GD: Gradius III (AC) Stage 2

[Prototype_Cannon]

I've tried a few different things, but I'm still not quite sure. Maybe I'm trying too hard, but I'm trying to break down the exact nature of the bubbles. Does your input somehow control some the movement of the bubbles, or is there something else? I haven't had much luck going in fully powered, but I've had even less luck going in naked. It seems that trying to game the ranking system isn't a very feasible option. Is it actually easier to go fully powered up, despite the higher rank? Also whats the best laser to use here? I mean I'm not horrible at schmups, but the randomness of the bubbles and the fact that they take forever to destroy makes this stage a bit hard.

[dieKatze88]

I've tried a few different things, but I'm still not quite sure. Maybe I'm trying too hard, but I'm trying to break down the exact nature of the bubbles. Does your input somehow control some the movement of the bubbles, or is there something else? I haven't had much luck going in fully powered, but I've had even less luck going in naked. It seems that trying to game the ranking system isn't a very feasible option. Is it actually easier to go fully powered up, despite the higher rank? Also whats the best laser to use here? I mean I'm not horrible at schmups, but the randomness of the bubbles and the fact that they take forever to destroy makes this stage a bit hard.

Which laser are you using? Regular laser will easily lag the game out with 2+ Options on this stage and you can destroy all the bubbles and not have a problem.

[EmperorIng]

I'm no bubble guru, but 4 options + classic laser seems to be the best way of handling the stage. It's the only way I've made it out of the stage alive, anyhow.

Be very aggressive in the stage, destroying every bubble as fast as you can.

[Prototype_Cannon]

Well in earlier runs I did the 4 options with lasers and it helped a bit, I was using type 1 since that seemed best. Afterwards I've resorted to using type 2 but without the lasers, as otherwise this creates a bullet hell + bubbles. I mean I do try and take out the thing that releases enemies, but bubbles get in the way. I feel like adding the lasers increases the rank too much. I also just barely unlocked extra edit, so that should make things just bit easier. Again, I did try basically every type and have concluded that type 2 has been the most helpful, sans ripple laser, I hate that thing.

[saucykobold]

I think the easiest method involves using Type B and setting up an option column at the left, with the Vic near the ceiling. Your spread bombs and ripples will lay waste to everything and you can mostly just chill.

Powering up is almost always better than skimping on upgrades. The main exception would be if you're trying to recover from death at the end of 1-3--the popcorn horde before the boss will probably be too much to handle if you've gotten laser.

[pegboy]

I just use 4 options and regular fire, no need for a laser in this stage. I say Type B is easily the best of the basic types, stay near the top left/middle and let your bombs annihilate everything. I also played it with on wait level 0, here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC7A3iIdAwg. Here's just stage 2 done from scratch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpA7hOiNVhE

[dieKatze88]

Stack your options by wiggle joystick. Concentrate your fire to damage bubbles quickly.