Soldier Blade vs. Axelay - Which is better?

[fragmare]

Which of these console showcasing shmups takes the cake?

[Necromancer]

Soldier Blade is my favorite huey shewty and Axelay doesn't have a timed score mode, so you can guess how I voted. 

[Otaking]

I do love Axelay it's an absolute classic but IMO it can't beat Soldier Blade.

[PunkicCyborg]

lol no contest

[lukester]

The winner would be very different on a SNES forum...

That said, having played one stage from both games (emulated, do not own yet), Soldier Blade wins, no contest.

Soldier Blade has perfect music, perfect graphics and perfect gameplay.

Axelay is a nice tech demo, but the music is lame, and the control is sluggish.

That's just my opinion per Stage 1 for both games, though.

[Otaking]

Axelay is a nice tech demo, but the music is lame

really? that surprises me, I've always thought the music in Axelay was excellent, particularly the first stage.
 

[lukester]

Axelay is a nice tech demo, but the music is lame

really? that surprises me, I've always thought the music in Axelay was excellent, particularly the first stage.
 

Maybe it is. Could just be the bad instruments that didn't make me notice.

[Tatsujin]

I can't vote on this. for me they are just way too far apart from each other.

and axelay has absolut great musics. if it can't be blamed for something then sure for its musics.
and it sure isn't just a tech demo..ROLF?! it really is a quality shewty on every regard possible and controls just very fine and I also like its weapon system.
only downers are the few slow downs and some heavier sprite flickers in the super big bosses.

for me probably a top 3 SFC game. konami really did one unique job on that gem.

[RyuHayabusa]

Axelay all the way. Great graphics, music, controls, and amazing bosses. The only negative is the length. 6 stages is just a bit too short. Soldier Blade is good but Axelay is among my favorite 16-bit shooters ever.

[fragmare]

Lol yea, I'm pretty sure if this were a SNES forum, there would not be one single vote for Soldier Blade

[Tatsujin]

Now that's for certain.

[oldskool]

As much as I love Soldier Blade - I do believe that Axelay is a better game.  And yes this is going to be a biased poll around here.  Would be better to post it somewhere like Digital Press.

[TR0N]

Fragmare really wants a civil war doesn't he 

[Joe Redifer]

As much as I love Soldier Blade, its graphics are quite sparse. One thing I tend not to enjoy about shooters like that is that there's way too many stages that take place in space. And space is pretty boring in videogames. Just some boring multiscrolling white dots and maybe a structure you're flying over. At least spice it up with a big-ass nebula or the side of a moon/planet or something. Add some color. Add some detail. Add some visual interest. You've already got the gameplay and the music down perfectly, why stop there?

Bottom line: Stage 1 or 2 should NEVER be a space stage, because those stages make the first impressions. You don't want everyone to think of a boring-ass black stage with a boring-ass structure pasted on top of it every time you hear "Soldier Blade" like I do.

[esteban]

Bottom line: Stage 1 or 2 should NEVER be a space stage, because those stages make the first impressions. You don't want everyone to think of a boring-ass black stage with a boring-ass structure pasted on top of it every time you hear "Soldier Blade" like I do.

I can't argue with you there. The same rule applies to albums (does anyone listen to albums anymore?)...the first two tracks (stages) are crucial for first impressions. They are literally burned into your brain. Literally. Ouch.

Actually, Joe, a good topic would be to explore (1) games that do/don't deliver first two stages...and if they are (2) ruined/redeemed by subsequent stages.


BACK ON TOPIC: this holiday season, I am grateful for both Soldier Blade and Axelay.