Parodius is back? Showing at AOU 2007: Otomedius!

Shelcoof · Post by **Shelcoof** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:33 pm

Zebra Airforce wrote:
How is that baffling? PS2 Mushi and Ibara were both lacklustre ports.
I'm sure they complained long and hard about the lack of progressive scan and inaccurate slowdown emulation.

Does the slowdown and progressive scan really make or break a port? Curious, I'm not as hardcore as some of the members here but it'd be nice to know if this is how most members feel.

originalz · Post by **originalz** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:49 am

EOJ wrote: That review was for the DC version, back in 9/2002. Before Ikaruga was hyped or had any console revenue.

Different era completely, and it's a Treasure game which has some weight to it. Shooters were still pretty active during the Dreamcast days, although I have no idea what the other shooter famitsu reviews were during those days. I would guess that they would be higher than they are now, but I don't know what the Japanese scene was like back then.

Shelcoof wrote:
Can you provide more feedback, maybe a small review based on your experienced? I'm curious how Otomedius compares to previous Parodius games? Or is it an entirely different game on it's own? Looks like Gradius V to me with boobs and cutsy graphics.

What I loved about the previous Parodius games was that there was no gimmick, it was pure Gradius but only with hilarious animation with and a fun comic design. I found the difficulty in Parodius to be much easier than Gradius games too.

Thanks

I dunno, it's a fun game. Other than the main characters and bosses, the moe stuff isn't really in the game. I like it because you can play it at your own pace. Just want to mess around and shoot stuff? Choose the easy mode, anyone with any shooting skills can 1cc that no problem. Want to challenge yourself with difficult patterns and more complex enemies? Go expert. The higher the difficulty level, the more elements are worth, and some bosses are completely different depending on the difficulty. It's a solid game, it may not be the third coming of Gradius that some people are expecting, but I was never expecting that to begin with and I really enjoy it. Maybe I'm just not hardcore enough to nitpick the flaws, haha. I guess it's a casual game, but it can definitely be very challenging if you want it to be. Considering how popular this game is (I've seen many arcade that have this game but not a single shooter otherwise), it's a good strategy. Maybe this is the direction shooters need to go towards in order to regain some sort of mainstream appeal.

Really though, talking about single player is almost pointless now since everyone plays it on battle mode now. Completely changes how you play the game, and who wins is completely based on how well you score, since there isn't any way to affect the other players.

Shelcoof · Post by **Shelcoof** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:50 am

originalz

thanks for the feedback. I was a bit worried because I'm a huge fan of the Parodius series. I'm not hardcore at all, I just play for the fun of it. Parodius Series was never hard to begin with, it was just wacky and fun and challenging enough to keep you on your feet while playing. Otomedius sounds just right the way you described it.

I guess maybe I'm pretty excited about the game and I don't want to be let down. Another thing is thinking about getting this game and a JP 360 or wait and see if they will release it here in North America.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:58 am

Shelcoof wrote:Another thing is thinking about getting this game and a JP 360 or wait and see if they will release it here in North America.

If this one makes it to the USA I'll be VERY surprised.

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:04 am

originalz wrote:
EOJ wrote: That review was for the DC version, back in 9/2002. Before Ikaruga was hyped or had any console revenue.
Different era completely, and it's a Treasure game which has some weight to it. Shooters were still pretty active during the Dreamcast days, although I have no idea what the other shooter famitsu reviews were during those days. I would guess that they would be higher than they are now, but I don't know what the Japanese scene was like back then.

They gave a similar high score (34/40) to CAVE/Arika's DDP:DOJ PS2, and that was released well after Ikaruga DC. Seems hard for you to admit that Famitsu may have just thought Ikaruga was a really excellent game, and that's why they gave it two 10s. Instead, you come up with silly alternate explanations to support your original flawed position (a different "era"! It's a Treasure game!). Also, shooters were just as active on home consoles after Ikaruga as they were during the "Dreamcast days". Or did you somehow miss Espgaluda, DDP:DOJ, Homura, Psyiko shooting collections 2 & 3, Under Defeat, Radirgy, Gigawing Generations, Triggerheart, Mushihimesama, Ibara, Raiden III, and many others (not to mention all the recent ones on the JP X360)?

Of course Famitsu gets paid to write reviews for big companies. Every Square-Enix game gets a really good score even though most in recent years are garbage. That's not to say a really good shooter won't be recognized with a good score by them either. It's just that most shooters released in recent years on home consoles have been really average games and/or really bad ports. Unless the company is giving them a lot of money or the game is really excellent, expect a decidedly average score from Famitsu.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:19 am

Does it really matter what Famitsu scored this at? Or any other game ever for that matter.

Shelcoof · Post by **Shelcoof** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:01 am

Elixir wrote:Does it really matter what Famitsu scored this at? Or any other game ever for that matter.

Reviews and what a game scores matters for any game. People rely on a review or a score to give them an idea of what to expect.

Score helps some one decide weather or not they should purchase a game or rent it.

spineshark · Post by **spineshark** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:13 am

BulletMagnet wrote:
Shelcoof wrote:Another thing is thinking about getting this game and a JP 360 or wait and see if they will release it here in North America.
If this one makes it to the USA I'll be VERY surprised.

But! Konami brought over Gradius V, and Rumble Roses! This is like those two combined!

...kinda!

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:22 am

Shelcoof wrote:
Elixir wrote:Does it really matter what Famitsu scored this at? Or any other game ever for that matter.
Reviews and what a game scores matters for any game. People rely on a review or a score to give them an idea of what to expect.

Score helps some one decide weather or not they should purchase a game or rent it.

All the games I've enjoyed in the past 5 years haven't scored over 35 there. What I'm trying to say is, play what you want, not what you read.

Shelcoof · Post by **Shelcoof** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:41 am

Elixir wrote: All the games I've enjoyed in the past 5 years haven't scored over 35 there. What I'm trying to say is, play what you want, not what you read.

I agree with you. My point was when a new game comes out you have no idea if it's going to be worth forking over 80$ for it because you never played it.

It was like the time when my buddy told me this one movie sucked I forgot what it was it was along time ago but I went against his opinion and went to see it anyways. To my surprise it was bad and I had wished I used that 10$ for something else.

originalz · Post by **originalz** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:40 am

EOJ wrote: Of course Famitsu gets paid to write reviews for big companies. Every Square-Enix game gets a really good score even though most in recent years are garbage. That's not to say a really good shooter won't be recognized with a good score by them either. It's just that most shooters released in recent years on home consoles have been really average games and/or really bad ports. Unless the company is giving them a lot of money or the game is really excellent, expect a decidedly average score from Famitsu.

This is exactly what I'm saying. Unless a game is exception for a shooter or has a lot of advertising push, it'll score average marks. The question is whether a game is legitimately good, or overscored due to publisher influence. Otomedius seems to be a competent shooter but it doesn't do anything spectacular so it gets an average score. Doesn't mean that the game isn't worth bothering with as some people might think.

moonblood · Post by **moonblood** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:15 pm

In stock at PA now if anyone cares

antares · Post by **antares** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:17 pm

Mine got shipped out today

Shelcoof · Post by **Shelcoof** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:18 am

Awaits feedback from members who ordered the game

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:21 am

Mine also shipped. I'll report back after it arrives and I've tinkered with it a bit.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:31 am

As a fan of Parodius (more its thematic elements than its gameplay, but whatever) I'm eager to hear how this one turned out...I was very tempted to spring for it, but what I've seen of it video-wise simply hasn't impressed me at all...

henry dark · Post by **henry dark** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:27 am

Played this a few times when it first came out and found it wholly unmemorable.

I'll probably still fork out for the 360 game though, like a mug...

Shelcoof · Post by **Shelcoof** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:48 am

henry dark wrote:Played this a few times when it first came out and found it wholly unmemorable.

I'll probably still fork out for the 360 game though, like a mug...

Is the reason why you would based on the fact that it's a Shmup?

BulletMagnet wrote:As a fan of Parodius (more its thematic elements than its gameplay, but whatever) I'm eager to hear how this one turned out...I was very tempted to spring for it, but what I've seen of it video-wise simply hasn't impressed me at all...

Same here I'd pick it up just because I'm a fan of the original series. Though the videos I've seen weren't impressive but still it has that Parodius Flavour that I'm craving. I wont know until I try really but best thing for me to do now is wait for feedback from other members

Elixir wrote:Mine also shipped. I'll report back after it arrives and I've tinkered with it a bit.

Appreciate the feedback

postman · Post by **postman** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:18 pm

This should be out for 360 in Japan today.......

Anyone play it yet? Impressions?

antron · Post by **antron** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:38 pm

I want to know if the touchscreen is used for actual play, and if/how you can emulate it without the official joystick/touchpad.

Will I be able to play this with a standard hori arcade stick, or will I need an analog input?

antares · Post by **antares** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:03 pm

antron wrote:I want to know if the touchscreen is used for actual play, and if/how you can emulate it without the official joystick/touchpad.

Will I be able to play this with a standard hori arcade stick, or will I need an analog input?

I haven't played it yet but the touchpad is emulated with the right analog stick of the 360s controller.
So if you play with the standard Hori stick you won't be able to use the touchpad feature but i've heared that it's playable without it.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:17 pm

Play-Asia have jacked the price of the stick combo up to $390.

RackGaki · Post by **RackGaki** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:57 pm

That means I have a chance of securing my Japan Video Games preorder after all, I hope. If they are able to secure these, then they are a whole $40 cheaper at this time. Though shipping will be $20.

What was the price of this on Play-asia before? Wasn't it $360?

adversity1 · Post by **adversity1** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:44 am

postman wrote:This should be out for 360 in Japan today.......

Anyone play it yet? Impressions?

C&Ping from my post on neogaf:

Thoughts on the game:

- Way more fun than I'd expected. I'd played it a few times in the arcade and was decidedly underwhelmed, but when you finally get into unlocking new weapons and leveling up your angel, it's pretty fun. Not sure how scoring works though besides collecting gems and not dying.

- There are TONS of things to unlock, including weapons and illustrations. There is also a shop which I have not figured out how to get money for. BTW, how do you choose the schoolgirl outfit once you've dled it?

- Difficulty is pretty reasonable, and if you want it hard you can choose hard or expert. I do not like that your ship loses life for just scraping against the bottom/top of the screen. That's lame, but eh.

- Gorgeous mode is fine but for some reason the widescreen mode displays like shit on my monitor. It's letter boxed and stretched...the options did not have a way to address this.

- Another thing I don't get is that yesterday after a few games I was able to clear three levels without continuing, and yet I couldnt continue after that! WTF! I just got a game over screen. So do you have to get good grades to keep going or what?

- In conclusion, besides some annoyances definitely worth picking up IMO. Well packaged and great presentation from Konami. Compare this to TFVI and there's no contest imo.

henry dark · Post by **henry dark** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:51 am

Shelcoof wrote:
henry dark wrote:Played this a few times when it first came out and found it wholly unmemorable.

I'll probably still fork out for the 360 game though, like a mug...
Is the reason why you would based on the fact that it's a Shmup?

Yeah. I've saved a special space on my shelf for it next to all the other shooters I bought but hardly ever play.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:44 am

What is the touchpad on the joystick used for?

Sonic R · Post by **Sonic R** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:03 am

antares wrote:
antron wrote:I want to know if the touchscreen is used for actual play, and if/how you can emulate it without the official joystick/touchpad.

Will I be able to play this with a standard hori arcade stick, or will I need an analog input?
I haven't played it yet but the touchpad is emulated with the right analog stick of the 360s controller.
So if you play with the standard Hori stick you won't be able to use the touchpad feature but i've heared that it's playable without it.

These were major concerns of mine as well but if the touch screen/right analog stick features are non essential for game play I will be very please to use my hori stick! I cannot wait to get this as I will spend the Thanksgiving holiday playing this!

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:15 am

Isn't the touchpad used for bombing?

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:50 am

Just so you know, there's a vid of the 360 version in action here:

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm5314675

Looks like a bunch of fun.

Shelcoof · Post by **Shelcoof** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:06 am

Elixir wrote:Just so you know, there's a vid of the 360 version in action here:

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm5314675

Looks like a bunch of fun.

Thanks for the link Elixir but how do you get the videos to play?