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Post by Sarge on Nov 14, 2018 23:19:48 GMT -5
Nice beat. Don't know if you found this to be the case, but to me the clear best weapon was the Wave shot. Moving in close lets you unleash an absolute flurry. The Bombs don't fire fast enough, and the Laser might pierce, but tends to not do enough damage. The last boss gets wrecked by the Wave.
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Post by Ex on Nov 14, 2018 23:56:03 GMT -5
The last boss gets wrecked by the Wave. Yes I rocked the Wave most of the time, it seemed to cover the most screen space. --- I've finished Stage 2 of Mitsume ga Tooru ("The Three-Eyed One"). Thus far I have been quite impressed with this Natsume jam. This is not the first time I've tried it it though. I first tried this back in 1998 when the English fan translation released. I likely only tried it to make sure the patch took correctly. I never even beat the first stage back then. Anyway... twenty years after that patch released, here we are. Very solid platformer so far. Reminds me a fair bit of Mega Man actually. I think that Xeogred would like this one a lot, but someone else will have to recommend it to him; dude never takes my advice on games to play. I can absolutely see why Sarge likes this one.
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Post by Sarge on Nov 15, 2018 12:42:20 GMT -5
Xeogred: You need to play Mitsume Ga Tooru. Don't just take Ex's advice, take mine! Glad you're enjoying it so far. It's definitely an upper-tier platformer for the system, at least for me.
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Post by Ex on Nov 15, 2018 16:19:37 GMT -5
79. Mitsume Ga Tooru | Famicom | 1992
"Mitsume Ga Tooru" is a Japan-only action-platformer developed by Natsume, and published by Tomy Corporation in 1992. This is actually the second "Mitsume Ga Tooru" game developed by Natsume, the studio had previous produced an identically named title on the MSX in 1989. This Famicom release is based on Osamu Tezuka's manga of the same name, and specifically takes inspiration from its anime adaptation which aired on TV Tokyo in 1990-1991. I don't personally know anything about the protagonist or his story. Other than when he opens his third eye, he becomes a megalomaniacal sorcerer (in the source, not this game). Here he's a bald dude that shoots projectiles from a third eye in his forehead. Apparently his girlfriend was kidnapped by another third eyed dude, and now he must go and kick that guy's face in to rescue her.
+Excellent colorful graphics that capture the anime inspiration.
+Fantastic OST that is joyful and energetic.
+High quality platforming gameplay with perfect physics.
+In game store allows you to purchase power-ups.
+Unique platform-summoning system via the spear.
-Takes perhaps a little too much inspiration from "Mega Man".
-Your character cannot duck.
-Your character cannot walk and shoot simultaneously.
-You lose all your power-up purchases when you die.
-Only five stages; a tad short.
It would be easy to dismiss "Mitsume Ga Tooru" as a high quality "Mega Man" ripoff, except for the magical spear that your protagonist can summon. The spear can be used as a projectile weapon, or used as a jump-boosting platform. Some of the levels are designed to incorporate this unique gameplay aspect. Aside from that, "Mitsume Ga Tooru" is simply a very well made action-platformer. You will jump a lot, shoot a lot, and possibly die a lot. Although there's only a few small sections in "Mitsume Ga Tooru" that truly feel punitive. The impressive bosses can be intimidating at first, but they are beaten as soon as the player memorizes their attack patterns. Enemies drop coins which can be spent in item stores hidden throughout the levels. The purchasable power-ups include weapon additions, as well as extra lives, and the ability to refill your live meter. Unfortunately if you die, you lose all of your power-ups. That sucks hard when you're fighting a boss and die.
In the west, the Famicom is not really given its due by most retro gaming enthusiasts. To an extent that is understandable, as the Famicom was alien to them growing up. However, the Famicom (and Famicom Disk System) harbors a rich treasure trove of gems just waiting to be discovered and played. "Mitsume Ga Tooru" absolutely fits that Famicom "hidden gem" status, and should be played by any vintage action-platformer enthusiast. The game aesthetics and design on display here are upper tier quality for their hardware. Unusual for a licensed game; "Mitsume Ga Tooru" bucks the foul trend of being sloppy potboiler. Rather this game pays homage to its inspiration with gusto, and even goes so far as to commend Osamu Tezuka's memory in its credits. The developers certainly put some love into this labor, and I recommend you put some labor into their love.
Ex's time to beat: 47 minutes
Ex's rating: 8/10
--- I plan to give Dragon Fighter a try soon, after that I'll personally be all wrapped up for this month's theme.
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Post by Sarge on Nov 15, 2018 16:37:53 GMT -5
Glad you enjoyed it, Ex. Definitely one of those games I wish more folks knew about. Maybe it wouldn't have been very successful as a Western release, but it definitely would have achieved cult-classic status.
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Post by Ex on Nov 15, 2018 23:42:23 GMT -5
80. Dragon Fighter | NES | 1992
"Dragon Fighter" is a NES action-platformer developed by Natsume, and published by Sofel in the USA in 1992. This game originally released in 1990 on the Famicom. I say that because you can tell that despite Natsume developing it, "Dragon Fighter" is very rough around the edges, and feels amateur compared to Natsume's later efforts on the NES/Famicom. In "Dragon Fighter" the player takes on the role of a knight who has the ability to turn into a dragon. The knight is seeking to defeat an evil sorcerer and save the kingdom. Very imaginative stuff. The name of this game is kind of silly, because it makes the protagonist sound like someone who fights dragons, rather than fight as a dragon.
+Changing into a dragon at will is kinda cool. +Different spell attacks depending on dragon type.
+Fairly decent OST.
+The final (sixth) stage is a pure shmup.
+Unlike Natsume's other NES platformers, this has a fantasy theme.
-Hit sponge enemies.
-Bland stage layouts.
-Workmanlike graphics. -Enemies often come in messy mobs plus ranged attacks.
-No checkpoints, no extra lives, just three continues.
Natsume made some killer NES platformers, but I wouldn't call "Dragon Fighter" one of them. You can tell this was an early effort for the studio. Unfortunately "Dragon Fighter" is dragged down by its bland graphics, boring stages, unbalanced enemy mobs, and an overall lack of pizzazz. That said, "Dragon Fighters"'s OST is well worth hearing, and it's always fun to jump around slashing at stuff with a sword. And honestly, who doesn't want to fly around as a marauding dragon?
Ex's time to beat: 33 minutes Ex's rating: 6/10
---
And that my HRG compadres is the end of my time with Natsume November. Here's what I beat:
Dragon Fighter (6/10)
Mitsume ga Tooru (8/10)
Power Blade (7/10) Power Blade 2 (8/10) S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team (7/10)
Shatterhand (8/10)
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Post by toei on Nov 16, 2018 1:50:47 GMT -5
Hey, I liked Gear Senshi Dendoh, and I was already a fan of their PSX Hokuto no Ken beat-'em-up. And their Master System Renegade remake. So I guess you can say I don't like Natsume NES & SNES games? I still might play Mitsume, though.
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Post by Xeogred on Nov 16, 2018 21:34:46 GMT -5
I already played two levels of Mitsume ga Tooru, I'll definitely get back to it and knock it out this month. I wasn't feeling it back to back with all their other gritty/realistic styled NES games, but the more cartoony style can definitely be awesome too. Mitsume has some good graphics and vibes.
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Post by Sarge on Nov 19, 2018 16:36:16 GMT -5
It's just a few minutes into November, EST, and I have finished Idol Hakkenden (NES, 1989). It's a very atypical game for Natsume; a graphic adventure about a young girl named Erika who has three months to become successful in order to earn her dying mother's inheritance. As singing is her only talent, she sets out on the path to stardom. The term "Hakkenden" is a reference to Satomi Hakkenden, a famous 19th century Japanese novel in which 8 companions come together to defeat an evil witch*; similarly, Erika recruits a posse of 7 girls along the way, each with their particular talent or specialty, and eventually faces off with the Kooky King, "the dark side of the entertainment industry", who wants to turn the entire world population into goofy comedians. It also has disgraced Olympic runner Ben Johnson in a leopard suit. In order words, this isn't the most serious of games. That's what saved it for me; the cutesy aspect annoyed me, but I figured it'd be short enough that I might as well put up with it. It picks up in the last two chapters, with some funny moments and everyone coming together for a frantic text-based, menu-driven battle. The music's also pretty nice. The game's about... 3 hours long, I'd say? I got stuck twice, but not for too long, since like most games of its type, trying every possible option will let you advance when logic no longer works. I'd give it **. I'm clearly not the target audience, though. I just finished this off myself. Didn't take me too long to get through... maybe two hours? There was a lot of silliness, but sometimes that's okay! It had some cute moments, and I might have chuckled at a few spots. The graphics are solid, as well. I'd say... maybe a 6.5. Nothing amazing, but if you like these sorts of menu-driven adventure games, I'm sure there's much worse.
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Post by Ex on Nov 20, 2018 13:27:23 GMT -5
if you like these sorts of menu-driven adventure games That's the problem I have with old Japanese adventure games. They almost exclusively use the menu based system. I understand why they do - the legacy reasons. But still, it's not an ideal interface. As annoying as retro western-styled pixel-hunt adventure games can be, cycling through menus choosing options randomly/repetitively just trying to trigger the next plot-advancement is equally asinine. We should do a thread someday about -good- classic Japanese adventure games though. Surely there are a few diamonds in the poop pile.
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