Deathsmiles coming in spring.. (iPhone)

[tearsofash]

Really wish Cave would make HD ipad versions of these too.

are the controls worse than in Bug Panic

Is that possible!?

[MachineAres 1CC]

This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but I'm still going to play it anyway. Just the idea of playing a game where you shoot in 2 directions with touch-screen controls sounds awful, but hopefully they'll put an on-screen joystick in there. Even though I don't like those much, either, it'll still be better than touching on the screen where you're playing.

[Frederik]

Really wish Cave would make HD ipad versions of these too.

I doubt the iPad, or any iOS device aside from maybe the iPhone 4 (which has twice the RAM of the iPad and the 4th gen iPod Touch) could handle it. At least on my iPod these games suck enough juice already, more than any other app.

Deathsmiles might work much better on the iPad than the iPod Touch - obscuring the screen with my fingers wasn´t a problem in the other two ports thanks to the big blank strip at the bottom, but yeah, Deathsmiles with its attacks coming from all sides might be problematic on the small screen. At least the touch response will hopefully as responsive as on the other games, since I´ve encountered quite a few touch-shmups on iOS that had rather unreliable touch detection.

And hopefully the iPhone mode will be designed with these limitations in mind, like on Espgaluda II. Given how terrible the idea of CAVE shmups on iOS sounds on paper, DDP:R and EspgII were ported in a very careful manner, and I hope Masaki comes up with a good solution here as well.

And after that, please just do the obvious thing and bring Futari to iOS next, at least we know that this will work for sure And since they already introduced the Mushi series with Bug Panic, not doing Futari soon would be foolish!

This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but I'm still going to play it anyway. Just the idea of playing a game where you shoot in 2 directions with touch-screen controls sounds awful, but hopefully they'll put an on-screen joystick in there. Even though I don't like those much, either, it'll still be better than touching on the screen where you're playing.

Actually, the virtual joystick would occupy a part of the screen where you have to move your character to, sooner or later, and then you´re fucked. Unless, of course, you shrink the play area down enough - but I can´t stand playing these games on any smaller size than the biggest one.

In any case, for just a couple of bucks and as a quick distraction in the subway it will most likely suffice. It´s not like its going to be a replacement for the big screen version.

[StarCreator]

Really wish Cave would make HD ipad versions of these too.

It was already mentioned on CAVE's English Twitter account that it can't happen due to memory limitations.

[Icarus]

Update by Cave with a new trailer and iOS BGM. A new character, Tiara 'Princess of Gilverado', and iPhone Mode seems to be RPG-like in that you can beef up your character with purchased and found equipment. Interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFnjcaKamp8

[renardqueenston]

was looking for this thread to drop that in, missed it for some reason! liking the upgrade shop feature, it looks like good fun!

[Frederik]

AAAWWW YEEEAAAHHHH

Man, what an elaborate trailer, they really seem to put a LOT of effort into this. That RPG-loot-mode sounds like
the perfect solution for quick on-the-go sessions, and honestly, this will ease people new to the genre into it.
I love quick challenges as well (one of the reasons why I love Bangai O Spirits so much),
and this makes Deathsmiles feel even more like Castlevania - The Shmup with all the upgrading.
And it seems a lot more useful and less disjointed than the iPhone modes in the other games.

I also quite like that new character with her nifty little umbrella, and man, that new music sounds brilliant as well,
unlike that rather annoying DDP:R alternate soundtrack that didn´t fit the mood of the game at all. Sounds almost
a bit like Michiru Yamane

I have to say, though, that while I really love the other two CAVE shmups on iOS, I spent the last few weeks playing
Puyo Puyo on the DS like a Maniac and going back to touch controls feels really odd. With all that new stuff they crammed
into Deathsmiles, I have the vague hope that maybe this will get a 3DS/PS Vita release some day - digital download
at least, here´s hoping that dumb region locking bullshit won´t plague games on these systems as well. I can see
this selling even better than EspII and DDP:R and I hope this will make them consider porting it.

Anyways, I will buy that shit out of that game when it comes out, hey, it´s only... an undefined span of time until it´s out!
I´ve got my new capacitive stylus ready for this. It looks pretty polished already in the trailer so I hope it won´t be too long.

[Skykid]

I'm intrigued by the new character and ST, but not sure how much I really want to play DS anymore.

What I would really like is a training mode where I can run through Ice Palace as many times as I like.

[spadgy]

I got this press release today from Cave. I've removed the pictures and this is just the raw copy. Offers a little insight.

■ THIS IS DEATHSMILES iOS!
★ New Promotional Video here!
CAVE WORLD URL: http://www.cave-world.com/
Youtube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFnjcaKamp8

■ NEW GAME MODE + PRACTICE MODES ADDED!
In addition to the Arcade Version of “Deathsmiles”, Deathsmiles iPhone includes an iPhone Mode
with a new character and original story!
This mode is packed full of content sure to satisfy those who have played Deathsmiles and those
who are just starting out.
Practice Modes are also included for improving your score!


■ iPhone MODE FEATURES!
★ New character, Princess Tiara! Includes an all-original story!
Tiara, the Princess of Gilverado, is here!
Ice-cold to those who threaten her kingdom, she dotes on her subjects and cares for her friends!
Her mission to defeat an evil witch coven that haunts Gilverado unfolds exclusively in iPhone
Mode!

★ REVAMPED CHARACTER DESIGNS
iPhone Mode features new character designs and an original scenario handled by manga
illustrator and writer Yukinatsu Mori.
Based on the original character designs by Deathsmiles series illustrator Junya Inoue, Yukinatsu’s
illustrations give new life to the Angels.

★ BRAND NEW BGM!
Brand new music for your quest through Gilverado!
Veteran CAVE composer Takeshi Miyamoto (Muchi Muchi Pork, Pink Sweets etc.) pens entirely
new compositions for iPhone Mode. A new Gilverado sings forth on your mobile device.

★ POWER UP YOUR CHARACTER WITH EQUIPMENT AND ITEMS!
Players can power up their Princess by using equipment and items bought from “Sakura’s Shop”,
as well as those dropped by enemies in stages throughout the game.

＜WHERE TO FIND ITEMS＞
● Use Gold obtained by defeating enemies to buy equipment at the Shop
● Grab items located in stages
● “Banish” bosses to unlock items
● Pick up special items added periodically to the Shop!

HELP TIARA FIGHT THE DEMON HORDES!
ILLUSTRATOR PROFILES
◆ Junya Inoue
Veteran character designer and graphic artist at CAVE and other game companies. After leaving
CAVE, Inoue went independent as a manga artist, and later created the character and world design
for the Deathsmiles series, as well as Voice Work for some characters.
Currently writing manga series “BTOOOM!” at Bunch Comics.
Homepage URL: http://www5.airnet.ne.jp/jokerjun/

◆ Yukinatsu Mori
Yukinatsu Mori is a manga artist currently drawing and writing “Tama-san” for Manga Time.
Character Designer and Scenario Writer for Deathsmiles iPhone/iPod touch at the strong
recommendation of Junya Inoue.
Homepage URL: http://saburou-p.sakura.ne.jp/

■ RELEASE DATE COMING SOON!
We apologize for the long wait!
We know people are eager to hear when Deathsmiles iOS will be available.
The release date will be revealed soon at the CAVE WORLD homepage:
http://www.cave-world.com, so stay tuned!




■ ABOUT DEATHSMILES
Deathsmiles is CAVE’s horizontal-scrolling shooter released to arcades in 2007. With its signature
gothic horror setting and charismatic characters, Deathsmiles was ported to the Xbox 360 in Japan
2009, and released in North America via Aksys Games in 2010, and Europe via Rising Star Games in
2011. This popular gothic horror shooter has also spawned a sequel, “Deathsmiles IIX”, available via
Xbox LIVE Games on Demand.

■ RELEASE NOTES
App Title: “Deathsmiles
Compatible Devices: iPhone4/iPhone3GS/iPod touch 3rd Gen and Up (Late 2009, End 2009
32GB and 64GB)/iPad/iPad2
OS Compatibility : iPhone OS 4.2 and up
Compatible Languages: Japanese/English
Release Regions: Worldwide
Release Date: 2011
* Release date to be revealed at the CAVE World homepage soon.
Price: TBD
Official CAVE WORLD URL: http://www.cave-world.com/en
Youtube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFnjcaKamp8

[MauJustice]

Looking impressive. I'm not crazy about the Iphone controls but its' better than nothing.

I wish these games were a little cheaper though, It's hard to justify $9 when you can get the 360 version for $20. At least the other Cave Iphone releases were NTS-J only so I could stomach the price.

[chempop]

New trailer looks great, I wasn't expecting the iMode to have changes such as a new character and shop. I hope the arrange music is better than DDP-R's, I didn't care for that at all.

I wish these games were a little cheaper though, It's hard to justify $9 when you can get the 360 version for $20. At least the other Cave Iphone releases were NTS-J only so I could stomach the price.

I think ESPG2 and DDP-R both had an introductory price that was closer to $5... I'm surprised $9 is considered "hard to justify", to me it "practically free" (compared to the money I've spend on 360 ports).

[dan76]

I want it as dlc for the 360 version!

[hzt]

Princesses are awesome but RPG elements are very not awesome. I'm not sure what to think.

[Tyjet]

I want it as dlc for the 360 version!

YES

[Exarion]

Princesses are awesome but RPG elements are very not awesome. I'm not sure what to think.

The only reference I can think of for shmup with RPG elements is valkyrie sky, which was buggy and unmaintained. It did, however, give newbies an incentive to keep trying the hard stages, as those were often the ones that gave the most XP and the best loot, and they would get better. Also, being an MMO, being a good shmupper would let you avoid the grind and advance more quickly. It still wasn't worth dealing with the bugs, but at least they got the idea right.

[Rebel Ninja]

I wonder if the shop will be implemented in the same way as in "Trouble Witches", or if it'll be available before a level starts?

[Frederik]

I wonder if the shop will be implemented in the same way as in "Trouble Witches", or if it'll be available before a level starts?

My guess is that the shop is a place on the map.

I like the idea of getting money and spending it on equipment. Yeah, it isn´t really 100% true authentic grim dark shooter action that way, and grinding for loot is quite a cheap way to increase replayablility, and I hate grinding in RPGs, but that´s because I hate RPGs in general. I loved grinding for souls in the Aria/Dawn of Sorrow, and I´m sure I will love it here, for some mindless relaxed hours on the couch I think it would have felt really out of place in DDP for instance, but since you´re already cashing in gold crowns you might as well use all that stuff for something other than score I might also add a nice exploration mechanic.

[MR_Soren]

Depending on how "grinding" is implemented in this game, it might actually inspire people to learn the game's scoring system and actually try to become competent. If that happens, maybe they'll also begin to enjoy "grinding" their way up leaderboards in a regular game/mode.

Could be the gateway the genre needs. Figure it's worth a try and will be an interesting diversion if nothing else.

[powersoul]

Well, Deathsmiles deserves it's own fanbase who has no access to Xbox360 or their local arcades. I'm on Android, don't see a chance of them porting over, but I'm excited to see what they have to offer for iDeathsmiles (unofficial name lol)

[StarCreator]

At some point I just have to bite the bullet and get myself an iDevice of some sort - CAVE has given it more than enough support to justify it.

Oh, and if the trailer is to be believed, the game has both Game Center AND OpenFeint support, so Treasurance has to buy it.

[Treasurance]

ok whats going on h-
wait
what
WHAT
BEST CAVE EVER

[BPzeBanshee]

I wonder if the shop will be implemented in the same way as in "Trouble Witches", or if it'll be available before a level starts?

My guess is that the shop is a place on the map.

I suppose there's a chance of them doing it like Tyrian's Story mode - have the shop as a part of the same menu that takes you between stages. Considering how Deathsmiles already has selectable stages it could just work that way. Or the shop could actually be its own "stage" on the map that you use in Deathsmiles currently to get to stages. A risk/reward factor could be implemented that way too if they manipulate its position like the rows/columns organisation of the existing stages so you can only reach the shop when you're on a certain row or something.

[AliceMargatroid]

Sorry for taking so long to post this, Cave already posted this one or two hours ago.

The release date is the 07th July.
Get hyped. Now.

And there is a Livestream on the Cave channel in 2 days (01st July).

[zackforbing]

so excited for this! never played it any other way so I'm excited to finally have a taste.

[AliceMargatroid]

Link to the stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/caveworld-live
Just thought I should post this because it wasn't easy to find.

[-Bridget-]

Well, I gotta say, I'm really not sure what to think of this one.

On one hand, another release from Cave is always a good thing. And another shmup that I can play on the iPad is also always a good thing.

On the other hand, I kinda wish they'd chosen a different game from their lineup... Deathsmiles is nice and all, but it's too easy, from a survival standpoint, and I always thought the scoring system was.... well.... uninteresting. Never cared for that part much. I beat the game quickly and simply didnt really play it much after that.

And not sure what to make of this wierd iPhone Mode either. I was really just hoping to see a mode that's, you know, the usual game but with totally new scoring. Instead.... RPG elements? Items? What?

That's fine and all, but unless the game's difficulty increases REALLY DRAMATICALLY in that mode, I dunno what the point of grabbing any powerup items would be. I'm still hoping that at least the scoring system will be different though.

[BulletMagnet]

Some of you probably already knew (or at least suspected) this, but if you buy the game within the first three days it'll cost you five bucks - after the 10th the price bumps up to nine dollars.

[Kaspal]

Some of you probably already knew (or at least suspected) this, but if you buy the game within the first three days it'll cost you five bucks - after the 10th the price bumps up to nine dollars.

getting it on day one... i wanna have it right there with the other 3 games from cave for iDevices.

[KidQuaalude]

Some of you probably already knew (or at least suspected) this, but if you buy the game within the first three days it'll cost you five bucks - after the 10th the price bumps up to nine dollars.

Bug-testers discount.

[Frederik]

The release date is the 07th July.
Get hyped. Now.

I was convinced they would delay this until fall or something, given how vague they have been on the release date. I´m surprised it´s coming out this quick, and even before the new Puyo DS game gets released. The perfect combination for playing games on the balcony all summer