|
|
Post by hidetoshidecide on Jul 25, 2011 7:17:03 GMT -5
a half decent PC to play it on...a good wireless gamepad... Alas, ours is an impoverished realm. I made shootanto on four or five stages of Blazing Lazers last night after finishing Gun Nac; another winner. These Compile shooters are nice. |
|
|
|
Post by Malroth on Jul 25, 2011 7:57:15 GMT -5
The PC Engine is the way to go for retro shmups. Blazing Lasers has already been mentioned, but if you want an easy shmup, go for Salamander. Gradius tends to be unforgiving at times, but Salamander is relatively easy throughout.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vokkan on Jul 25, 2011 8:24:53 GMT -5
I care very little for PC Engine shmups (or maybe I should say Hudson/Compile-shmups), as they tend to consist of 8 stages, each taking 10 minutes to clear, where the major difficulty comes from trying not to fall asleep during the first half.
Or you make a mistake on the last level, at a gruesome Gradius-esque checkpoint... Game over, and now you must play through an hour long snoozefest and still maintain the clarity of mind to recognize the exact spot where you died last time so you can try to avoid it.
Compile shooters was part of my childhood, so I want to like them, meaning I pick up one of their games once a year and play it for an hour or so before I make a sad face.
|
|
|
|
Post by hidetoshidecide on Jul 25, 2011 12:09:56 GMT -5
Or you make a mistake on the last level, at a gruesome Gradius-esque checkpoint... Game over, and now you must play through an hour long snoozefest and still maintain the clarity of mind to recognize the exact spot where you died last time so you can try to avoid it. This is why I always hated shoot 'em ups. But now I know that there is no shame in save stating. Honi soit qui mal y pense. |
|
|
|
Post by kitten on Jul 25, 2011 12:16:53 GMT -5
There is ultimate shame in save stating.
|
|
|
|
Post by hidetoshidecide on Jul 25, 2011 12:18:42 GMT -5
Why? I steer clear of cheat codes, but I see no need to replay lengthy sections that I have already mastered.
|
|
|
|
Post by susanismyalias on Jul 25, 2011 12:22:19 GMT -5
It's cheating.
|
|
|
|
Post by hidetoshidecide on Jul 25, 2011 12:33:33 GMT -5
Is not! I'm still playing the game without altering the mechanics. I'm just bypassing the obsolescent save system.
|
|
|
|
Post by kitten on Jul 25, 2011 12:41:40 GMT -5
Dude, it's fucking cheating. You don't put hotels on Monopoly spaces or draw a chance card because you're "bypassing the obsolescent dice roll system." You're overriding the mechanics of the game to get past a part. Why not activate invincibility? Then you're just bypassing the obsolescent damage system. That's cheating. You are cheating. The "infinite shame" thing was a joke, but don't dare try to say it isn't cheating.
|
|
|
|
Post by justjustin on Jul 25, 2011 12:43:53 GMT -5
I'd recommend against using save states, because while it feels like you've mastered the earlier levels there could still be room for trying/learning new things to help you later on. Maybe you could find ways to score more points and stock more lives for the tougher levels, or try different weapons at different points to test their range of effectiveness. Even at wits end, you might just try something crazy in the beginning stages and suddenly realize you have a new favorite weapon or something. If you use save states none of this will happen, and you'll hardly ever experience those moments of eureka.
Of course, this is just in general. Not all shooters will reward you later on for being inventive or playing masterfully in the beginning stages. But how will you ever discern which ones do and don't if you save state? If you're not having fun in the beginning stages, I'd recommend taking a break or moving on to a different game (or genre) before save stating your way to the end.
And about the cheating thing, I couldn't care less if a person cheats through a game, or if it's breaking the game's rules. The point is, if you use save states the game is playing you, instead of the other way around. Once you go the extra length of bypassing a game's rules just to get to the end you're letting the game boss you around. You can't just play it normally, take a break and try later, or drop it altogether and move on.
|
|
|
|
Post by susanismyalias on Jul 25, 2011 12:48:12 GMT -5
You can't bypass levels because you feel like it. That removes the marathon aspect of the genre.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ike on Jul 25, 2011 12:49:44 GMT -5
Gonna have to agree, it's cheating.
|
|
|
|
Post by muteKi on Jul 25, 2011 12:51:26 GMT -5
I'll agree it is, but it's probably the best way I know of to actually practice tough segments.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ike on Jul 25, 2011 12:55:51 GMT -5
Well, doing it to practice is one thing, but I wouldn't call the game beaten until you've marathon'd the entire thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by beach1 on Jul 25, 2011 13:07:35 GMT -5
Ehh, I don't think it's horrible to use save states, at least for some games. I mean, there are just too many video games out there to play and who has time to play through all of them nowadays without some help? I'd rather use save states and get farther into a game, than if I did without using them.
|
|
