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I might not know a lot about shmups, but I do know Gradius, and Gradius rules.
Even as a straight port of the arcade, this game still kicks ass due to some good enemy variety and a neat power-up system.
I believe there's also an additional level in this version, but I can't say I like this version too much, mainly because of the slowdown. Starting with level 2 you're basically looking at the game in slow-mo.
I'd also say that this game doesn't sound as good as the NES version, but that's not much of an issue, since the music is still quite good.
Even as a straight port of the arcade, this game still kicks ass due to some good enemy variety and a neat power-up system.
I believe there's also an additional level in this version, but I can't say I like this version too much, mainly because of the slowdown. Starting with level 2 you're basically looking at the game in slow-mo.
I'd also say that this game doesn't sound as good as the NES version, but that's not much of an issue, since the music is still quite good.
This game kicks ass. It's challenging to play yet rewarding to master. The level design is fantastic, enabling you to use your kit to its utmost ability, with levels that constantly have you changing your tactics, changing how to use the options, and changing your shot type to suit each level. The OST is a bop too. A very exciting fun time, should you choose to challenge it. Just don't die, as this series is infamous for not really getting you back up to speed if you do.
Gradius is one of those games that I hear a lot about but I haven't really played outside of the Famicom port of the first game. Well I have a way of playing the PC Engine version so I thought might as well try it out.
This is a very good game for an early schmup and it can be pretty fun even if it's got things I don't like about schmups like dying basically being "redo the whole game idiot" a lot of the time and there's only like one boss if you don't count the final one which doesn't even feel like a boss fight.
Now I've never played the arcade version so if this was a problem there too then I didn't know but my god the slowdown in the later half of this game is atrocious. It might be some of the worst I've seen in the genre. Granted I'm sure there are worse out there but from what I've played, this is just not good. It made me not want to give it an 8 sadly.
So yeah it's a very good game flawed by a problem that may be a limitation of the PC Engine but again could be wrong but it's still a fun good time and it's nice to see it hasn't aged too poorly. Hopefully the sequel is better.
This is a very good game for an early schmup and it can be pretty fun even if it's got things I don't like about schmups like dying basically being "redo the whole game idiot" a lot of the time and there's only like one boss if you don't count the final one which doesn't even feel like a boss fight.
Now I've never played the arcade version so if this was a problem there too then I didn't know but my god the slowdown in the later half of this game is atrocious. It might be some of the worst I've seen in the genre. Granted I'm sure there are worse out there but from what I've played, this is just not good. It made me not want to give it an 8 sadly.
So yeah it's a very good game flawed by a problem that may be a limitation of the PC Engine but again could be wrong but it's still a fun good time and it's nice to see it hasn't aged too poorly. Hopefully the sequel is better.