ESPgaluda II question...

[dave4shmups]

I never played the first game, but was always told that it was a great entry-level Cave shmup, and very accessible. Is this true of the second game? If it is, then I would love to get it for my XBOX 360.

[KAI]

Is not accessible at all. Daifukkatsu is a better option.

[chempop]

Galuda2 is one of cave's more difficult games. I don't think either of the galuda games are particularly good entry level cave titles, but that shouldn't necessarily stop you from playing them. The best entry level ones (imho) are Dodonpachi, Deathsmiles, and Mushihimesama.

Other recommendations for 360 would be:

Deathsmiles (USA release)
Dodonpachi Resurrection (EU version of Daifukkatsu which is playable on USA 360s)
Mushihimesama Futari (region free)
Akai Katana (USA release)

[Aquas]

Black Label... which is the featured mode of the X360 port is very accessible and fun. The bullets slow-down around your character (using a gauge) and it's a basic chaining, bullet cancel scoring system with tons of enemies and bullets. I dunno, I think it's pretty cool.

[evil_ash_xero]

The first one is really accessible. That was the second CAVE game I got. Even though I had to get a hang of the slow down mechanic, it's pay offs were worth screwing up time to time. That being said, the difficulty amps up towards the end, and I find the last boss to be impossible.

The second one is for people who played the first one a lot. Kind of like DOJ is for people who have played DoDonPachi to death.

It's hard, and not very accessible. It also adds another slow down mechanic to the mix, and it's even harder to get a hang of(the bullets chase you!). And forget about the last boss. You have to be a master of the shmup arts to beat that bastard/bitch.

GREAT game, but not a beginner's game. Still, you could be like me when DOJ was the first bullet hell game I bought. Took 3 years to get a hang of it, and I got rid of it twice out of frustration.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Esp II is definitely tougher than its predecessor, but several of the Xbox 360 specific modes are more Newbie friendly, not to mention the new scoring system (hold down the Kakusei button when you have Gold built up) doesn't have to be used to clear the game. It's only something you have to learn to get really high scores.

Still, Futari and DFK are probably more newbie friendly.

[Nasirosuchus]

The most appropriate Cave games for a beginner are Death Smiles and Mushi Futari 1.5 or Black Label.

[BulletMagnet]

Esp II is definitely tougher than its predecessor, but several of the Xbox 360 specific modes are more Newbie friendly

This pretty much sums it up. If you want more specific info on the series check out this piece, though it does need a handful of updates.

[GaijinPunch]

Nothing too much to add. The first ESPGaluda was the quintessential Cave entry game until DS came around. ESPGaluda II was nothing like that, and I found the 360 modes to only be fun for a very limited amount of time. However this was after WAY too many hours on an ESPGaluda II PCB

[To Far Away Times]

I think Espgaluda is one of the more accessible Cave games, and one of my favorites, too.

Mushihimesama, Mushi Futari Black Label and especially Deathsmiles are good for beginners, while still maintaining enough challenge to be rewarding.

Espgaluda 2 is really hard compared to the first one. It's a damn good game though.

[Illyrian]

Espgaluda II is not really worth playing in my own opinion, as I've stated before it's too finicky, and poorly balanced boss wise.

Espgaluda I, on the other hand is an excellent, excellent game.

[GaijinPunch]

, as I've stated before it's too finicky, and poorly balanced boss wise.

Who told you that lie? While I think the scoring system is the most complex of any of the Cave games, there are definitely games that are less forgiving, and are more finicky. DDP's blind chaining. Guwange's coin sucking. Progear's coin sucking. Ketsui's ass of a trick to get more chips out of medium and large enemies.

It's not for the faint-hearted, but it's far from the game's downfall.

[dimmuborgir]

Not adding anything new here but if you think 1cc, use the third player character (dont remember the name) and the last boss goes down in seconds when starting its final attack. Finished the game with 3 lives thanks to her/him. And in not a really good player.

[shmuppyLove]

I would say Deathsmiles is a better entry-level game, but I'm not sure it makes a good introduction to Cave games ... it plays very differently than any of the others. Same with Guwange.

Out of the 360 ports, I think you might be better off with Mushi/Futari or DFK if you're looking for a more typical Cave experience.

[dave4shmups]

OK, I know it was not developed by Cave, but what about Eschatos? It looks like a really cool Raiden-style shmup, but I don't know anything about the gameplay mechanics.

[BulletMagnet]

It's pretty simple, though it varies a bit from mode to mode: basically, you've got a straight-ahead shot, a spread shot, and a forward shield that needs recharging after being used a lot, plus the ability to change speed on the fly. In "Original" mode your power level is constant, and for score just kill as many things as you can without letting any get by; in "Advanced" mode you can get power-ups for your weapons, though this lowers how much shield power you have available. I'm not as clear on scoring for Advanced, but it seems to center around cancelling bullets with both the shield and by utilizing enemies/items that clear the screen. Challenge-wise it's not too terrible; start on Easy if you have trouble, as scores for difficulties are kept separate.

As always, someone correct me if I screwed up in there.

[finisherr]

DoDonPachi is the best game for any bullet hell noob. So good. Right of passage.

[Illyrian]

1. Touhou on easy
2. Blue Wish Resurrection
3. Eden's Aegis
4. Touhou on normal

In that order

[Marc]

Galuda II will tear you a new asshole. It is doing for me anyway. It doesn't even frustrate me as the whole thing is just such an incomprehensible headfuck, I just end up laughing in baffled amusement at it all.

[ebarrett]

Espgaluda II is rocket science with a bad soundtrack.

Eschatos is the coolest thing since Judgement Silversword, tho, do check it out. Difficulties range from "really stupid easy" to "goddamn fuckin' impossible", with very reasonable "normal" and "hard" modes inbetween. Scoring in original is KILL EVERYTHING DON'T LET ANYTHING GET AWAY; scoring in advanced is ????????.

[Casper<3]

Galuda 2 is one of my favorite games.

It's a challange, but worth it. playing for score or not.

[moh]

I would say Deathsmiles is a better entry-level game, but I'm not sure it makes a good introduction to Cave games ... it plays very differently than any of the others. Same with Guwange.

Out of the 360 ports, I think you might be better off with Mushi/Futari or DFK if you're looking for a more typical Cave experience.

mmhm, I agree. you could play deathsmiles, clear it on rank 1, and still get rectum-raped by every other cave game. not a good entry into cave games, rather just a good newb-friendly shmup

[n0rtygames]

Mushihimesama Futari Black Label is a good starting point and it's region free. It's still one of my favourites alongside DDP. Original mode offers a really simple scoring system that's basically geared entirely towards Risk vs Reward along with alternating shot types. It'll ease you in to the mentality required to start chaining stages.

I'd say start with something that doesn't have a lot of bullet cancelling. It sure is fun to enter the realms of gold gems flying towards your ship while everything slows down, but there's something a lot more pure about one time cancels when you first activate or leave hyper that makes a game much more intense.

I would be starting with Dodonpachi on an emulator - skipping Bee Storm entirely because it doesn't really exist and then kneeling before a gloryhole and allowing Daioujou to present itself to you in all its magnificent glory. DFK 1.5 is a good title, but in my opinion only starts to show classic DDP brutality around Stage 5 where it begins to try its hardest to snatch that second loop from your grasp.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Funny how nobody's mentioned Dangun Feveron yet. Admittedly, the word MANIC has yet to be used as well.

[Deca]

Dangun Feveron is an angry, angry game that wants you dead. It's awesome but I certainly wouldn't call it a good introduction to Cave.

[BulletMagnet]

Dangun Feveron is a MEOW, MEOW game that wants you MEOW. It's MEOW but I certainly wouldn't MEOW it a good MEOW to MEOW.

Sorry.

[Obscura]

1. Touhou on easy
2. Blue Wish Resurrection
3. Eden's Aegis
4. Touhou on normal

In that order

Unless by "Touhou" you mean "SA and UFO", I'd swap the order of those last two.

Also, I think that Deathsmiles is easier than any of the Touhou normals I've played (although only barely easier than MoF).

I agree with those who say that Dodonpachi and Espgaluda are logical start-points with Cave, and I'd also recommend that a beginner look into Batsugun or Batrider Normal Course. Also, DOJ isn't as hard as people say it is as long as you stick with black label.

[azinth]

1. Touhou on easy
2. Blue Wish Resurrection
3. Eden's Aegis
4. Touhou on normal

In that order

1. Touhou on Normal
2. Touhou on Hard
3. Touhou on Lunatic
4. Dodonpachi

Guaranteed success.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Dangun Feveron is an angry, angry game that wants you dead. It's awesome but I certainly wouldn't call it a good introduction to Cave.

Yeah, I guess. It's MANIC after all.

[Obscura]

1. Touhou on easy
2. Blue Wish Resurrection
3. Eden's Aegis
4. Touhou on normal

In that order

1. Touhou on Normal
2. Touhou on Hard
3. Touhou on Lunatic
4. Dodonpachi

Guaranteed success.

Touhou on Hard is frequently quite a bit harder than Dodonpachi.

Hell, SA on normal is harder than Dodonpachi.