Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins- KAI...OOOOOOKAY.

[evil_ash_xero]

I have now had the opportunity to play both the normal version of this game, and the "Kai" version.

I'm REALLY confused as to why Hardcore Gaming 101 preferred this version, or as to why ANYONE would.

Yeah, both versions are on here, but the KAI version you only get hit twice and you're dead. They have toned down the enemy placement, but it's just insanely hard still. The backtracking sucks from the first version, but this makes an already difficult game just unplayable.

So, anyone who's on the fence....just get the domestic version. Both are on Kai, but at least this one's in English...and 10 dollars cheaper.

That being said, I think the game itself is awesome.

s/m

[benstylus]

The "2 hits you're dead" thing probably won't make a lick of difference to most of the folks here that are used to the 1-hit death featured in most shmups...

but seriously, the 2 hit death thing has been in the GnG games from the beginning... did the original version of UGnG have a life bar or something?

Also, from what I understand from someone who has the domestic version, there's not really much in the way of any text in the game, so you wouldn't be missing much of anything if you don't speak japanese.

[evil_ash_xero]

The "2 hits you're dead" thing probably won't make a lick of difference to most of the folks here that are used to the 1-hit death featured in most shmups...

but seriously, the 2 hit death thing has been in the GnG games from the beginning... did the original version of UGnG have a life bar or something?

Also, from what I understand from someone who has the domestic version, there's not really much in the way of any text in the game, so you wouldn't be missing much of anything if you don't speak japanese.

No, but this one seems even more crowded than the old ones. I mean, I find it to be pretty impossible.

Perhaps I need more time with it...but I really prefer the normal version at this point.

Oh, and it's not just 2 hits and you're dead, it's two hits, and back you go to a save point, rather than where you died. I know this is more like the old ones, but I think the game is too hard for that.

s/m

[Mortificator]

Damn, I'm sorry you didn't like the game. I know I pointed out the HG101 article in the first place. I think they're a really good site, but I've often disagreed with various writers' opinions on games I've actually played (Gallop 4eva) so I should be careful about tossing out opinions without hand-on experience.

[boagman]

I'm REALLY confused as to why Hardcore Gaming 101 preferred this version, or as to why ANYONE would.

Yeah, both versions are on here, but the KAI version you only get hit twice and you're dead.

This, um...this is the essence of the series. Have you played a GnG title before? I'm not trying to be condescending here, even though it may appear that way. The "hit twice and you're dead" method is the way it's always been, and, in fact, was one of the criticisms of the UG&G iteration...that you didn't lose your armor immediately when hit.

I prefer the Kai version because of its faithfulness to the series, myself. If you're unfamiliar with the series' past games, you might find it off-putting, but rest assured that this version is truer to its arcade roots.

Glad you like the game in spite of this.

[evil_ash_xero]

I'm REALLY confused as to why Hardcore Gaming 101 preferred this version, or as to why ANYONE would.

Yeah, both versions are on here, but the KAI version you only get hit twice and you're dead.

This, um...this is the essence of the series. Have you played a GnG title before? I'm not trying to be condescending here, even though it may appear that way. The "hit twice and you're dead" method is the way it's always been, and, in fact, was one of the criticisms of the UG&G iteration...that you didn't lose your armor immediately when hit.

I prefer the Kai version because of its faithfulness to the series, myself. If you're unfamiliar with the series' past games, you might find it off-putting, but rest assured that this version is truer to its arcade roots.

Glad you like the game in spite of this.

Of course i've played a GNG game before. I have the first three(no wonderswan). However, I just feel like this one is a bit more frustrating than usual. Then again, maybe it's that I spent some time with the localized version, and when I had to go and play the more old school one, I was basically like "to hell with this!". But yeah, it's good stuff, if you're man enough. I'll stick with the domestic release, but both are on the Kai version though.

s/m

[Strider77]

so wait, Kai has this new version AND the original version on it?

[boagman]

so wait, Kai has this new version AND the original version on it?

That is correct, sir. And it's a bargain...rereleased as a BEST game in Japan, dontchaknow. Should be attainable for around $20 or so.

[Strider77]

yeah I'm sold, I have the older one but with both on this disc it's a sell for me.

[boagman]

Of course i've played a GNG game before. I have the first three(no wonderswan). However, I just feel like this one is a bit more frustrating than usual. Then again, maybe it's that I spent some time with the localized version, and when I had to go and play the more old school one, I was basically like "to hell with this!". But yeah, it's good stuff, if you're man enough. I'll stick with the domestic release, but both are on the Kai version though.

s/m

I'm not going to disagree with you here. One of the first things I noticed was on the very first level with the wraith enemies (the first ones you see), that they can harm you by their very first existence, and that's actually contrary to the previous games in the series. Example: in Ghouls n' Ghosts, the mini-Grim Reapers in the first level will peek out from behind the bushes or whatever, and when they do, you can waste them where they are. Same thing with the first level in SGnG with the zombies...there's a "preview" wherein they can't hurt you until they actually jump out. With the wraiths, they can literally be one single pixel into existence and, if you're on them, they slice you like deli ham. I do have a bit of a problem with this, yes.

That being said, I still don't find the game to be unfair, or at least no more unfair than previous entries in the series.

[dpful]

I got the game in the mail today. I played arcade mode, almost made it the length of 3 psp screens using all lives, continued, psp ran out of batteries, gonna try again later.

It was very very tough.

[trivial]

hay I'm not about to buy a PSP butt Is this how the Maximin games play? Two hits and you're done?

[BulletMagnet]

Uh, do you mean the Maximo games on PS2? They allow you to take more hits than the G+G games do, though they're still not cake walks...the first one is especially stingy with save points and the like. Check the Ghouls n' Ghosts section of HG101, it has a rundown on the Maximo titles as well.

[Daedalus]

This, um...this is the essence of the series. Have you played a GnG title before? I'm not trying to be condescending here, even though it may appear that way. The "hit twice and you're dead" method is the way it's always been, and, in fact, was one of the criticisms of the UG&G iteration...that you didn't lose your armor immediately when hit.

It's good to mix things up. Daimakaimura was my favorite game in the series, but if they tried to make another game just like it... I'd probably just play the original.

[boagman]

This, um...this is the essence of the series. Have you played a GnG title before? I'm not trying to be condescending here, even though it may appear that way. The "hit twice and you're dead" method is the way it's always been, and, in fact, was one of the criticisms of the UG&G iteration...that you didn't lose your armor immediately when hit.

It's good to mix things up. Daimakaimura was my favorite game in the series, but if they tried to make another game just like it... I'd probably just play the original.

That's my favorite as well...I could 1CC the Genesis version back in the day.

With the exception of adding magic, though, what did Daimakaimura really add?

I'm not averse to all changes, but I'll readily admit that I'm a traditionalist, for the most part. The "two hits = death" thing is something that I believe shouldn't be changed. After all, they did go a bit nuts with the addition of shields, magic finding and gathering, the Ring Quest of Death, red *and* blue boxes, etc. It does tend to get a bit much. I mean, hey: two hits and you're dead isn't something that really needs improvement upon, especially considering that additional suits of armor are available.

You can see why I prefer the Kai version, I guess.

[benstylus]

With the exception of adding magic, though, what did Daimakaimura really add?

Throwing up and down.

[boagman]

With the exception of adding magic, though, what did Daimakaimura really add?

Throwing up and down.

Thank you...I had forgotten that. And yes: that was a very necessary and welcome change/addition.

[captpain]

It's good to throw up.

[evil_ash_xero]

Is there a good guide online to where the rings are? I can only find 15.

Oh, and not the GameFAQs one. I need one with a map.

s/m

[boagman]

Is there a good guide online to where the rings are? I can only find 15.

Oh, and not the GameFAQs one. I need one with a map.

s/m

The short answer is no...at least, not that you won't have to pay for. Brady Games apparently has one that you can download that has maps and such, but it's $10, and that's outrageous.

I've looked high and low for one, and can't find it. And you're right: the GameFAQs one is worse than useless...the guy honestly thinks that he's done people a favor, when, in fact, he's completely wrong on a lot of things, and doesn't specify which version he uses (which is the Japanese one, I believe).

[dpful]

I got a little further, then tried original mode and got the the second level. This game rules, it is REALLY dense! They pack a lot of stuff in. I'll probably keep up on original mode (which I'm lost on since I can't read Japanese ), and then work through on arcade mode, which I think does seem cooler in the end. I'd need a joystick to really rock it, though. I the end, my impression so far is that it's a nicely designed game.

[evil_ash_xero]

Well, could someone tell me the stage where to find the "Unseal Magic" crystal.

Can't seem to find this necessary item.

s/m

[Gwen]

Heh, I played the life out of this back when it first came out and wrote a load of notes and stuff that I planned to put into a FAQ. Then pesky real life got in the way and messed that up completely.. sucks.

Anyway, Unsealer Magic is on stage 3 part 2.

SPOILERS - There'll be a section where you can go either right, down or up (I think) by shooting the *bubble* walls first. You need to go right, and keep firing and jumping. The "trigger" for the blue chest (the Magic is inside) is about halfway through, keep jumping as it won't appear by just walking. The chest then appears at the end of the corridor.

If thats not clear enough, or you need more help, lemme know.

[evil_ash_xero]

Thanks. That was very helpful.

s/m

Heh, I played the life out of this back when it first came out and wrote a load of notes and stuff that I planned to put into a FAQ. Then pesky real life got in the way and messed that up completely.. sucks.

Anyway, Unsealer Magic is on stage 3 part 2.

SPOILERS - There'll be a section where you can go either right, down or up (I think) by shooting the *bubble* walls first. You need to go right, and keep firing and jumping. The "trigger" for the blue chest (the Magic is inside) is about halfway through, keep jumping as it won't appear by just walking. The chest then appears at the end of the corridor.

If thats not clear enough, or you need more help, lemme know.

[dpful]

A little mor play on arcade mode, and I want more respawn points. It is a little different than what I'm used to- it seems like every obstacle involves loosing your armor and gaining another one.

Check points are too far apart, just like the snes one, maybe worse. (major confession.... I havn't made it to a checkpoint yet.)

[evil_ash_xero]

Okay, i've been putting some time in this and have gotten past the initial onslaught of the first part of the game with all the hands and ghosts, and have found this to be around the same difficulty as the others. Maybe a little easier on parts.

I've changed my mind, this version is superior.

I should really put more time into games before I rant on websites. lol


s/m

[Cthulhu]

Kai is more like the other titles in the series (it gets rid of a lot of the extra features in the regular version of the game), so essentially, they "remixed" it to feel like a traditional G&G game. That said... I personally prefer the regular version of the game as well. I got Kai on sale at Play-Asia a while back, and while it's nice to have the option to play it, it's not quite my cup of demon-filled tea.