I'm finally biting the bullet (Radiant Silvergun)

[crithit5000]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 8200806472

Hurrah me, am I going to enjoy this? I love Ikaruga to no end...will I froth in anticipation?

[BulletMagnet]

As with any other game, it depends on your own tastes. Using Ikaruga as a reference point, you'll recognize a lot of the "situations" (for lack of a better word) from there as being inspired by RSG, plus, aside from chaining (which is even stingier in this game than in Iky), you've got a lot of other stuff to mess around with (more weapons, more bonuses, etc). Also be prepared for lots o' boss battles and a much longer game than Ikaruga, though it's also got more options and such so you can adjust 'em and ease your way into it.

Personally I prefer RSG to Ikaruga (though I'll agree in a heartbeat that both the storyline and the price are ridiculous), but there are plenty that disagree with me. Play for yourself now that you've got it, and if you don't like it you ought to be able to make at least most of your money back if you re-sell it, since it's pretty much in constant demand.

[Ataru]

radiant silvergun is an epic, multivolume modernist novel that you need intense dedication to, while Ikaruga is a shorter work with minimalist aspirations and significant elegance.

both are, imho, among the 5 greatest shmups ever made, but Silvergun is daunting and much more difficult to one credit, mainly due to length and because it has a leveling system that is tied directly into your score. Luckily there are mitigating factors such as being able to save your level-up progress to start a new game with, although I find that throws the balance off a lot.

The scoring system is a bit too complex.

The soundtrack in RS is absolutely amazing. One of my all time favorite albums and I'm the sort of person one might describe as a music snob (I own approximately 1,000 cds and am obsessive about exploring obscure music.) Hitoshi Sakamoto is a master.

In summary, Radiant Silvergun deserves it's hype, is incredibly fun, challenging, with a great concept. It's not as elegant as Ikaruga, but in someways it's much deeper.

[Blade]

Radiant Silvergun's Soundtrack was done by none other than Hitoshi Sakimoto: famous for his music in Final Fantasy Tactics (Advanced as well), Vagrant Story, and the up and coming Final Fantasy XII.

I have a Vid (low-rez, but still a vid) of some guy doing a near-perfect Chain run of RS if you're interested. Having not played this game and only seen the Video, I would have to say this game is more or less a Shmup Marathon considering how long the levels are.

GOD I WISH TREASURE WOULD PORT THIS SOMEWHERE...

Hehe...Iky...

[Bar81]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 8200806472

Hurrah me, am I going to enjoy this? I love Ikaruga to no end...will I froth in anticipation?

If you like Ikaruga, then I can almost guarantee you'll like RSG. I think both are technically excellent but highly overrated. I haven't seen many people that like one but not the other.

[iatneH]

Congratulations on winning the crown jewel of any Saturn shooter collection.

I'm thinking of biting the bullet later on too, although I think I'll opt for the ST-V cartridge.

[Valgar]

RSG isn't that long, are you guys playing just the saturn version or something?

[Bishamon]

I picked up RSG when it was released, and to be honest, I've never been overly fond of it. It's pretty good, but not one of my favorites. I realize this goes against standard thinking.

It's not that it's bad, it's just that I prefer more traditional shmups, I guess.

[llabnip]

RSG isn't that long, are you guys playing just the saturn version or something?

Not that long?! It's the longest single loop shooter I've every played (and I've played a ton). It's almost 45 minutes start to finish in normal mode and even longer in Saturn mode (which includes both stage 2 and 4 and has a few extra levels). It's twice the length of Ikaruga and in Saturn mode is almost twice as long as any Psikyo, Taito or Cave overhead shooting game.

Radiant Silvergun isn't just my favorite shooter, it's my favoraite game.

[Blade]

To anyone who cries overrated and that their not Fond of RSG, please, please, PLEASE share the wealth, if you don't like the game, sell it to somebody who wants it.

[CMoon]

I don't claim to understand the controversy over RSG. Honestly, I think some of it is just backlash. To me, the problem arises over the expectation that come from phrases like 'best shmup ever' when it often doesn't play very much like a shmup. The truth is, its slow, plodding pace feels more like R-Type (which it pays homage to), than a vertical oriented shmup, which isn't to say you won't be spending a lot of time reflex dodging--you will; but you'll also be dodging the background (again, not unlike a horizontal), solving puzzles and trying to level up the various weapons of your ship (much like an rpg). To me, there is no question about RSG being a 10/10 game, but to me it also doesn't represent shmups very well at all. Dodonpachi and RSG don't even belong in the same breath (and maybe not in the same universe). Because of this, many people are put off by RSG and Ikaruga because they don't really play like anything else, while others see them as extremely innovative.

What I don't see the room for is the idea that either RSG or Iky are bad games. They may play in a completely different way than everything else called a shmup, but they certainly are solid, highly playable games.

[ROBOTRON]

You bought Radiant Silvergun???

You sir, are an intelligent humanoid. RS rules and you will enjoy every minute of it. Sorry you paid such a high price, but speaking from the view of an owner of a Neo-Geo w/over 40 carts, it is a bargain.

Enjoy your purchase, humanoid life-form.

[LoneSage]

At first I hated RSG, but I now bare its child.

Oh, like so many of my other girlfriends.

[Cthulhu]

At first I hated RSG, but I now bare its child.

Oh, like so many of my other girlfriends.

I bought RS when it first came out, and I don't plan on selling it. Ever. It's a great game, even if you don't pay attention to the scoring (I don't) or try to 1CC it (I had a hell of a time just beating it). Congrats on your purchase and enjoy.

[crithit5000]

Thanks for the comments, guys...it's going to be an agonizing wait (I have other shmups coming this week though...In the Hunt, Parodius Deluxe Pack, TwinBee Deluxe Pack, and Trizeal will help ease the wait) but I'm pretty excited.

[iatneH]

In The Hunt is a good one, I have the PS1 version, but I've still put it on my "must buy PCB" list. I don't know why many people seem to think it's slow, because I think the speed ramps up to "frantic" pretty quickly..

[Blade]

I just want to know when Treasure names their "Project RS3" assuming it's not Gradius V according to some people.

[WarpZone]

RSG isn't that long, are you guys playing just the saturn version or something?

Not that long?! It's the longest single loop shooter I've every played

I suppose it just depends on what you compare it to. Fairly long compared to most "standard" games of the genre (although Gradius V comes close to 80 minutes and is far more of an 'endurance' game) but closer to average when compared to some other one-sitting action games.

To the thread creator...probably the greatest praise I could give RSG is that it thinks outside of the box.
While most modern shooters concern themselves with just dumping bullets down from the top of the screen (albeit with some great scoring systems and intuitive patterns), RSG refuses to interpret the genre as something that must just scroll forward and have enemies attack downwards. It uses every trick in the book from every angle to try and kill you- and you can attack back in the same way-, making it feel fresh and dynamic.

Also, while less polished and elegant than Ikaruga, it serves as a fascinating segue into the whole philosophy and sense of design that has now essentially become a staple of how Treasure approaches the genre.

[Bar81]

To anyone who cries overrated and that their not Fond of RSG, please, please, PLEASE share the wealth, if you don't like the game, sell it to somebody who wants it.

Already done a LONG time ago.

[TWITCHDOCTOR]

RSG isn't that long, are you guys playing just the saturn version or something?

Not that long?! It's the longest single loop shooter I've every played (and I've played a ton). It's almost 45 minutes start to finish in normal mode and even longer in Saturn mode (which includes both stage 2 and 4 and has a few extra levels). It's twice the length of Ikaruga and in Saturn mode is almost twice as long as any Psikyo, Taito or Cave overhead shooting game.

Radiant Silvergun isn't just my favorite shooter, it's my favoraite game.

Other long Shmups that come to mind would be, Blazing Lazers and Space MegaForce.

[jp]

Best game ever made IMO. Just keep in mind that it WILL destroy you for the first 10-20 hours of playing it. Radiant Silvergun is a lot like sex: At first it looks nice, but its awkward, over too soon, and you don't get much of anything accomplished. Once you master it though, you're like "Hey! This is the greatest fucking thing ever!" and next thing you know you're in stage 5 and holding on for dear life.


As someone who has 1CC'd the game, its easily the best shmup (and IMO, GAME) ever concieved. Its easily one of the most rewarding games ever. *sigh* Nothing like fighting Xiga with some level 33 weapons.

[Bishamon]

To anyone who cries overrated and that their not Fond of RSG, please, please, PLEASE share the wealth, if you don't like the game, sell it to somebody who wants it.

First, I said I wasn't overly fond of RSG. I like it, just not as much as everyone who seems to think it's the greatest shmup ever conceived. I certainly won't sell it (a game has to be pretty boring for me to sell or trade it away -- Skull Fang comes close), but if I'd paid $150+ for it I would feel a little ripped off.

Best game ever made IMO. Just keep in mind that it WILL destroy you for the first 10-20 hours of playing it. Radiant Silvergun is a lot like sex: At first it looks nice, but its awkward, over too soon, and you don't get much of anything accomplished. Once you master it though, you're like "Hey! This is the greatest fucking thing ever!" and next thing you know you're in stage 5 and holding on for dear life.

Maybe that's my problem. I haven't played RSG in many years, and I certainly haven't played it for close to 10 hours. Perhaps I should give it some more playtime now.

[jp]

Yeah, I can see where RS can be... unappealing... at first, given that it seems like an incredibly daunting task having to chain everything and if you don't then most bosses pretty much have to time out.


Once you get good at it though, its great. The only reason I loved it from the get-go is because I'm a Treasure fanboy.

[Diabollokus]

Well done sir.

I've bitten the bullet and I don't look back.

Its the longest shmup ever! and its 2 player!

[ROBOTRON]

In The Hunt is a good one, I have the PS1 version, but I've still put it on my "must buy PCB" list. I don't know why many people seem to think it's slow, because I think the speed ramps up to "frantic" pretty quickly..

In The Hunt...the sub-shooter? That game is great! I'm a proud owner...love the underwater ice stage...I like it when the train runs off the tracks too...awesome!

[ROBOTRON]

RSG isn't that long, are you guys playing just the saturn version or something?

Not that long?! It's the longest single loop shooter I've every played (and I've played a ton). It's almost 45 minutes start to finish in normal mode and even longer in Saturn mode (which includes both stage 2 and 4 and has a few extra levels). It's twice the length of Ikaruga and in Saturn mode is almost twice as long as any Psikyo, Taito or Cave overhead shooting game.

Radiant Silvergun isn't just my favorite shooter, it's my favoraite game.

Other long Shmups that come to mind would be, Blazing Lazers and Space MegaForce.

INDEED.

Both are COMPILE goodness!

[captain ahar]

congrats, and i am jealous i'm hoping to snag my own copy in the coming months. every single video i have seen has left me giggly.

those are cheapass Steam Hearts and Sylphia by the way.

[Cthulhu]

those are cheapass Steam Hearts and Sylphia by the way.

Wow! Unless those get sniped up to a higher price at the end, that's really low. Way lower than I paid in Japan even.

[crithit5000]

It came today, and the wait was worth it. I played about an hour of it, and stupid work is impeding my fun.

Anyways, this game is awesome.

[gunbird18]

Congrats, crithit5000! Sounds like the Silvergun-fever has you in its grip!

I am not a raving-mad Treasure fanboy, these are just the facts: This is one of the greatest shmups of all time because as previously stated, it is long, 2 player, and looks so amazing! It allows us to see that when developers take their time and energy to make a great port it shows, and it gets highly praised for that fact. So many Saturn owners can't believe that games can look that good on the Saturn, why couldn't other developers do this?

Off topic: You won my Parodius Deluxe Pack auction! Congrats! Hope you enjoy the game!