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Irem Arcade Hits - first impressions

MoeDantesMoeDantes
edited 2011-08-27 08:23:33 in Media
no longer cuddly, but still Edmond
Sorry if this is in the wrong place... I wanted a less-bitchy topic but wasn't sure if this went in Media or IJAM. Media seemed more likely I finally did it, something I thought I'd never do: I bought a DLC. So far, the thing doesn't seem like a mistake. I've played a little bit of each game in this collection (except Superior Soldier because I need a fighter stick) and though some games are better than others, I didn't find a game I outright hated. Being Irem, most of the games are either shmups or platformers, with a few games that blur the boundaries (Battle Chopper and the two Gun Force games, the latter of which are Contra-clones but about a million times more fun, especially the second one which is just completely insane), and two Beat-em-ups, Blade Master and Undercover Cops, the former is basically "Sega's Golden Axe if it were actually good" and the latter is pretty much a whole new definition of awesomely badass. As for the whole collection, the only problems I've had thus far are: 1. The sound is a little scratchy (most noticable with R-Type Leo), though I've heard this depends on your soundcard. 2. If playing with an X-Box 360 controller, all the movement is done via the left analog stick, and there's no way to remap it to the D-Pad. For some games this is easy to get used to. Others, not so much. All in all though, it seems like it was worth the $14.99. Here's hoping they do a Volume 2, if anything just to include the games they missed out on this time (X-Multiply and the Lode Runner arcade games, namely).

Comments

  • GlowsquidGlowsquid
    Silence is golden.

    "Undercover Cops"

     

    Unless they patched it or something, the compilation is apparently using the butchered western export instead of the far superior Japanese/Alpha Renewal versions. If you think the western version is "awesomely badass", the Jap. one is brawling nirvana.

    also, I thought Blade Master sucked. Gorgeous graphics but the move variety is pathetic.

     

  • MoeDantesMoeDantes
    no longer cuddly, but still Edmond
    As far as I know, this collection uses the western versions. I've never played Undercover Cops before so I didn't know about the J-version differences, so the only games where I really noticed were R-Type Leo (J-version uses checkpoint respawns, W-versions are "respawn where you die and BTW free powerup") and Cosmic Cop (only difference I know of is the title--called Armed Police Unit Gallop in Japan).

    I read somewhere that they want to put alt versions in a future update, but no word yet on if that's actually happening.

    Blade Master played smoothly for the most part but I noticed its picky about vertical positioning for some things.
  • SchitzoSchitzo
    They're somethin' else.
    Yes, you HAVE TO play the Japanese version of Undercover Cops. It's up to par with Battle Circuit and Capcom's Alien vs. Predator, if not even better.
  • MoeDantesMoeDantes
    no longer cuddly, but still Edmond
    Okay, I checked it out and yes, I do think the Alpha Renewal is superior to what's in this collection. All versions are pretty badass though.

    See guys, this is why I'm not impressed with comic book superheroes or gritty action movies--because OH MY GOD THE GIRL JUST PICKED UP A JEEP! AND TOSSED IT AT THE BIG GUY! WHO IS ACTUALLY A ROBOT! Stuff like that is just beyond awesome.

    Some thoughts on the other games:

    R-Type Leo is a bit of an... oddball in the series. The tone and general aesthetic make me think more of Thunder Force than R-Type. I like the bits, even though they make things too easy sometimes, and that "3.. 2.. 1.. Let's Go!" thing is cheesy in a good way.

    Cosmic Cop is, I think, an under-appreciated classic. Not my favorite shmup, but certainly one I'll come back to.

    Kung Fu Master and Vigilante are both an... acquired taste, to say the least. I liked them, and noticed that if you get into a certain "rythm" the enemies basically can't touch you, but its hard to keep up. I like Vigilante slightly more because the vigilante knows a martial arts trick that kung-fu master Thomas never learned: Credit-feeding.

    Gun Force and Gun Force II.... the funny thing is, I never actually liked Contra but these two games (especially the second) are like bliss on wheels. I heard that the team behind these went on to make Metal Slug... hmm... must check out Metal Slug sometime...

    I'll think of more to say later.
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