Gradius V

[Lovelyman]

i'm finding it pretty hard. harder than ikaruga despite my earlier comments. can do 1st stage on one credit but past that it's mad.

Have you checked out the vids of later stages? They bosses are truly horrific.

Those 'eye-bastards' on level 2 are where I can lose all my lasers if I'm not careful.

[Pac-Man]

Looks amazing. But better then Ikaruga? I guess all this hype is getting to peoples heads.

Then again, comparing a top down shooter to a side scrolling one may be wrong to do.

[kamrantaz]

I never liked ikaruga (most hypd and dispointing shooter yet) but GV is fucking great! Lovely music, reminds me of a mix of Axelay and silpheed. This is a greater shooter that doesnt rely on gimmicks, just pure gaming goodness.

[rllmuk]

this game makes me smile. i'm playing it like i've played no other game for months. top stuff.

[Dimahoo]

I've found the freeze option is the easiest way to despatch most enemies, but you need the room to get the options in the right posisiton.

I wish you could skip the movies.

[kamrantaz]

only thing i dont like is that treasure have "polluted" the game a bit by adding their tedius gimmick of having a billion end of level bosses, one after another. When will they realise that the best bit in shooters is the actual level and the boss is just a climx.

Having a billion bosses just cheapens the experience and makes them less memorable. Level 2 would a lot better having a mid level boss and then 2 end of level bosses but treasure seem to think having three in one go is better

Also how about more organic planet levels. Im bored of industrial space stations and industrial areas, and industrial areas that have "strange organic shit" growing of them.

[Cacophanus]

This is fucking class. Best horizontal shmup since R-Type Delta. The level design is sublime and fast.

[Stroker Ace]

Best horizontal shmup since R-Type Delta.

Indeed. It's been a rare few years for the horizontal shmup.

[Dimahoo]

only thing i dont like is that treasure have "polluted" the game a bit by adding their tedius gimmick of having a billion end of level bosses, one after another. When will they realise that the best bit in shooters is the actual level and the boss is just a climx.

Nah. Treasure know how to play a good boss. Thats the difference.

For example, You have the Main Gradius bosses as sub-bosses.

Then in level 2, you have that brainplanet with the eye that you destroy, before reaching the boss-rush ending, which is done outn of pure respect (and brought a smile to my face seeing all the old orb ships from Gradius2/Salamander).

Then, in level 3, the sub bosses become part of a typical gradius/treasure puzzle game, restricting your movements (which has always formed part of many shuemps).

This is not you average shuemp.

[Cacophanus]

I have just noticed something really fucking cool about the Gradius V boxart, it is illustrated by Hidetaka Tenjin (天神英貴). This guy has been doing limited edition Macross artwork for years and to show you how shithot this guy is have a gander at this:

Tenjin has his own site, but it appears to be down at present (which is a pity):

He has also lent his talents to Macross Zero, to help with the CG, and his contribution is clearly having a positive effect.

[Cyhwuhx]

.::: It is this what they use as boxart, isn't it? Anything else wouldn't do imo.

[Cacophanus]

This is the Japanese boxart:

[Cyhwuhx]

.::: Ah nuts... At least it has the Vic Viper in a prominent position.

[Guest Cecil McBee]

.::: Very good chance. Konami has been doing pretty well in the 60Hz department ime. If Castlevania LoI can have one, then why the fuck wouldn't Gradius V have one.

Net Ranking.

This feature fucked PAL Ikaruga and it might do the same to PAL Gradius V.

Hopefully not, of course.

[kamrantaz]

Nah. Treasure know how to play a good boss. Thats the difference.

For example, You have the Main Gradius bosses as sub-bosses.

Then in level 2, you have that brainplanet with the eye that you destroy, before reaching the boss-rush ending, which is done outn of pure respect (and brought a smile to my face seeing all the old orb ships from Gradius2/Salamander).

Then, in level 3, the sub bosses become part of a typical gradius/treasure puzzle game, restricting your movements (which has always formed part of many shuemps).

This is not you average shuemp.

DAMN YOU!!!1