New Compile Combat! Blazing Lazers/Gunhed vs. Space Megaforce/Super Aleste

[NightWolve]

I actually own a "Space Megaforce" SNES cart. Bought it used from an old family-owned video store that closed down.

So, if I had to choose, I'd say "Blazing Lazers" for the win. The music in SM was boring if I recall, or just not that impressive. Definitely like BL in that department. SM is much more colorful and graphically superior, naturally, but I just didn't really like it all that much. It's not a bad game, but it didn't blow me away or leave any lasting impression is all. I beat it and put it away... It was fine to add to a shooter collection next to "Axelay," and that's about it for me.

[A Black Falcon]

Yeah, Auper Aleste isn't really a challenge

Let's face it.  All Compile games are easy as f*ck.  At least Space Megaforce doesn't have that Ring Blaster thing that makes you damn near unstoppable when powered up.

Most Compile shooters aren't that difficult, sure, but Blazing Lazers is hard.  Once you figure out how to continue where you died (by shooting the powerups a lot then collecting the flashing ones...) it gets much easier, but even then, it's a tricky game and is a definite challenge.  Their early shooters, such as The Guardian Legend, Aleste, and Zanac, are pretty tough games as well.  But yeah, most of their '90s shooters aren't nearly as difficult as the earlier stuff.

[esteban]

There's not much to add, except that the second stage of BL is it's biggest weakness...too long and easy, with lots of dead spots (no action), even by Compile's standards. Sure, later stages can be critiqued (rightly so), but the second stage is the worst offender of ALL THREE:
(1) dead spots without action
(2) too long/drawn-out
(3) too easy

...whereas later stages are a bit better (more action, fast-paced) if still too easy or needlessly drawn-out.


My critique of Space Megaforce would be harsher, but I will restrain myself (tedious filler at many points). I like Space Megaforce, but BL is the better game.

It is common for some folks ("modern" shoot-em-up fans, not here, necessarily) to whinge about the conventions of old-skool shooters (dead spots, length of stages, checkpoint systems vs respawning, power-up mechanics, speed-up, etc etc.)...I personally like old-skool conventions, but that doesn't mean these games are beyond reproach...and it doesn't mean they aren't fun.

 

[Black Tiger]

If there is any shortcoming in BlaZing LaZers's difficulty, it's only that it is too easy.

Keep in mind that Black Falcon calls playing Maria in Drac X "normal" mode and playing as Richter "not-worth-the-effort-DEVIL/GOD" mode.

[A Black Falcon]

If there is any shortcoming in BlaZing LaZers's difficulty, it's only that it is too easy.

The game starts out easy, but the desert level is tougher, and the last two levels are very challenging.  That last level... argh!  I got the game back in '09, and played it, but didn't manage to beat the thing until this year.  And it wasn't even the bosses really, but the last couple of normal-enemy segments in between bosses that ended my games again and again.  And it's definitely not just me, there are plenty of reviews of Blazing Lazers out there that point out how tough it is.

As for Space Megaforce, that one I can beat easily, no problem.  The game lets you continue as much as you want and you don't need to do that trick (shoot powerups until they flash) in order to continue where you died, either, which makes those continues useful -- in Blazing Lazers, continues are near-useless because they'll be "start back from the last checkpoint when you die", and getting though the last level like that... yeah, that's probably not happening, at least not for me.  Space Megaforce has fewer levels too.

Oh, as for dead spots, I don't mind those at all.  I absolutely love BlaZeon on the SNES, and that game has some 30-plus-second-long dead spots.

Keep in mind that Black Falcon calls playing Maria in Drac X "normal" mode and playing as Richter "not-worth-the-effort-DEVIL/GOD" mode.

Huh?  That's not true.  I said that the game is harder with Richter in ways that make the game less fun to play, that's all.  You're massively overstating things.  Are you actually trying to sa y that the game is easier with Richter, though?  That is most certainly not true, not when Maria can do damage two to four times faster than he can!

[rtyper]

cross my heart....
the people that say GUNHED is too easy (black tiger) obviously haven't upped the difficulty (on the title screen hold select, then keep pressing 1,2,1,2 etc. alternately until the menu pops up where you can switch between difficulty modes with select. To exit the difficulty menu, hold run and press select.) try it on GOD OF GAME and then come back and complain about it being too easy.
Space Megaforce is (as Game Sack said) the bastard son of 2 games and adds nothing to either. Perhaps the uninteresting mode7 levels, but really, Compiles weakest game by far. I usually hang onto shmups but had no regrets passing this on as a trade in. Probably a standout game on the snes, but that wasn't too hard considering the quality of its competition.

[esteban]

cross my heart....
the people that say GUNHED is too easy (black tiger) obviously haven't upped the difficulty (on the title screen hold select, then keep pressing 1,2,1,2 etc. alternately until the menu pops up where you can switch between difficulty modes with select. To exit the difficulty menu, hold run and press select.) try it on GOD OF GAME and then come back and complain about it being too easy.

Ha! You're preaching to the choir. I've been challenging folks to try God of Game (or any increased difficulty) for years.

That said, it is a shame when the default challenge isn't set a bit higher. GunHed is fine, I'm thinking about the really super-easy games (Psychic Storm, Star Parodia, for example) that should have a much higher default.

YES, you can offer folks the option to set difficulty to an easier setting, but folks should be forced to actually choose an easier setting, IMHO.

By the way, I'm pretty decent on God of Game, considering how intense it gets. 

[esteban]

Oops.

[Tatsujin]

what game is star parodius? 

[esteban]

what game is star parodius? 

Oops. 

[Tatsujin]

what game is star parodius? 

Oops. 

but it was quite close enuff 

[fragmare]

Uhh... Blazing Lazers in GOD OF GAME mode puts a mind-bending amount of shit on the screen, with minimal flicker and no slowdown.  I'm pretty sure it's just Compile showing off their wizardry.

[Otaking]

This is a hard one, I love GunHed, so much nostalgia but equally nostalgia for Super Aleste.
I'm afraid on this battle I'll have to disOBEY and vote Aleste, it was close though.