RQ: X-Multiply Scoring & Gameplay Mechanics

[heisenbergman]

Based on what I can gather, the game is played with one (shot) button only and the scoring is very simple with killing certain enemies equating to a certain number of points.

Is that really all there is to it (as far as scoring and gameplay mechanics go)? If yes, then this might be the most straightforward shmup I've even encountered.

[saucykobold]

The game's very straightforward, yes. Kill stuff, collect items, maybe milk the fifth and sixth bosses (let the boss live while you kill popcorn, then finish the boss before it times out).

Checkpoint milking 1-7 or 2-7 is the big point-boosting exploit. Basically you get to the end of the level and kill yourself before clearing. You'll get booted back to the beginning of the stage and can repeat over and over, scoring about a million points each time.

[heisenbergman]

Checkpoint milking... interesting.

Are 1-7 and 2-7 basically the only checkpoints worth milking?

Thanks!

[saucykobold]

They're easily the most lucrative spots, mainly since the last boss is worth so much. Killing the Baphomet look-alike gets you 500k and each of the egg things is worth 100k.

As an aside, milkin' checkpoints is by no means the "right" way for everyone to play this style of shmup. If I like a particular stage, I tend to enjoy playing it several times in a row, but most Irem/hori fans prefer getting to the end as efficiently as possible, and all's well if everyone leaves happy!