(10/23/2014 - 10/29/2014) Game of the Week: Salamander

[SamIAm]

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October 23 - October 29: Salamander
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[screenshot pending]
(chosen by lukester)

Ah, another good Konami game on the PCE. Salamander is closer to the arcade original than the NES port (Life Force). But there's a significant change that might make the game feel harder: when you die, you go back to a respawn point. Whether you're hardcore or casual, though, you're sure to find this a quality piece of work.

Submissions would be great! We're about to run out!

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GOTW Schedule:
1. 9/10/2014 - 9/16/2014: Bonk's Revenge (johnnykonami)
2. 9/18/2014 - 9/24/2014: Splash Lake (nullity)
3. 9/25/2014 - 10/1/2014: Gekisha Boy (owlnonymous)
4. 10/2/2014 - 10/8/2014: Parasol Stars (mitsuman)
5. 10/9/2014 - 10/15/2014: Bomberman '93 (_joshuaTurbo)
6. 10/16/2014 - 10/22/2014: Monster Lair (neutopia6)
7. 10/23/2014 - 10/29/2014: Salamander (lukester)
8. 10/30/2014 - 11/5/2014: Shapeshifter (Mishran)

Previous Games:
January 15-21: Battle Royale (TheClash603)
January 22-28: Drop Off/Drop Rock (esteban)
January 29-February 4: Bonk's Adventure (roflmao)
February 5-11: Silent Debuggers (vestcoat)
February 12-18: Somer Assault (BigusSchmuck)
February 19-25: Splatterhouse (FiftyQuid)
February 26-March 4: Bloody Wolf (Jibbajaba)
March 5-11: The Lost Sunheart (Gogan)
March 12-18: Sapphire (BlueBMW)
March 19-25: Energy (PunkicCyborg)
March 26-April 1: Air Zonk (_joshuaTurbo)
April 2-8: Veigues Tactical Gladiator (Punch)
April 9-15: 1943 Kai (lukester)
April 16-22: Lords of Thunder (munchiaz)
April 23-29: Ninja Spirit (csgx1)
April 30 - May 6: Bomberman (SamIAm)
May 7 - May 13: Pyramid Plunder (Black Tiger)
May 14 - May 20: Galaga 90' (nullity)
May 22 - May 28: JJ and Jeff (geise)
May 29 - June 4: The Legendary Axe (Damon Plus)
June 5 - June 11: The Legendary Axe 2 (galam)
June 12 - June 18: Aero Blasters (Phase)
June 19 - June 25: Star Parodier (Inframan)
June 26 - July 2: Alien Crush (synbiosfan)
July 3 - July 9: Shockman (toktogul)
July 10 - July 16: Cadash (Bardoly)
July 17 - July 23: Dungeon Explorer (Gentlegamer)
July 24 - July 30: Military Madness (DarkKobold)
July 31 - August 6: Blazing Lazers (tpivette)
August 7 - August 13: Fantasy Zone (jtucci31)

Rules:
-All members are allowed one submission. When there are no further submissions, we will have a reset and everyone will be able to submit another game.
-Each game may only be submitted once.
-If you wish to retract your submission, please do so at least two weeks before your game is due. Your next submission will go to the back of the cue.
-Please don't submit games that have a high language barrier or will take too long to complete (particularly RPGs).
-Please don't submit games that are too expensive. Below $50 is best. Above $100 won't work.

[lukester]

Definitely my favorite shooter of all time. I've beaten it maybe 6 times.

Might have to do with that it isn't TOO hard. After all, I've never bothered to beat expert mode

Also has that neat pce pixel dissolving effect.

[ClodBuster]

The most fun I had with Salamander was when my better half joined me in Multiplayer. Normally she's more into cute and wacky stuff like the Parodius games on the PS1, but she enjoyed Salamander too. Fun fact: When I lost all lifes in the second stage, she mastered this and the third  stage single handedly. Gotta love her for that.

[SuperDeadite]

Play this game on Expert only.  Seriously it's so much more fun.

[lukester]

Play this game on Expert only.  Seriously it's so much more fun.

Is it like the 2nd loop? Or is it different.

[esteban]

Play this game on Expert only.  Seriously it's so much more fun.

Is it like the 2nd loop? Or is it different.

Seriously. I don't know myself. I've beaten this game on default.

[SuperDeadite]

Expert just adds a lot of goodness.  Really gets the blood pouring with more enemies and bullets.  Also gives some of the bosses a much needed boost.  For example the Stage 4 boss which is a total joke even in the arcade original (I have the PCB), gets a full on spread shot attack, meaning yes you actually have to put in effort against him here.

[esteban]

Expert just adds a lot of goodness.  Really gets the blood pouring with more enemies and bullets.  Also gives some of the bosses a much needed boost.  For example the Stage 4 boss which is a total joke even in the arcade original (I have the PCB), gets a full on spread shot attack, meaning yes you actually have to put in effort against him here.

Ha! So I can't rest on my laurels any longer. I gotta play the "for real men" mode.

[ClodBuster]

Play this game on Expert only.  Seriously it's so much more fun.

Since I can't get past stage 5 on normal mode. 

[lukester]

Play this game on Expert only.  Seriously it's so much more fun.

Since I can't get past stage 5 on normal mode. 

Are you stuck on the part where the circles of enemies surround you? It's annoying but pattern and timing is key.

[ClodBuster]

Exactly, this is the point where I'm getting stuck. I need more practice.

[jtucci31]

I had only ever played the NES version before trying this. The PCE version seems to be faster. Either way, I'm loving it. I fired it up on the everdrive and after a few tries made it to stage 4. If i remember correctly from Bucci's review, it has 6 stages? I'd like to beat it on normal first and then see how the expert setting is.

I have a question though, for games like this, do you guys use the turbo switches?