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Post by toei on Sept 28, 2020 23:32:02 GMT -5
I thought it looked great when Xeogred posted about it a few days/weeks ago, then I forgot to try it. I should get around to it soon.
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Post by Sarge on Sept 29, 2020 0:03:05 GMT -5
Good job getting through this one. I stopped at a point where I got completely stymied, but I'm not sure where that exactly was. I think I was a good deal from the end, so it seems like I should take some pointers from you!
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Post by Ex on Sept 29, 2020 9:27:14 GMT -5
I thought it looked great when Xeogred posted about it a few days/weeks ago, then I forgot to try it. I should get around to it soon. Good job getting through this one. I stopped at a point where I got completely stymied, but I'm not sure where that exactly was. I think I was a good deal from the end, so it seems like I should take some pointers from you! I must have missed when others were playing Out Zone, or forgot. But yes, it's a very good R&G.
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Post by Ex on Sept 29, 2020 13:34:49 GMT -5
Ran through this today on my lunch break: FixEight is a run 'n' gun arcade-only release developed and published by Toaplan in 1992. It is the spiritual successor to 1990's Out Zone. Set in a future where an alien race called the Gozzu invaded the universe, players are mercs hired by the Galactic Federation government to exterminate the alien invaders. FixEight plays very similar to Out Zone, with the big exception of having eight different characters to choose from. Hence the "Fix" (they solve the invader problem) "Eight" (mercs to choose from). Returning from Out Zone is its weapon system, albeit modified; Unlike its predecessor, each character has their own weapon set, as well as their own special weapon that is acquired through a "?" icon. Omitted from its predecessor, is the energy bar system, where the player had to remain aware of their depleting energy level or DIE. Also, the checkpoint system has been done away with, in FixEight, the player can continue from exactly where they died. And pick a different merc each time they die as well. Lastly there is an actual ending with cutscenes and credit scroll upon beating FixEight. Afterwards, the game loops back to the first stage, with the second loop increasing the difficulty via enemies firing denser bullet patterns, in addition to spawning extra bullets when destroyed. Defeating the second loop results in being sent back to the first stage, starting the third loop, which is even harder from what I've read.
+Eight different mercs to choose from! +Far more reasonable difficulty than its predecessor. +Player weapons feel devastating to use.
+There's an actual ending. +No more punishing checkpoint system.
-The OST is trash. -The sound effects are junk.
-The level designs are not as polished as its predecessor. -The bottomless pits return with gusto. -The graphic design feels less distinctive than Out Zone's.
Although FixEight was created by Toaplan, it was missing some of the key development personnel that Out Zone had. You can tell, because while being fairly fun, FixEight doesn't have the same frantic impact as its predecessor. This game simply feels a bit blander and less tightly designed. That said, the difficulty is far more reasonable this time around, so if you want to credit feed to victory, that's feasible here. For fans of shmups that star humanoid protagonists, or run 'n' gun diehards that don't mind an overhead view, FixEight is definitely worth trying. Also you get to ride flying jetbikes that shoot lasers in this game, surely that counts for something.
Ex's time to beat: 25 minutes or so Ex's rating: 7/10
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There are two more games I'd like to beat for this theme. As long as my stamina holds out. I've been sick as hell the past three days, so gaming isn't as easy lately. The games I plan to play next are on console.
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Post by Sarge on Sept 29, 2020 15:17:06 GMT -5
Dang, sorry you're not feeling great. Yesterday was my bad day, sinus headache put me out of commission for a lot of it. Have to admit, that looks cool, regardless.
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Post by Xeogred on Sept 29, 2020 15:52:44 GMT -5
I'd like to hit up most of the stuff Ex has been playing. Maybe I'll get the itch for some more arcade gaming this weekend. I actually played hooky from work today myself, not feeling that great either. Must be the weather changing for me.
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Post by anayo on Sept 29, 2020 17:57:34 GMT -5
Out Zone is an overhead run 'n' gun 1990 arcade game, developed by Toaplan, and published in Japan by Tecmo. In North America and Europe it was published by Romstar. Out Zone has never been ported to any home console. Set in the future 2097, an alien race from the planet Owagira threatens to wipe out humanity. Players assume the role of cyborg mercenaries recruited by the United Nations to overthrow the invaders. The player starts out with an automatic laser rifle, which fires in whichever of the eight directions the player moves. By picking up C icons, the player can switch to a more powerful spread gun, or laser gun, or voltage ball blaster. An energy bar acts the player's stamina. When it runs out, the player character's movement slows down, after which the player dies. Energy is refilled by picking up E icons. P icons dropped by certain enemies power up the player's various guns. +The decaying cybernetic graphic theme looks great. +Blistering frantic action doesn't disappoint. +Clever and consistently changing level designs. +Above average OST by Tatsuya Uemura. +Impressive and fun bosses. -Sometimes falls into bullet hell territory. -No ending, the game just loops and gets harder! -Falling into the numerous holes can get annoying. -Accidentally losing that spreadshot gun, for the 10th time. -Progress is checkpoint based, forget credit feeding to victory tough guy. Wow what a surprise Out Zone was. A lot of fun, and a lot of challenge. You really have to pay attention 100% of the time, and get into bullet zen to beat this one. Actually, I'm surprised Out Zone wasn't ported to Genesis, it would have been perfect on that platform. Also this game's included in the 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die book. If that means anything to anybody. I very much enjoyed Out Zone, its theme was well realized, the gameplay is tight, and thanks to the checkpoint system, it remained resistant to the end. This is one zone you should get into. I particularly recommend Out Zone to anayo and Xeogred . Ex's time to beat: 45 minutes Ex's rating: 8/10 like: + that righteous poster + run and guns in the vein of Elemental Master for Sega Genesis + decaying cyborg stuff no like: - bullet hell - looping forever Overall though Outzone sounds cool! I wonder if I have it stored on my original X-Box...
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Post by toei on Sept 29, 2020 20:17:09 GMT -5
Ex It would've probably been really easy to port to the Genesis, too, cause MAME tells me this game uses pretty much the same components. Motorola 68000 cpu (clocked a little higher) +Zilog Z80 as a secondary processor (for sound also?)+a Yamaha FM soundchip.
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Post by Sarge on Sept 29, 2020 20:52:08 GMT -5
Took another stab at Out Zone and got through it this time. Some frustration along the way, though. I figure it took about an hour, so I got less lucky (or I suck more) than Ex. The boss that gave me fits early was the one with the laser cutters, but I finally figured out the right technique there. The last boss was certainly tough, too, but I managed to just scrape by on about my 15th or so try. Rating... I like it, I just wish it had more kind checkpointing, and that the directional shot had a strafe button (and maybe it did and I missed it). As it is, it was spreader or bust for me. Judicious use of bombs is absolutely needed. Oh, right, rating. Let's go with... good, possibly very good, so in the 7-7.5 range. It definitely shows some really cool ideas in there.
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Post by Ex on Sept 29, 2020 21:06:06 GMT -5
Dang, sorry you're not feeling great. Yesterday was my bad day, sinus headache put me out of commission for a lot of it. Things I've been dealing with the last three days: Sore throat, runny nose, extreme body aches, fever, chills, head aches, and diarrhea. On top of that, I've had a stye from hell the past few days as well. However, I haven't had a cough, so I don't think it's the Chinese death flu. It's extraordinarily rare for me to get sick (first time in seven years), but when I do it's always ridiculous. Ex It would've probably been really easy to port to the Genesis, too, cause MAME tells me this game uses pretty much the same components. Motorola 68000 cpu (clocked a little higher) +Zilog Z80 as a secondary processor (for sound also?)+a Yamaha FM soundchip. I honestly am surprised Out Zone was not ported to Genesis or Mega Drive. It's perfect for the platform. But never say never... maybe one of these boutique "Limited Run" outfits will make it happen someday. I just wish it had more kind checkpointing, and that the directional shot had a strafe button (and maybe it did and I missed it). Yeah you've gotta have the spreadshot to strafe. But that causes issues with enemies behind you, hence the bomb usage. The spiritual sequel fixes the checkpoint system issue though.
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