Mushihimesama (Bug Princess) next up for iOS

[Skykid]

There's enough misconceptions about Japanese video game fans being shut-ins who marry their 2D girlfriends without adding piss drinking to the mix.

They're not misconceptions.
They also give up their whitey names and insist on being called by a newly adopted Japanese dub, and dress up as gorgeous cute characters so they don't feel fat, sweaty and undesirable.

Now is it 'James' Taishu, or 'John', and is the surname due to a descendancy of a soldier of the Tokugawa Shogunate?

[Zorator]

I was just thinking the other day that it would be cool if Cave released Mushi 1.5 on iOS/Android. But since they aren't likely to give us both games in one that probably won't happen now. Maybe if portable Mushi does well 1.5 will get a proper console port. Maybe it's just wishful thinking but some kind of 1.5 port seems likely to me(when they sell off all their PCB's) because as I understand it Mushi 1.5 has quite a bit more changes to the base game than most previous Cave LE's.

Anyway, no care about the new name, they have multiple good reasons for this. Most likely will be getting this port.

[EPS21]

This is cool, wish they'd make a proper port for the 360 though. Would make a good xbla game since its an older title imo

[gameoverDude]

Yeah, Mushihimesama on iOS, i'm gonna buy this.

I sort of want to see if they are gonna put Futari on iOS too

And Ibara... Or any of the other SH3 games for that matter.

I second Ibara. Then a port of Kuro Black Label could be sold as a DLC expansion
and I'd buy it also.

[Jockel]

Yeah, Mushihimesama on iOS, i'm gonna buy this.

I sort of want to see if they are gonna put Futari on iOS too

And Ibara... Or any of the other SH3 games for that matter.

I second Ibara. Then a port of Kuro Black Label could be sold as a DLC expansion
and I'd buy it also.

Ibara Black Label on iOS makes no sense whatsoever. The interface would be cluttered with on-screen buttons and you have to change between shooting styles and weapons really quickly. I can't see that working on a touchscreen.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

This is cool, wish they'd make a proper port for the 360 though. Would make a good xbla game since its an older title imo

Seeing a iphone port of Mushi does make me hopeful that we will see a 360 version. Maybe they are working on the iphone version first to give a bit of extra time between the PCB and 360 releases

[Demetori]

I apologize - that was uncalled for.. Bad day at the office. I'm home now, and its Friday, and I'm regretting what I said...

RANCOR BLOWING UP. Screenshot this to keep for life.

[pentarou]

New video (English)

- Mushi iOS on 12/15 for 450円 - universal app, includes iPad
- International pricing not specified
- Oh god name is still Bug Princess
- Oh god that logo
- Bit at the end seems to have silhouettes of Reco and Palm -- Futari coming soon?
- Deathsmiles iOS soundtrack limited sale from 12/23 to 12/25 - see also: Cave Shop (lol Hibachi jacket)

[DrTrouserPlank]

Surely there has got to be a 360 port of this coming eventually?

[joeboto]

full port from arcade version.
screen mashing anyone?

[matrigs]

New video (English)

- Mushi iOS on 12/15 for 450円 - universal app, includes iPad
- International pricing not specified
- Oh god name is still Bug Princess
- Oh god that logo
- Bit at the end seems to have silhouettes of Reco and Palm -- Futari coming soon?
- Deathsmiles iOS soundtrack limited sale from 12/23 to 12/25 - see also: Cave Shop (lol Hibachi jacket)

oh gad i haven't seen that ddp dfk figure before!

HNG. ordered.

[chempop]

Pretty happy about this, I think it's what I voted for way back when they had that poll asking what iOs games we wanted most.

But what about smartphone mode, would be kinda a shaft if it didnt have one IMO.

[MR_Soren]

Pretty happy about this, I think it's what I voted for way back when they had that poll asking what iOs games we wanted most.

But what about smartphone mode, would be kinda a shaft if it didnt have one IMO.

Indeed. Day one purchase, yadda yadda, but arcade mode only is a bit of a letdown compared to their other titles. Hope this ultimately leads to a 360 port as well. One that plays in the US.


The fact that a silhouette of Palm flashes on the end of the video suggests the sequel is also coming?

[chempop]

At least they made it a universal app for phone/pad, unlike espg2 which has 30 different apps to confuse buyers.

Still though, seems really dumb of them to only have arcade mode seeing as how they put so much effort into Deathsmiles iOS mode. It's a big step backwards no? Oh well, for $5-10 I can't complain too much.

[edit] LOL @ hibachi jacket!

[Demetori]

Full arcade port?.... So an identical version on normal mode to the arcade versions original mode?
At least it's one of Caves easier shmups. I was sitting down wondering if they would do an 1:1 version yesterday while playing Espgaluda.

[BrianC]

arcade mode only is a bit of a letdown compared to their other titles

The video that pentarou posted a few posts ago suggests that it has more than previous ports, minus the iPhone mode. I saw practice mode, four difficulty settings, score attack, and the option of Manic and Ultra modes, as well as Original mode. Previous ports lacked Ultra and Manic modes and had the normal difficulty as "hard". The in game footage also had the text in English, so it definitely looks like it's from the iPhone/iPod touch/iPad version.

At least they made it a universal app for phone/pad, unlike espg2 which has 30 different apps to confuse buyers.

I doubt it was done to confuse buyers. It was a single app at first. The new apps give people the option of buying just the arcade mode or just the iphone mode, if they don't want to play both. The iPad app probably isn't universal becuase it's iPad 2 exclusive. Not sure why they made the iPad version iPad 2 only, but it looks like Mushihimesama/Bug Princess will work with iPad 1, at least.

[Demetori]

I'm assuming that's a toggle, the 'Close' button in the trailer. I'll fire up the arcade version of Mushihimesama at the same time I play this to see if it's 1:1. I'm really hoping it is, slow-down included.. Or at least as close as the 360 versions of Cave games get.

I find the touch interface extremely easy compared to an arcade stick so this is what I've been looking forward to ever since ESPGALUDA II and DDPR was released for iOS.

EDIT:

Oh I guess it's a possibility they're releasing the other versions of Mushihimesama on iOS in future or maybe as DLC.
I also thought the flashes at the end were for Akai Katana?

[EPS21]

Oh I guess it's a possibility they're releasing the other versions of Mushihimesama on iOS in future or maybe as DLC.
I also thought the flashes at the end were for Akai Katana?

Those looked like the silhouettes of Reco and Palm, so I think they're hinting at releasing futari in the future on iOS, seems like a logical progression after everyone's enjoyed the first game (again).

Also, if this is a straight port and the scoring is the same in maniac/ultra, is anyone else extremely bothered by how impossible it will be to score in those modes on this thing? Unless they add extra on-screen buttons that have a myriad of adjustable auto-fire options like the PS2 port, their current scheme of toggling shot on/off isn't going to work at all, or at the best very annoying imo.

I think it'd be a shame for no one to be able to play for score in this port, because its really fun, even if it is a bit carpal-tunnel inducing. Then again being able to move from point A to point B nearly instantly in these iPhone ports would change things quite a bit :V

[Demetori]

Oh I guess it's a possibility they're releasing the other versions of Mushihimesama on iOS in future or maybe as DLC.
I also thought the flashes at the end were for Akai Katana?

Those looked like the silhouettes of Reco and Palm, so I think they're hinting at releasing futari in the future on iOS, seems like a logical progression after everyone's enjoyed the first game (again).

Also, if this is a straight port and the scoring is the same in maniac/ultra, is anyone else extremely bothered by how impossible it will be to score in those modes on this thing? Unless they add extra on-screen buttons that have a myriad of adjustable auto-fire options like the PS2 port, their current scheme of toggling shot on/off isn't going to work at all, or at the best very annoying imo.

I think it'd be a shame for no one to be able to play for score in this port, because its really fun, even if it is a bit carpal-tunnel inducing. Then again being able to move from point A to point B nearly instantly in these iPhone ports would change things quite a bit :V

Your last point is what I'm wondering, since it is incredibly easy to do that.. We'll see though.

[Frederik]

I´m really excited for this, somehow I didn´t end up playing the other iOS titles as much as I thought - I´ve never got used to the scoring in all these titles and just playing for survival didn´t feel quite right. I´ve always ignored the scoring in Mushihimesama and just played for survival, it´s one of these Cave games that work really well that way - it´s an incredibly fun game to just dodge stuff.

And I really don´t mind the missing smartphone mode. After the initial novelty wore off I always ended up sticking to the regular arcade modes in all three games (EspII was interesting at first but got slow and boring quickly; DDP:R was just weird and didn´t have an interesting flow and Deathsmiles iPhone mode was a weird mix of grinding and in-app-purchases.) If this means they will save the time to cook up a half-hearted arrange modes and instead spend more time porting I´m all for it.

Though, well, yeah, I guess the regular scoring system won´t really work well on a touchscreen Seems though that they only have two buttons on screen (Bomb and "open"/"close"), maybe they modified the scoring a bit? "Full porting from arcade" doesn´t necessarily mean a 1:1 mechanics conversion, but is probably just a slogan to say that this isn´t downscaled in terms of graphics.

Still playing these on an iPod Touch which gets tiring very quickly, but I´m planning to maybe buy the next version of the iPad anyways and I´ve heard these ports play much better on there.Muchi Pork would be an awesome port as well, since the scoring mechanic doesn´t involve anything complicated and it has big bright bullets, but somehow I doubt this will happen...

After watching the video again: So they have 4 difficulty settings for "two courses"? Maybe Orginal and Maniac while Ultra has just the Ultra difficulty? A bit overkill, but oh well. Score attack for single stages sounds awesome, though - scoring in a full run is a bit of a hassle on a portable device, I enjoy short score attack runs a lot more

[emphatic]

I'd love to see them implement a two-finger scheme for the controls. Control with one finger = C shot full auto, Control with two fingers = A shot focused movement. I think this would click with all CAVE's arcade fans.

[Frederik]

I'd love to see them implement a two-finger scheme for the controls. Control with one finger = C shot full auto, Control with two fingers = A shot focused movement. I think this would click with all CAVE's arcade fans.

You just blew my mind.

As long as the game can clearly distinct between the movement finger and the "button-tap" finger, that should work like a charm (like a two-button mouse, basically). Judging from how well multitouch works that shouldn´t be too hard. Definitely a huge step up from that virtual button stuff we have now. Who knows, maybe even a three finger tap for even more possibilities (on the iPad, at least).

[ZacharyB]

I'd love to see them implement a two-finger scheme for the controls. Control with one finger = C shot full auto, Control with two fingers = A shot focused movement. I think this would click with all CAVE's arcade fans.

I would love to see it done this way, if it's possible. I shied away from the arcade version of smartphone Espgaluda II because scoring is so button-intense.

The only downside is that two fingers obstruct more of the screen than just one finger... a crucial element in keeping an eye on everything.

A little off-topic, but I'm curious... if you're left-handed, you've been moving characters with game pads with your dominant hand for who-knows-how-long. How's the transition to a touch screen? Maybe lefties have a leg up on righties in that regard!

[xris]

^ I'm right handed, but mainly use my phone left handed for some reason. Many years ago when playing Pacman with my right hand, I realized that all of my experiance controlling games was with my left, so I switched to my left from then on. So in a game like this I would play left handed.
Mixed feelings about this port, not really how I wanted to play this game for the first time. Really would have rather had a console port for sure.

[Thjodbjorn]

I'm left-handed, but I use my right index finger for phone games.

[emphatic]

The only downside is that two fingers obstruct more of the screen than just one finger... a crucial element in keeping an eye on everything.

But as the A button with focused movement is engaged at this point perhaps and with tiny movement, letting go with finger #2 and move to a spot with better view then holding both fingers again could work. It's an adjustment serious players would have to make I guess.

[Demetori]

I use my right index finger, and I lean it left and right when there's lots of bullets on screen to give myself precision. I find it hard to use the buttons on the side of the screen. It's why I died in the iOS Deathsmiles port when I shouldn't have.

But I agree that Mushihimesama for me has always just been about dodging bullets and survival, I have fun that way. Once I tried scoring I noticed the game got a lot easier as I'd memorized the routes.

[BPzeBanshee]

A little off-topic, but I'm curious... if you're left-handed, you've been moving characters with game pads with your dominant hand for who-knows-how-long. How's the transition to a touch screen? Maybe lefties have a leg up on righties in that regard!

I'm left handed and I found it as difficult as any other person playing a touchscreen game for the first time. I think I just use my left thumb most of the time or do something similar - certainly nothing my friends have frowned and looked at weirdly unlike other things I've been spotted doing left-handed (ie drawing).

[Frederik]

On the subject of what works on touchscreens and what doesn`t - I recently downloaded two Sega Genesis games on my iPod Touch.

The first was Gunstar Heroes - absolutely, I mean absolutely unplayable. The three buttons are a pain to deal with and take up almost a third of the screen, while the other thumb on the oversized virtual d-pad covers the enemies coming from the left. Terrible.

The other one was Sonic 2 - and that plays quite nicely, mostly due to the fact that Sonic always stays in the middle of the screen and it only needs one jump button anyway. Aside from the kinda jerky animation it played much like iOS platformers like "MOS Speedrun".

In a similar way, the vertical Cave ports work pretty well since bullets are only coming from above anyways so covering the lower part of the screen isn´t a big deal (I always play on maximum screen size). On Deathsmiles you´re constantly obstructing your own view. The other horizontal shmups I´ve played on iOS (Flying Hamster and R-Type) both suffer from the same problem.

The makers of the OpenPandora made this thing:
http://www.icontrolpad.com/

Support is pretty meager, but that would be such a great way to play these games. I mean, adding such a big thing to an iPhone kinda defeats the whole "pocketable" idea, but it as an option would be very cool. Probably won´t ever be supported in the Cave ports but oh well...

[Demetori]

Games out now!

Cave, I am your slave... Geezus this is a good game, the lack of Arrange mode is WELL made up for Maniac Mode and Ultra Mode, single stage scoring and the ability to make these already difficulty modes harder, plus a neat translation. High quality artwork for all of the app this time, the game itself is like the others, maybe a bit better looking.

It's also only $4.00 USD, $6 NZD, dirt cheap. You can't not get this (unless you don't own a device that can play it)