Darius Burst: Second Prologue (iOS)

[Icarus]

Darius Burst is coming to iOS. This should be interesting.
http://andriasang.com/comzq1/darius_burst_ios/

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

I'm perfectly fine with Darius being on a fucking telephone so long as more ZTT goodness gets spread around. But they need to get to work on porting the AC version real soon since I don't have an iOS and therefore can't throw more of my money at Taito.

[MathU]

Oh Taito, how the mighty have fallen.

[Estebang]

Regardless of the quality of these smartphone ports, it's inarguable that they've completely destroyed the price point for shmups. Hell, even the phone ports are going to have a tough time staying relevant, since TEMPLE RUN is the hottest new sensation among America's iPhone-packing youth and it's goddamn free. Sure, most of us here would gladly pay +$60 for a new 360 Cave port, but we're a tiny minority. We may not see any full retail releases in the genre on the 3DS and Vita, much less the 360/PS3. There's practically no room left for classic-style games on non-smartphone platforms, unless they're injected with tasteless humor and significantly dumbed down for the masses (Super Meat Boy, VVV-whatever, Binding of Isaac). The old masters have finally been thwarted by the talentless charlatans. Even if it's just another arrange mode mashup, it is a seriously bad omen that Cave is releasing a newly branded Dodonpachi exclusively on Windows phones.

I guess the only way out is if they find some way of making shmups freemium, since Temple Run's certainly had success with that. I say that 25 cents should be deducted from your credit card every time you continue.

[bcass]

Couldn't agree less with you about The Binding of Isaac, but it is a sad omen that this still hasn't seen a proper console release, and probably never will now. I think that says more about the state of retail in Japan though, rather than anything specifically 360-related.

[Skykid]

Sweet, more Burst on the go and obligatory amazing soundtrack to boot.

[Gus]

Regardless of the quality of these smartphone ports, it's inarguable that they've completely destroyed the price point for shmups. Hell, even the phone ports are going to have a tough time staying relevant, since TEMPLE RUN is the hottest new sensation among America's iPhone-packing youth and it's goddamn free. Sure, most of us here would gladly pay +$60 for a new 360 Cave port, but we're a tiny minority. We may not see any full retail releases in the genre on the 3DS and Vita, much less the 360/PS3. There's practically no room left for classic-style games on non-smartphone platforms, unless they're injected with tasteless humor and significantly dumbed down for the masses (Super Meat Boy, VVV-whatever, Binding of Isaac). The old masters have finally been thwarted by the talentless charlatans. Even if it's just another arrange mode mashup, it is a seriously bad omen that Cave is releasing a newly branded Dodonpachi exclusively on Windows phones.

Console shmups have been seen as a niche thing long before the iphone ports. The entire reason for the $60+ price tags and limited editions is for the sake of milking as much money out of their small, hardcore fanbase as possible. Besides that given the control and platform differences I really doubt there's a whole lot of people who forked over the cash for one of those LE's and are now thinking "Dang, I should have waited for the iPhone version." Also the Windows phone is almost definitely part of some deal with MS. If they were going the route you claim it would make no business sense at all to make an original game for a phone nobody owns instead of iOS where they already have an established fanbase.

[Necronom]

Regardless of the quality of these smartphone ports, it's inarguable that they've completely destroyed the price point for shmups.

I beg to differ, before the smartphone ports shmups were simply nonexistant on the mainstream market. Not only had the pricepoint you're talking about nothing to do with the mainstream market, I would even say that freeware shmups and smartphone ports brought the genre back to the masses. Even though this might not be the perfect situation for you, it nevertheless is a positive development that will sooner or later result in some kind of bigger production. Look at Sine Mora, I'm sure more will follow if people keep buying and playing them.

We may not see any full retail releases in the genre on the 3DS and Vita, much less the 360/PS3

Pretty sure the Vita version of Akai Katana that was mentioned in one of the interviews will be full retail.

There's practically no room left for classic-style games on non-smartphone platforms

Plenty of "classic style" games on steam and xbla...Jamestown? Satazius? Valhellio? Sine Mora? Even Trials Evolution on the non-shmup side...What exactly are you talking about?!

The old masters have finally been thwarted by the talentless charlatans.

Icycalm...is that you?!

Even if it's just another arrange mode mashup, it is a seriously bad omen that Cave is releasing a newly branded Dodonpachi exclusively on Windows phones.

After they released a new Dodonpachi in Japan and Europe (via Risingstar I know) full retail this might not be such a bad idea after all. Where's your problem with that?

Btw, I still enjoy Binding of Isaac...tasteless? dumbed down?...certainly a lot of fun.

[Klatrymadon]

but it is a sad omen that this still hasn't seen a proper console release, and probably never will now.

Fingers crossed for Another Chronicle! (Shush. I can't hear you!)

I still need to find a cheapo PSP so I can play my original copy, actually. In the meantime, I'll be very interested to hear the new soundtrack. The existing one is brilliant.

[Skykid]

Couldn't agree less with you about The Binding of Isaac, but it is a sad omen that this still hasn't seen a proper console release, and probably never will now.

Never say never. AC on 360 would be incredible, get a move on Taito!

[Klatrymadon]

I wouldn't mind if the new music was just from the Photosynthesis Suite, actually. Listening to this now, and it's fucking superb.

[moonblood]

Pretty sure the Vita version of Akai Katana that was mentioned in one of the interviews will be full retail.

http://www.cave-stg.com/forum/index.php ... 8#msg27968

Nope it's not even in development, sadly

[Despatche]

I can't imagine this thread going anywhere good. Of course, the only thing I care about is whether this will finally convince people to stop writing the title as two words. Guess I'm going to actually do something with my e-mail account in the near future.

[drunkhobo]

There's practically no room left for classic-style games on non-smartphone platforms, unless they're injected with tasteless humor and significantly dumbed down for the masses (Super Meat Boy)

Super meat boy is a casual game, you heard it here first.

[Ed Oscuro]

I pirate all my shmups

[Elixir]

The screen is (still) too small.

[Marc]

Regardless of the quality of these smartphone ports, it's inarguable that they've completely destroyed the price point for shmups. Hell, even the phone ports are going to have a tough time staying relevant, since TEMPLE RUN is the hottest new sensation among America's iPhone-packing youth and it's goddamn free. Sure, most of us here would gladly pay +$60 for a new 360 Cave port, but we're a tiny minority. We may not see any full retail releases in the genre on the 3DS and Vita, much less the 360/PS3. There's practically no room left for classic-style games on non-smartphone platforms, unless they're injected with tasteless humor and significantly dumbed down for the masses (Super Meat Boy, VVV-whatever, Binding of Isaac). The old masters have finally been thwarted by the talentless charlatans. Even if it's just another arrange mode mashup, it is a seriously bad omen that Cave is releasing a newly branded Dodonpachi exclusively on Windows phones.

I guess the only way out is if they find some way of making shmups freemium, since Temple Run's certainly had success with that. I say that 25 cents should be deducted from your credit card every time you continue.

Ah, NOW I remember why Instopped posting here. You know, if I searched hard enough, I could find an equally idiotic post, except with the word 'iOS' subsituted with first PS2, then X360. They sure turned out badly.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

I'll be very interested to hear the new soundtrack. The existing one is brilliant.

Right now I'm struggling to decide whether I like it more than G's or not for 2nd best OST. Hinder Three makes my head spin. Also, where is that Zone J music taken from? I don't think I've heard anything like it in the Syvalion OST, which it's supposedly a remix of.

[GaijinPunch]

Ah, NOW I remember why Instopped posting here. You know, if I searched hard enough, I could find an equally idiotic post, except with the word 'iOS' subsituted with first PS2, then X360. They sure turned out badly.

For the former they did if you were a publisher. You'd have sold not nearly the numbers that you would have on a PS2.

[Marc]

Not bad from the gamer's pespective, but yeah, this gen's been kind of a bummer for devs.

[Klatrymadon]

Also, where is that Zone J music taken from?

The two Syvalion remixes are from the same piece of music, mate - the game's main theme. The Zone J piece just uses the first few notes of it, IIRC. I'd link to a YT vid of the original version, but Taito had most of their music removed a few months ago...

There's a great one on the Another Chronicle soundtrack, too.

[kevenz]

hope the port is going to be better than Rayforce...... and maybe a bit less expensive.

12$ for a "slowdown" Rayforce is kinda ridiculous.

[Frederik]

Not bad from the gamer's pespective, but yeah, this gen's been kind of a bummer for devs.

Yeah. Right now there´s this flood of ports of old games coming to iOS - GTA 3, Soul Calibur, Sega Allstars Racing, Ridge Racer(s), Mega Man X, the list goes on and on and on, and a lot of people seem to think being to be able to play these games for a few bucks on a phone that is always with you is somehow a viable business model. What these people forget is that all of these games have been released as full-price games before coming to iOS, had a proper budget behind them, and now gets thrown these for a couple of additional bucks. There are a handful of games that symbolize the gold rush mentality (Angry Birds, Infinity Blade), but from what I´ve read the vast majority of devs don´t nearly earn enough. It´s basically all about being featured on the app store, otherwise you hopelessly drown in the huge swamp of cheap games.

I´ve spend more money on the app store than I´m willing to admit to myself in the last year, before a sudden fatigue set in, mostly because of that miserable control situation. I´m enjoying even the shitty 3DS port of F1 2011 ten times more than the gorgeous but borderline playable Real Racing 2 on iOS, simply because it has physical controls. I´m sure I would spend many hours on games like MOS Speedrun if it only had proper buttons. It´s just... I can´t get over it.

I can only speak for myself, but I´d rather pay 5-10 bucks for a little arcade game with proper controls than 79ct for something that I control via tapping on glass while covering a third of the screen. Super Crate Box on iOS will be the last time I will deal with virtual buttons, I had buyers remorse seconds after starting the game. Thankfully games like VVVVVV start coming to the 3DS eShop (though this game still isn´t available on the german store ) where they don´t have to suffer the worst control method since the Power Glove. To me it really isn´t so much about the price of games anymore, but more about if the game in question is actually worth my time and attention.

This being said, Mushihimesama is the only iOS game I still play. It´s just plain, stupid fun for a few minutes and without really straining my concentration. But otherwise I´m having a bit of a hangover from all this iOS stuff and I really, really hope this race to the bottom type of business ruins handheld gaming.

[Never_Scurred]

I pirate all my shmups

Don't you find that hard to do with one eye and a wooden kickstand for a leg?

[Despatche]

Super meat boy is a casual game, you heard it here first.

Unfortunately, Estebang is right about this one. Super Meat Boy is pretty much "save stating as a game feature".

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

The two Syvalion remixes are from the same piece of music, mate - the game's main theme.

Mind blown! From the somber tone of it, I was guessing a loose Jaw Fraw arrange. Haha~
Syvalion's music, much like the game itself, is quite overlooked I think. The only flaw I can find with the game is that you don't get always get to hear the full soundtrack during playthroughs.

[RNGmaster]

There's practically no room left for classic-style games on non-smartphone platforms, unless they're injected with tasteless humor and significantly dumbed down for the masses (Super Meat Boy, VVV-whatever, Binding of Isaac).

HERESY!

VVVVVV was amazing and I will smite you with my arrow-keys hand if you dare to disagree. Great music and level design and lots of room for practice via time trials - don't tell me No Death Mode doesn't take significant skill. Yeah, it's a check-point spam game that requires no skill to clear, it isn't as pure as arcade shmups, yadda yadda, get off your high horse and actually play it before you say it's dumbed down.

[Zaarock]

Hope this turns out well, since infinity gene on iOS was good and got a nice XBLA/PSN port with more stuff. Hoping the same happens here.

[gameoverDude]

hope the port is going to be better than Rayforce...... and maybe a bit less expensive.

12$ for a "slowdown" Rayforce is kinda ridiculous.

I went to iTunes and saw someone complaining about jerky graphics and a poor "15 fps" frame rate. I can't believe an iPod Touch 4th Gen would be unable to handle this if it can do Cave SH3 titles (Daifukkatsu looks either arcade perfect or damn close).

The new DB looks great. I'll agree on the need for a console port of DBAC. Keep the 2-screen mode in but also add some kind of pan/zoom modes for single screen setups.

[evil_ash_xero]

I just wished they'd make a version of this game, with different backgrounds.