Game Difficulty + Loop/Stage + Powerups + Special = Rank
The rank range is 0-31.
The gameplay difference between rank levels increases as you reach the higher ranges, 21->22 is a larger deal than 5->6.
Game Difficulty
This is set on the DIP switches.
Easy - 0
Normal - 2
Hard - 4
Very Hard - 6
Loop/Stage
The value is determined by
8*(Loop # - 1) + (Stage # - 1) = Loop/Stage rank
Code: Select all
Stage__________________Loop 1________Loop 2________Loop 3________Loop 4
1 Desert 0 8 16 24
2 Bubble 1 9 17 25
3 Volcano 2 10 18 26
4 Speed 3 11 19 27
5 Moai 4 12 20 28
6 Cell 5 13 21 29
7 Fire 6 14 22 30
8 Plant 7 15 23 31
9 Crystal 8 16 24 31
10 Last 9 17 25 31
EX: Gradius/Salamander 13 21 28 31
Speed Up - +0 (no effect)
Missile - +1
Double - +2 (Spread gun and Free Way are +3)
Laser - +3
Option - +1 for each
Shield/Force - +4 (Reduce in extra edit is +2)
Special
There are two special conditions for rank.
1. Rank Limiter - Rank is limited to 16 on the first loop
2. Beginner Mode - Automatic -2
An extra condition for the PS2 port.
3. Easiest Difficulty - Divide rank by 2, throw out the decimal part.
Rank is sampled and updated at all times.
...
What rank affects
1. Enemy speed
2. Enemy bullet firing aggression
3. Bullet speed
4. Boss behavior
Demonstration
Very Hard, Stage 1, Missile
6 + 0 + 1 = 7
Very Hard, Stage 1, Missile, Option
6 + 0 + 1 + 1 = 8
As you see from the above pictures 1 rank can make a difference
.The below picture shows how rank is checked all the time, note the bullets only going to the Vic Viper and nowhere else.
Very Hard, Stage 1, Force Field
6 + 0 + 4 = 10
--End
