Mushihimesama HD (360) 24th May 2012

[TrevHead (TVR)]

It looks like score attack lets you submit scores after continuing. It's kind of hilarious that a bunch of higher ranking replays on the leaderboard are just some dude who credit feeds to the end and collects an end-of-game bonus.

Does it reset the score with each credit and submit the first or best credit? or do oldschool +01? If its the former I can't imagine it been too much of an effect near the top of the leaderboard, unless someone credit feeds to get to the final 2 stages and scores well in them. Can't imagine anybody doing that though as any self respecting scorer would have mastered survival anyway.

[glitch]

regular mode feels easier than the ps2 counterpart. probably the different slowdown dynamics?
or i just got that much better during the year or so of not playing the ps2 game. ^^;;

The music, almost impossibly, is even more cheesily synthy than the "regular" equivalent; it's like the original Mushi soundtrack multiplied by itself.

squared, so to say?
kind of digging it.
crunchy low arcade bit-rate and all.
must be one of the last soundtracks umemoto did, right?
kind of wry that it's tucked away in a limited PCB and a limited DLC.

[dannnnn]

On the whole I'm both satisfied with and somewhat disappointed in this one, mainly because of how much Cave talked up its being possibly the company's last physical shooter release and how they wanted to make it "something special". If you didn't snag a first-print copy you're basically just getting a retooled edition of the PS2 port (and that one had an art gallery too, for whatever it's worth); granted, everything that's here is fine, but this is hardly a be-all-end-all product (of course, we all hope that this ISN'T the end, but at this point who knows). I'd probably be more lenient if Cave put 1.5 on the disc and made, say, Mushihime-tama or even Bug Panic the first-print extra (seeing as an actual new Arranged mode was apparently out of the question); this, is, after all, the second time many of us are purchasing the core game. Granted, I know that Cave has been somewhat blindsided lately on the business end of things, but while I'm grateful that Mushi HD came out at all, that's about as far as the gratitude extends: the fact that it just plain exists.

I take your point, that we're basically just getting a second port of an eight year old game, but that's more than enough for me. I briefly owned the PS2 port, and even on a tated CRT through RGB, it was still too blurry for me to truly enjoy. It's a port that definitely needed a 'fix' and I'm thrilled to finally get to play it 'properly'. The 1.5 extra is a massive dollop of icing on an already delicious cake, I'd have honestly been happy with just a barebones graphical update of the PS2 port.

I'm glad they acknowledged that both Mushi and Ibara were less than satisfactory ports and considered both for this HD makeover, I wasn't expecting them to revisit either. Anyway, besides SDOJ, what else could they have put out at this point? Including 1.5, by my count you're getting thirteen different modes on the disc - hardly something to be sniffed at. I personally couldn't care less about an art gallery, I'm just happy to have a worthy port of this great game, finally.

Of course, you're more than entitled to your own opinion, I'm just surprised it comes off as a bit negative considering CAVE, in my opinion, have given us another great package with a ton of content.

A little off topic, but I have to say I feel like we've been spoiled with this generation of STG releases. The 360 library alone will be enough to keep me occupied for the rest of my playing days. If this genre really is dying (which I don't neccessarily believe), then this gen has certainly been an almighty swan song for console players/360 owners.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

this is hardly a be-all-end-all product

If the Max modes don't rock your socks off I'm curious what games do. I think they are up there with Ketsui and Futari in terms of fun. 10/10

[njiska]

- Arrange mode wasn't anything great on the PS2 and still isn't too special here (what's with the wacko multiplier?), but the redone soundtrack and more limited autobomb do give it a bit of a boost (at least it's no longer as much of a "guaranteed trip to the TLB who kills you over and over and over" mode).

I was wondering about this. I've never had a chance to play the PS2 version (despite owning it for two years), but auto bomb only used one bomb in that version right? Where as now it's the full stock.

[glitch]

yes correct

[BulletMagnet]

Of course, you're more than entitled to your own opinion, I'm just surprised it comes off as a bit negative considering CAVE, in my opinion, have given us another great package with a ton of content.

I certainly don't regret my purchase or anything, but I can't help but frown a bit at how little new stuff there is to chew on here, especially for those who don't get a first-print copy, and even more so since we were promised a "grand send-off" by Cave. Yeah, you are right that we've come to expect a lot from the few companies still making stuff for us, but it is a bit deflating, at least to me, to fork over somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 USD (for the regular edition, mind you) to be part of one of our favorite developers' "last hurrah" of sorts and end up with an upgrade of a previous release (especially since we're likely going to miss out on SDOJ, at least in physical form). Said upgrade is fine and dandy, mind you, but it is something of a flat note to go out on IMO.

If the Max modes don't rock your socks off I'm curious what games do.

Don't get me wrong, 1.5 is my favorite Mushi variation and I'm very glad we got it in some (non-PCB) form, though I hesitate to say that it's enough to justify the entire package, especially since late adopters won't be getting it (assuming that Cave takes its usual whack-a-doodle route and never offers it as a paid download instead later on).

[nZero]

If its the former I can't imagine it been too much of an effect near the top of the leaderboard, unless someone credit feeds to get to the final 2 stages and scores well in them. Can't imagine anybody doing that though as any self respecting scorer would have mastered survival anyway.

Actually the end bonus in Original Mode is massive. You would have a higher score by continuing at the final boss and then clearing the game with 2 lives in stock remaining than scoring as hard as you can for the entire game and then clearing on your last life.

[yyr]

It really is nice to play a port of Mushi that isn't a blurry mess, but I do admit that it is a little disappointing so far. I haven't signed up for a Japanese account so I haven't tried 1.5 yet, but I'm looking forward to essentially playing the thing I paid a hundred bucks for. Without 1.5 there's no way I'd have spent this much.

Since my skill level is...lacking, I liked the old Arrange mode on PS2 because it was essentially a Novice mode. The Novice mode in the new port feels less like a Novice mode, for some reason! It's probably the lack of autobomb.

Question: what's the difficulty of 1.5 compared to the original? I always play for score even though I should probably be focusing on survival, so I don't just mean survival difficulty.

Again, I don't give a damn about DLC or "live." I don't consider it a "service" since it doesn't serve what I want.

If you could give us one logical reason why you're avoiding it, maybe we wouldn't think you're crazy. Consider this: you're giving up original, exclusive games like Strania and Omega Five...great (and inexpensive) ports of Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun, Triggerheart Exelica and Guwange...and FREE feature updates and bug fixes for your disc-based games that you have already paid good money for. Also, on ALL of the Cave releases (as far as I can remember)--and some others--you can grab replays of the top players' best runs, in every mode, at any time. No need to watch online or get superplay DVDs when you have hundreds of replays at your fingertips, free of charge. And, don't forget the original, exclusive shmups on Indie Games, some of which are actually very good. This is all before you even consider Mushi 1.5, which may be the best reason to own Mushi HD. So you can honestly say you're completely uninterested in all of that, including 1.5?

[rancor]

Question: what's the difficulty of 1.5 compared to the original?

Far easier, yet more satisfying. 1.5 is what the game should have been when it was first released. If you haven't played it yet I'd say you're missing out of 75% of the reason to own this release... It really is that good.

[mesh control]

He can do what he wants and doesn't need to argue his point about this bs.

Are you a car salesman?
Jeez

[ratikal]

Just bought the game even though I lack a 360. I'll be able to play it...eventually ;_;.

[chempop]

regular mode feels easier than the ps2 counterpart. probably the different slowdown dynamics?
or i just got that much better during the year or so of not playing the ps2 game. ^^;;

I always heard that the PS2 port was more difficult than the PCB. Not sure if it was because of the slowdown, or also the blurry graphics...

Anyone feel like posting in the highscores thread?

1.5 is ridiculously good, if it hasn't been said yet

[Trevor spencer]

Still waiting for my copy but nevermind , Seems like it has sold well - Hope they decide to port SOJ

[yyr]

I think both were a problem. I recall hearing that slowdown was missing, making certain portions (in stage 3, perhaps?) much more difficult.

Cool to know that 1.5 is easier...maybe I'll download it tomorrow =) Thanks!

[BobbyNewmarkiii]

+1 for the game being good and 1.5 as highlight of the package. Also +1 hope they port SDOJ - at least we know that releasing a game on console for one generation doesn't mean they won't rerelease it for the next generation of tech. So x360 and x720 releases pls cave.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I bought the Mushi HD LE set which was well worth spending the extra coin for it. The main outer box won't fit standing in an upright position in a traditional upright DVD slotted storage file setup (due to it's overall larger size compared to a traditional 360 game case release). Nice variant re-colored artwork on the backside box cover.

The only extra bonus that this Mushi HD LE has compared to the regular version, is the addition of a Mushi Arranged music CD + the obligatory DLC voucher for the Mushi 1.5 game.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I'm trying to imagine playing Ketsui on a DS, and I can only imagine getting really frustrated with the tiny screens. I might be wrong, but it seems like the 360 version would be a lot more comfortable to play.

Playing Ketsui DL on a DSi-XL is easier on the eyes & naturally, your scores will be higher than if you were to play it on a DS Lite or DSi setup. You can even play it on a 3DS if so desired (with it's wider 800 x 200 resolution LCD screen layout).

Sure, it's better to play 360 Ketsui (with a HRAP setup) by all means if access to the highly desired PCB isn't possible. The only thing is, the 360 port runs a tad bit faster than the PCB if doing a side-by-side comparision session.

Back to the 360 Mushi HD topic at hand.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[KAI]

I always heard that the PS2 port was more difficult than the PCB. Not sure if it was because of the slowdown, or also the blurry graphics...

Mushi's PS2 port looks awesome in a Tate monitor it. The PS2 ver also has less background graphics effects, compared to the PCB

[05pro]

Since this morning the leaderboards are now semi-broken for me. None of my friends scores can be filtered so it looks like I'm the only one of my friends playing the game even though there were at least 3 listed friends as of yesterday afternoon. EOJs scores are still near the top of the board so I know that friends scores are still available, but I just can't filter them to see how we're all doing.

Is this happening for anyone else? It's happening for me across the board for all versions / modes. Hardly gamebreaking but still a pain.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

If its the former I can't imagine it been too much of an effect near the top of the leaderboard, unless someone credit feeds to get to the final 2 stages and scores well in them. Can't imagine anybody doing that though as any self respecting scorer would have mastered survival anyway.

Actually the end bonus in Original Mode is massive. You would have a higher score by continuing at the final boss and then clearing the game with 2 lives in stock remaining than scoring as hard as you can for the entire game and then clearing on your last life.

I just watched Sapz's YT vid, you weren't kidding

[glitch]

small thing, but i love how 1.5 differentiates the previously samey stage 1 and 2 by giving them evening and morning hues, respectively.

another small thing, is it me or is the sprite resolution upgrade in this one the most half-assed of cave's 360 ports so far?
might as well not bother at this rate. might as well not bother anyway, cause who cares about sprite resolution upgrades, but some stuff being high(er) res than the rest kind of messes with the visual consistency...

i find that 1.5 has me picking M-power over my usual W-power.

[BarfHappy]

another small thing, is it me or is the sprite resolution upgrade in this one the most half-assed of cave's 360 ports so far?

On the contrary, to me they look the nicest... well the work on higher def was done well before the port i think so there was not much touch up, but even at the source the other games look more bare-bone renders...







I don t find distracting the fact that backgrounds are still SD... on the contrary i like the fact my dotgraphics are kept intact for them, but that s personal taste i can of course understand opposite opinion.

[KAI]

Reco doesn't have kneesocks on HD

Mushihimesama HD

[Cagar]

-

[KAI]

FXXing imageshit. Fixed

Mushihimesama HD

Mod Edit: Image is NSFW, please mark as such next time!

[moozooh]

What the hell, man.

[iconoclast]

Ryo 1502 has an Ultra Max replay up where he gets the TLB down to ~10% health. Amazing.

[xbl0x180]

What the hell, man.

YEAH! Polygon graphics are ugly

[mesh control]

Holy shit