Yuzo Koshiro is making new MD shmup.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I must say it really is pretty positive they postponed the megadrive release, if they want to they could adjust the visibility issue still before the carts get produced.

I'm sure the upcoming Earthion MD/Genesis boxed carts will be honed & adjusted for maximum visual punch so that it looks at it's best on an old-school CRT-based RGB monitor benchmark setting.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Udderdude]

This one comes as close as possible to euroshmup-ness without actually setting off my patented euroshmup alarm. It feels like a mix of euroshmup and japanese shmup sensibilities ..

I'd really like to see someone attempt a 1 life clear no damage challenge run .. it seems like it would be quite difficult, even on normal skill. Also, they probably delayed the console and cart versions so they could further refine the game, so don't be afraid to post on the steam forum .. lol.

[LDigital]

so I played through the campaign via Everdrive on original hardware and CRT this evening, completing the game on easy mode to just get a feel for things. Its a really really good looking game, some of the best graphics I have ever seen on the base system. The music and sounds as usual are excellent from Yuzo.

I didnt have problems with projectile visibility but there are sections that get pretty hectic, it didnt feel cheap though.

The power up system is interesting and gives decent choices to allow you to customise what is important to you as you progress. I think for purists they should have given a no shield option, but I didn't mind it at all.

I think this is worth playing just for the graphics and music alone to see your 30+ year old console sing, it just so happens its a lot of fun too.

Happy

[it290]

Played several rounds of this today. I think it's pretty well-balanced, although obviously designed for casual players to eventually clear by using the upgrade/password system. Pretty much everything can be dodged, you just have to get used to the attacks like any classic game. None of the attacks here are faster than the projectiles from the first boss of Thunderforce III, for example—in fact I'd say this game is pretty comparable to that one, just designed around the shield mechanic rather than copious 1-ups and the overpowered homing weapon.

Even though the shields help with survivability a lot, you still have to be cautious, because losing your weapon powerups will turn bosses into bullet sponges and make them much more difficult to defeat. The powerdown is a necessary balancing feature, the game would be way too easy without it.

Out of this year's MD releases, I'm not sure if I prefer this or ZPF — Earthion certainly wins in the graphics/sound department, although both are really good at both. ZPF has a bit more of a 'classic' vibe and Earthion is an attempt at a more modern shmup design — with the shield mechanic, this is basically the Halo of the genre.

[Stevens]

I put some more time into this evening. Haven't really had any issues with visibility outside of the 2nd stage, and I was able to improve that considerably with the gamma option.

What else? To make it a bit more challenging I set my lives to zero/normal difficulty in the options, the game is pretty forgiving. That said I haven't ventured beyond normal yet. My best is the stage four boss, but on a subsequent continue I got to stage five. I've only been upgrading sub weapon level if I finish a stage with the pod.

There are some great set pieces and overall I think it's pretty damn good.

[Steven]

Maybe I should buy this game again and give it another attempt, but this time with keyboard. I think I may have rage-quit too easily, as I never made it out of stage 1 due to the frustrations of never getting my Mega Drive controllers working the way I want them. I don't think that's an unreasonable request; it's a Mega Drive game, so let me use Mega Drive controllers.

Well... I'll think about it. There is another reason that I feel bad about it, one that is the primary reason that I may buy it again, but I'd rather not talk about that.

[BEAMLORD]

There's nothing fancy when it comes to scoring- It's like many other Genesis/Mega Drive shmups in that it consists entirely of shoot thing = get point.

However, there are more things that can be shot than one might initially expect. Even smaller enemies can throw off debris when destroyed, and this debris is in and of itself destructible. And these debris pieces give way more points than you might initially expect- when it comes to some of the smaller enemies they may be worth as much or more points than destroying the enemy itself, so there are substantial rewards for pilots who clean up after themselves. Those green powerups also add to score.

The end of game score bonus doesn't depend on anything out of the ordinary- Lives remaining, difficulty, damages taken, powerups picked up, whether you used a password, that kind of thing, but you've seen that screen already.

Ah, not surprised to hear there's nothing much special to it, being a Mega Drive game, after all. As most people are naturally likely to be shooting everything in sight throughout, seems that high scores will be largely dependent on your end of game stats.

[spmbx]

Maybe I should buy this game again and give it another attempt, but this time with keyboard. I think I may have rage-quit too easily, as I never made it out of stage 1 due to the frustrations of never getting my Mega Drive controllers working the way I want them. I don't think that's an unreasonable request; it's a Mega Drive game, so let me use Mega Drive controllers.

Well... I'll think about it. There is another reason that I feel bad about it, one that is the primary reason that I may buy it again, but I'd rather not talk about that.

You could get the rom and just buy it when it becomes available officially if the pc version is not what you want or doesn't work for you