Author Topic: Final Soldier  (Read 793 times)

nat

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #15 on: March 24, 2011, 01:25:10 PM »
Well, that's a completely different comparison!

I'd say Soldier Blade's music is much closer to Blazing Lazers in terms of memorability and quality. That's a hard one.

Joe Redifer

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #16 on: March 24, 2011, 01:35:15 PM »
Yeah, I don't know why I kept thinking Super Star Soldier, but when Arkhan linked to it, something didn't seem right so I double-checked the recordings I had made from the game (I've made recordings from Blazing Lazers as well).  Sure enough, different game.

It's funny to me because here I was giving Super Star Soldier the most love it'll ever get and it wasn't even real love.  It's kind of like saying the wrong name when you are with a chick.

Bonknuts

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #17 on: March 24, 2011, 02:01:30 PM »
Quote
As for FS, that game lacks in pepp and variation for me, but it has great tunes (same composer as for jackie chan I guess). Its firepower seems weak and unatractive to me, so were most of the landscapes and bosses and its overall used colors.

 I was a fan of the music for years, even though I didn't play the game. Not sure what you mean about some things though. The game has plenty of pep. It's of the style I like; even if you blast everything on screen - you'll still be dodging bullets. It's not one of those games where you pretty much have nothing to do if you memorized the game and are full powered (you destroy enemies before you even get to barely see them - SSS falls into this category somewhat). FS might be easier than SSS, but that's because it's not cheap like SSS. SSS is cake until pretty much the last two or so levels. FS just feels more rewarding in the gameplay/mechanics department. As for variation, FS level appearance and designs are much better then SSS. SSS has a few nice moments, but they are far and few between. And they don't last the whole level. Stage 1 is decent, stage 2 is ok, then it starts going down hill from there. FS has more tiles, more art, more sprites, more feeling of variation of levels. I love the ship port level (stage 3 IIRC) - reminds me of 1941 which I love. For the record, I played through and beat BL after making this initial post (and after failing to get too far in hard more in FS). BL truly is an awesome game. None of the levels felt too long (I think I heard some complaints about this).

 Honestly, for anyone that thinks otherwise; play them back to back like I did. Though, it probably doesn't help my case that FS is pretty much "new" to me and SSS is not. But even BL beats SSS in every category, with the exception of older style graphics. Nowadays, that doesn't bother me. I prefer the art style of early titles like BL, Bloody Wolf, Ninja Spirit, etc.

 The problem I have with FS, is the next difficulty setting. It's not like typical shmups where it's just more enemies and bullets. There is that, but enemies take a lot more hits/time to kill. This completely changes the strategy of the game. I was only able to get to stage 4 and just right before the boss, on Hard mode. The game requires more than just memorization as the bullets target your ships and things get pretty hairy.

 Oh, and Blazing Lazers has something over all the other games: Chromadepth 3D. That's right. If you have a pair of Chromadepth 3D glasses, the bubble stage (stage 7 IIRC) looks great and has depth. If you don't know what chromadepth is, go look it up. A number of TG/PCE games coincidentally actually work with them, although it was purely unintentional. By far, 1941 on the SGX levels 1 and 2 look incredible with the glasses (better than BL, best yet in fact from the games I've tried out).

 Disclaimer: I don't care if BL isn't officially part of the series or not. Or if any people/developers worked on both. The games are sooo similar not to group them. And in the context of this system too. If that doesn't make me a purist, then no skin off my back.

nat

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #18 on: March 24, 2011, 02:36:58 PM »
Yeah, people always make a giant fuss about BL not being an official part of the series when these discussions come up, but you have to remember that in the US Super Star Soldier was initially announced as "Blazing Lazers 2". I get the feeling the development team for SSS was instructed to take certain gameplay elements from BL for an intended feeling of continuity.

Otaking

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2011, 03:14:02 PM »
Seems like on this forum I'm in a massive minority as in right from the beginning of when I propperly got into games in the late eighties I've never been a fan of any videogame music 8-[ .
Back in the day I used to mostly turn the volume down on games, and have the radio on (back then here in the UK in the bigger cities we had a large Pirate radio scene that played underground music).
I only say this because the music has never really factored at all as whether I like the game, I'm surprised loads of the posts in this thread it appears its almost the most important thing for others?

A few eccptions were:

Winds of Thunder - OMG tunes are absolutely bad ass
Ys Book I&II CD
View Point - NEO GEO
Last Resort - NEO GEO
« Last Edit: March 25, 2011, 01:22:16 AM by HardcoreOtaku »

Tatsujin

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #20 on: March 24, 2011, 04:12:55 PM »
For me gamemusic was the most underground music at that time, since almost nobody but me lissened to it.

Still today, good old 8-/16-bit game music is probably the most underground music you can get.

But only for those who know.
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turbokon

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #21 on: March 24, 2011, 04:57:54 PM »
 This is the only good song from SSS, and the rest of its so unmemorable, that I forgot what f*ckin stage this one was even from.

The song has this sweet power metal beat, and could totally be a Maiden song or something.

Overall, of the Turbob shooters, I think SSS is alot like the original SS on NES/MSX in that it was badass up until practically ANY other shooty came out and then youre like "eh."




That's my favorite track from SSS.  It's the stage with the big solar flare in the background and the end boss is a badass mech with no legs. I have this track on my iphone along with several other turbo tracks. Everytime I need a boost at work, I listen to play my turbo playlist on the iphone.
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Joe Redifer

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2011, 09:22:17 PM »
Quote

Still today, good old 8-/16-bit game music is probably the most underground music you can get.


And still some of the best!  I am a game music whore.  I have never played Final Soldier, but suddenly I want to just to listen to the music.  Hopefully it has a sound test.  I record all of the good stuff from real systems and am working on the 9th 80minute CD now dedicated to 16-bit era systems (though there are a few N64 tunes, but the rule is cartridge based).  Need more.  MOAR!
« Last Edit: March 24, 2011, 09:24:08 PM by Joe Redifer »

esteban

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #23 on: March 25, 2011, 12:23:59 AM »
Quote

Still today, good old 8-/16-bit game music is probably the most underground music you can get.


And still some of the best!  I am a game music whore.  I have never played Final Soldier, but suddenly I want to just to listen to the music.  Hopefully it has a sound test.  I record all of the good stuff from real systems and am working on the 9th 80minute CD now dedicated to 16-bit era systems (though there are a few N64 tunes, but the rule is cartridge based).  Need more.  MOAR!

:)

You are not the only music slut here, thankfully :)

I think we shared in the past that you, B_T and I recorded music on audio cassettes back in the day. If I was shameless, I would share old home movies that featured TG-16 tunes. But I'm not that courageous.






Back in the day I used to mostly turn the volume down on games, and have the radio on (back then here in the UK in the bigger cities we had a large Pirate radio scene that played underground music).
I only say this because the music has never really factored at all as whether I like the game, I'm surprised loads of the posts in this thread it appears its almost the most important thing for others?

Since a lot of us are music fiends, we usually discuss the soundtrack as one aspect of a game. Sometimes a game's only redeeming quality is its soundtrack, which, actually, is important for folks who are seeking new tunes. Naturally, musical preferences are highly subjective, and the only time a soundtrack will actually be crucial is if it were used as a "tie-breaker" when comparing games.

There are many games that benefitted from "turning down the volume, pumping up the stereo": Mario Kart on SNES is probably the single best example of this. I must have played hundreds (thousands) of hours racing/battling friends. :) Same for NES Baseball Stars and NES Micro Machines.


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esteban

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #24 on: March 25, 2011, 12:27:32 AM »
OK nevermind.

I have Soldier Blade, not Super Star Soldier.  I like Soldier Blade music more than Blazing Lazers.  I get all of the damn Soldier games confused.


Hahahhahahahaha! :)

Reading this was the best. You have to listen to the Final Soldier soundtrack and compare it to the others now. You must.

I have to do the same, of course, because I've never made a deliberate comparison (side-by-side).
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SuperDeadite

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #25 on: March 25, 2011, 01:42:29 AM »
Quote

Still today, good old 8-/16-bit game music is probably the most underground music you can get.



And still some of the best!  I am a game music whore.  I have never played Final Soldier, but suddenly I want to just to listen to the music.  Hopefully it has a sound test.  I record all of the good stuff from real systems and am working on the 9th 80minute CD now dedicated to 16-bit era systems (though there are a few N64 tunes, but the rule is cartridge based).  Need more.  MOAR!


Nice, have you done Thunder Cross II yet?  One of the best ever.  Recorded straight from my pcb. :)
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TheOldMan

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #26 on: March 25, 2011, 02:02:32 AM »
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Oh, and Blazing Lazers has something over all the other games: Chromadepth 3D.
[\quote]
Okay, that was neat. I actually dug out some 3-d glasses and tried this. It makes the game a little harder, but some of the effects look pretty cool.

Bonknuts

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #27 on: March 25, 2011, 05:50:47 AM »
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Oh, and Blazing Lazers has something over all the other games: Chromadepth 3D.
Okay, that was neat. I actually dug out some 3-d glasses and tried this. It makes the game a little harder, but some of the effects look pretty cool.

 It has to be specifically Chromadepth 3D glasses (usually used for art shows, company promotions (posters and images), etc). Can't be anaglyph (red/blue) or polarized 3D glasses like RealD. Chromadepth only gives 3D depth based on color spectrum, which is why it's pretty much useless for movies and such. Blue is the farthest back depth, green is the middle depth, red is the closest depth to the viewer. Every thing else falls in between. If the depth of the image itself doesn't correspond with the spectrum depth, you get weird depth artifacts or just no depth at all. Dark blues (as in pure blues) usually give the best depth perception against pure reds and greens.

 On Blazing Lazers, (stage 8) most of the scrolling static or such bubbles are dark blue. Red and green bubbles animate or scale/scroll over the blue ones. Giving it depth.

 In 1941 for stage 1 and 2, the waster is dark blue giving a 3D depth layer for it. The second level it's even more pronounced since it's in a 'channel'. And the boat boss really looks like it's sticking out of the water.

 Legendary Axe 1, the first level; the pure blue rocks have a far depth layer. But not much else.
 
 Valis I first stage, the blue waving sky looks really cool as it appears to be farther back from everything else.

 Ninja Spirit: First stage far scrolling layer. It's more subtle though.

 Rastan Saga II: The first stage. For some reason all the foreground blocks appear to stick out closer to the viewer. Not sure why.

 Veigues Tactical Gladiator: Has it on some spots. The first level in the near building, inside the windows, the blue rumble has depth. Some later levels have weird subtle depth to them.

 Splatterhouse: Just the opening scene (shot) with house and the forest.
 
 Altered Beast: Just the title screen

 Syphia: The title screen and the later water level.

 Sinistron: First level, but more subtle.

 Aero Blasters: Second level. Pretty pronounced.

 Bravoman: Second level (underwater shooter level).
 

Obfuscate

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #28 on: March 25, 2011, 07:21:31 AM »
That's what I just wanted to do by posting this link http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=6820.0 in the other thread.



After reading a few of these threads latley would it be cool or lame to have a thread where users rate the shooters on PCE they have played? I know for my own amusment I rate them and save it to my computer and when I play through a new one I add it to my list.

Anyway, I've yet to play FS but with the other games, Soldier Blade has the best music, IMO, of any game I've played. I love the compositions of the tracks and they fit the type of shooter perfect. SSS only has one tune I really like and it's the green robot stage tune. The game just doesn't have the addictive want to play everyday till you beat it quality I look for in a shooter. BL is alot of fun, has great tunes and graphics but the balance is off for me, they should just get rid of the 1st two stages.

ddd1234

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Re: Final Soldier
« Reply #29 on: March 25, 2011, 08:20:52 AM »
Final soldier or VIOLENT soldier??? hmmm...choices choices!
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