Your thoughts on Time Soldiers

[spadgy]

I know it's a little bit of a borderliner, which is really why I'm curious. Is Time Soldiers (SNK - 1987) any good? I like what I see, but perhaps it's a bit basic?

Is it a hidden gem, or a poor man's Out Zone/Mercs/Commando/Ikari Warriors?

I'm mainly interested in how it serves as a two-player game, as the wife loves overhead run-and-guns.

EDIT(S): I've read somewhere before that it's Alpha Denshi developed, and I've read it's SNK developed. Anybody know anything concrete on that matter? And it got Romstar distributed in the US. That's all I know.

[Dragoforce]

I thought it was quite meh to be honest. The rotary thing is cool (as always) but the gameplay could not compete with Mercs or Out Zone. Perhaps it should be noted that I didn't like Ikari Warriors.

[No_not_like_Quake]

I remember seeing (c) Alpha Denshi 1987 on the title screen of one of the versions (forget which).

I remember being impressed with it in 1988 or so. I also liked the SMS version at the time.

Is it as good as Mercs or Out Zone? I don't think so.

[Jeneki]

It's been a long time since I played Time Soldier, but from what I remember it was pretty basic. The short-ranged weapons always bugged me in those games. It does have some decent boss fights though.

Also try Heavy Barrel if you like that type of game.

[spadgy]

Thanks for your thoughts. I was asking as a PCB of the game is for sale a short walk from my front door. However, as I'm not overwhelmed by enthusiasm for the game, and I've learnt about the rotary thing, I might wait for an Out Zone PCB.

[Shelcoof]

I remember the Arcade version and the SMS version. I had a lot of fun with it back then but its quit dated now when you comopare it to even Mercs.

[emphatic]

I'd go for Heavy Barrel instead. Time Soldiers is not too shabby, but it never ends AFAIK, and doesn't have all the cool grenades and HEAVYYYYYYYY BARRELLLLLLLL!

[Shatterhand]

Time Soldiers do have an ending, you just have to know what you're doing.


I had lots of fun with the SMS port, it was one of my fav games on the system... playing the arcade game on MAME makes me notice how the game aged kinda badly.

I would still like to own the SMS cart though, even if for nostalgia sake. I played a hell lot of that back in the day.

[GaijinPunch]

Time Soldiers/Battle Field is fun, but I find parts of it far too irksome to give any time to. The enemies on the last stage (if you make it there) take forever to kill. It's definitely not as good as the other SNK rotary games. I think I actually like Dogousouken better than Ikari just b/c it's so wacky. Ikari III we'll pretend never happened.

The Japanese board even is cheap as chips, so if you have an LS-30, you might as well pick it up for shits & giggles. Heavy Barrel (JPN region) is impossible to find, but the US one is cheap. It's good fun, but quite easy. Same w/ Midnight Resistance.

[BrianC]

I had lots of fun with the SMS port, it was one of my fav games on the system... playing the arcade game on MAME makes me notice how the game aged kinda badly.

I would still like to own the SMS cart though, even if for nostalgia sake. I played a hell lot of that back in the day.

I like the port so far. I like how it has FM sound when played on a JP SMS with the tototek adapter. The FM Music is much better than the PSG for this game.

[fraggore]

Back in the day i like the arcade and the sms port.
dropped a lot of 10p's in the arcade machine but today it looks very dated i also remember it being very hard.

i also loved sky soldiers shore that came out around the same time but by far the best game using the dial sticks was midnight resistance loved that game still play it now and then.

[Ed Oscuro]

GaijinPunch speaks truths, I don't remember much about Time Soldiers except that the last stage enemies were obnoxiously difficult. The game idea is kind of cool but the way it plays out is bland. On the other hand, at least it's not the SMS version (or worse, Ashura / First Blood); I thought it was cool the very first time I played it and then went "what the hell is going on here." Ikari II / DOGosouken is crazy as balls, but I never liked it much (though I haven't had a way to play it for a long while) and Ikari III THE RESCUE is...what? I don't like Down Town either, though. The whole rotary melee thing is bleh.

What about Guevara? I remember when GP said he was working on that one. Should be difficult but fun. NES port doesn't play bad either IIRC.

It probably requires a loom, but I enjoy TNK III. Probably LS-30 compatible at the least.

[GaijinPunch]

Ikari II / DOGosouken is crazy as balls, but I never liked it much (though I haven't had a way to play it for a long while)

Yeah. I actually cleared this not long ago. I'm in the processes of sorting out a 2nd LS-30 in my Raijin which will allow me to play MAME with it. Might try for a Dogousouken clear video. I like it -- better than the first in some ways.

and Ikari III THE RESCUE is...what?

A turd

I don't like Down Town either, though.

It's an even bigger turd. Bar none, the worse rotary stick game.

What about Guevara? I remember when GP said he was working on that one. Should be difficult but fun. NES port doesn't play bad either IIRC.

Gave up on this one. After 20 credits and not being able to get past the 1st stage w/o dying and I decided it wasn't for me. I have a superplay of it here, which is absolutely sick. The problem is you have to do all sorts of "tricks" to keep from getting trapped.

It probably requires a loom, but I enjoy TNK III. Probably LS-30 compatible at the least.

Why am I drawing a blank on this?

Continue did an article w/ the guy that came up w/ the LS-30 and designed Ikari & Guevara. Good read... although it seems he wasn't involved w/ Dogousouken, and left SNK years ago.

[spadgy]

these is great stuff guys. Thanks for all this info an input on rotary shooters. Now I'm hungry for some LS-30 action!