Yes, a great game it is. One of Compile's finest.
CMoon wrote:
1) Your 'assist' ships seem to run out faster depending on what configuration you use. It is because they simply use more energy in different configurations (like 'free' for instance) or are they actually getting hit by bullets and hence more vulnerable depending on the configuration.
They are getting hit by enemy bullets, so if you put them into certain formation modes, they will get in the way of enemy fire more often and be shot down a lot. I usually put them to the formation mode (forgot its name) where they alway fire in the opposite direction of where you're going, because then I can deal damage while retreating from enemies.
CMoon wrote:
2) Is there one ideal sub weapon (given they can be more powerful than your main weapon, calling them sub-weapons seems unfair)? Although I favor the shield (I just seem to last longer with it), all the weapons seem pretty awesome. I actually have never seen the green laser fully powered up, I imagine it has some awe-inspiring fire power.
The subweapons are finely balanced (unlike in Dennin Aleste where I can't get anywhere without the laser). I usually stick to the missiles, as they have the perfect balance between coverage and power. The laser's shot frequency is to low for me and the blue shield is generally too weak. Plus there's always the odd bullet that passes through it when you least expect it.
CMoon wrote:
3) There does seem to be some moments of invulnerability--right after picking up power-ups, right after getting hit while having a sub-weapon, touching a sub-weapon icon, etc. Thoughts on this little window of invulnerability (definitely not so exploitable as Zanac Neo).
You have a short moment of invulnerability everytime you pick up something or if you lose your subweapon, but it's too short to use it for anything else than getting out of trouble quickly.
P.S.: Your avatar rocks. I always wanted to say that. It's from the Moomin books by Tove Jansson, right?