Life Fortress Volcabamba: Freeware MSX tribute shmup

[Op Intensify]

(Also, why on Earth isn't there a thread here about Life Fortress Volcabamba?? Do I really have to make one myself?)

Guess so. Despatche just created a hi-score thread, but we have nothing for actually talking about this excellent 2010 doujin game from developer Zakuro Fantasia. And it definitely deserves to be talked about. I really don't understand how this completely sailed under everyone's radar; probably because it's not one of Cave or Touhou's brethren. You can download it here:
http://www.alles.or.jp/~gyonin/game.htm


(Unfortunately I wasn't able to save any of my own screenshots)

Life Fortress Volcabamba is the La Mulana of shmups. Similarly, it is a tribute to the MSX games of yore, made within the system's graphical and auditory (if not technical) limitations. Mechanically, it's a simple game with a single 2-way shot that can be rotated depending on your ship selection. But the incredibly intense, challenging and creative level designs are what make it shine. There are multiple devious recurring bosses and a Gradius-worthy speed section, just in the first two stages! (Currently stuck on the second boss.) I was surprised by just how many unique enemy types there were, and the first boss had three attacks instead of the usual two. There was a real WOW moment near the end of Stage 1 where I had to shoot some switches to turn off a massive waterfall of death before I ran into it. It's all very dramatic for a humble MSX game. I'd say it's even better than that other recent freeware horzie shmup wunderkind, Hydorah.

The herky-jerky scrolling is of the same type seen in many actual MSX games. I think it actually adds to the difficulty in a good way, and looks very endearing and authentic.

There are green orbs you can find scattered around the stages by shooting unmarked parts of the scenery. They're tallied up at the bottom of the screen. I assume there's some huge reward for finding them all, and I don't think anyone has yet!

The ship selection options are rather strange. You can choose to just fire forward, fire in 8 directions or 4 directions. I find the 4-direction option to be the most functional and least unwieldy. Another weird thing: it recognized my PS3 controller right off the bat with no configuration. Sweet.

Everyone should give Volcabamba a try immediately. It's free, only 8 MB large, and will run on a toaster. It really didn't deserve to be ignored like this.

[daliscar]

This game is described with screenshot and download in the newStage Archive Excavation thread although there it's given the name "Volca" since that's what google translate gave for the newstage reference.
As pointed out there, this is MSX simulation not emulation and it's really well presented.
It's great to see this game generating enthusiasm cos it's doujin gold and it surprises me too that some really great doujin games get so overlooked. I guess it's cos there's so much rubbish doujinshi as well and you have to make the effort to sift through to find the treasure.
Well played all round

[Klatrymadon]

Excellent stuff! Thanks for sharing it, mate. This is definitely a bit special - even the first stage is intricately designed and has you experimenting with your abilities, etc. It's lots of fun. And Volcabamba's a fantastic word to say.

There was a real WOW moment near the end of Stage 1 where I had to shoot some switches to turn off a massive waterfall of death before I ran into it. It's all very dramatic for a humble MSX game.

Ha, I didn't notice the switches! You can certainly just dive through the gaps if you want to, though it'd be best to start high up and move down with them, I suppose.

Ed: love all the references to R-Type II in the second stage.

[Ghegs]

This was better than I expected. I thought the jerky scrolling would be a game-killer, but it's not that bad. Very nice game, and a great example why I prefer horzie stage design.

Ha, I didn't notice the switches! You can certainly just dive through the gaps if you want to, though it'd be best to start high up and move down with them, I suppose.

Yeah, but then you probably can't get one of the hidden items in the first waterfall. Or at least it's much harder.

[Klatrymadon]

Oh, right you are!

I like the third level a lot. Those faces embedded in the walls remind me of X-Multiply's third stage. Starts getting pretty tough about halfway through, as well.

[Op Intensify]

Made it to Stage 3 and was promptly wasted by the unpredictable shooter snake. Figures.

[z0mbie90]

This was better than I expected. I thought the jerky scrolling would be a game-killer, but it's not that bad.

Don't know if it maybe something with my PC but the scrolling is horrible, I die alot couse of it.
If the scrolling would be little smoother I think I would love the game, the sounds and graphic is nostalgic instead of all the "super hip retro style 8bit gpx that look more like 16bit in paint".

So besides the scrolling the game is awesome, just shame I dont think I can get used to it!

[Op Intensify]

Don't know if it maybe something with my PC but the scrolling is horrible, I die alot couse of it.
If the scrolling would be little smoother I think I would love the game, the sounds and graphic is nostalgic instead of all the "super hip retro style 8bit gpx that look more like 16bit in paint".

Nope, it's for MSX authenticity, nothing to do with your computer. I'm sorry if you can't get used to it.

Looking around Zakuro Fantasia's thread, it seems Volcabamba started as one of many mockups of fake MSX games he made for his site. There's also a Kiki Kaikai clone and some sort of a Cromartie High School RPG. So far it seems Volcabamba is the only one made into an actual game. I'll add that "Volcabamba" is clearly a reference to Vilcabamba.

Speaking of that newStage thread, anyone have the download version of Storm Gear? It's been taken down from the file hosting site its creator put it on.

[daliscar]

Speaking of that newStage thread, anyone have the download version of Storm Gear? It's been taken down from the file hosting site its creator put it on.

Maybe that means there's an update due- it's had seven since it was released. It's such a super fun game too but spoiled by lack of hi score saves so maybe that will come with the update
In a similar vein Hector'39 (also in that thread) is great STG fun.
I played Volcabamba when I was sifting through those games but wasn't instantly taken by it. Thanks to this thread I'll definitely give it another go- nice to see it get a scoreboard and some proper attention!

[Ruldra]

Whoa, this game is great! Never heard about it before.

[z0mbie90]

Will try playing it for some time and see if I can get used to it, would be cool. Make my eyes used to the scrolling.

Have the developer made some other games than this?

[Op Intensify]

Beaten with continues! There's 6 stages, with the final being reserved for the last boss. A short but meaty game, that's for sure. It's not as terribly difficult as it seemed at the beginning, and I'm sure I can eventually manage a 1CC.

Highlights:

- Stage 4 boss rush.
- In Stage 4 you also fight the mothership you deployed out of in the beginning that was shot down. It's been taken over by bio-stuff.
- Going backwards through the stage with new enemies after thinking you beat Stage 5, then fighting the ghost(??) of that giant statue head.
- Rushing to collect a giant Volca Crystal and getting killed because it's the final boss.
- The "rival" midboss coming back after the final boss for one more go. He's been heavily damaged and can only manage a little poot out of those laser cannons. There's no more tricks up his sleeve, it's very easy. Almost makes you sympathize with him.

The ending shows your ship heading to Earth (which is being engulfed by bio-goop) and teases a sequel. Unfortunately it's been almost 2 years, and I don't think we're going to see one. The endgame score tally confirms that the reward for getting all the Volca Crystals (those green orbs) is a huge score bonus. I could only find 1 in Stage 4!

[Ed Oscuro]

All this has done for me so far is cause me to lose a bunch of work because it dropped me down into an 8-bpp mode. Had to start a shutdown to get my proper color depth and resolution back, but not before losing stuff. Has anybody found a way to make it behave on Win7/64? (Ironic new message from Catalyst: "failed to find selected resolution")

[Op Intensify]

Oh, wow, sucks to hear it did that. I'm using 64-bit Windows 7 and it runs with no problems. Don't know what to say. Try a compatibility mode?

[Obiwanshinobi]

I like a number of MSX games, but the very idea something emulates its side scrolling (of all issues) boggles my mind. Easily the biggest turn-down of 8-bit computer games in my book. Not that I played it, mind you. I'm not in the best of shapes to take on this kind of challenge (Super Mario Land and Balloon Kid are quite difficult to me currently).

[Op Intensify]

Give it a chance, Obiwan. I'm not a huge fan of the scrolling either, but it was necessary to make the retro aesthetic believable, and it took just a couple plays to get used to it. It's not a very difficult game either.

Also, WTF about Mario Land and Balloon Kid? Those have perfectly smooth scrolling. I hope you're not referring to the ghosty screens of B&W Gameboys. That problem is negated on a GBC/GBA/GBP/emulator.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I'm not perfectly well now (getting better alright). SML and BK happen to be the most arcade(y) games I played recently (on a GBA SP) and both gave me a harder time than usually on the bus. Thus I'll rather wait for better times with this one.
Not sure if BK's scrolling would look all that smooth on a bigger screen all the time. With meagre resolutions, you sometimes must keep things choppy in order to keep 'em slow.

[Ruldra]

So there are only 6 stages and no loops?

I played a few credits and already got to stage 5 with almost all the orbs. It's a good game but far too short and easy. It's the main reason why I'm not too fond of doujins.

[Op Intensify]

I played a few credits and already got to stage 5 with almost all the orbs.

I could see anyone of reasonable skill 1CCing this without too much practice, but almost all the orbs?? You must be a true master. I've found all of them in Stage 1 and most in Stage 2, but very few beyond that. It quickly gets too frantic to go searching for them. I'm sure I just haven't played enough; I need more chances to explore every nook and cranny.

I'm not perfectly well now (getting better alright).

Maybe it has something to do with
?

[Ruldra]

I played a few credits and already got to stage 5 with almost all the orbs.

I could see anyone of reasonable skill 1CCing this without too much practice, but almost all the orbs?? You must be a true master. I've found all of them in Stage 1 and most in Stage 2, but very few beyond that. It quickly gets too frantic to go searching for them. I'm sure I just haven't played enough; I need more chances to explore every nook and cranny.

Pick shot type 2-2 and use vertical shot to search suspect spots. You can find most of them this way.

EDIT: I should mention that the game becomes far less complicated to play when using Type 2-2.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I'm not perfectly well now (getting better alright).

Maybe it has something to do with
?

Maybe kinda sorta...
I recall neither the accident nor the early hospitalisation, so I'm leaving the subject at that.
Don't have much to say on topic neither, except I like the pixel art (and just the period of Japanese computer gaming).

[Klatrymadon]

That's definitely a good way to find the green orbs, although I vastly prefer controlling the shot manually in general play. You don't have to cycle through 2-3 positions to get the one you want.

[Op Intensify]

It only takes a single button press to get to the vertical shot in 2-2 mode. I don't think that's inconvenient in the least.

[Klatrymadon]

Oh, no, it's not. I just like using the free 8-way type. Good fun and versatile too!

[Ruldra]

Okay, I'm done (327,930 points, 5 orbs missed). There's a bonus for no-missing the game and another for collecting all orbs, so that's where the difficulty of the game is at. For a survival clear it's not tough at all.

Type 2-2 is the way to go. With the other types, you spend far too much time adjusting your shot and this will get you killed.

EDIT: I just found out that you can press left and right at the title screen to adjust the lives counter at the top. You can start the game with 20 lives if you want.

EDIT 2: Is there ANY way to take a screencap? If you press Print Screen the resulting image is all black.

[Ghegs]

Type 2-2 is the way to go. With the other types, you spend far too much time adjusting your shot and this will get you killed..

Eh, not really. I just played a credit with the directional aiming to see how it fares and that was my first 1CC with the game, and I only missed two green orbs doing it. Diagonal shooting is very handy a couple of times. I'd say 2-1 is the Pro choice, when you're familiar with the game you can set your desired direction well in time without having to flail around.

Made it to Stage 3 and was promptly wasted by the unpredictable shooter snake. Figures.

It's not unpredictable, the snake follows the same set path every time.

[Op Intensify]

Made it to Stage 3 and was promptly wasted by the unpredictable shooter snake. Figures.

It's not unpredictable, the snake follows the same set path every time.

As I said, that was my first time playing the stage!

[Despatche]

Somehow, the scrolling doesn't bother me at all. Feels "right", I'd say it even feels better than any given MSX game. Bizarre...

This guy also made the somewhat popular Manesis '99 Kai (which is exactly what it sounds like), though that's not on his site anymore. Google something like "manesis.lzh" and you should be able to find it. Interestingly, there's some "arranged music" still on his site that you might be able to replace the regular music with; I couldn't get any music working, though.

And yes, I'm always unhappy that these super nice doujins never bother with equally super challenge. Come on, throw in a loop or a Hard Mode or something. Paranoia was pretty good about that.

[Moniker]

Game's great, I'm just not sure it's worth the dose of vertigo it just gave me.

[Op Intensify]

And yes, I'm always unhappy that these super nice doujins never bother with equally super challenge. Come on, throw in a loop or a Hard Mode or something. Paranoia was pretty good about that.

Crimzon Clover gets pretty brutal around Stage 3.

Also I found Manesis here: http://www.4shared.com/file/I_gu9iAp/manesis.html
Definitely a standard Gradius fangame. It seems to run really slow and the music won't play. It also got a warning from Microsoft Security Essentials, but I didn't find anything by scanning it, so I doubt it's got malware.