Blazing Star out on iOS & Android

[ExitPlanetDust]

I spent most of my lunch playing it on a friend's iPad. Runs great and is packed with some great features.

Notable:

-Co-op over Bluetooth
-iCad Support
-Switch between 16:9 and 4:3 resolutions
-Two different scan line options

-Touch is not 1:1 as in CAVE's releases. SNK went ahead with different speed attributes. Faster ships feel closer to 1:1, while slower ships feel like pulling something around on a tether. It's similar to using the slower ships in "Assault Squadron", also on iOS.

-Ships don't auto fire during play. You must mash the virtual A button for rapid and hold for a power shot, as in the original. This wasn't a problem on the iPad (I could set it somewhere and use my stylus/fingers), but it might not be so friendly on an iPod Touch or iPhone.


It only set him back $2.99. SNK did right with this one.

[shmuppyLove]

Ooh it has a stage select ... that might be enough to warrant the purchase right there. Might let me finally practice enough to 1CC it

[PC Engine Fan X!]

That's cool to hear that Yumekubo's Blazing Star is out for those respective platforms. I throughly enjoy playing BS on my PSP via emulation. Of course, the real MVS version can't be beat with a MVS mobo setup.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BareKnuckleRoo]

-Ships don't auto fire during play. You must mash the virtual A button for rapid and hold for a power shot, as in the original.

Ick. Trying to hold onto an iPad while tapping rapidly does not sound fun. How fast do you have to tap to activate rapid mode in the iPad version? I remember a couple ships like Aryustailm are pretty much impossible to activate rapid without breaking your finger (not that Aryustailm is any good in rapid fire since its rapid lasers seem to be weaker than standard shot, wtf). The rapid tapping alternate shot mechanic's a cool concept, but I much prefer Cave style alternate firing modes, even if they don't alter move speed. Too much wear on fingers, buttons, feels gimmicky. Imagine it sucks for people with arthritis too (not that I know anyone who has it and plays shmups, but still).

Also, trailer.

[ExitPlanetDust]

You have to tap pretty fast. Not much different than the Neo original. I could see SNK patching in a 3rd auto fire button in the future.

[DragonInstall]

ugh annoying tap till your fingers bleed gimmick... it was annoying before, I can imagine it being even more obnoxious in this version.

Real shame too, since the game is quite fun and good looking.

[Tigershark]

Just bought this for my Xperia Arc S. Plays well mostly but I find the control of your ship can go a bit AWOL from time to time. Hopefully they will fix this shortly or maynbe it's just me? Looks good too. I play 16:9 with 50% scans and no filtering.

[Marc]

I'd bite in a second for Vita, don't fancy this on iPhone but for the price of a (cheap) pint, why not.

[geremy]

Aside from the cave releases, this is the best SHMUP ever for iOS.

[exquisite_torture]

No autofire - no sale. The only iOS device I have is my iTouch.

[null1024]

Does it support the Xperia Play pad? Would be an immediate purchase here if it does.

[Smraedis]

I find maintaining the rapid fire rate, to be hard enough on the arcade...

[ExitPlanetDust]

Does it support the Xperia Play pad? Would be an immediate purchase here if it does.

It might. Does the Xperia use the iCade protocol?

I find maintaining the rapid fire rate, to be hard enough on the arcade...

After spending time with it, I don't think the requirement for rapid fire is quite as strict as the original. Wrist still hurts, though. Really hoping they patch in some kind of auto fire or at least a single button for rapid. Someone on NeoGAF said DotEmu already has plans to patch in 1:1 movement.

[null1024]

Does it support the Xperia Play pad? Would be an immediate purchase here if it does.

It might. Does the Xperia use the iCade protocol?

The Xperia treats it's buttons as a joypad and also as ordinary Android keypad buttons IIRC.
Eh, I'll probably just buy it anyway, but it would be nice.

[ExitPlanetDust]

Oh, haha, I had mistaken the Xperia for the iControlPad for some reason. Sorry!

[ExitPlanetDust]

Great news! From the Touch Arcade forums:

Everybody,

Thank you for your very instructive feedback on the game.

After careful reading of user comments and internal discussion, we have planned to push an update which will add more control options :
- 1:1 ("instant") touch mode. Plus separate leaderboards.
- autofire (on/off switch)

Might take a few weeks however, due to QA and Apple submission process.

We will post here once the update is submitted to Apple for review.

[Ed Oscuro]

Bully for them. "Great news everyone, through great expense, trials, and errors I have discovered what anybody should have told me after looking at the thing!" I hate to guess whether this is the result of a new team with lack of experience with SNK's roots, lack of experience with the new hardware, or "just an oversight." In any case I wish them the best, but it doesn't make me hopeful for new releases.

Still, who needs new releases while Chopper 1 goes unported?

[Tigershark]

Did you buy the game?

I did. Yes it would be better to have auto-fire and the control is a little off but this cost £1.99 and is the best shooter I can play on my Experia which is only single core - and it's good fun for a quick blast.

[Enemy]

Can anyone confirm the frame rate as I have heard that this runs 30fps and not 60fps like the neo version on an Ipod touch 4g

[null1024]

So, I installed it on my Xperia Play.

Woo, it does support the Xperia Play's buttons. The framerate was indeed 60fps, although there was some stuttering at times [that seemed to be unrelated to what was happening on screen].

Excellent port too. Full screen 16:9, the scanlines look really sexy, and having physical buttons makes this the best thing ever. I do feel a bit like I will break my square button though with all the mashing, an autofire key would be nice.

[Skykid]

Worst ios shmup port ever. Don't even consider buying until 1:1 touch control is added, it's utterly broken as it is.

[ExitPlanetDust]

Can anyone confirm the frame rate as I have heard that this runs 30fps and not 60fps like the neo version on an Ipod touch 4g

I just downloaded this on my workmate's iPod Touch 4th gen to try out. It's been a couple of weeks since I played Blazing Star on an iPad 2, but the gameplay was pretty close to identical. The game experiences a few hiccups that I didn't recall from playing on the iPad, but it remains quite playable.

I'm not sure about the fps, though.

[spadgy]

I'm late to the party here, but, despite the criticisms, I'm keen to give this a go. I'll download this at once, as I've never put time into Blazing Star.

How are others feeling now there's been a bit of time to play it and form opinions? it seems some are enjoying it it for quick 'gaming on the bus/while the kettle boils/on the bog' sessions.

[geremy]

This has just been updated with 1:1 relative touch (with separate leader boards if enabled) and auto fire. Do not hesitate to purchase.

[SePh1r0tH]

This has just been updated with 1:1 relative touch (with separate leader boards if enabled) and auto fire. Do not hesitate to purchase.

Yep the game is much better now.

[spadgy]

Wicked! Buying it for my Friday train journey home!

[moh]

just bought it, and it was wayyy worth my $3.

enable scanlines and it looks amazing!!

[Drachenherz]

just bought it, and it was wayyy worth my $3.

enable scanlines and it looks amazing!!

this.

good stuff here.

[moh]

I still plan on buying the MVS cart though ^^

[pentarou]

Game's currently on sale for $0.99.