Arcade High Score Challenge - Round 11

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123236320#Comment_123236320

Woohoo! fairly surpassed it aswell, nicely done, really set a high bar. I'll hopefully get back to it this evening.

The_B_Man

I managed a little over 45 billion last night. The highest score I've ever gotten in any game in my entire life, and still not even close to a podium finish on here…

Retr0gamer

I checked to see if I was playing on the higher rank japanese version but no... It's the US/world version. Can't even use that excuse.

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123237482#Comment_123237482

The score ceiling definitely is lower on the English version. I've a pretty confident route through the first two levels and am nowhere near some of the scores and multipliers you see online for the same stage of the game. The Japanese version is where you can more easily get into the multi trillions territory (albeit with a lot more bullets to dodge on the way). Going to give the Japanese rom a proper go just to test the difference, though the challenge here should definitely be based on the US/world version for consistency.

Retr0gamer

I'm not sure why I'm doing so bad. Think I'm just over tired this week. Usually much better at these games.

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123237961#Comment_123237961

What kind of kit are you using to play it? I'm bashing away on a real arcade machine with a seimitsu stick and a CRT. If you're using MAME on an LCD laptop with the direction key buttons you might be at a slight disadvantage 😁

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123237971#Comment_123237971

Finalburn with a LCD and a 8bitdo M30.

johnny_ultimate

LOL my high score was with a bloody analogue stick because I don't have a good d-pad or stick to hand :P

Retr0gamer

I'm not going to blame my screen or joypad on this one. I've been over tired this whole week and I think that's getting to me.

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123238307#Comment_123238307

TBH more than most genres I reckon bullet hell does really rely on your current concentration span.

I had a few tries yesterday where I just couldn't get the same momentum I had going. No particular reason - just requires zoning in and being on the game's wavelength as bullet hell games are so intense and demanding, with so little room for error.

And your scoring really suffers in this if you die at the wrong time - you may as well restart if you die in the middle of level one or two as you've blown your combo for the rest of the game. Honestly I just restart if I die any time before the last stretch of the second boss - in an ideal run I want to get to level three with all lives left.

unky chop chop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123238325#Comment_123238325

In fairness it's the same as every game and many things in life really..sports , playing a musical instrument , arts .

Sometimes your just in the zone and everything clicks and could have quick game you play like you are graced by the gods,other times you could just play over and over and it's just not happening , you get more frustrated and overthink everything and it will only get worse .

Regardless, Im $hyt3 at this game and that natural talent just isn't there for it !

Some games so far in this high score challenge so far I just know it is not meant to be ..track and field , robotron ..others I've felt the force and even if I know I'm doing crap I can improve

unky chop chop

Still I'm going to give it another bash later 🫠

There is always hope

Retr0gamer

Had drama rehearsals, life stuff and eBay **** to package up so won't give it a go tonight. Also the wizardry Variants Daphne client launched on steam and want to give that a go.

unky chop chop

Ahhh I gave it another few credits there ...picked the green lad.

Gameplay and level route seems way way easier . Got to third level boss and thought I was a legend . Thought I was in the trillions.

No I wasn't !!!

What's after trillions anyway ..

Frillions or gazillions?

johnny_ultimate

Given the numbers are so ludicrously high, I am often a digit off when reading the multiplier or score - thinking I’m doing much better than I am, especially when trying a different character.

But handily the first digit turns red in the top screen score when you hit the trillions. If you’re still yellow, you ain’t there just yet.

o1s1n

Was back at it last night but was still falling a bit short of the 1 trillion. My eyes were very tired after a busy work week so I'll blame it on that 😁

Managing to milk a lot more of a score out of level 1 and level 2 now at least. If I could get my level 3 game back up to where it was the other night I'd be flying.

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123240061#Comment_123240061

My understanding is the rank increases relative to the higher your score at the end of each level, so level 3 is harder if you start it with a better score. Also of course playing for score means you're more prone to taking risks!

I was out last night but I did give the Japanese version a very quick go beforehand to see if the rank difference changes the early game. Noticed a few extra bullets on some enemies but I hit a trillion (and promptly died) at almost the exact same point in level 3, so definitely wasn't a transformative change for me anyway.

o1s1n

I wonder if I play levels 1 & 2 for score and revert back to just playing for survival for levels 3 & 4 will that maybe be enough… we shall see!

Great game either way, lot more to it than I originally thought.

unky chop chop

It's great craic , just disheartening I'm absolutely crap at it . I'm losing lifes to early so i presume that's the problem . I'm playing more for preservation rather than score ...which does work in most retro titles ...the longer ya last the better the chance and higher score . Just don't work with this little fecker of a game ..maybe most bullet hell games I presume as I've little to no experience with them - score wise

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123240155#Comment_123240155

TBH that's my general approach - maximise multiplier as much as possible in levels one and two, and then try to get as many points as possible in level three to boost the score. Easier said than done, though, and I can't deny the siren call of cancelling those pink and blue bullet streams let off by the trains at the start of level three 😆

The level three boss isn't actually too bad, but I got killed in my best run to date by the big laser it sets off when it's near death as I just didn't know it was coming. Think getting the end level bonuses there are what's needed to get me any higher.

unky chop chop

I hate those trains yokes..they are my bane .

Just haven't got it down what to do as I'm sure there is a pattern . I'm just trying point blank range at them , but then ones on the other side start acting up , and vice verse

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123240167#Comment_123240167

Are you using the shield much? Use the hell out of it. Any time there's any type of complex pattern on the way fire it up. Even if you're not playing for score you can use it to protect yourself.

Then it's just a matter of surving a few seconds while the sheild recharges, you hear the shield go 'OK!' and you can use it again to protect yourself. Rinse and repeat! 😁

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123240177#Comment_123240177

Have you played Ibara much? I didn't actually realise but they completely lifted the level 3 train section out of Gigawing. Had one of those 'wtf?!' moments earlier in the week when I got to level 3.

Funny it's at the start of level 3 in both games. Perhaps you could call Ibara an 'homage'…

johnny_ultimate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123240205#Comment_123240205

AFAIK Ibara is one of the handful of Cave games I haven't put much (or any) time into at all, along with Progear. Most of the others I've at least spent a little time with - and a lot with the likes of Mushihimesama Futari, Deathsmiles and several of the DoDonPachi games.

unky chop chop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123240205#Comment_123240205

Is that where that sequence was from. I thought it was battle garegga or armed police maybe.

Yeah i use the shield constantly , probably too much . When I know some lad is gonna spew bullets i use it and make a beeine straight for them .

😂 Ahhh it's says ok...i thought it was "OLAY"

Thinking now it prompts ok when it's ready and does not make much sense having Spanish in a jap game

unky chop chop

Im sticking with OLAY in my mind. It makes sense

Retr0gamer

When I said I played loads of this game I was mistaking it for Mars Matrix. This one is all new to me although i think they have similar reflect mechanics.

unky chop chop

Yeah I had them mixed up also until I started playing this . Both cps2 capcom boards..I presume same developers were involved

Ive only copped that a load of the CPS 2 arcade boards released were not actually created and developed by capcom.

But one shooter was that I love ...3 wonders ...anyone know that ? Cracking game . 3 games ...metal slug type job, which is great fun , a horizontal schmup and also some puzzle one which I never played

o1s1n

Haha funny you mention it, every time I boot up my machine to play this I immediately go to M for Mars Matrix and then go 'oh yeah, G!'. So you wouldn't be the first person to mix them up.

unky chop chop

What's craic with this place , when did this popup out of the blue

https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/BBs6PhWntu

Seems to be bowling , liquor and arcade games .now that's got my interest .

Cant seem to find any evidence of actual arcade cabs but they claim they have "retro " cabs .

I saw one vid that shows a sf2 cab for a second .

This type of thing is sorely missed after token closed down .

Sure I may take a wander later and report back

unky chop chop

Just gonna need to slip into my hip duds before I rock in.

Teach these young ones how to play a real game on a cab and hopefully they forget about Fortnite .

Either that or I shall be ejected swiftly by security and possibly put on some register