Final Soldier

[Bonknuts]

Figured start a new thread and keep from derailing the "Why the PCE?".

 I beat SSS today. After many years, I realize it's not as good as a game as I remember. There are some cool parts and cool art work, but it's very little and mostly just empty space or very repetitive looking. This repetitive feeling goes along with the long drawn out levels of the game too. I dunno. It's just not as satisfying as a shmup (blasting the crap out of everything) that it once was to me.

 Anyway, on to Final Soldier. This was the last game I was exposed to in the series, after Soldier Blade. And via emulation, many years back. I immediately didn't like it. I'm not exactly sure why. I played a little of it a few times, then just left it alone/ignored it. After having beaten SSS, I wanted to see how Final Soldier stacked up. So about an hour or so ago, I played through the game. That's the first time I've even gotten that far, let alone beat the game. Wow, what a f-ing great shmup. Everything about the game felt perfect. I think in two levels, just when I thought the level just might be a bit too long, boom - the boss comes in. Perfect Love the weapons. In the SSS series (and BL), I've mainly only used the spread pee-shooter (5 way, whatever you call it) and missiles. The great thing about this game in the series, is that I was comfortably able to switch to difference weapons and the game gives you plenty of chances to change out. Always seems to be at the right time too. I like the fact that you can customize the main weapons at the start of the back. I used the bubble weapon quite a bit. Overall, the game kicks ass. Lots of non stop action/blasting/bullet dodging. I got to stage 6 without dieing, but had to continue quite a few times on the last two stages. Last stage is great too, very nice challenge. Can't believe I over looked this game all these years.

 Now to master the game on hard, and then expert  

 Oh, and the music in FS is awesome. I'd rate it above SSS overall.

[PunkicCyborg]

I just played through this game too and yeah it's GREAT. It's even better I got a super nice copy from HIT Japan for a $5 best offer hehe
Yeah it has a really nice learning curve, never too tedious or annoying and very fun. The last level before the boss stage gets pretty hairy especially if your not maxed out on your weapon and you have to avoid those rainbow disc things that chase you with a couple of big enemies on the screen. Yeah and I think the music is pretty cool too.

[nat]

Here's my message from the other thread:

Ok, whatever crack someone must have slipped into my food at some point today... has apparently worn off. (Thank god)

 I retract my statement of SSS. Having just replayed through the entire game after making that post - SSS is 6.5 or 7 easily. BL is a 9 or 9.5.

 SSS has some great parts, but they are very little. I guess my memory got the best of me on that one, because that's all I seemed to have allowed myself to remember of the game. There are lots of boring parts in between. I like most of the bosses and mini boss of SSS. I like some of the art work, of what little there is really (cause it's damn repetitive). It would have been a lot better if they just made all the stages half as long (at minimum, maybe some even shorter). Gotta go with Nat on this one.  :oops:

The game has not aged well. Back in the day, I thought it was pretty cool. Nowadays, the other games in the series just blow it out of the water. You mentioned length, and indeed that is a major problem. The game just drones on and on, there are points where it seems like it'll never end. Most of the decent parts are towards the end of the game. The only standout part for me early in the adventure is the Scorpion boss who's kind of a chump, but at least he's cool in concept.

Some could argue Blazing Lazers suffers from the same affliction, but the killer soundtrack coupled with Compile's knack for keeping things interesting even during long stretches allows it to stay enjoyable. Not to mention the levels are a lot more interesting to begin with. Somehow they completely failed in this regard with Space Megaforce.

[nat]

How ironic that after that discussion, I had to go and play a Soldier game as well. Which one? Final Soldier, of course.

Soldier Blade is technically the best game in the series, but I'm most fond of Final Soldier for many of the reasons Bonknuts mentioned. FS offers the ability to customize your weapons before starting a game; something the rest of the series lacks. The bubble weapon set to "spin" not only looks incredible cool, it packs quite a punch utilized correctly in certain situations.

My weapon set of choice: Laser- Spear, E-Beam (bubble)- Spin, Fire- Burner, Missle- Homing.

A far cry from Super Star Soldier's poor man's low-res blue "rings" that pixelize as they scale larger.

Also, maybe it's just me, but Stage 5 feels like an homage to Blazing Lazers. The style of the graphics have the "BL feel."

[Tatsujin]

Figured start a new thread and keep from derailing the "Why the PCE?".

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.

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.

[Joe Redifer]

Some could argue Blazing Lazers suffers from the same affliction, but the killer soundtrack

Super Star Soldier has waaaay better music than Blazing Lazerz, though BL doesn't sound horrible or anything.

[nat]

To each his own, but I disagree 100%. I find the SSS tunes completely unmemorable. I can't think of one single melody from SSS, and believe me, I'm trying. On the other hand, I could hum you the hook for almost every song in BL.

[esteban]

I disagree vehemently with Bonknuts' assertion (in the "Why PCE?" thread) that the graphics in SSS are "better" than BL (I actually go a step further and condemn the entire Soldier series!). Blasphemy? Or the God's honest truth?

To prove I am correct, I quote myself from years past:

Disclaimer: I dig the Star Soldier series. I dig SSS. They are swell, in my book. That said....

I have to say that SSS was a bit of a let down after Blazing Lazers... yes, BL has some dull parts (stage 2 is uneventful and lasts way too long, for example), but I was hoping SSS would demolish BL.

It didn't. It seemed like it was another horizontal shooter akin to BL, but more generic.

Yes, I know BL is not part of the Star Soldier series, but there is no way to talk about SSS without putting it in context (the schedule of releases in North America). BL set the bar high. Sinistron, Cybercore, Dragon Spirit, R-Type, etc. were nice but didn't seem "next-next-generation" like BL.

Isolating SSS in a vacuum, though, it is a decent game. I enjoyed it. I voted "7", and that was before I read anything here.

Call me crazy, but BL's graphics outclass those in the Star Soldier series. I haven't actually compared them in years, but it always struck me that way. BL's graphics are razor sharp detailed without being distracting, inconsistent, bland, etc.

Jesus, maybe I can't be objective.

Maybe I shouldn't talk about BL as part of the series.

To each his own, but I disagree 100%. I find the SSS tunes completely unmemorable. I can't think of one single melody from SSS, and believe me, I'm trying. On the other hand, I could hum you the hook for almost every song in BL.

100% agreed. And to prove that we are both correct, I will simply say this to the naysayers: Listen to the goddamn songs.

[Tatsujin]

Blasphemy? Or the God's honest truth?

the latter.

Altough SB has some ubergreat grafx. But FS sure is on the bottom end concerning that matter.

[Otaking]

I agree with Tats, FS sits at the bottom of the series for me too.
One reason is the graphic styling is a little western Shmup looking for my tastes, personally I'm not keen on that.
But mainly that it's too easy, it feels like the game is just starting to get going, the difficulty is starting to ramp up a bit and then bang it's over.

[turbokon]

I also agree with tats and hardcore, after playing thru the first three stages of FS, SSS is a better shooter in my book. I don't like the ship design, the stage's graphic is pretty good and soundtrack is not impressive at all. I can hum most tracks out of SSS because it's that good but can't even hum any from FS.

[ddd1234]

I finished this one last night, it was easiest of the 3 "soldier games".

I love the music in this game, prolly my fav soundtrack of the 3.

[Joe Redifer]

I could hum you the hook for almost every song in BL.

Do it!  I am awaiting MP3 links of your humming.

I agree that BL has more memorable music.  But I can remember the insipid song "Friday" or "Who let the dogs out" more than I can many actual good songs.

[Arkhan]

  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."

[Joe Redifer]

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.