Xbox 360: Akai Katana Shin (May 2011)

[Zeron]

Seems that CAVE just can't make up their minds as of lately how their menues are supposed to look.

[Sumez]

...uh, not much else to report. Feels like I'm playing Progear with Galuda's Kakusei mode.

That actually sounds fantastic

[dan76]

Can anyone report on the 4:3 arcade mode - are we full screen, or a small box surrounded by black borders?

[Zeron]

Can anyone report on the 4:3 arcade mode - are we full screen, or a small box surrounded by black borders?

I use a 4:3 monitor and its uh imagine a 16:9 game with a 4:3 letterbox, its pretty ridiculous- I just don't get it how they manage to fuck these things up really...

[dan76]

Thanks for the info. Let's hope the display options sort this out in the final game... that or wait for a patch!

Edit: duh, just realised the 4:3 arcade mode isn't on the demo.

[SuperPang]

So can someone elaborate a bit more about this version??? Compared to the original and with the tweaks made how does it play???

It's completely different to the point where I didn't know what to do despite playing both PCB versions quite a lot. Therefore I wouldn't worry if you don't like Shin mode.

[evil_ash_xero]

Why hasn't someone just posted this up on Media Fire or a torrent?

[Jockel]

Why hasn't someone just posted this up on Media Fire or a torrent?

Seconding this due to JTAGed console.

[Phellan Wolf]

So can someone elaborate a bit more about this version??? Compared to the original and with the tweaks made how does it play???

It's completely different to the point where I didn't know what to do despite playing both PCB versions quite a lot. Therefore I wouldn't worry if you don't like Shin mode.

I've never played the original PCB or the special home edition. I wanted to know people impressions to see if those changes really improve the gameplay mechanics and the scoring system since the game failed in the arcades though I am really excited about this new Cave release.

[Special World]

So, is the revised PCB version actually in this port? Or is it the original PCB and 2 other modes?

I am assuming right now that it's PCB, Revised "Home" PCB, and Shin.

[brentsg]

I've never played the original PCB or the special home edition. I wanted to know people impressions to see if those changes really improve the gameplay mechanics and the scoring system since the game failed in the arcades though I am really excited about this new Cave release.

The game failed because 1) arcade ops were hesitant about 1.5's and black labels coming along and 2) top scorers didn't have sufficient headroom.

So really unless you're skilled enough to be cramped by the scoring system the original arcade release would be something to look forward to all by itself, let alone new modes.

[Phellan Wolf]

I've never played the original PCB or the special home edition. I wanted to know people impressions to see if those changes really improve the gameplay mechanics and the scoring system since the game failed in the arcades though I am really excited about this new Cave release.

The game failed because 1) arcade ops were hesitant about 1.5's and black labels coming along and 2) top scorers didn't have sufficient headroom.

So really unless you're skilled enough to be cramped by the scoring system the original arcade release would be something to look forward to all by itself, let alone new modes.

Thanls brentsg to point me that out cause I thought that it failed primarely due to its scoring system wich was maxed out by top players in japan in no time.
I am not really skilled but I like deep scoring systems, so if they've rebalanced it it's a plus for me.

[TonK]

Anyone know where I can get a Digital Download 3 month card?

Or can I get my U.S. Credit card to work on LIVE so I can get a month?

[emphatic]

Anyone know where I can get a Digital Download 3 month card?

Or can I get my U.S. Credit card to work on LIVE so I can get a month?

Or.. just wait until the 11th and get the demo then. That's what I'm gonna do.

[wariomona]

Anyone know where I can get a Digital Download 3 month card?

Or can I get my U.S. Credit card to work on LIVE so I can get a month?

Or.. just wait until the 11th and get the demo then. That's what I'm gonna do.

Couldn't you also just make another free Japanese account since they start off as gold for a month anyway?
(Though I'm going to wait because a demo isn't that important that I can't wait another week )

[chempop]

So friggin pumped for this game but I think I'll just wait until the real thing and not bother being teased with a demo. The questing looms over my head - will it surpass Deathsmiles as my favorite Cave hori?

I'm not worried about 4:3 support, it's safe to say Cave learned their lesson with Guwange. Shin seems to be redesigned for 16:9, but the PCB mode has been confirmed for fullscreen 4:3 I believe.

I like all the art a lot, the shield/reflect mechanic seems fun, the aircraft and people designs, the music, and most of all teleporting giant war planes out of thin air. The only fear I have is that there are too many intricacies with all the mechanics and scoring.

[StarCreator]

Anyone know where I can get a Digital Download 3 month card?

Or can I get my U.S. Credit card to work on LIVE so I can get a month?

As far as I know, LIVE subscription codes are region-agnostic, so you COULD grab a subscription card from Walmart and use it on a Japanese gamertag.

Or, you could wait a week and it'll be free for everyone.

[brentsg]

Anyone know where I can get a Digital Download 3 month card?

Or can I get my U.S. Credit card to work on LIVE so I can get a month?

Or.. just wait until the 11th and get the demo then. That's what I'm gonna do.

Couldn't you also just make another free Japanese account since they start off as gold for a month anyway?
(Though I'm going to wait because a demo isn't that important that I can't wait another week )

This works just fine. I created a new JPN gamertag and got the free month of Gold.

[TonK]

Got it. Impressions later.

[drunkninja24]

I got the demo. Seems cool, I just need to figure out how the katana shot works.

[evil_ash_xero]

Just got the demo myself. Not bad at all. I'll go ahead an pre-order this thing now. It seems like it has potential.


My biggest worry is length and difficulty. It's a bit short and easy. Hopefully the added stage is long, and the difficulty spikes as it goes on.

[Sumez]

Does it feel like a Yagawa game at all?

All I've seen looks a LOT like Progear, including several bullet patterns.

[BPzeBanshee]

Does it feel like a Yagawa game at all?

All I've seen looks a LOT like Progear, including several bullet patterns.

I agree on this sentiment too, after playing Progear for the first time the other day (so sue me for not trying it sooner) I can see a lot of resemblances in this. I don't think that's a bad thing however.

Stupid Question: The demo's Japan-only just like the full game right?

[Sumez]

Considering Progear is only out on arcades, I really can't blame you for not trying it earlier. Personally I'd been waiting nine years to get to play it.

The demo can be downloaded on any region console with a free Japanese account. You need gold to get it before next Wednesday though.

[BPzeBanshee]

That's lame. I can't even be bothered setting up a Japanese account on my current 360, it was annoying enough for the UK account I got.

And I thought Progear got a release in one of the Capcom collections somewhere? Kinda hard to believe that there's actually another Cave game besides ESPRade that hasn't had a port EVER.

[Sumez]

ESP.Ra.De, Progear, and Dangun Feveron.
Progear DID get one port, but to some old mobile phone system. There's an ad for it in PS2 EspGaluda. Actually I think the other two got one too.

A Japanese X360 account is useful for a lot of stuff, especially getting demos not available to your region. You could also get El Shaddai, Catherine, Raiden Fighters Aces, and Bullet Soul demos while you are at it.

[BPzeBanshee]

Dangun Feveron is at least getting a port though. Apparently Cave said it at their last matsuri.

I've noticed a fair few of their games from Progear-era through to the PGM games have had those weird phone ports. I've heard the background music for the phone port of Ketsui too, kinda like the Megadrive had sex with the SNES and that music was the output of their child's sound card.

As for the Japanese account, I can definitely see the use for it, I'm just too damn lazy. Maybe when I bother to get a Japanese 360 I'll get one then (if only because I have to).

[Ghegs]

As for the Japanese account, I can definitely see the use for it, I'm just too damn lazy. Maybe when I bother to get a Japanese 360 I'll get one then (if only because I have to).

No you don't. I've had a JPN 360 for ~two years and didn't make a japanese account until like a month ago. I timed it so perfectly my free Gold ran out just before the Akai Katana demo came out.

[mdsfx]

A Japanese X360 account is useful for a lot of stuff, especially getting demos not available to your region. You could also get El Shaddai, Catherine, Raiden Fighters Aces, and Bullet Soul demos while you are at it.

A little off topic, but: Can you download Japanese version Games on Demand and play them on a US console with a Japanese account?

[Ghegs]

A Japanese X360 account is useful for a lot of stuff, especially getting demos not available to your region. You could also get El Shaddai, Catherine, Raiden Fighters Aces, and Bullet Soul demos while you are at it.

A little off topic, but: Can you download Japanese version Games on Demand and play them on a US console with a Japanese account?

A question better covered in this thread but the answer is no, you can't.