DoDonPachi Saidaioujou coming to Xbox 360 (REGION-FREE!)

[DrTrouserPlank]

Unless I'm confusing the modes I found novice to be harder than 360 shot mode. In fact I thought novice was so hard that it could have been the standard mode from any other game.

Whats the difference between using shot and laser to score chains (other than laser big shit that isn't going to die instantly?) Does shot fill the chain bar easier whilst laser scores more hits or something like that? or are you meant to kill certain enemies with certain types of shots?

Whats the deal with scoring? Are you just meant to try to run hypers back to back non-stop and then bomb the rank down once you are getting screwed?

[Skykid]

Unless I'm confusing the modes I found novice to be harder than 360 shot mode. In fact I thought novice was so hard that it could have been the standard mode from any other game.

Really? I had a brief glance at novice but stopped playing it because there weren't any bullets.

360 is easy until about stage 3.5 - but still considerably easier than HD or 1.5 overall. And amazingly fun too. Not sure how it compares difficulty-wise to novice, but it seemed more testing to me.

[Acid_Rain]

Unless I'm confusing the modes I found novice to be harder than 360 shot mode. In fact I thought novice was so hard that it could have been the standard mode from any other game.

Really? I had a brief glance at novice but stopped playing it because there weren't any bullets.

360 is easy until about stage 3.5 - but still considerably easier than HD or 1.5 overall. And amazingly fun too. Not sure how it compares difficulty-wise to novice, but it seemed more testing to me.

I think they are about equal, but you can end your run much faster in 360 mode if you are too greedy.

[Special World]

A lot of people are saying that the volume problems are fixed if you just adjust the settings, but I find that the music still sounds muffled. It's great music, it just sounds like it's not mastered perfectly.

Also, I'd say 360 mode shot is slightly easier than Novice Novice. But both are pretty good beginner difficulties, imo.

[MSZ]

Damn, I've got the bug!

Arcade HD is okay. It's far from being a game bogged down by problems, but the refinements in 1.5 really do make it feel very obsolete. Perhaps they should have marketed the game as SDOJ 1.5, in a similar manner to how they knew they had destroyed the original AK with Shin, and sold the game based on that being the main mode.

Either way, SDOJ 360 is a really beautiful package. The upside to it being superior to the PCB is that, like AKS, I have absolutely no desire to ever fork out for the PCB, which is a plus for someone who generally goes after original arcade hardware.

Onto the thing then, just got another solid couple of hours across all modes and I'm in love with 1.5 - this is my type of Cave game. As MMSpork informed me that Ikeda had little to no programming input in DFK, I can only conclude that my assumption he was running out of steam is incorrect: 1.5 is so much balls to the wall fun it hurts.

Who are you guys finding most comfortable to play with? I wanted to go with Shuri, but in the end I find Hikari's speed and dynamic shot works best for me.

I managed to get to the stage 3 boss once, dragged in a 1.7Bil score, so I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. I got an extend on stage 3.

I've found myself warming up to the graphical style considerably (destroy smoothing! ) and can only imagine pumping it through an SLG3000 will make it even tastier. I even find the music pretty nice after a while.

The lag is pretty unacceptable, but even on a pad I've been getting used to it. I actually like the slightly weird bullets now! Gives the game a certain flavour that feels different from other Pachi's (and a little like Ketsui, to a degree), which is nice.

The stage 3 midboss is sex. Once you start to feel those patterns it becomes beautifully hectic. I am using bombs quite liberally to make headway, although I don't need to use any on the 1st stage.

I REALLY like 1.5's system. Feels so good to keep letting hypers go. I managed to get up to Rank 7 before having to knock it down with a bomb, crazy times.

Additionally, Novice is meant to be good but it was so easy (and my time limited) that I didn't look at it for more than a couple of minutes - but 360 is a really terrific arrange. That's one of the best arrange modes I've played since maybe Yagawa's wacky ESPII.

As for recharging, it seems to come at good moments (around bosses and their destruction or certain phat popcorn swarms) so I can't see it being anywhere near as irritating and finicky as Deathsmiles is. And since you can loose Hypers whenever you want pretty much, it's not really much more complex as knowing when to hit the button.

Anyway, THIS is a Donpachi. If this had come right after DOJ, faith would probably have remained constant.

I do like 1.5's refined system, and I found it a lot easier than arcade mode too, while I'm still stuck in stage 3 in arcade, I've reached stage 4 once with Hikari-shot in 1.5. The hypers really helped me a lot in stage 3(the mid-boss is a total ass, its even harder to beat than the stage 3 boss)

[Skykid]

I do like 1.5's refined system, and I found it a lot easier than arcade mode too, while I'm still stuck in stage 3 in arcade, I've reached stage 4 once with Hikari-shot in 1.5. The hypers really helped me a lot in stage 3(the mid-boss is a total ass, its even harder to beat than the stage 3 boss)

Ah, could you clear something up for me? Which one is 'shot' type then? I assumed that the difficulty was regulated by nudity, so the middle option is normal - this is the one I've been playing. I have noticed that the weapons change slightly depending on outfit, seeming to increase in power depending on difficulty - is that correct?

[ptoing]

I think it is the exact same as in DOJ, Shot having stronger shot, Laser stronger Laser and Expert has both. Also same bomb starting and max amounts as in DOJ (with autobomb off).

And yes, lesser clothes = more power, if you assume Laser has more power than Shot, which it probably does.

[DrTrouserPlank]

When you select your toon, isn't shot the default selection?

so it's

shot --> laser --> extreme

[ptoing]

Yes, correct.

[Skykid]

Man I wanna play this now.

Really need to fork out for another 360 and put this VGA cable that's hovering around my room to good use.

And buy a CRT monitor.

...and a new stick.



Fuck's sake, someone buy my Guwange PCB!

[BulletMagnet]

Unless I'm confusing the modes I found novice to be harder than 360 shot mode.

If you keep the rank down 360 Shot is definitely easier (in my experience, anyways) than Novice Shot/Laser, thanks in no small part to the rechargeable auto-bomb, but I think enemy patterns are actually a bit lighter as well. Maybe the constant chatter drives them away.

[Giest118]

Ah, could you clear something up for me? Which one is 'shot' type then? I assumed that the difficulty was regulated by nudity, so the middle option is normal - this is the one I've been playing. I have noticed that the weapons change slightly depending on outfit, seeming to increase in power depending on difficulty - is that correct?

In 360 mode, Shot, Laser and Expert do reflect difficulty levels, with each one being about twice as hard as the previous.

In all other modes, Shot and Laser have the same enemy patterns, with Expert being the super-hard one. It's like what they did with DFK Black Label, where every mode has first loop patterns unless you pick Strong.

[Annoyboy]

I wish they'd fix the leaderboards already. I just got a Novice clear score that I'm happy with, saved a replay and went to upload it, and... nope. It thinks that my crappy older score that isn't even a clear is better, because for some reason the leaderboards multiplied it by 5 trillion or whatever.

That may sound like nitpicking, but it really is affecting my enjoyment of the game as I like to use Score Attack to compete with friends and verify my scores, and I have no idea how Cave managed to screw up something so simple.

[MSZ]

Ah, could you clear something up for me? Which one is 'shot' type then? I assumed that the difficulty was regulated by nudity, so the middle option is normal - this is the one I've been playing. I have noticed that the weapons change slightly depending on outfit, seeming to increase in power depending on difficulty - is that correct?

At the selection screen:

Shot -> Laser -> Expert(swimsuit)

Shot and Laser both have the same bullet patterns in arcade/1.5 mode.

[Cagar]

So, is there any specific date for the patch?

[Udderdude]

After Ikeda can dig some change out of the couch ..

[MSZ]

I do like 1.5's refined system, and I found it a lot easier than arcade mode too, while I'm still stuck in stage 3 in arcade, I've reached stage 4 once with Hikari-shot in 1.5. The hypers really helped me a lot in stage 3(the mid-boss is a total ass, its even harder to beat than the stage 3 boss)

1.5 is great. Now I've reached the 2nd part of stage 4, finally be able to beat stage 4's mid boss.

[DrTrouserPlank]

Having just run through all the modes again one after another I think this game is pretty disappointing.

Arcade HD and 1.5 .. forget it, they might as well not even be on the disc because they are utterly stupid. It's just stupid fast random screen splurge. Easily the most ridiculous nonsense I've ever seen from CAVE, and they have quite a record to top in that department. I'm not even convinced that much of it is even in any sort of pattern. Completely unplayable in any sense.

360 on shot seems harder than anything I've seen in any other game from them. Definitely harder than galuda 2, looks easily on par with Ketsui and I think it's harder.

Novice looks to be about the difficulty of your average CAVE game. Maybe a bit easier to start with, but maybe a bit harder later on (haven't got there).

I don't think the package as a whole has got much life in it because of the difficulty they have pitched it at (that difficulty being for people who don't like sunlight).

[emphatic]

Having just run through all the modes again one after another I think this game is pretty disappointing.

Arcade HD and 1.5 .. forget it, they might as well not even be on the disc because they are utterly stupid. It's just stupid fast random screen splurge. Easily the most ridiculous nonsense I've ever seen from CAVE, and they have quite a record to top in that department. I'm not even convinced that much of it is even in any sort of pattern. Completely unplayable in any sense.

360 on shot seems harder than anything I've seen in any other game from them. Definitely harder than galuda 2, looks easily on par with Ketsui and I think it's harder.

Novice looks to be about the difficulty of your average CAVE game. Maybe a bit easier to start with, but maybe a bit harder later on (haven't got there).

I don't think the package as a whole has got much life in it because of the difficulty they have pitched it at (that difficulty being for people who don't like sunlight).

And there you have it.

[DrTrouserPlank]

It's a shame that I don't think I'm gonna get much play from it.

I've never written off the main mode of any game and it's 1.5 version so quickly. In fact the Arcade mode is pretty much to only one I play on any of the ports, so seeing that it's so ludicrous is pretty annoying from a game-value perspective; for me at least.

[Special World]

360 on shot seems harder than anything I've seen in any other game from them. Definitely harder than galuda 2, looks easily on par with Ketsui and I think it's harder.

Oh Trouserplank, you so crazy!

[brentsg]

It's a shame that I don't think I'm gonna get much play from it.

I've never written off the main mode of any game and it's 1.5 version so quickly. In fact the Arcade mode is pretty much to only one I play on any of the ports, so seeing that it's so ludicrous is pretty annoying from a game-value perspective; for me at least.

There are plenty of options you can unlock from the store that will make the game easier for you.

Do you only play the main arcade games because you feel that is the only authentic test of skill? I think you've established that Cave games are generally too difficult for you, so it is a shame to get frustrated by the hard modes and ignore the easier arranges that would better suit your skill level. Heck, you might just get better...

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

Having just run through all the modes again one after another I think this game is pretty disappointing.

Arcade HD and 1.5 .. forget it, they might as well not even be on the disc because they are utterly stupid. It's just stupid fast random screen splurge. Easily the most ridiculous nonsense I've ever seen from CAVE, and they have quite a record to top in that department. I'm not even convinced that much of it is even in any sort of pattern. Completely unplayable in any sense.

360 on shot seems harder than anything I've seen in any other game from them. Definitely harder than galuda 2, looks easily on par with Ketsui and I think it's harder.

Novice looks to be about the difficulty of your average CAVE game. Maybe a bit easier to start with, but maybe a bit harder later on (haven't got there).

I don't think the package as a whole has got much life in it because of the difficulty they have pitched it at (that difficulty being for people who don't like sunlight).

It's about time. Now if we can just get that blackoak translation I can pour a glass of cabernet and be completely at one with the universe.

[drunkninja24]

And the planking has begun

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

The Plankoning started a long time ago, it's just the doctor was late to his own party.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

360 on shot seems harder than anything I've seen in any other game from them.

Novice looks to be about the difficulty of your average CAVE game.

I am now 100% convinced DTP is simply a troll account.

I'm having a lot of trouble breaking 25 bil on 360 shot. Little mistakes here and there keep screwing me up and I keep ending up just below my current hiscore.

[ptoing]

Hahaha, seriously. Come on now DTP, really?

If you are not troll it seems like you have something comparable to Stockholm Syndrome in regards to Cave shmups.

I have not played it yet (tomorrow!!!!!), but what I have seen from videos 360 and novice don't look anywhere close to Ketsui or other games Cave has made.

But I have to say I am on Roo's side here. You gotta be trolling. If not, you are a lost cause.

[finisherr]

Just got this today from Video Games New York. Best store.

Anyway, what's up with only having one life? Kinda weird. Also, are there any translations out there for the game. Maybe a translation for the booklet so I know what I'm selecting?

I live near this place, how much was it?

It was $89. Not bad considering that you don't have to wait for shipping. Instant gratification.

[japtor]

A lot of people are saying that the volume problems are fixed if you just adjust the settings, but I find that the music still sounds muffled. It's great music, it just sounds like it's not mastered perfectly.

Also, I'd say 360 mode shot is slightly easier than Novice Novice. But both are pretty good beginner difficulties, imo.

Yeah the mix to the music itself definitely seems a bit off if you compare to the soundtrack. edit- and other games on my 360 seem to output a lot louder.

And the planking has begun

So this is the plankoning I've been hearing about, I feel enlightened.

[ACSeraph]

360 on shot seems harder than anything I've seen in any other game from them. Definitely harder than galuda 2, looks easily on par with Ketsui and I think it's harder.

I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you aren't just trolling us, but the only way you could think this is if you don't understand the systems at work in 360 mode. I'll explain so you don't need to sift through this endlessly long topic.

Basically you have 10,000 energy at the start of the game up in the top right corner. If you get hit by something you autobomb and lose 2000 energy. If you manually bomb you lose 1500. If you get hit by anything while you have less than 2000 energy it's game over.

If you get hit and lose energy you can recharge by hypering. The glowing green medals that enemies drop as you hyper recharge energy and 1 hyper can net you about 2000 energy back, so basically one life.

Finally you also have something called lasershot, which is when you press laser and shot at the same time. This drains your energy very quickly, but at the tradeoff of building you hyper extremely fast. If you use it a lot you can get high scores but you will be riding dangerously low on energy throughout the game so one mistake could spell your doom.

Knowing all this the way to play for survival and easily clear is by only ever using your hyper to recover from mistakes. Just sit on it till you hit something and then let it off to recharge back to 10,000. More likely than not you will get another hyper before you get hit again, so you can pretty much stay at full energy indefinitely. Don't ever user lasershot for survival because its totally unnessecary and drains your energy too quickly. The only thing you may have to seriously practice is the final boss, but getting there shouldnt be any trouble at all playing in this manner. Drill the boss a bit in practice mode until you have it down, then do a run and enjoy your 1cc.