Zanac x Zanac PSX, opinions?

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:12 am

I keep hearing about this one and it's fetching a decent penny now days...

is it really all it's cracked up to be? I know next to nothing about it. any of u guys played/own it? was wonder if u cold let me know about it or direct me to any links for reviews/pics....

i bought blast wind not to long ago, thank god i got it for cheap b/c it deffinately does not deserve the price it's fetching now, and this is coming from a big tecno soft fan...

alot of games are starting to do this... i'll stumble across a game and see it's price and think why is THAT going for so much. i guess it's b/c some are rare in numbers, but i would think that a bad game pressed in low numbers would be a GOOD thing. sometimes the collecting part of gaming can get silly....

anyways i have gotten side tracked... Zanac x Zanac Playstation PSX is whay I wanna know about.

PS: feel free to rant about any game listings that u thought were retarded

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:14 am

Good game. Really easy though. Then again, if you play for score things become a bit different.

cigsthecat · Post by **cigsthecat** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:19 am

Too long, too easy, not worth the inflated price.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:31 am

anyone know where i can find some vids of it?

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:36 am

Glad I got this back in '01 when it was released. Man, is it ever pricey now.

Good game. If you want it badly enough, it's a solid package overall with simple yet involved chaining, nice variety of ships/weapons, beautiful visuals and original Zanac to round it out.

Shame Compile went under 4 years ago. A MUSHA update using a similar chaining system as Zanac Neo would have been interesting.

EXMaster · Post by **EXMaster** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:37 am

I'd say go for it, if you have money to burn. Yeah its on the easy side, but is still a lot of fun and pretty fufilling. You can a little more challenge on the hardest difficulty level as well.

There's probablly a replay up for it over at superplay: http://www.super-play.co.uk

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:53 am

if this game had no extends it'd actually be pretty balanced

Post by **Icarus** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:02 am

Think "Raizing" and you'll have a good idea what all those Extends are used for. ^_-

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:09 am

Thing is, rank in Zanac Neo is so incredibly light that you're dying ten to twenty times slower than you're gaining extends (not to mention that all the non-death rank control mechanics are much stronger than they should be). I died a total of 2 times my best play.

The original Zanac's difficulty is fine, for a console shooter.

Post by **Icarus** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:14 am

I was talking more about scoring than rank. ^_-

Whenever you die, you automatically generate six blocks that can be destroyed for those yellow orb powerups. They can also be factored into a heavy-duty chain, either by shooting or using the chain-explosion charge shot.

I think dying autofills your charge meter as well.

When the game was released a long time ago, I looked around for some replays and found a RealMedia replay of a Japanese player in Stage 0, dying about 10-15 times at the boss, getting tons of points in the process. I think he had about 1.5mil or thereabouts after killing the boss. If I can find the original replay I'll post it up.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:26 am

I just watched a vid of it all the way through.... I'm deff not shelling out that much cash..

I'll wait till i find a good deal...

I managed to find Dodonpachi for the psx for 56.00 and Blast Wind for 50.00 (WAY to much for that as is, kinda sucked)

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:29 am

Strider77 wrote: is it really all it's cracked up to be?

More proof that enemy chaining is the least creative scoring system around. If Compile and Hudson have tried it out...

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:34 am

Decent game, but has its share of problems. It does include a version or three of the original Zanac, but the exclusive Zanac Neo is the main event. It plays somewhat similarly to the original, but with better graphics, 3 (4, once you unlock it) ships to choose from, and a special attack you use to both save yourself and "chain" enemies for extra points. The other scoring mechanic is simply killing absolutely everything before it leaves the screen: miss one enemy and you miss a bunch o' points.

The latter scoring system, unfortunately, tends to limit the weapons that are practical to use if you're playing for score (you hafta be able to pick off the swarms of popcorn enemies or else you don't have a chance most of the time), not to mention that, as tends to be an issue for Compile games in general, certain weapons work well in certain areas and are almost useless in others, and unless you've played before you can easily end up stuck with an ill-fitting weapon and doomed to die repeatedly until you get out of the area (and unlike Super Aleste, there's no real "bomb" to help you recover). Also, I found certain enemies blended in with the backgrounds, leading to regular "arrgh" deaths, although perhaps more regular playing could help with that...

Granted, others swear by this game, so there's definitely something to love here, if it's your style: it's not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but be aware of what you're getting before you shell out the cash (I was lucky enough to win it for cheap).

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:00 am

Icarus wrote:I was talking more about scoring than rank. ^_-

Whenever you die, you automatically generate six blocks that can be destroyed for those yellow orb powerups. They can also be factored into a heavy-duty chain, either by shooting or using the chain-explosion charge shot.

I think dying autofills your charge meter as well.

When the game was released a long time ago, I looked around for some replays and found a RealMedia replay of a Japanese player in Stage 0, dying about 10-15 times at the boss, getting tons of points in the process. I think he had about 1.5mil or thereabouts after killing the boss. If I can find the original replay I'll post it up.

You're not truly risking much by killing yourself to get more points in Zanac Neo, though. An improper scoring stunt execution in say, Battle Garegga has a grave possibility of ending your game.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:04 am

Love it, but don't think it is worth the price. I mean, you could get a couple other legendary games for the same amount. If you already have the other compile titles and are in love, then go for it, otherwise Musha is a much better purchase.

Post by **Icarus** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:07 am

Twiddle wrote:You're not truly risking much by killing yourself to get more points in Zanac Neo, though. An improper scoring stunt execution in say, Battle Garegga has a grave possibility of ending your game.

Agreed. But its an interesting technique to utilise if you are confident in your stage and boss play.
I'm not sure what the record scores are in Zanac Neo. Counter Stop? Or something obscenely high at any rate.

CMoon wrote:Love it, but don't think it is worth the price. I mean, you could get a couple other legendary games for the same amount. If you already have the other compile titles and are in love, then go for it, otherwise Musha is a much better purchase.

Agreed. I have ZanacXZanac and I enjoy both the original and the update, but its not an esential purchase at any rate. Not unless you're a Compile fanatic anyway.

For half the price you can get Raiden DX, R-Type Delta, Einhander and Gradius Gaiden, which to me are far better and worth the cash.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:17 am

Don't be fooled by all the hardcore naysayers. Zanac Neo is an important part of what makes the PS1 shmup library great. By all means get Raiden DX, R-Types/R-Type Delta, Toaplan Shooting Battle v. 1, G Gaiden, Einhander, Image Fight & X-Multiply... first. Then you will have plenty of games that are both fun and challenging to complete. And yet you will still have something significant to gain from picking up Zanac Neo. It's like Zanac on Xanax-- very much for relaxing and partying, not so much for studying. It's colorful and cheerful without being a cute'm up. Pure fun.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:52 am

whats on Toaplan Shooting Battle v. 1?

MadSteelDarkness · Post by **MadSteelDarkness** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:56 am

^Tiger Heli, Twin Cobra, and its' Jp equivalent, Kyokyoku Tiger. The differences between the two include instant respawn (TC) vs. starting back at a checkpoint after dying (KT) (IIRC), as well as differently colored helis.

Back on topic:

I love me some Zanac Neo. The criticisms against it are valid, but it's still a damn good game. The graphics and soundtrack are top notch, better than any other Compile game, IMHO. I paid about 75 bones for it, and don't regret a penny of it.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:12 am

I think my next purchase is gonna be either dodonpachi on the PS2, kaze kiri on pc engine, or something that is a bit pricey but i really want like the mega drive contra (import) or harmful park...

MSZ · Post by **MSZ** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:21 am

If you considered yourself a decent shmuper, make sure to play the game in hardest difficulty.

Think Shienryu Explosion with less bullets.

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:42 am

Expensive games are just that, expensive games.

As many games as there are in every genre, its hard to believe you couldn't find a cheaper alternative that is not better than the RAREST games out there. The prices are high because there are a few people out there that must own a particular game.

Never played Zanac before, but if you must play it, remember that its price is not going to decline. If you don't like it there is a demand for it, it sells relatively quickly when it does come up. In most cases expensive games keep their value so its high value, low risk.

DC906270 · Post by **DC906270** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:38 am

Strider77 wrote:but i really want like the mega drive contra (import)

i have this for sale at the moment, pm me if you want it

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:18 am

I really love Zanac X Zanac.

It's ostensibly an easy game, but the real fun only starts when you try to go for that 999 max chain. Suicide on a genocidal scale is required, as dying will generate more and more extra boxes.

Add to that superb graphics and a brilliant soundtrack (stage 3 is like a dream for me).

Definitely one of the top PSone shooters for me, but there are many other great shooters, so if you're not sure about Zanac (and I admit it is an aquired taste) there's plenty of other great stuff to pick up that's mostly cheaper as well.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:07 am

CIT wrote:Add to that superb graphics and a brilliant soundtrack (stage 3 is like a dream for me).

Is that the cloud level? One of my favorite levels, aesthetically speaking, in any shmup.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:46 am

Yup, the cloud level.

CMoon · Post by **CMoon** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 12:25 pm

MadSteelDarkness wrote: I paid about 75 bones for it, and don't regret a penny of it.

Yes, but isn't it going for like twice that now?

MadSteelDarkness · Post by **MadSteelDarkness** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:05 pm

CMoon wrote:
MadSteelDarkness wrote: I paid about 75 bones for it, and don't regret a penny of it.
Yes, but isn't it going for like twice that now?

Is it really? Yikes!

That seems a bit excessive for any game. I dunno...$100 doesn't sound too bad for Zanac X Zanac, but $150?

Man, have prices really gone up that much? Hell, I only paid $90 for Silvergun back in '02.

MSZ · Post by **MSZ** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:17 pm

MadSteelDarkness wrote:
CMoon wrote:
MadSteelDarkness wrote: I paid about 75 bones for it, and don't regret a penny of it.
Yes, but isn't it going for like twice that now?
Is it really? Yikes!

That seems a bit excessive for any game. I dunno...$100 doesn't sound too bad for Zanac X Zanac, but $150?

Man, have prices really gone up that much? Hell, I only paid $90 for Silvergun back in '02.

$110 Used
http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-Play-Station-Z ... dZViewItem

$160 New
http://cgi.ebay.com/Zanac-x-Zanac-Plays ... dZViewItem

Post by **Icarus** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:18 pm

Welcome to the Silvergun Effect.

shmups.system11.org

Zanac x Zanac PSX, opinions?

Zanac x Zanac PSX, opinions?

Re: Zanac x Zanac PSX, opinions?