Which version of Futari should I play?

[shmuppyLove]

1.0, 1.5, Black Label ...

I'd like to start playing seriously, which version should I focus on?

Playing in MAME btw ...

[BulletMagnet]

1.5 is the more-or-less "Standard" version, and contains a number of tweaks; 1.0 was obviously the first release, and rougher around the edges (and generally tougher). Black Label is a sorta-revision, which changes a handful of things around, and generally makes things a bit easier.

Any of them can be played "seriously" since scores for them are kept separate, but 1.5 is what most think of as the "main" version of Futari.

[Nasirosuchus]

If you want the easy clear, go for Black Label

[chempop]

I played them in this order

Original 1.5
Original BL
Maniac BL
Maniac 1.5

While Original BL is probably more difficult than Original 1.5, I think it's better to start with 1.5 because it is more bare bones and you'll appreciate the changes made in BL more. Maniac 1.5 is quite a leap in difficulty compared to the BL counterpart.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

1.0/1.01 are probably the least interesting to play. The low bomb damage and bullet patterns make it feel much more unbalanced, but if you're looking for the absolute most challenging gameplay out of Futari then 1.0 Ultra would probably be it.

1.5 and BL are both fun, but for different reasons. BL is more stage-oriented in terms of difficulty and scoring, and BL Original has a much higher difference between sub-optimal scoring and optimal scoring due to how the pointblanking + max stage counter works. 1.5 is simpler and doesn't reward pointblanking to the same extent, although the shot types are more varied if you're interested in that, whereas both of the shot types in BL are capable of obliterating pretty much everything.

Arrange is also a lot of fun (and really you should probably pick up the Xbox ver), although it's more about scoring than simply achieving a clear.

Does Futari even run decently in Mame? I thought it had issues emulating the slowdown properly or something.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

While Original BL is probably more difficult than Original 1.5...

To me Original on BL is a million times easier. Of the modes I've played the difficulty would be something like:

Original BL
Maniac BL
Original 1.5
Original 1.0
Maniac 1.5
Maniac 1.0
God Mode
Ultras

[chempop]

Whoops, I mean it the other way around. 1.5 is definitely the harder mode, but is better to start with and learn the game without the overpowered firepower.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

If you're seriously attempting to score and you max the stage counter out on each stage as quickly as possible, BL Original can be as tough as 1.5 due to the massive jump in bullet speed. Going for just a clear and making sure to avoid the rank jump by not maxing out the stage counter makes BL O a lot easier than 1.5 O though.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

Whoops, I mean it the other way around. 1.5 is definitely the harder mode, but is better to start with and learn the game without the overpowered firepower.

I agree, it's also better because you would get the "this is the best thing I've ever played" feeling twice if you go for the 1.5 clears first before ever trying BL. If you start playing 1.5 and BL both together you will only get that feeling once. Or in its current emulated form, maybe not at all.

[moh]

get the 360 port so we can compete for score on xbl

[joeks]

I love Maniac on 1.5.
Haven't put much time in the other versions really because I just love it so much. But I said that already.

[Special World]

I think Black Label is better in every way. It may be better to start with because it's less difficult and the scoring's less strict, at least on a basic level.

[shmuppyLove]

get the 360 port so we can compete for score on xbl

I don't have a 360 :'( Never did get the broken one working again. They play well enough on MAME though, now that my PC is a bit beefier.

I've definitely noticed that BL seems to be the easiest, if only because the bullets are slower. I also kind of appreciate the lack of shot type options. I never know if I'm choosing the 'right' one in those cases ...

I played BL for a bit, then tried 1.0, and it's balls harder -- the bullets are waaaaay faster!

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

From what I recall generally the easiest character would be Palm normal in 1.0, Palm abnormal in 1.5 and Reco in BL. There are problems with all 3 versions. 1.0 is very rough around the edges, original on BL is so easy that it becomes pointless, 1.5 and BL lowered the difficulty on the first couple of levels so much that they become something you roll your eyes at... I think 1.5 original and maniac then BL then if you still haven't had enough, 1.0 original, is the best route. Then God Mode if you can handle it. The Ultras are too hard. If you start with BL first then going to 1.5 might feel like going backwards.

[mesh control]

None of them.

[Erppo]

Playing any slowdown-reliant mode (=not Original) with Mame is a bad idea. Also I don't really see God as any more difficult than 1.5 Maniac. From the little I've tested, 1.0 Maniac is surely way more brutal.

original on BL is so easy that it becomes pointless

uhh, what?

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

I think they lowered the difficulty too much on BL original, it's too easy to clear in my opinion.

[Erppo]

I think they lowered the difficulty too much on BL original, it's too easy to clear in my opinion.

Well isn't it a good thing that you can easily make it a lot harder then? I fail to see how could that make the entire mode "pointless".

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

Pointless was a poor choice of words but a shooting game should provide a good challenge to clear aside from using a scoring system to make it more difficult. Almost every Cave game does this aside from Deathsmiles games, Futari BL original and a couple of Mushihimesama modes. The first loop of DFK 1.5 bomb and strong are too easy to clear as well. If you want to go for a world record then any game is hard.

[Erppo]

Fair enough. I just find it odd when people complain of a lack of challenge when they themselves choose to limit their challenge in some specific way (in this case by keeping the counter low). Score systems also exist to guide people into playing in a specific way. I don't see this as a BL Original specific issue since most Caves get pretty dull if you focus on nothing but clearing.

[Muchi Muchi Spork]

I see your point but some scoring systems have things that don't do much for me at all, like switching weapons when you hear a beep, or the part of Deathsmiles where you get more points for shooting different characters with a different weapon type, if you can even stay awake long enough to memorize which. In general I find most Cave shooters a lot of fun to clear even if you aren't focusing on the scoring system past just enough to get the points extends. And often it's a matter of finding the right balance or you will never clear it, like in SDOJ. If I just tried for max points I would never clear it but I've found a run that I'll eventually clear that has "some" scoring.

[KAI]

That's why games with rank control rule.

[Acid_Rain]

and some people are still to bad to clear BL original

[To Far Away Times]

Start with Black Label Original, its easier and imo, has a better scoring system the Futari Original.

Futari Original is probably more fun for survival play.

[Tokyo-J]

Black Label ORIGINAL!

[shmuppyLove]

Ok, I'm working on BL Original with Reco

Thanks for the tips

[Obscura]

As one of those people who can't clear BL Original, I'm going to have to disagree with the majority of this thread and say that 1.5 is actually easier than BL.

Fewer enemies, fewer bullets, lower score extends, easier boss fights.

Also, I tried to upload a video I did of three runs of BL (there was some real comedy in there, including a death in the first half of stage 1), but youtube decided the video was too long, so it waited until after I had uploaded it, and then told me "sorry, we removed it, too long". Assholes.

Also, I have to agree with mesh control's response of "none of them". Futari sucks. Actually, I can't think of a single Cave game after Ketsui that I like, aside from Mushihimesama original.

[n0rtygames]

Isn't it a bit unfair to say it sucks when you haven't cleared it yet? You hold fire and things explode. What's wrong with that??

BL orig is great fun when played for score. Survival play is a bit 'meh' though.

[Obscura]

Isn't it a bit unfair to say it sucks when you haven't cleared it yet?

No.

You hold fire and things explode. What's wrong with that??

Things don't really "explode" as much as "disappear and turn into amber".

What's wrong with it? The stupid blue/green counter crap that serves as the basis for the awful score system, which, in turn, ensures that there's no fun to be had at all in the first two stages. The excessive slowdown that the game is balanced around. The difficulty curve that puts the hardest section of the game in stage 3.

I've spent way too much time with this pile of shit, trying to find something redeeming in it. It's a crap game- like almost all Cave post-Ketsui.

I still don't understand why people think BL original is easy. I've spent almost as much time with it as I have with DOJ; both my average credit and my "best" credits in DOJ get much further.

[chempop]

I still don't understand why people think BL original is easy.

Because it only took me a few tried to clear. BL maniac also only took me a handful of attempts, meanwhile 1.5 maniac took me years of on and off play to 1CC with a half decent score. 1.5 is definitely harder to clear, although I can't speak for world record level scores.

I've spent way too much time with this pile of shit, trying to find something redeeming in it. It's a crap game- like almost all Cave post-Ketsui.

As one of those people who can't clear BL Original...

I can understand being frustrated with the sporadic slowdown and stage 3. I was certainly stuck with maniac 1.5 for a long time before having a 1CC in sight. I'm not sure if calling it a pile of shit is justified simply because the game is beyond your ability though. I'm also not too keen on original's shot switching mechanics, but maniac mode is completely different and done extremely well.