Xbox 360: Eschatos (April 2011)

[Remxi]

Is there a list of what all the Option Levels in JSS unlock? I've gotten to Level 25, but there's still two ??? rows in the option screen. I don't really wanna play more JSS but I will if I can unlock some cool stuff in the next couple of levels. I heard there is a Hidden Ship, but I'm not sure what the other bonus is?

[burgerkingdiamond]

HOLY SHIT this soundtrack is amazing! I've been listening to it on YouTube. It's just pure old school videogame music. It's like being tranported back to the early 90's era except with a better sound quality. This is what video game tunes are supposed to sound like.

I'm gonna buy this for sure.

[stryc9]

HOLY SHIT this soundtrack is amazing! I've been listening to it on YouTube. It's just pure old school videogame music. It's like being tranported back to the early 90's era except with a better sound quality. This is what video game tunes are supposed to sound like.

I'm gonna buy this for sure.

One of the best in years for a shooter IMO. The game itself is fantastic too, the bosses are great, with a pretty epic sense of scale as you fly around shooting the shit out of them. There is plenty of content on the disc, with two different score systems and you will need hardcore reflexes to 1cc anything but Easy difficulty.

With the current glut of CAVE games, this stands out as pretty unique - you should not hesitate to buy this ASAP - its looking like STG of the year for me, and when you consider the other gems I've picked up for J360 this year, this is testament to it's excellence indeed

Considering it all looked a bit meh when it was first previewed, I can't believe how well it turned out in the end.

[Nick420]

- its looking like STG of the year for me

Agreed

[MauJustice]

$85 ? Ouch. This genre destroys my wallet.

[-Bridget-]

HOLY SHIT this soundtrack is amazing! I've been listening to it on YouTube. It's just pure old school videogame music. It's like being tranported back to the early 90's era except with a better sound quality. This is what video game tunes are supposed to sound like.

I'm gonna buy this for sure.

One of the best in years for a shooter IMO. The game itself is fantastic too, the bosses are great, with a pretty epic sense of scale as you fly around shooting the shit out of them. There is plenty of content on the disc, with two different score systems and you will need hardcore reflexes to 1cc anything but Easy difficulty.

With the current glut of CAVE games, this stands out as pretty unique - you should not hesitate to buy this ASAP - its looking like STG of the year for me, and when you consider the other gems I've picked up for J360 this year, this is testament to it's excellence indeed

Considering it all looked a bit meh when it was first previewed, I can't believe how well it turned out in the end.

I agree with all of this.

I very nearly didnt buy this at all... the original trailer really didnt seem all that great or interesting.... looked a little generic. Found it at an anime convention last month though, and.... well, just, wow. I havent been this impressed by a shmup in a long time.

To me, this even outdoes alot of Cave's games, and that's something I never thought I'd say. This game is BRILLIANT. I really cant get enough of it. The fact that it also comes with two OTHER games is just icing on the awesomecake.

And yes, this is a very difficult one. That's nice to have right now, I think. Akai Katana also released recently, and while that's good and all, it's not particularly difficult in terms of survival challenge; but I can go play Eschatos if that's what I'm after.

Also loving the scoring systems. Mostly Advanced mode.... but Original is not bad at all either.

And those boss fights.... never seen anything like them. Amazing.

The fact that the soundtrack disc was missing alot of tracks was irritating, though.... it's not like they didnt have room. I ended up just making a seperate disc, putting all of those tracks on it, AND all of the missing tracks, and there's still a buncha room to spare.... worth the effort, though.

[stryc9]

I have to ask you guys something....

I have 1CC'd Original Easy and Advanced Easy. Do you think these count as a default 1CC? I think on factory default each mode is set to Easy, but pushing up the setting to Normal and the difficulty skyrockets somewhat. A Normal 1CC is within reach (I can make it to Level 19 IIRC), but since most factory default difficulties are called 'Normal' I was just wondering what you guys thought.

I mean I never play Novice Modes or Easy difficulties on any shooter, and finishing one that way I would never count as a 1CC, but is this game an exception? I did beat it on factory defaults after all....

Some of the patterns on Normal and above are absolutely LIGHTNING fast. That second red orb boss with it's final attack that spins around really fast and pulses out bullets for example. You really have to be on top of your game with the Shield Button to not get hit by him!

[BulletMagnet]

The answer'll vary depending on who you ask (and honestly isn't all that important either way), but when in doubt as to what "counts", go with "Normal", I'd say.

[Captain Cat]

So Eschatos is pretty good eh? Guess I'll have to buy it then. But what about the soundtrack CD? Do all copies have one or is it only some kind of first print stuff?

Assuming off course, that they have sold out of the first print.

[stryc9]

So Eschatos is pretty good eh? Guess I'll have to buy it then. But what about the soundtrack CD? Do all copies have one or is it only some kind of first print stuff?

Assuming off course, that they have sold out of the first print.

Yep, it's the shiznik. Not sure if there's been a second print run yet, but then I have no idea if the first is even sold out yet. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't I hear a rumour of a proper OST release for this? It might have been Strania though... Damn memory...

EDIT: Had a bit of a look around, there is indeed a full OST, and it has a particularly excellent sounding arrange of Silver Lining on it, as well as the Boss music that was sorely missed on the bundled disc. From a company called SweepRecord.

Kind of explains why all the tracks weren't on the CD, doesn't it...

[burgerkingdiamond]

So Eschatos is pretty good eh? Guess I'll have to buy it then. But what about the soundtrack CD? Do all copies have one or is it only some kind of first print stuff?

Assuming off course, that they have sold out of the first print.

Yep, it's the shiznik. Not sure if there's been a second print run yet, but then I have no idea if the first is even sold out yet. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't I hear a rumour of a proper OST release for this? It might have been Strania though... Damn memory...

EDIT: Had a bit of a look around, there is indeed a full OST, and it has a particularly excellent sounding arrange of Silver Lining on it, as well as the Boss music that was sorely missed on the bundled disc. From a company called SweepRecord.

Kind of explains why all the tracks weren't on the CD, doesn't it...

and where could one purchase said disc?

[stryc9]

Good question. I checked Playasia and I can't find it there, and they're the people I go through traditionally so I'm afraid I can't really help with that. (I get shit from them in 3 days w/ UPS so I've been reluctant to shop around elsewhere).

Anyone?

[Captain Cat]

Amiami have/had the soundtrack (backorder):
http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english& ... splay.html

But the game is all sold out at Amiami. Weird. Would think they could get some more if they wanted.

[Ghegs]

YesAsia seems to have it as well.

[defected78]

Amazing game. I was wise to get this when I saw only one left in play asia. Theyve since restocked

The soundtrack for this game is simply stunning.

[chempop]

I still need to get this game!!! I'm pleasantly surprised that the reaction to it has been so positive, I had my doubts but the more I hear, the more I want. Listened to a few OST tracks on YouTube and OMG

[Special World]

I still need to get this game!!! I'm pleasantly surprised that the reaction to it has been so positive, I had my doubts but the more I hear, the more I want. Listened to a few OST tracks on YouTube and OMG

It is truly the real deal.

I love how some of the stages later on feel like a classic Galaga-style shooter. Those bits are awesome.

[ratikal]

I just bought and its on its way. I cannot wait to play it. I have TV tated and ready!

[xbl0x180]

I still need to get this game!!! I'm pleasantly surprised that the reaction to it has been so positive, I had my doubts but the more I hear, the more I want. Listened to a few OST tracks on YouTube and OMG

It is truly the real deal.

I love how some of the stages later on feel like a classic Galaga-style shooter. Those bits are awesome.

Yep, I loved what seemed to be an ode to Galaga when all the little ships lined up in rows. The ship design looks awersome... like some kind of flying electric guitar

[Aliquantic]

Are there leaderboards and replays for Judgement Silversword and Cardinal Sins as well? Thanks I'm very, very tempted to pick this one up if only for JSS (I'm still not really sold on Eschatos itself)!

[stryc9]

Are there leaderboards and replays for Judgement Silversword and Cardinal Sins as well? Thanks I'm very, very tempted to pick this one up if only for JSS (I'm still not really sold on Eschatos itself)!

There are certainly leaderboards for JS and Cardinal Sins, can't recall about replay saves as I've never wanted to use them on these two games as my performance is not yet where it should be.

And as far as Eschatos goes, a lot of the elements of gameplay and type of level design have been wholesaled over from JS - the scoring is different, but it seems like a spiritual successor to me, and if you like the Wonderswan titles I can't really see you not liking Eschatos.

To me, it's a great shooter that has come at exactly the right time. But I can't blame people for thinking videos of it look a bit vanilla.... that's certainly what I thought. Until I played it, of course.

[Aliquantic]

Thanks for your answer And after DS2 Arcade and Espgaluda II Omake, I've stopped assuming all games have leaderboards and/or replays :s

My biggest question mark for Eschatos is really the art style which looks more confusing than JSS and not particularly attractive, and I think I'll miss the shield scoring tricks from JSS since that's one of my favorite parts of the game, but maybe speedkilling works better than I'm thinking here! (I dislike it immensely in games like Dangun Feveron or Raiden III/IV, but it's fine as a secondary mechanic in JSS)

[stryc9]

Thanks for your answer And after DS2 Arcade and Espgaluda II Omake, I've stopped assuming all games have leaderboards and/or replays :s

My biggest question mark for Eschatos is really the art style which looks more confusing than JSS and not particularly attractive, and I think I'll miss the shield scoring tricks from JSS since that's one of my favorite parts of the game, but maybe speedkilling works better than I'm thinking here! (I dislike it immensely in games like Dangun Feveron or Raiden III/IV, but it's fine as a secondary mechanic in JSS)

Of course something like art style is going to be a somewhat subjective thing, but for a low budget shooter it still looks a hundred times better than something like Trizeal or Triggerheart IMO.
The UFO theme is excellent etc.

The shield scoring tricks are indeed gone from Original mode - instead it's kill the whole wave or the multiplier won't increase. But then there is Advanced mode, where the shield is used to rub shots and enemies which generates the purple score items of varying sizes. This all seems to be tied in with your current shot power level and when you choose to power up/ down.

At least I think that's how it works.

[Aliquantic]

Yes, when I'm saying I don't like the art, it's in comparison to JSS itself rather than higher-budget games... I didn't know about Advanced mode though and it's sounding pretty interesting! Decisions, decisions...

[ratikal]

Advanced mode is the way to go. Original is kind of unforgiving by dropping your multiplier for every one enemy you miss. In Advanced, it only drops one even you miss every enemy in the wave.

It's also pretty fun to see your whole screen turn into purple triangles after you successfully beat a boss at the right time, and it's also awesome how overpowered your ship becomes.

[Sapz]

You people are crazy, Original is where it's at. Advanced hasn't really clicked with me yet, but I can't get enough of Original, it's so fast paced. I like how simple and elegant the scoring system there is - Advanced's seems a little convoluted in comparison, though maybe that's just because I don't really understand how to score well in it yet.

[PsikyoFan]

Just bought this off the back of this thread, and the sole review I could find on the wider web.
Looking fwd to the soundtrack and Wonderswan games.

Also picked up 'Galuda II now that it's so cheap.

Eventually I'll stick my 360 in my Blast and then I have plenty of modern shmuppy goodness.

[Shatterhand]

Just got this and I am loving it....

...like it has been said before, maybe because it's a good shmup not from Cave. It really feels different from all we've been playing for like, the last 3 or 4 years.

The perspective changes sucks, as some WILL KILL YOU for the 1st time, but it's easy to get used to them, and then they become actually cool, making possible some real interesting bullet patterns.

[xbl0x180]

The perspective changes for the Second UFO in outer space (Area 13) was confusing as hell because it seems as if it automatically pushes the ship to the front where the shots are coming from the three large bulbs. Also, I thought I was "immune" from crashing into the bulbs, but I was WRONG. I can go up to Area 14 at best on [Normal - Original] mode before crashing and burning - NO CONTINUES

Great f***ing game, though. I love the designs and the music for it

[Shatterhand]

Yes, the area 13 is the worst offender of the perspective changing so far....

Oh, and I gave more time to Judgement Silversword today... man, WHAT A GAME. Freaking awesome.


And what is Cardinal Sin? That game is really weird, is it a score attack game where I have something specific (but not clear) to do at each level? I noticed I get 5 lives at the start of each stage no matter what I do up until a certain point of the game, where sound effects just dissapeared and the game became black & white... and then after this I was facing a boss that spit bullets like they were going out of fashion... which took me my 2 remaining lives and the game ended. I got a C rank, and I have no idea of what the heck I was doing.