Xbox 360: Akai Katana Shin (May 2011)

[dmauro]

So I just got this, and tried playing it on my cab but didn't get very far. Someone please tell me there is a custom button layout option I'm missing, and that I can somehow force 4:3 mode. ( 9_Q )

Forced 4:3 is the last option in the screen settings menu, and overrides all the other screen options (as far as I know). It does, however, somewhat overzoom in on the image, so you'll need to tinker with your cab's screen settings after that.

You can also customise the buttons, although it isn't very clear! In the menu that allows you to chose one of the pre-set button configurations, hit 'A' when you have one of those configurations selected. Then you can move down to highlight each button and customise it there (you may have to hit 'A' again on each button - I can't remember exactly).

Thanks, spadgy!

Perhaps we can get a menu guide in the OP?

[Vetus]

Where can I change its difficulty? Since the menu is in japanese I can't undestand anything (by searching in luck I only managed to change the controls and the screen settings).

Moreover, could anyone please explain me how the gameplay mechanics work? What does the RT buttons? I'm pressing it but nothing seems to happen.

[Elixir]

So I just got this, and tried playing it on my cab but didn't get very far. Someone please tell me there is a custom button layout option I'm missing, and that I can somehow force 4:3 mode. ( 9_Q )

Forced 4:3 is the last option in the screen settings menu, and overrides all the other screen options (as far as I know). It does, however, somewhat overzoom in on the image, so you'll need to tinker with your cab's screen settings after that.

You can also customise the buttons, although it isn't very clear! In the menu that allows you to chose one of the pre-set button configurations, hit 'A' when you have one of those configurations selected. Then you can move down to highlight each button and customise it there (you may have to hit 'A' again on each button - I can't remember exactly).

Thanks, spadgy!

Perhaps we can get a menu guide in the OP?

If someone is willing to take screenshots, sure. I don't have the game though.

[evil_ash_xero]

Gonna give it another few hours on Zetsu then I might get in on Shin mode.

Which one is the new stage? I thought I could select all of them in training or maybe I was just trippin'...

The 5th stage.

[cools]

So Zetsu's easier than Shin?

And where does Arcade go on the difficulty spectrum of the various modes in your humble opinions?

Zetsu is slightly easier and much higher scoring than arcade. Shin doesn't grab me at all so dunno where it goes in the list.

Got my padhack done today, much better playing with proper controls!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVpkbcW3G5E

[skyline7]

Forced 4:3 is the last option in the screen settings menu, and overrides all the other screen options (as far as I know). It does, however, somewhat overzoom in on the image, so you'll need to tinker with your cab's screen settings after that.

Just got Akai Katana in the mail today and when I toggle the very last option in the screen menu, I get a tiny little 4:3 screen surrounded by a wallpaper on all 4 sides with no option to zoom in. This is using a 360 VGA cable plugged into a VGA to CGA adapter. All my other Cave 360 games work flawlessly with this setup. They would initially present the tiny screen, but I had the option to zoom the picture up to full screen. Anybody have any suggestions?

[emphatic]

Just got Akai Katana in the mail today and when I toggle the very last option in the screen menu, I get a tiny little 4:3 screen surrounded by a wallpaper on all 4 sides with no option to zoom in. This is using a 360 VGA cable plugged into a VGA to CGA adapter. All my other Cave 360 games work flawlessly with this setup. They would initially present the tiny screen, but I had the option to zoom the picture up to full screen. Anybody have any suggestions?

Yes, you're not in Arcade mode, but one of the 16:9 modes.

[DragonInstall]

My score attack run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCxYihEHEGo

For those who can't dl replays, it should provide the general idea of scoring for shin.

[chempop]

Damn, killer replay DragonInstall! Very inspiring to watch such a high level of play.

Was a little surprised you rarely finished off bosses with Katanas. Maybe it's not quite as important as I assumed it was.

Thanks again for posting the replay.

[Skykid]

Wow, the visuals in this game are stunning.

I have a thing for traditional/feudal Japanese themes, which helps, but damn, it sure is gorgeously composed and presented.

Now I just need to figure out what the hell is going on.

[DragonInstall]

Damn, killer replay DragonInstall! Very inspiring to watch such a high level of play.

Was a little surprised you rarely finished off bosses with Katanas. Maybe it's not quite as important as I assumed it was.

Thanks again for posting the replay.

np hope it'll help. The reason I didn't try to finish the bosses off with Katanas cause I suck basically(messed up a lot in general on the bosses that run). It's not a big part of scoring, but it'll add up. I just wanted to make sure I have full ninja meter for the start of the new level. You have to time the katanas and your shot to kill the bosses while a good amount of lasers are out to make sure you get full meter.

A good Katana kill on a boss(full katanas) nets about 10 mil, but not having full ninja meter at the start of the level can make you lose out in 40+ mil at the beginning of the level and start with a very low combo count. If I get better at timing and living through the bosses later attacks, I would go for it more.

It's unfortunately that the top replay guy doesn't upload his run. He has 4.3 Bil . I really have no clue how he got that, but damn thats impressive. Also, he uses type 1 ship, so that makes me even more curious how he scores.


For those who want more challenge, you can always just disable your change button. 1CC the game with only the ship is pretty challenging and fairly fun imo.

[chempop]

I rarely watch replays, and when I do it's just to get a sense of how a game works. When I started Shin mode I felt clueless, especially after having gotten a grip with Zetsu mode and the reflect mechanics. Actually the best tip I got from watching the replay was just seeing how important it was starting a stage with full Ninja meter. I just barely got the 1CC, but missed my goal of reaching 500mil... Still need to get the hang of keeping that HIT combo going. Another thing I noticed was the effectiveness of launching Katanas at an angle.

Btw, I also watched your ESPG2BL replay... Crazy man! I never figured out that mode, but hopefully someday it'll make sense to me.

[moozooh]

EspG2 BL is actually simplier than it seems at first glance.

1. Switch to kakusei, destroy a couple large enemies. They will release lots of bullets, most of which are suicide bullets.

2. Switch back to normal, kill something to trigger a massive bullet cancel. The multiplier will go to x1000 if you've done it right, and a chaining bar will appear.

3. Chain enemies and cancel bullets by switching in and out of kakusei to keep the x1000 coming. As long as the chaining bar is active the multiplier won't drop.

Anything else can in fact be ignored, as is done in the current Novice mode WR with Tateha. Zetsushikai only serves to multiply the bullet count by grazing a-la Psyvariar, but it's by far not as important as chaining.

[chempop]

Not trying to derail, that much I know, it's the Zesh-bullet-spawning-invincibility that has always given me trouble. Let's save any further talk for the proper topic though.

Just had many runs in Zetsu and almost doubled my old score, still can't continue a chain after exiting Ninshen though. Damn stage 6 boss is driving me nuts, I loose 3-4 lives and then get to Stage 7 with zilch

[Skykid]

I've been trying to figure out what the Shin boss music reminds me of, and finally I got it: F-Zero GX!

[chempop]

Which is the arrange mix, blue or red? I think I like the blue version better, both are great though.

I'm shocked this thread is so quiet, what's everyone doing, going to the beach and enjoying the outdoors?

[moozooh]

The one with more guitars is the arrange.

[whoozwah]

Which is the arrange mix, blue or red? I think I like the blue version better, both are great though.

I'm shocked this thread is so quiet, what's everyone doing, going to the beach and enjoying the outdoors?

I've been watching e3. Lots of killer non-shmup games being shown.

[Sapz]

This game seems like a ton of fun when you're doing well and incredibly frustrating if you mess anything up ever... which I guess means it's a pretty good game. Only really played Arcade so far, but Zetsu definitely seems like an improvement from the couple of credits I put into that - there's room for way more than 256 hits per chain in later stages, and the cap feels kind of contrived and limiting. It makes for interesting strategies, though.

[Skykid]

I'm shocked this thread is so quiet, what's everyone doing, going to the beach and enjoying the outdoors?

Funny, I was wondering the same thing today. It's only been out a short time, I expected the thread to be buzzing.

The game is damn good too, but I admit it takes quite a lot of learning to get comfortable with.

[drunkninja24]

I'm shocked this thread is so quiet, what's everyone doing, going to the beach and enjoying the outdoors?

Funny, I was wondering the same thing today. It's only been out a short time, I expected the thread to be buzzing.

The game is damn good too, but I admit it takes quite a lot of learning to get comfortable with.

The game being region-locked probably has something to do with it, reduces the amount of people who can play the game quite a bit.

But I agree, I can't say I was keen on the game at first, but now that I'm figuring it out, I'm finding it quite amazing.

[chempop]

It must be a reflection of the system11 demographic at this point, and perhaps the weather. Most of the old timers have either retired or stopped posting, and many newcomers are probably stuck with their region free games.

Now that I've cleared each mode I'm not sure which I'll focus on.

I tried Shin with type-1 and type-3 and got slaughtered, type-2 has just a huge advantage there. Type-1 can't aim her Katanas and Type-3 has to point blank to make suicide bullets, I can't imagine how to do well with that...

[MauJustice]

My score attack run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCxYihEHEGo

For those who can't dl replays, it should provide the general idea of scoring for shin.

Very nice, are you using an arcade stick?

[Skykid]

It must be a reflection of the system11 demographic at this point, and perhaps the weather. Most of the old timers have either retired or stopped posting, and many newcomers are probably stuck with their loli doujin games.

Fixed.

Just kidding (sort of) but I don't think that it's a reflection of the demographic tbh. This forum has only been alive since 05', it's not like everyone is in wheelchairs. I just imagine either very few people stumped up the cash or people don't really like it and don't want to say.

I reckon the latter. No-one said jack shit about DFK until I opened a thread asking if anyone else found it underwhelming. Half the forum turned up for that one.

[Strider77]

And you know what they say about half the demographic.

Akai Katana has grabbed me like Futari did... well shin mode has. I love it.

I could open a thread about DOJ, RSG, Gradius 5, Ikaruga, Batrider and whatever, asking if others agreed they were not that great and the hate would come flooding in.

Getting folks to post about how x game sucks is WAY more common than compliments.

I honestly think if you did a tally of all things negative posted on line versus all things positive. They would be drastically swayed to the negative.

[Icarus]

I'm shocked this thread is so quiet, what's everyone doing, going to the beach and enjoying the outdoors?

That, and playing this game. (Not at the same time.)

[drunkninja24]

I'm shocked this thread is so quiet, what's everyone doing, going to the beach and enjoying the outdoors?

That, and playing this game. (Not at the same time.)

And why the hell not? Get yourself a generator and a portable LCD, and you're good to go.

[Icarus]

And why the hell not? Get yourself a generator and a portable LCD, and you're good to go.

Beach first, sessioning Shin Mode later.

[BulletMagnet]

I'm shocked this thread is so quiet, what's everyone doing, going to the beach and enjoying the outdoors?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

This forum has only been alive since 05

The community's been around a good deal longer than that; this forum is just its latest gathering place. Youngins these days.

[DragonInstall]

My score attack run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCxYihEHEGo

For those who can't dl replays, it should provide the general idea of scoring for shin.

Very nice, are you using an arcade stick?

Yeah. I can't do twitch movements with a controller.