Detana!! Twinbee

[Tatsujin]

Oh sorry guys, I was mistaken. It isn't one shoot per change, but you can shoot the bell several times until it changes from one weapon back to normal and to the next weapon again, unlike in the original, where you hit it just once over and it turns straight back into an ordinary bell again.

Still, it is much more playable and fun giving that way.

[esteban]

I understand the folks who aren't crazy for the power-up system, but since I cut my teeth with STINGER (NES) back in the day, I actually don't mind it.

I still don't think it is a particularly wonderful power-up system, though. But I realized that I had to appreciate it for what it is (the same goes for Capcom's 1942 power-up system).

[Arkhan]

What the hells wrong with Twinbees power upping?  It's dope as f*ck.

[esteban]

What the hells wrong with Twinbees power upping?  It's dope as f*ck.

Well, it isn't dope as f*ck, for starters.

I think it would be neat if "juggling the bells" were more fun. It usually feels like a bit of a chore that detracts from the main game. A good power-up system is satisfying. Most shooters have lame (too simplistic/straightforward) power-up schemes. I applaud Konami for using a different mechanic, but Twin Bee still needs some tweaking, IMO.

That said, I really do like "juggling bells" .

My opinion is law.

[soop]

The juggling is great, because it's that whole greed thing.  I died several times, not because I was in any danger, but because I was finally going to get that bell I'd been juggling for some time.

Brilliant IMO.

[Samurai Ghost]

Yeah I personally like it. It adds a bit of challenge to what is normally a given in a shooter. I mean, why would enemies drop things that help you kill them anyway? At least you have to work for it a bit in Twin Bee. And sometimes you have to decide if you are going to wait for that power up, kill enemies, or just dodge everything. Adds quite a bit of strategy, and the power up system wasn't in place the Twin Bee series would just be another random cute-em up series instead of the great games they are, in my opinion.

[esteban]

Yeah I personally like it. It adds a bit of challenge to what is normally a given in a shooter. I mean, why would enemies drop things that help you kill them anyway? At least you have to work for it a bit in Twin Bee. And sometimes you have to decide if you are going to wait for that power up, kill enemies, or just dodge everything. Adds quite a bit of strategy, and the power up system wasn't in place the Twin Bee series would just be another random cute-em up series instead of the great games they are, in my opinion.

True, Twin Bee would be pretty generic (mechanics-wise) without the power-up system.

[Arkhan]

The power up system is fun.

It's like playing two games at once, and I think that is where people get confused.

[esteban]

The power up system is fun.

It's like playing two games at once, and I think that is where people get confused.

I would like to tweak the weapon system in the Twin Bee games...pressing SELECT would allow you to "save" bells that you *just* barely miss catching/shooting. It's lame, I suppose, but I like to collect all the bells and I get really anal.

Of course, there should be a penalty for using SELECT...like it would prevent bonus points or something. Also, I would love a counter that kept track of the bells collected. I know, I have problems. 


You see, in Gradius/Salamander games, I collect every single possible power-up and always wished there was a counter for folks who achieved "100%".

[Arkhan]

having a button to catch them would defeat the purpose.  lol

[Samurai Ghost]

Yeah, not being able to collect everything every time makes it really satisfying when you DO nail it. Plus it makes each play through a lot different. One bone I have to pick with some shooters is that the same power ups are always in the same place. So if you memorize the game you can predict when a certain weapon will come, making the game a lot more boring/predictable with a lot of play-throughs. Games with a random element can make each play through a lot more exciting as you get or do not get the power ups you need.

[esteban]

having a button to catch them would defeat the purpose.  lol

No, not a button to catch them! A button that would bounce them up (from the off the bottom of the screen) to give a second chance to catch them.

When I play, I keep tons of bells in the air, but I can only collect a bell when it is a power-up. It's like an additional challenge I have imposed on myself. Well, needless to say, it gets pretty crazy at certain points (I'm actually concentrating more on the bells than the enemies).

Anyway, I do this sort of thing in a lot of games. I don't keep *one* weapon, I *must* collect every power-up, even if switching weapons prevents me from efficiently powering-up (like Raiden or Cybercore--you really should stick with one type of gun (and missile, in Raiden) and level-up...switching has "transaction costs" that prevent you from leveling up). I know, I have problems.

You see, some games (I believe) actually encourage you to switch weapons constantly (Monster Lair!). I love switching weapons in Monster Lair every second. I do this even for bosses (sometimes I get unlucky, I'll admit, and the boss is much tougher to beat as a result).

Anyway, now you know how I approach the Twin Bee series. Like I said, it all started with STINGER .

[Samurai Ghost]

Well it just goes to show that the power up system in Twin Bee allows for a lot of variety in gameplay. I tend to focus on getting speed and options first, catching other power ups as I can. I do a lot of juggling though!

[Starfighter]

I think of it as hassle. I want to focus on what I enjoy most in a shoot 'em up - bullet dodging. I mostly avoid shoot 'em ups with lethal walls as well. (I tend to stick to Caves games, as you might understand from this.

[esteban]

I just realized that this thread (discussing the virtues/shortcomings of the power-up system in Twin Bee) has made me better appreciate the goddamn Twin Bee series!

Not that I have completely changed my opinion, of course.