Gradius V Review and Awesome Impression!

[ST Dragon]

For the past 2 weeks I’ve been playing Gradius V on the SONY PS-2.
It has been ages since I played such an awesome action intensive shooter, with gorgeous visuals, excellent gameplay, and a cool orchestral sound track to boot (Very important in my book).
Especially the Boss tunes (both remixed and new), which are excellent!)







It also features some of the most sinister and fiercest looking Bosses I’ve encountered in a shooter. I’m glad that Treasure added the huge thermo-nuclear explosions from Ikaruga, seen when the Bosses die. Witnessing them get incinerated and engulfed by those awesome explosions, is a shocking experience indeed! You can even feel the heat wave from the nuclear blast in your face!















But the most impressive part of the game and the fiercest battle, takes place in the level 5 asteroid belt.









At the densest part of the belt, while you’re trying to avoid the rocks, two large asteroid breaker star-ships (Like the north-pole ice-breaker ships), come charging and smashing through the asteroids whilst firing napalm-type cluster bombs meant to destroy you!
As if this wasn’t intensive enough, the large flagship of the breaker fleet appears directly in front of you and large quantities of the asteroids begin to pile up in its path!
Then the flagship begins to fire six immense plasma beams obliterating everything in their path including your ship!





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xEedRScDDQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bb6pWtFUYc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlSp1osh ... re=related

After experimenting with all four weapon arrays, I’ve concluded that “Type 4” with its rotating multiple formations is by far the best, as it provides excellent defense capabilities (almost 70% protection when rotating around your ship) and great offenses, as all four multiples can easily be concentrated directly in front by quickly & continually tapping the multiple control button 3-4 times. It also offers adequate multi-range fire-power as the curved rotating laser-beams can cover a pretty wide range, far over and bellow your ship (Even through solid structures)

I’m very close in completing it (I’ve reached up to Level 5 using only one credit in normal difficulty) but so far, this has been a very fun experience indeed! A lot more fun than R-Type Final at least.

All I can say is that if Konami & Treasure did such an excellent job bringing the Gradius universe to the PS-2, then I can only dream of how awesome it will be on the PS-3 when it’s released! (Hopefully in disc media form, rather than the cheap-ass download service)

[Allnatural]

A bit late to the party, eh? But yes, it is an awesome game. Certainly a far better update than the disappointing R-Type Final.

I’m very close in completing it (I’ve reached up to Level 5 using only one credit in normal difficulty)

Level 5 makes me cry, especially the boss. And then there's level 6, where the fun really begins...

[Agozer]

The game's a blast with two players.

[Johan_H]

Looks great, I'm getting myself a PS2 sometime in the near-ish future, this is now on my list of games to get for it.

[Neo Kaiser]

I should buy it back then when the game was around $15. Now I can't find this game anymore...

[Agozer]

I got mine used, for €9,90 ($14.50)

[Gil_Hamilton]

It's light-years better than any other Gradius.

Notable improvements are that your ship, while slow, is still survivable at minimum speed, and that options linger onscreen to be recollected after death.
As the options are the most expensive powerup, a way to recover them makes things a LOT less frustrating.



So.... 2 decades later, they've finally managed to fix the game's largest flaws.
Maybe in another decade they'll get around to transitioning the REST of the game over to the paradigm set by Salamander.

And then they'll STILL be 2 decades behind, as RType moved to user-controllable speed in 1999.
I won't even bother to mention the games that did it in the 80s.

[Snark]

It's light-years better than any other Gradius.

Notable improvements are that your ship, while slow, is still survivable at minimum speed, and that options linger onscreen to be recollected after death.
As the options are the most expensive powerup, a way to recover them makes things a LOT less frustrating.



So.... 2 decades later, they've finally managed to fix the game's largest flaws..

Yeah, I never really liked this kind of upgrade system.
Either your ship is more equipped than an entire army and your near-invincible. Either you lose a life and you restart at ridiculously underpowered level...Lack of balance.

A system like...what was the name of one of the only good shooter on the Snes...oh yeah, Axelay...is much better

Losing all the powerups if you get shot down is just adding an artificial difficulty imo. At least if you're able to recover them that's an improvement.

[grinvader]

Axelay...is much better

Losing all the powerups if you get shot down is just adding an artificial difficulty imo. At least if you're able to recover them that's an improvement.

It's not an artificial difficulty, it's precise punishment - you lose the weapon you were using, which is usually the best fit for the situation you were in.
Take it like a major ZING from the game.

Of course there's always the option to preempt disaster and change to that sucky missile option before your vulcans go out of order... Difficult ? <_<

[Snark]

Axelay...is much better

Losing all the powerups if you get shot down is just adding an artificial difficulty imo. At least if you're able to recover them that's an improvement.

It's not an artificial difficulty, it's precise punishment - you lose the weapon you were using, which is usually the best fit for the situation you were in.
Take it like a major ZING from the game.

Of course there's always the option to preempt disaster and change to that sucky missile option before your vulcans go out of order... Difficult ? <_<

I was referring to Gradius (well the pre-V gradius(ses) anyway) when I mentioned losing all the weapons, not Axelay.

Yeah, there's a bit a strategy in Axelay. If you suspect or fear you might get hit, quicky change to your least useful (for that stage or boss) weapon.

edit: For those who don't know (I didn't until I recently finished the game on my copier) if you finish the game on hard it says there's gonna be an Axelay 2... Gotta love those announced "sequels" Coming soon in a parallel universe/alternate timeline near you...

[Gil_Hamilton]

It's light-years better than any other Gradius.

Notable improvements are that your ship, while slow, is still survivable at minimum speed, and that options linger onscreen to be recollected after death.
As the options are the most expensive powerup, a way to recover them makes things a LOT less frustrating.



So.... 2 decades later, they've finally managed to fix the game's largest flaws..

Yeah, I never really liked this kind of upgrade system.
Either your ship is more equipped than an entire army and your near-invincible. Either you lose a life and you restart at ridiculously underpowered level...Lack of balance.

A system like...what was the name of one of the only good shooter on the Snes...oh yeah, Axelay...is much better

Losing all the powerups if you get shot down is just adding an artificial difficulty imo. At least if you're able to recover them that's an improvement.

Axelay's not the ONLY good shooter on SNES. Just one of the few shooters in existence on a system not equipped to handle shooters.

Personally, I like RType 3... until the later stages when irem drags out the pixel memorization they're so famous for.

I've got a real love-hate relationship with the entire RType series.
I love the games for the first few stages, where they let you play around, then I hate them with all my being once they start expecting you to throw lives away memorizing patterns.

[Snark]

It's light-years better than any other Gradius.

Notable improvements are that your ship, while slow, is still survivable at minimum speed, and that options linger onscreen to be recollected after death.
As the options are the most expensive powerup, a way to recover them makes things a LOT less frustrating.



So.... 2 decades later, they've finally managed to fix the game's largest flaws..

Yeah, I never really liked this kind of upgrade system.
Either your ship is more equipped than an entire army and your near-invincible. Either you lose a life and you restart at ridiculously underpowered level...Lack of balance.

A system like...what was the name of one of the only good shooter on the Snes...oh yeah, Axelay...is much better

Losing all the powerups if you get shot down is just adding an artificial difficulty imo. At least if you're able to recover them that's an improvement.

Axelay's not the ONLY good shooter on SNES. Just one of the few shooters in existence on a system not equipped to handle shooters.

Personally, I like RType 3...

Ok, that's 2
Wait. The...what's the name again...Series with the fish-type enemies. Early Snes game very good for a Super Nintendo shooter.

And "EDF"'s extremely decent too actually. (Ok I could have just said "pretty good")

But you're right. I remember Gradius III on the Snes...God... Slow-motion the entire game (unless you're not firing) Then again, maybe some it was due to the inexperience of the programmers on the new Snes platform, and the slowdowns could have been greatly reduced with some smarter, more optimized coding, who knows.

Any other ones?

until the later stages when irem drags out the pixel memorization they're so famous for.

I've got a real love-hate relationship with the entire RType series.
I love the games for the first few stages, where they let you play around, then I hate them with all my being once they start expecting you to throw lives away memorizing patterns.

Cherish the Love-Hate, for the games are not without...something that sound Zen I can't think of or something.

[Gil_Hamilton]

Ok, that's 2
Wait. The...what's the name again...Series with the fish-type enemies. Early Snes game very good for a Super Nintendo shooter.

Fish bosses = Darius series.

But you're right. I remember Gradius III on the Snes...God... Slow-motion the entire game (unless you're not firing) Then again, maybe some it was due to the inexperience of the programmers on the new Snes platform, and the slowdowns could have been greatly reduced with some smarter, more optimized coding, who knows.

The fast-scrolling "tunnel" stage was the most embarrassing. Even if you do nothing, it slows down just from scrolling the screen.

Any other ones?

Well, there SHOULD HAVE BEEN Super RType. But it wasn't very super at all.
The removal of checkpoints made it complete ass. One hit from killing the boss? Tough shit, go back to the beginning of the stage.

until the later stages when irem drags out the pixel memorization they're so famous for.

I've got a real love-hate relationship with the entire RType series.
I love the games for the first few stages, where they let you play around, then I hate them with all my being once they start expecting you to throw lives away memorizing patterns.

Cherish the Love-Hate, for the games are not without...something that sound Zen I can't think of or something.

Heh.

I just prefer games that seem fair when they're raping you.

It's like Ninja Gaiden XBox.
Sure it'll eat you alive, but it isn't because you didn't KNOW there was going to be x amount of ninjas/demons/cyborg SWAT officers in that area and where they would be standing when you entered. It's just because you suck.

[franpa]

What other Gradius games come packaged with it? I already have Gradius 3 and 4 on the PS2 and find them alright and probably could have beaten them 10 years ago... now im just too lazy and give up after dying in the 2nd or 3rd* (*if im lucky) stage. i don't think the upgrade system was that bad and can easily see why the games where so damn popular back when they were brand new.

[Gil_Hamilton]

What other Gradius games come packaged with it? I already have Gradius 1, 2 and 3 from Midway Arcade Treasures on the PS2 and find them alright and probably could have beaten them 10 years ago... now im just too lazy and give up after dying in the 2nd or 3rd* (*if im lucky) stage. i don't think the upgrade system was that bad and can easily see why the games where so damn popular back when they were brand new.

A. What Gradius games come packaged with WHAT?
B. No way in Hell you have Gradius ANYTHING on Midway Arcade Treasures. It's a KONAMI series. Midway, Williams, and Atari Games were never involved in it

[ST Dragon]

Gradius 1, 2 and 3 from Midway Arcade Treasures on the PS2

I've never heard of that pack before?

I thought Gradius III was only released in the Gradius III - IV compilation for the PS-2, but never heard of Gradius I & II on the PS-2!?
As far as I know Gradius Deluxe Pack (Gradius I & II compilation) for the PS-1 & Saturn, is the only console port of Gradius I & II!
Please correct me if I'm wrong?!

[Gil_Hamilton]

Gradius 1, 2 and 3 from Midway Arcade Treasures on the PS2

I've never heard of that pack before?

I thought Gradius III was only released in the Gradius III - IV compilation for the PS-2, but never heard of Gradius I & II on the PS-2!?
As far as I know Gradius Deluxe Pack (Gradius I & II compilation) for the PS-1 & Saturn, is the only console port of Gradius I & II!
Please correct me if I'm wrong?!

I assume you mean modern port, since the NES and TG16 both had Gradius 1 and 2.

[ST Dragon]

Yes, modern ports and arcade perfect ports!
Though both the NES & TG-16/PCE/DUO ports (Gradius I & II) are excellent, they're not arcade perfect imo.

[franpa]

Gradius 1, 2 and 3 from Midway Arcade Treasures on the PS2

I've never heard of that pack before?

I thought Gradius III was only released in the Gradius III - IV compilation for the PS-2, but never heard of Gradius I & II on the PS-2!?
As far as I know Gradius Deluxe Pack (Gradius I & II compilation) for the PS-1 & Saturn, is the only console port of Gradius I & II!
Please correct me if I'm wrong?!

Ah, yea my memory was bad. just looked and your right, thats the pack i have (in bold), i played 1 & 2 recently on a NES emulator so i was a bit confused.

[Snark]

I just prefer games that seem fair when they're raping you.

It's like Ninja Gaiden XBox.
Sure it'll eat you alive, but it isn't because you didn't KNOW there was going to be x amount of ninjas/demons/cyborg SWAT officers in that area and where they would be standing when you entered. It's just because you suck.

I always say: Robotron 2084 ftw.
It's one toughest (if you turn the difficulty all the way up at least) yet more honest game out there.

[grinvader]

Wait. The...what's the name again...Series with the fish-type enemies. Early Snes game very good for a Super Nintendo shooter.

And "EDF"'s extremely decent too actually. (Ok I could have just said "pretty good")

Any other ones?

*cough*

SUPER ALESTE, dammit.
First and foremost. Space megaforce for USAian sillies, but it sucks. Get the original, unadulterated game for maximum experience.

Super EDF only comes after Super Aleste, by far.
Some people also like U.N. Squadron.

Oh, and the Parodius series, of course.

[Snark]

Wait. The...what's the name again...Series with the fish-type enemies. Early Snes game very good for a Super Nintendo shooter.

And "EDF"'s extremely decent too actually. (Ok I could have just said "pretty good")

Any other ones?

*cough*

SUPER ALESTE, dammit.
First and foremost. Space megaforce for USAian sillies, but it sucks. Get the original, unadulterated game for maximum experience.

Super EDF only comes after Super Aleste, by far.
Some people also like U.N. Squadron.

Oh, and the Parodius series, of course.

The Parodius series on the Snes is (or appears to be)...How should I say..."Similarly coded" to Gradius III...which we know what that implies: Slowdown Festival 199x

U.N Squadron is pretty decent...actually it's a very good arcade conversion all things being considered...but it remains an imperfect arcade conversion, which arguably makes playing it pointless when you can play the original (same goes for Street Fighter 2 snes, knight of the Round.., and similar arcade port of that era)

The only console ports really worth playing imo are the ones that are so different that they are actual games in their own rights (and the ones with added contents obviously) Plus of course back then, you didn't have to pay 2 bucks an hour to play at the arcades which was a big plus...

At least Super EDF is an origina...FUUUCK!! *Checks wikipedia* Apparently it's an arcade port too! Well, there goes my argument.

Never played Super Aleste. I'll check it out.

[odditude]

U.N Squadron is pretty decent...actually it's a very good arcade conversion all things being considered...but it an imperfect arcade conversion. Which arguably makes playing it poinless when you can play the original (same goes for Street Fighter 2 snes, knight of the Round.., and similar arcade port of that era)

The only console ports really worth playing imo are the one that are so different that they are actual games in their own rights (and the ones with with added content obviously)

Uh, UN Squadron falls squarely into that category. It's rather significantly different from the arcade version.

[Snark]

Uh, UN Squadron falls squarely into that category. It's rather significantly different from the arcade version.

Ok, how so?

[odditude]

- The arcade version of UN Squadron is a linear, 10-stage shooter.
- Choosing your pilot determines which of the game's three planes you'll use.
- At the beginning of each stage, you can choose between one of two subweapons to purchase (the second usually being a higher-end version of the first).
- When you die, your ship respawns immediately and you continue from the same place.
- The game supports two-player co-op.

Compare to:

- The SNES version of UN Squadron allows you to choose the next stage from the currently open "tier" on a hex map, as well as from various stages that move across the map.
- Choosing your pilot determines some characteristics of any plane you fly (shin levels up the main weapon more quickly, mickey gets higher quantities on the subweapons, and greg takes less damage). You always start with the same basic plane, and can use accumulated money to purchase other planes (there are 6 in all).
- At the beginning of each stage, you can choose which of your planes you'll take for that stage, and then purchase any combination of any or all subweapons that that plane is capable of using. You can switch between subweapons mid-stage.
- When you die, you are kicked back to the stage select map.
- The game is single-player only.

I might have missed some other details, but they are definitely different games, each enjoyable in their own right.