Mushihimesama Futari

[StorminNorman]

This came out at the end of last year, and I kind of missed it in the Christmas rush, but I finally got around to ordering a copy (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-br-49-en-15-mushihimesama-70-3cq6.html) today (not an afilliate link!), so this is my frothing demand thread. The best part is that the Japanese version is not region-protected, so there's no excuse whatsoever to not import this game right now.

The original Mushihimesama is one of my favourite Cave shooters, right alongside DoDonPachi DaiOuJou and Guwange, and I've only ever heard that Futari is even better, so I'm really looking forward to playing this.

Has anyone else grabbed it? Do you want to have a high-scores contest like we did with Ikaruga back in the day?

For those who don't know just how crazy this game is, here's a video of the true final boss, considered to be the hardest boss in a videogame, ever:

sQZuidKexBQ

[Starscream]

...
Has anyone else grabbed it?
...

Roman Salute.

I'll get round to the importing the platinum version....eventually.

On a side note, the first print PS2 Japanese version of this series is rare as. I don't follow the series, but even the reissue is also expensive (since both are now out of production).

[StorminNorman]

I have the original LE version with the figure. I should check its eBay value.

EDIT: Just checked. Holy crap! US$200!

[HiredMan]

Yeah, looks pretty awesome... might grab a copy when I get back over to Japan in April.

[StorminNorman]

Thanks for fixing the video. I must have had a brain fade or something >.>

[Xanafalgue]

As much as I love 'em, I think SHMUPS should just be Arcade releases... I would buy this for 1600 if it were on XBLA.

[Clockw0rk]

so there's no excuse whatsoever to not import this game right now.

...


here's a video of the true final boss:
sQZuidKexBQ
Seems like a pretty good reason right there.


http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8660/priiiice.jpg
There's another reason.

[Creedy]

I would love to buy this and I probably would, even at full retail price.
It's just that videos like that make me NOT want to get it, only super humans could finish this game with a single credit.

[AranchineD]

Thought thread title said "Mushihimesama Futanari".

I am disappoint.

[Xanafalgue]

I would love to buy this and I probably would, even at full retail price.
It's just that videos like that make me NOT want to get it, only super humans could finish this game with a single credit.

A bit like Ikaruga in general, I tried to play it again on monday and died repeatedly.

[StorminNorman]

only super humans could finish this game with a single credit.

Not really. While the Ultra-mode final boss was impossible to beat in the original game, the 1.5 version released on the 360 fixes this.

Once you understand how the hitbox mechanics in most modern shooting games works, then they become a lot easier. I used to be able to make it to stage four of Mushihimesama on a single credit.

It's really just about practice and learning the patterns. The real skill comes in understanding and milking the scoring system (as these games are, after all, about high scores).

[SOX]

A bit like Ikaruga in general, I tried to play it again on monday and died repeatedly.

Getting into Ikaruga and doing well makes me feel totally badarse though.
It's worth learning and dying all those times just for that one time it all falls into place and you get into the zone.

[Vindik8or]

As much as I love 'em, I think SHMUPS should just be Arcade releases... I would buy this for 1600 if it were on XBLA.

No, they should find ways to do away with the tired old credits/lives/continues trope that only has any relevance where you're trying to screw people for their bucks in an arcade. If you're going to make a game for a console, then make it for the console. Incidentally, that's the idea I'm working on for my final project at uni, but instead for beat-em ups.

[StorminNorman]

It's worth learning and dying all those times just for that one time it all falls into place and you get into the zone.

I felt like a small god the day I managed to S-rank chapter 1. Never managed it since, but that day I was totally in the zone.

Got destroyed by the chapter 2 boss, though.

[SOX]

I felt like a small god the day I managed to S-rank chapter 1. Never managed it since, but that day I was totally in the zone.

Got destroyed by the chapter 2 boss, though.

I prefer just doing chapter 5. No S ranks but I love the tennis match of the final fight (not the final final fight), plus if someone is around it makes you look hell pro when you nail it.

EDIT: I think some Ikaruga is on the cards for tonight. Thinking about it, I don't even remember trying to play it on my stick.. wonder if it'll play any better with one (I'm skeptical)

[dinopoke]

No, they should find ways to do away with the tired old credits/lives/continues trope that only has any relevance where you're trying to screw people for their bucks in an arcade. If you're going to make a game for a console, then make it for the console.

It's a port. But regardless, these tropes are just a style of play rather than a way of money grabbing (at least probably in the sense you are thinking of).

[Blue]

The hardest thing about that boss is listening to the awful Japanese squeals. Ugh.

Anyone want to buy a copy of Ikaruga for GameCube?

[StorminNorman]

My copy arrived today. It's totally, utterly awesome.

One of the great things about it is that all the important menus are in English, so it's easy enough to navigate and play. Some of the dialog boxes are all in Japanese, but pretty much every gamer knows at least the hiragana for "hai", right? :p

Visually it looks fantastic. The game offers "Arcade" and "XBox360" modes. Arcade mode shows the game with its original graphics, which look fine, but blocky and pixellated. XBox360 mode shows the game in glorious high-definition, with crisp, clear sprites and a constant 60FPS motion.

The game also offers all the standard tate/yoko modes, giving you complete freedom to set the game up in a way that best suits your TV.

The game's a bit different to the original. The scoring system isn't as reliant on those crazy timers that the original used, and instead just goes for a collect-em-up multiplier system. It saves you having to use those crazy tapping rhythms on the bosses.

The game also has an arrange mode, which is similar to the one in the original, and a new "Novice" mode. This mode is basically a really toned-down version of the main game, with auto-bombing enabled and much simpler bullet patterns. It's easier than Normal mode in the regular game, but uses Maniac scoring.

There's also Black Label, which you buy for 1200MSP. It's about a 200MB download (so it's not just an "unlock code") and provides a rebalanced version of the game. I haven't explored it fully yet.

(When you go to buy it, don't do it in-game. Instead, do it from the game's XBL page in the dashboard.)

Overall, this is an excellent port of an already excellent shooter, and definitely worth getting if you like shooting games.

[StorminNorman]

Just thought people might like to know that another Cave shooter, Espgaluda II, was released yesterday. You can buy it right here. (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-br-49-en-15-espgaluda+2-70-3j1d.html)

(Note that the normal edition in that link is region free, but the Collectors Edition is not.)

[Lazlow]

Cool, I saw it on play-asia a week or so back but they still hadn't confirmed whether its region free.

With all the fighters and shooters I'll be getting I may be able to justify upgrading the Hori EX2.

[StorminNorman]

I'm really thinking about getting one too, especially because I want to get Super Streetfighter IV on 360 this time, so I can play it with other people.

[Starscream]

Cool, I saw it on play-asia a week or so back but they still hadn't confirmed whether its region free.

With all the fighters and shooters I'll be getting I may be able to justify upgrading the Hori EX2.

Don't you already own a HRAP?

[HiredMan]

I'm really thinking about getting one too, especially because I want to get Super Streetfighter IV on 360 this time, so I can play it with other people.

Sweet, bunch of us on Live still playing vanilla :)

The rumour is that if you bought the extra costumes for SFIV they will carry over to SSFIV. However, if you're switching platforms, you'll have to (re)buy them if you want them.

[StorminNorman]

I refuse to buy them because I already bought them when they came on the disc with the rest of the game. :p

[Lazlow]

Don't you already own a HRAP?

Nah just a Fighting Stick EX2

[StorminNorman]

Espgaluda II arrived today. It's got all the same features as Mushihimesama, but with better presentation. Overall it just feels a bit more polished in the menus and other presentation bits, not to mention it has a lot more configurability for zoomed windows and scoring analysis.

As a game, I like Mushihimesama Futari more, but the Espgaluda series has always been the most accessible of Cave's games, so if you're new to bullet hell, or shooting games in general, then it's probably a better choice to start with. The "kakusei" mode allows you to halve the speed of oncoming bullets pretty much at will. This is the key to scoring big, but can also let you muddle through tough patterns.

Visually it's a real treat, with some amazing 3D graphic effects (the epic midboss fight in stage 3 is particularly notable, as is the entrance of the stage 1 midboss), as well as some amazing animation and highly detailed sprites and backgrounds. Even though this game is actually older than Mushihimesama Futari, it looks a lot nicer.

The music is great, too. With yet another pumping soundtrack from Basiscape's Manabu Namiki. The game ships with an OST CD as well, so you can enjoy the music at any time (sadly it's only the first OST CD, the even-better Arrange CD is not included, though the arrange tracks are used in the game's Black Label and Arrange modes. This means you miss out on the fantastic arrange version of the Mutiny ~Fate Is With The Girl~ though.)

The game's Arrange mode features an interesting mechanic that allows you to shoot down bullets, similar to the "beam break" feature in DoDonPachi Dai***katsu. Honestly, though, the Arrange mode isn't as fun as the original game's Arrange mode on the PS2.

All in all, this is yet another strong shooting title from Cave, and shows that the genre has a lot of life in it. If you're looking to get into the magic of Cave shooters, then this may be a better place to start than Mushihimesama Futari, as the game is far easier to play, even if the kakusei mechanic is a bit more complicated than anything in the other game.

[Roman Salute]

Dunno how I missed this thread but yeah I grabbed futari at launch and thoroughly enjoyed it. The piss-easy novice and arrange modes were a nice touch and good for relaxing late night sessions and the stage 4&5 music tracks are just excellent. The 1.5 and 1.0 modes are alright but the black lavel [sic] mode is much better imo. It sounds expensive, 1200 points for some palette swaps, a different scoring system, different shot type and ultra mode and extra wait time but the game is so much more manageable when the patterns aren't so bloody fast, especially in God Mode. I still haven't gotten all I can out of the game yet, need to go back and at least 1cc arrange ultra, I got damn close a number of times.

Espgaluda 2 arrived late last week thanks to a shipping delay even though I preordered it. It's pretty exciting and it's really nice to finally get all the modes on the disc and not have to buy microsoft points for a blanked out mode in the menu. I played the 360 mode first and didn't really like it (I will with a bit of time no doubt), but every other mode is great. The game is a bit long for my liking but I'm enjoying it way more then I thought I would. The arrange soundtrack definitely improves on the music too and it's nice to be able to select it from the options. There's enough here to keep me occupied until Ketsui and Deathsmiles II for sure, there're some pretty complex scoring systems in place.

I can't wait until DS2 is released, then the only sequels left to port are the ones I'm most interested in playing, maybe hell with freeze over and they'll port muchi muchi pork, one can only hope.