally different type of experience. Same with Gundam Vs but it has to be released in North America.

I have been getting consistent online challenges with this over the weekend, presumably from Japanese dudes, so there is that. The netcode is next to perfect - I'm in Australia and all my fights have been lagless.
Those games you listed above, got 'em all and well, I got one mate that has been my sparring partner on fighters since Fatal Fury and SFII, so he plays all those with me. If he wasn't around then not sure what my options would be, as the rest of my mates are casualfags

Not sure about the chances of Nurarihon no Mago making it to the west as there would be a shitload of text to translate, and as it stands, you need a bit of a grasp on the Japanese language, or a lot of patience to work out the mission mode etc.

PS Gundam Vs is looking pretty good.

[Shelcoof]

stryc9

Arc sure knows how to implement amazing netcode. When I got Arcana Heart 3 imported, I played Japanese players like they were in the same room. The netcode was amazing and still is.

Like you said earlier about the translation and text, I don't want to go through another Jump! Ultimate Stars all over again. It was just too time consuming. Not only that but there are tons of great games here I need to put time into first before importing more games.

KOF XIII just got released and I'm loving that right now, not to mention my MW3 addiction I have going too

[stryc9]

Yeah, it's in the same realm as Jump, if not more, when it comes to linguistic type headaches.
My KOF XIII is on it's way though so no doubt my attentions will shift over to that very soon. right now it's this and Ultimate MvC3