Game of the Week Club

[_Paul]

I recognition of me smashing into the side of a taxi on Thursday.....

Did you die?

I'm not sure, but my hand keeps slipping through my mouse. Is that a good sign?

[Nazi NecroPhile]

I'm not sure, but my hand keeps slipping through my mouse. Is that a good sign?

Not good, not good at all. 

[_Paul]

JIGOKU MEGURI

/hellexplorer026606466.gif

[esteban]

I have JIGOKU MEGURI, yet I have to urge to continue playing Rayxanber II instead. Hmmmmmmmm....

[RuninRuder]

I have JIGOKU MEGURI, yet I have to urge to continue playing Rayxanber II instead. Hmmmmmmmm....

Great idea.  Rayxanber II review and screens:

pcengine-fx.com/reviews/duomazov/2009/09/rayxanber-ii.html

[Emerald Rocker]

Here is what GUTS said about Rayxanber 2 back on August 24, 2003:

DAY ONE (August 24, 2003)
-----------
Played the first couple of levels last night, and so far it's alright. The graphics are definitely pretty tight for a regular CD game, but there's no intro cinemas so that was a letdown. There's plenty of parallax scrolling (even in the foreground on stage 1), the enemies range from your size up to freakin huge, and they all explode really nicely. The bosses (the two I've seen) are HUGE and take up most of the screen. Through all this there's barely any flickering or slowdown, if any. Now about the meat of the game...

There are no speed power ups, so you're stuck moving at a medium pace, which isn't bad when you're powered up, but when it's just you and your pea shooter it sucks. And about the powerups, all TWO of them. So far I've only encountered a wide shot thing, and a more powerful fire shot. Neither can be upgraded more than once, which I suppose could be seen as bonus since you'll be dying a lot. When powerups appear they rotate clockwise, and whichever direction its facing when you snag it is the direction your secondary weapons will fire.

Hitting the B button will give your ship a split second speed boost in whatever direction you're holding, but if you use it too much it overheats and has to cool down before you can use it again. This is pretty useful for getting behind enemies or dodging bullets, its just tough to remember its there, it'll take some getting used to. I haven't been able to destroy any enemies with the thrusters that fire when you use this, but maybe I just haven't been close enough.

Things I dont like about it- R-Type style checkpoint system when you die, no cinemas (at least so far), slow ship speed, and your main gun never gets any more powerful (it always a pea shooter). Mainly the checkpoint system is the only thing that really bugs me, everything else I can deal with easily.

Overall I feel it's a pretty solid game, but nothing really sets it apart from all the other shooters out there, but this may change once I get good enough to beat a couple more stages. I can see this game really giving you a sense of accomplishment if you beat it since it's all about skill, no BOMBS or invincible options to absorb enemy fire.
****************
DAY TWO (August 25, 2003)
-------------
Ok well I'm pretty much done then, the game is just too damn hard and not fun enough to make all the practice worthwhile. Checkpoints really suck.
****************
DAY THREE (August 26, 2003)
-------------
I have better things to do than waste all my time practicing a game that isn't much fun to begin with. Like play HALO JIGGA YEAH.

[shubibiman]

Jigoku Megrui is just too hard for me. But it's a good game.

[esteban]

Here is what GUTS said about Rayxanber 2 back on August 24, 2003:

DAY ONE (August 24, 2003)
-----------
Played the first couple of levels last night, and so far it's alright. The graphics are definitely pretty tight for a regular CD game, but there's no intro cinemas so that was a letdown. There's plenty of parallax scrolling (even in the foreground on stage 1), the enemies range from your size up to freakin huge, and they all explode really nicely. The bosses (the two I've seen) are HUGE and take up most of the screen. Through all this there's barely any flickering or slowdown, if any. Now about the meat of the game...

...

****************
DAY TWO (August 25, 2003)
-------------
Ok well I'm pretty much done then, the game is just too damn hard and not fun enough to make all the practice worthwhile. Checkpoints really suck.
****************
DAY THREE (August 26, 2003)
-------------
I have better things to do than waste all my time practicing a game that isn't much fun to begin with. Like play HALO JIGGA YEAH.

Yeah, I remember that. NO JOKE! But it didn't concern me, since I'm in the minority (I don't mind the conventions of old-skool shooters, yes, that's right, they're shooters). "Shoot-em-ups"? Bah humbug!

[Keranu]

(I don't mind the conventions of old-skool shooters, yes, that's right, they're shooters). "Shoot-em-ups"? Bah humbug!

Yes someone agrees with me! None of this "shmup" crap either. Internet memes suck.

[esteban]

(I don't mind the conventions of old-skool shooters, yes, that's right, they're shooters). "Shoot-em-ups"? Bah humbug!

Yes someone agrees with me! None of this "shmup" crap either. Internet memes suck.

The sad thing is that I have used the term "shoot-em-up" so folks didn't think I was saying FPS.

Word up, by the way.

[_Paul]

(I don't mind the conventions of old-skool shooters, yes, that's right, they're shooters). "Shoot-em-ups"? Bah humbug!

Yes someone agrees with me! None of this "shmup" crap either. Internet memes suck.

The sad thing is that I have used the term "shoot-em-up" so folks didn't think I was saying FPS.

Word up, by the way.

I've always known them as shoot 'em ups since the early 80s. I thought 'shooters' was a more recent invention.

[Tatsujin]

(I don't mind the conventions of old-skool shooters, yes, that's right, they're shooters). "Shoot-em-ups"? Bah humbug!

Yes someone agrees with me! None of this "shmup" crap either. Internet memes suck.

The sad thing is that I have used the term "shoot-em-up" so folks didn't think I was saying FPS.

Word up, by the way.

I've always known them as shoot 'em ups since the early 80s. I thought 'shooters' was a more recent invention.

True that! Ok, me more so since the later 80s

[_Paul]

Dragging this back on topic:

I've always liked Jigoku Meguri. It's what I would call good honest platforming, has some lovely backgrounds (with only a few areas that are horribly basic), appealing sprites and jaunty music. Level 2 in the boat is a nice touch and it's just one of those games which is fun to play while still allowing you to test those jumping and dodging reflexes. No as good as PC Genjin, but certianly better than Hero Tonma.

[esteban]

No as good as PC Genjin, but certianly better than Hero Tonma.

I have a soft spot for Hero Tonma, because Hero Tonma is like a poor man's Karnov (NES). Karnov was a better, more ambitious game... yeah, I love Karnov.

As for Jigoku Meguri... I'm still playing Rayxanber II!

I've always known them as shoot 'em ups since the early 80s. I thought 'shooters' was a more recent invention.

"Space shooter" and "shooter" and "shooting game" and permutations of that sort were commonly used in the 80's here in the good old US of A.

[Tatsujin]

Hero Tonma is great, and honestly I put it a lil' bit over Jigoku. This said, Jigoku still is a great game as well.

[_Paul]

No as good as PC Genjin, but certianly better than Hero Tonma.

I have a soft spot for Hero Tonma, because Hero Tonma is like a poor man's Karnov (NES). Karnov was a better, more ambitious game... yeah, I love Karnov.

I only know Karnov from the ZX Spectrum version. I was amazed by how colourful the graphics were at the time and thought it was great fun once I put the cheats in

[_Paul]

RAYXANBER II

/rayxanber2052522533.gif

 

[Tatsujin]

It is hard!

[RuninRuder]

Rayxanber II review and screens:

pcengine-fx.com/reviews/duomazov/2009/09/rayxanber-ii.html

and Rayxanber III review and screens:

pcengine-fx.com/reviews/duomazov/2009/06/rayxanber-iii.html

[Nazi NecroPhile]

It is hard!

What he said.  When it comes to the narrow passages, it's game over for me.

[shubibiman]

It's hard but it's BEAUTIFUL. I love the graphics and the mech design. The play system is very original but that's what makes it so difficult.

[_Paul]

MONSTER LAIR

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[OldMan]

I remember that game... The bright colors, too-cutesy graphics, and the sickeningly upbeat music.
I could only take it for a level or two.  Seemed like an okay shooter, though not to my tastes :-)

[Ceti Alpha]

I can't wait to really sink my teeth into this one. Almost makes me want to skip Bikkuri....almost...heh

[Tatsujin]

one of the best 80s conversions we ever got! and it beats the MD version in every point with a landslide (exept the missing parallax).

loved it in the arcade, love it on the pce

[turbogrfxfan]

just got monster lair two weeks ago after not having it for like 18 years..  The the colors are great,and  fun bosses. weapons kinda suck but its a different style game.   I never beat it.  its a long ass game.  Its like the never ending frikkin story.  not a huge wonderboy fan but I like this game

[Emerald Rocker]

I haven't played Monster Lair, but I did just post a series of FAQs for the Mega CD game Arcus 1-2-3.  <--- shameless advertising

So that was most of my weekend.  But if I still own Monster Lair, perhaps I will actually play it for the very first time!  I'll post my thoughts if I do.

[shubibiman]

When I was a kid, I lost many coins playing the arcade game. When I knew that it was going to be released for the PCE, I nearly wet my pants and I have to admit that it really helped me to make my decision when I didn't what to choose between the MD and the PCE.

This version is great, even though some colours look a bit awkward to me. But the game is long and sometimes repetitive.

[_Paul]

GRADIUS

/gradius047414882.gif

[shubibiman]

Excellent conversion of the arcade. I used to not like the Gradius Series but in the last few years, i've come to love it. This first episode is a classic that I still enjoy now.

[_Paul]

While Gradius is a decent enough shoot 'em up, the appaling slowdown just completely kills this version for me, making it almost unplayable. This one of only two PC Engine games I ever traded in and the only one I didn't regret. Thankfully Konami got ther act together for future releases.

[Ceti Alpha]

While Gradius is a decent enough shoot 'em up, the appaling slowdown just completely kills this version for me, making it almost unplayable. This one of only two PC Engine games I ever traded in and the only one I didn't regret. Thankfully Konami got ther act together for future releases.

That does suck with the slowdown, but yeah, Salamander is quite flawless. I personally don't mind some slowdown, but when it's excessive...

I'm curious to at least try this and Darius.

[nat]

Every time I start to feel slightly upset about the slowdown in Gradius, I go and play Gradius III on the SNES to set myself straight.

[_Paul]

Every time I start to feel slightly upset about the slowdown in Gradius, I go and play Gradius III on the SNES to set myself straight.

Ouch.

Sometimes I wonder if Konami fired their first batch of programmers considering the difference between their earlier and later console titles. Either that or they learn very quickly.

[Mathius]

I have never been a big fan of the Gradius series either. Life Force was the shooter I always went to when I was growing up.

[Emerald Rocker]

I never played PCE Gradius, but I did play the game during Blades of Steel intermissions.  It was too short.

[turbogrfxfan]

yeah im going to get it.  I was stupid and got paridus da first. it would be cool to compare the two though.

[nectarsis]

yeah im going to get it.  I was stupid and got paridus da first. it would be cool to compare the two though.

Gradius is a good game, but Parodius Da KILLS it IMO ;)

[Tatsujin]

Gradius is Grandiose.

a very well done conversion of this 1985 classic. It was a milestone back then, sure the PCE conv. came a little bit too late. but today, this doesn't matter in no way  ;)

[geise]

Haha I like the Gradius version in Legend of Mystical Ninja aka Ganbare Goemon.  Anyways I like the PC-Engine version quite a bit.  It's Gradius but with a pc-engine feel, if that makes any sense?  Regardless I think it's a pretty good version of the arcade.

[_Paul]

WINDS OF THUNDER

/windsofthunder056239406.gif

[Gogan]

There's nothing to say about this game.
Its friggin awesome, and that's it.

[turbogrfxfan]

man I love the crap out of this game...  Prolly some of the best music on the system.....  the bass guitar is frikkin awesomee....  games alot of fun.  I like it better than lords cause of the female merchants voice.  I still gotta finish the last stage..  just gotta spend more time..  I got some pointers from you guys but I forget.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Just an awesome title with beautiful and varied backgrounds, sweet tunes, a plethora of different enemies, and kickass bosses (particularly the armored unicorn thing).  The only thing that might be a bit of a let down for some people is the difficulty level, but it doesn't bother me; I suck and can use a break sometimes.

[Tatsujin]

There's nothing to say about this game.
Its friggin awesome, and that's it.

QFT!

in every possible criteria a 10 (out of 10)

[Ceti Alpha]

When I saw this game in Radio Shack bitd it was like seeing the arcade on a console.

[lord_cack]

This game, along with Dungeon Explorer II, were the last two games I bought new in the store before they stopped selling Turbo games in my area. I can't recall a better purchase than these two games....

[lord_cack]

This game, along with Dungeon Explorer II, were the last two games I bought new in the store before they stopped selling Turbo games in my area. I can't recall a better purchase than these two games....

Well, outside of my Duo itself that is hehe

[Otaking]

Winds of Thunder is my favourite game of all time bar none.

[futurematt]

Winds of Thunder pretty much does it all. For a H-shooter - and I generally prefer V-shooters - it combines stunning visuals with perfect difficulty, amazing sound, allround superb atmosphere and provides I think one of the ultimate shmup experiences on any console. You can't get much better than that. The collusion of sound and action works particularly well here, creating a sparkly, mystical feel to the game, which works as well as in Spriggan or Sylphia.
I think this is a game worth preserving so I don't overplay it - I stick to the original disk as opposed to the easy CDR for instance. I included it in my video Gold PC Engine shooters on my YT channel. Great game of the week.