Death Smiles: Countdown to North America Invasion

[PsikyoPshumpPshooterP]

I'm curious what everybody thinks about MBL. Is it worth the download. I do understand that the board goes for huge money, so in that sense, yes it's worth it.

But from people who have played it, what does everybody think?

I love it. Its my only JPN DLC that ive ever bought and quite satisfied. well worth the hassle of buying a jap ms point card

[dan76]

It's worth getting, though I haven't played it as much as I thought I would. I prefer ver 1.1 which as others have said might be the most enjoyable version of the game. In MBL Sakura makes the Canyon and Ice Palace stages much easier, and the game as a whole has a more gradual learning curve. Plus you will need MBL to play the new MBL ver 1.1. Any news of the release date yet?

[Ravid]

Thanks for the input so far. I guess one way to think about it is: If you really like the game, this will give it some more mileage. I just wish it was in disc form.

I wouldn't mind having another board to play. Like other people have said, too bad you can't play the ice palace in version 1.1. That would be nice.

I have to say that I wasn't all that taken with vanilla Death Smiles, but I've been enjoying MBL immensely. The increased recharge rate and altered scoring system mean you spend more time in powerup mode amid huge showers of gold crowns. Level 999 means the game will always hold a challenge no matter how good I get. Sakura provides a nice option for people who don't want to have to worry about suicide bullets.

[evil_ash_xero]

I've actually been playing MBL a lot lately, so my opinion is a bit different now. The extra stage, and the "no penalty for using power up" that 1.1 gives you(although you can do it less) kind of works well. Now, I wouldn't be playing much at all if it wasn't for Sakura. After being able to control your option in 1.1, there really isn't any going back. However, Sakura's options are far more maneuverable than the other girls' and can shoot in alternate directions and angles. So, it's ALMOST like 1.1, but not quite. It reminds me of GleyLancer actually. It's certainly worth getting, but I think the MBL 1.1 patch coming up will send it over the top.

Anyone notice that the Canyon and the Ice Palace genuinely play like most side scrolling shooters? It seems like they got the full hang of it on those stages. Lots of scrolling up and down, obstacles, all that stuff. They've learned lots since Progear.

[bcass]

The Canyon and the Ice Palace extra stages seem like horrendous difficulty spikes to me, although I haven't played them much so far...

[evil_ash_xero]

The Canyon and the Ice Palace extra stages seem like horrendous difficulty spikes to me, although I haven't played them much so far...

They are a lot tougher yeah, but the overall game is pretty easy, so it's not a unwelcome thing. Also, it's easier once you get used to them.

[DC906270]

how many points MBL cost ON XBL?

[bcass]

1200

[GaijinPunch]

Also, it's easier once you get used to them.

Well there's a shocker.

[Elixir]

Ice Palace and the Graveyard are my favorite. I can't wait until MBL 1.1 comes out.

[evil_ash_xero]

Also, it's easier once you get used to them.

Well there's a shocker.

I'm here to shock!

[evil_ash_xero]

Ice Palace and the Graveyard are my favorite. I can't wait until MBL 1.1 comes out.

I think the extra stages, add some meat to the game. They are long and difficult stages. The Ice Palace is pretty well put together, and adds to the overall experience. I'm really looking forward to 1.1 too. I can't do very well without option control with the other 4 girls.

[cj iwakura]

Why can't this game come out for something I own?

[Strider77]

b/c it's time to get a next gen system from japan if you like shooters.

[DC906270]

eh, is MBL 1.1 coming out on XBL? if so, should i wait for this to be released b4 i pay my points and download?

[cj iwakura]

b/c it's time to get a next gen system from japan if you like shooters.

I have a Wii, it's a start. (Shiki 3, Radio Allergy, and... a bunch of VC stuff I guess.)

[PsikyoPshumpPshooterP]

there was a update today when i popped in DS..any one can confirm the contents of this update?

[brentsg]

there was a update today when i popped in DS..any one can confirm the contents of this update?

I just popped mine in for the first time in weeks, but no update... I have the standard version with the MBL DLC, but no "full voice" if that matters.

[jefflev13]

Do you need to have a gold account to get ranked on the 360 leaderboards? Usually on most other games you can find out how you've done by just loading up the friend's leaderboard (I do have a gold US account but not a Japanese one), but I'm getting no results and don't see any kind of "go to your score" button... Or is it just that there are a limited amount of space on the boards and I haven't done good enough yet to even place? It would be nice to be able to compare how I'm doing against other people (but not nice enough to get a second gold account, if that's what's needed).

Only got the game this week (and a j360). At first I was a little underwhelmed, but have been getting more and more into it.

[jonny5]

Do you need to have a gold account to get ranked on the 360 leaderboards? Usually on most other games you can find out how you've done by just loading up the friend's leaderboard (I do have a gold US account but not a Japanese one), but I'm getting no results and don't see any kind of "go to your score" button... Or is it just that there are a limited amount of space on the boards and I haven't done good enough yet to even place? It would be nice to be able to compare how I'm doing against other people (but not nice enough to get a second gold account, if that's what's needed).

Only got the game this week (and a j360). At first I was a little underwhelmed, but have been getting more and more into it.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27287

[bcass]

Do you need to have a gold account to get ranked on the 360 leaderboards? Usually on most other games you can find out how you've done by just loading up the friend's leaderboard (I do have a gold US account but not a Japanese one), but I'm getting no results and don't see any kind of "go to your score" button... Or is it just that there are a limited amount of space on the boards and I haven't done good enough yet to even place? It would be nice to be able to compare how I'm doing against other people (but not nice enough to get a second gold account, if that's what's needed).

Only got the game this week (and a j360). At first I was a little underwhelmed, but have been getting more and more into it.

You do not need a Gold account for your score to appear on the Leaderboards (in any Xbox 360 game). When viewing the Leaderboards press the X button to change the filter to Friends. Your score will only be registered on the online Leaderboards when you play the Score Attack. Use the left/right triggers/bumpers to change the filter options and use d-pad left/right to move between the filters.

[spadgy]

Do you need to have a gold account to get ranked on the 360 leaderboards? Usually on most other games you can find out how you've done by just loading up the friend's leaderboard (I do have a gold US account but not a Japanese one), but I'm getting no results and don't see any kind of "go to your score" button... Or is it just that there are a limited amount of space on the boards and I haven't done good enough yet to even place? It would be nice to be able to compare how I'm doing against other people (but not nice enough to get a second gold account, if that's what's needed).

Only got the game this week (and a j360). At first I was a little underwhelmed, but have been getting more and more into it.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27287

The only place on Earth a Deathsmiles score counts!

Seriously though - I don't think you need Gold. It's just Deathsmile's online highscore boards aren't quite as obvious and user friendly as they are in, say, Raiden IV. I can't even remember where they are - and why would I need to with the wonderful board we have here (and the maintainer is so charming and hansome!).

On the subject of being underwhelmed - more reveals itself each day!

EDIT: I got distracted by MacGuyver midway through my post, and bcass went and answered your questions while I was watching the big Mac build a hang-glider from a smashed up spy satellite! So I haven't helped you at all. That's what happens when you spent 40 minutes on a post.

[jefflev13]

Well, thanks for the leaderboard help. I went back and tried some of the different options - apparently I had EX on in the filter, when it should have been off - switched that and my scores finally showed up. Does EX mean extra player (two player) or is there some setting I'm missing?

Also seems not a lot of people use the in game leaderboards - as on one I was already ranked 800 something and I barely know what I'm doing. Doesn't quite seem like the ghost town of Raiden Fighters Aces US leaderboards, but I thought I read that Death Smiles had sold 50,000 copies already...

[CStarFlare]

You need to select score attack mode instead of the normal play mode, which I've always thought was weird.

EX means they played the extra stage.

[evil_ash_xero]

Is there as much slowdown in the PCB in the Ice Palace as there is in the Xbox version?

[dan76]

There's more. I triggered gold crowns for the first time in the Ice Palace on the PCB - it felt like the game was shuddering to a halt. The general opinion is that the slowdown isn't right for MBL on 360, that some of it is missing, particularly in the Ice Palace. I think the "arcade" version is more accurate then the "360 version" though.

[evil_ash_xero]

There's more. I triggered gold crowns for the first time in the Ice Palace on the PCB - it felt like the game was shuddering to a halt. The general opinion is that the slowdown isn't right for MBL on 360, that some of it is missing, particularly in the Ice Palace. I think the "arcade" version is more accurate then the "360 version" though.

Well, jeez, I don't think it needs any more, really. Most of the stage is moving in slow motion, and people want more?

[Shelcoof]

What does the extra card that came with my pre-order do? Is it the redemtion code to pick up MBL for Death Smiles?
There was far too many posts to look through, I'm having a hard time looking through them all. I hope people are okay with helping a fellow gamer out.

I just signed up on my 360 for live finally and everything has all turned into Japanese. Very hard to navigate with.

Anyways if anyone can confirm what this extra card does that came with my pre-order that would be great.

Thanks

[Cuilan]

What does the extra card that came with my pre-order do? Is it the redemtion code to pick up MBL for Death Smiles?
There was far too many posts to look through, I'm having a hard time looking through them all. I hope people are okay with helping a fellow gamer out.

I just signed up on my 360 for live finally and everything has all turned into Japanese. Very hard to navigate with.

Anyways if anyone can confirm what this extra card does that came with my pre-order that would be great.

Thanks

It's a redemption code for the Full-voice DLC. Once you download it, all the scenes where the characters talk will be fully voiced, instead of just text.

You might also want to change your system's language to English in the System menu.

[Shelcoof]

I did change it to English but its a mix of japanese and english.

Dash bord is all japanese... I dunno its confusing

Thanks for the info