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Post by Sarge on Jan 30, 2020 23:16:25 GMT -5
You know, I should probably be using a Genesis pad to feel a bit more legit.
I've just put some time into GG Shinobi 2, and found one crystal and freed all my helpers. I'm trying to figure out how to proceed in the stage I'm in; I think I'm going to need to stock up on more ninja magic.
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Post by Ex on Jan 30, 2020 23:56:51 GMT -5
Have you already beaten the first game? Or is the first one bad, and should be skipped?
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Post by Sarge on Jan 31, 2020 0:57:35 GMT -5
Yeah, I beat the first one... sometime a year or so ago. I'm not sure I said much about it on here, but I did mention it! It gets really tough, too. Both games are worth playing, though, since it's got some cool exploration elements with the different ninja.
Speaking of which, I'm a bit early on it but finished up GG Shinobi II. I dug it, although it also gets really cheap at the end in spots. Lots of instant death spikes and whatnot. Still, once you know what to do, it's not so bad... but I did shortcut that process through save states. Managed to get the final boss patterns down, too, so I feel pretty good about making a legit run someday if I revisit it. I probably spent... geez, probably two hours with it? I'm sure that number would have doubled on that last stage, though.
Anyway, the biggest thing to remember is that each stage outside of the last contains a short route (leads to a helper ninja once you beat the boss), a longer route (usually accessible with one of your ninjas) you need to explore to find a crystal, four of which lets you go to the last stage, and a life extension, which is pretty much necessary if you plan on surviving said last stage!
I found the jumping controls to be a bit fiddly at times; the green ninja's double jump takes a bit of timing. But it's not as bad as Revenge of Shinobi's double-jump. But all of them have various powers, except for the red ninja you start with. Yellow walks on water, Blue has a grappling chain you can use (and a whirlwind ninpo that lets you fly), Green has that double jump and can clear out certain barriers with his ninpo, and Pink tosses bombs, can crawl on ceilings (has to be close overhead, though), and light up dark rooms with her ninpo. Well, I assume "her", it's very Power Rangers-ish, so that's how I think of it.
I'd give this one... probably a 7.5/10. A very good game that I think improves on the first game a bit.
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Post by toei on Jan 31, 2020 6:33:58 GMT -5
Yep, both GG Shinobi games are quite solid, and I agree that the second improves a bit on the first. Xeogred As for Compile, there are various Madou games which I know nothing about, and both GG Aleste games, which easily seem like the best shmups in the Game Gear's library. Chainsaw Bilqis That's Virtua Fighter Animation, which is based on the anime series. I dig that one too, it's a nice scaled-down fighter.
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Post by Ex on Jan 31, 2020 11:04:58 GMT -5
both GG Aleste games, which easily seem like the best shmups in the Game Gear's library I beat both of these back in 2017. They are the best shmups in the Game Gear library. GG Aleste's a Japan-only Game Gear shmup, developed and published by Compile in 1991. GG Aleste is an extremely competent shmup, one that transcends its platform limitations. There are plenty of stages, filled with a variety of enemies, and challenging bosses. Special weapons are fun, and level design variety is above average. The OST is pretty good, though the graphics are a tad plain. Difficulty is balanced very well, not too hard or too easy. I had a great time with GG Aleste, and I would recommend any Game Gear owning shmup fan to import this. Powerstrike II (AKA GG Aleste II) is also Game Gear shmup developed by Compile, and published by SEGA in 1993 in Japan / 1994 in Europe. ( Powerstrike II is not to be confused with the Master System shmup of the same name - they are different.) Powerstrike II does everything its predecessor GG Aleste did, but does nearly all of it better. The same fantastic shoot 'em up gameplay continues, the difficulty has been kicked up a notch, the OST is even better, but now the graphics are amazing. We're talking AAA graphics for what the Game Gear could produce. My only complaints are the bonus levels aren't as fun as GG Aleste's, and there aren't as many stages as GG Aleste had. But those complaints are minor versus how awesome Powerstrike II is. Great stage designs, killer weapons, wicked bosses, everything a shmup lover could want. Seriously, if you own a Game Gear and you enjoy shoot 'em ups, you simply most own Powerstrike II AKA GG Aleste II.
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Post by Sarge on Jan 31, 2020 17:52:18 GMT -5
I may give those a shot, too. Compile puts out my kind of shooters.
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Post by Xeogred on Jan 31, 2020 18:29:03 GMT -5
The music is insane. It's rare when Game Gear / Master System FM sounds beautiful, but when it does I freaking love it.
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Post by Sarge on Feb 1, 2020 17:14:47 GMT -5
I finished Master of Darkness for Game Gear. I've played through the SMS version in the past, and the Game Gear version is mostly the same, although it compressed the stage designs quite a bit to account for the smaller screens. Unfortunately, the sprites are all kept the same size, so it feels really cramped to play. It's still pretty solid, though, even accounting for that maze at the end. Once you find your way through, though, it's not too tricky to get right back to the final boss should you die there.
Weapons are a little weird in this game. Unlike its obvious inspiration, Castlevania, weapon upgrades aren't always helpful. The wimpy knife is easily the worst, and you can still find it in stages. The next most powerful is a fast rapier, but it's still not that powerful. More powerful yet is... I think a hammer? It's got both range and power. I prefer it. The axe is the most powerful, but has pitiful range. There's also subweapons, but the only one I really use is the stake, which is a really strong straight-line item that you can stock up on before the final boss.
Regardless of which form you play this in, it pales in comparison to its inspiration. However, this doesn't mean it's a bad game! I'd say if the SMS version rates a 7/10, the Game Gear version gets a 6.5/10.
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Post by Sarge on Feb 1, 2020 20:09:59 GMT -5
I beat another game - Griffin. The best way I can describe it is a homeless man's Jackal. You get a tank, and it has three different shots: normal that fires in all directions, a sub-weapon that goes over environmental hazards, and a special shot that explodes for area effect. The latter two shots fix your cannon forward, unlike the main weapon. You also get bombs that hit everything on screen. Sounds good, right? Well, unfortunately, the game moves choppily, is very inconsistent with its speed (and we're not talking NES slowdown here, we're talking constant variations depending on what's on screen), and just doesn't feel all that great to play. It's also very easy, I might add. Except for the last encampment, where you want to use your bombs to whittle it down because of the barrage of fire. So why does this game exist? Well, the box art gives a clue. Cute anime girl, of course. Uh huh, I see where this is going. Guess the only question is whether they end up going all the way. Nope, they don't. Just some Telenet Japan pandering and really shoddy coding. I'll note that it actually takes two loops (mostly) to get to the end screen. The second loop omits the shooter stage, which feels super bland to play. Time spent? Probably 30 minutes. Rating? Probably a 3/10. I have played worse, but the game just isn't good.
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Post by Xeogred on Feb 1, 2020 20:15:24 GMT -5
Looks like a Votoms Scopedog ripoff on the cover haha...
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