Download vs. Download 2

[Obfuscate]

I just finally played through Download 2 and am trying to figure out which one I like better. Overall I think the graphics, music, and bosses slightly better in Download 2. I also like cycling through the different weapons during the stages in Download 2. The first Download is more difficult, faster action and I like the life bar system. Both are fun games worth a play especially for shooter fans.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

I own neither and have thus not played either one enough to make an informed opinion, so I voted for VolfieV. 

[Opethian]

I CANNOT FUCK UP FOR THIS

1 > 2

[Xak]

I hate shooters but I have to give this game a go. Is that a hover motorcycle?

[Digi.k]

ah well I did have a completed play through of the first game on youtube before someone at sega banned it..  1st one has some great graphics effects.  Main complaint is the sound FX which are really loud and grating.. still cool game with awesome cut scenes.. Does look like matrix stole some of those scenes and story btw..

[SuperDeadite]

ah well I did have a completed play through of the first game on youtube before someone at sega banned it..  1st one has some great graphics effects.  Main complaint is the sound FX which are really loud and grating.. still cool game with awesome cut scenes.. Does look like matrix stole some of those scenes and story btw..

Shhhhh.... Johnny Mnemonic is listening....

[PunkCryborg]

I love both of these games but I'd haveto go with the first one for the best. The music is so awesome, it has the perfect difficulty scale, and the graphical effects are really awesome for a hu card. And lets not forget... The awesome game over screens.
 The second one is a little sloppier and the music is forgettable. The best part about 2 though is the final boss, the hitler skull crab with the flying babies.

[Psycho Punch]

The second one is a little sloppier and the music is forgettable. The best part about 2 though is the final boss, the hitler skull crab with the flying babies.

STATUS: I have to play it.

[Arkhan Asylum]

I CANNOT FUCK UP FOR THIS

1 > 2

my thoughts basically.

[Tatsujin]

Lol sega banned your download yt vid? how did that happen?

[Digi.k]

Lol sega banned your download yt vid? how did that happen?

Something to do with shining force 3 videos all over YouTube and how it infringed copyright. And I had some clips of shining force 3 on my yt account

[esteban]

Both great games, though the sequel has some lackluster moments (I want more intensity).

I disagree about music being forgettable for Download 2 (it's good!) I don't know if I'd put chiptunes from Download 1 above the RAW METAL of Download 2:

https://archives.tg-16.com/music_database.htm?col=jp&val=down

I recommend them both!

[Digi.k]

Both great games, though the sequel has some lackluster moments (I want more intensity).

I disagree about music being forgettable for Download 2 (it's good!) I don't know if I'd put chiptunes from Download 1 above the RAW METAL of Download 2:

https://archives.tg-16.com/music_database.htm?col=jp&val=down

I recommend them both!

There was one stage that had great music.  I think it was the stage with loads of orange layered scrolling .  And a Venus boss?  Plus iirc one of the few early games that had almost male nudity in the intro..

[Tatsujin]

ah well I did have a completed play through of the first game on youtube before someone at sega banned it..  1st one has some great graphics effects.  Main complaint is the sound FX which are really loud and grating.. still cool game with awesome cut scenes.. Does look like matrix stole some of those scenes and story btw..

Ah yeah I remember that story. sad happening.

[A Black Falcon]

The first game is definitely better.  The second one has some cool stage concepts and backgrounds, but it's way too easy!  And it's actually shorter, gameplay-wise, than the first game, by a few minutes, which is disappointing given the move from card to CD.  The first game's really good, probably one of the better HuCard shmups, but the second... it's only good, I think.  And way too short due to the low difficulty level.  Some options, difficulty level choices, etc. would have been great...

[Mathius]

I can't vote as I haven't played the 2nd game yet. But from what I have seen the art style in DL2 can't touch the awesomeness of DL1's art. Add in the stellar parallax for Hu Card and I think DL1 is going to be the clear winner. A true gem.

[A Black Falcon]

The second game actually has a fair amount of parallax too.  In that regard it's not too different from the first one, I think.

[Flare65]

Anyone have a translation of the second game?  I've beaten it a few times and I'd like to know what the story is about and what actually happens at the end. 

From what I can tell, someone has Hitler's brain in a box and in the end the lead character's brain gets zapped by his own ship.

[CrackTiger]

I can't vote as I haven't played the 2nd game yet. But from what I have seen the art style in DL2 can't touch the awesomeness of DL1's art. Add in the stellar parallax for Hu Card and I think DL1 is going to be the clear winner. A true gem.

It's kind of the opposite actually. Some people prefer the character designs/art style of the minimal cinemas in the original Download, but Download 2 has more cinema content than the average PCE RPG and is very detailed and animated. The in-game art and parallax in Download 2 is also a major upgrade, with the best two stages for parallax in the first game being recreated in the sequel, separate from some of the more advanced parallax Download 2 employs in other places.


I'd have to play them again back to back to compare gameplay, but Download 2 will always be my favorite because of the art, style and Black Sabbath soundtrack. This game is what a Heavy Metal movie should have been. It's one of those unique "only-on-PC Engine" games that sets the console's library apart from others.

[Mathius]

I can't vote as I haven't played the 2nd game yet. But from what I have seen the art style in DL2 can't touch the awesomeness of DL1's art. Add in the stellar parallax for Hu Card and I think DL1 is going to be the clear winner. A true gem.

It's kind of the opposite actually. Some people prefer the character designs/art style of the minimal cinemas in the original Download, but Download 2 has more cinema content than the average PCE RPG and is very detailed and animated. The in-game art and parallax in Download 2 is also a major upgrade, with the best two stages for parallax in the first game being recreated in the sequel, separate from some of the more advanced parallax Download 2 employs in other places.


I'd have to play them again back to back to compare gameplay, but Download 2 will always be my favorite because of the art, style and Black Sabbath soundtrack. This game is what a Heavy Metal movie should have been. It's one of those unique "only-on-PC Engine" games that sets the console's library apart from others.

Okay you've sold me. I gotta try it now.

[awack]

CrackTiger is right, Down load 2 has much better parallax scrolling, one level has 4 over lapping scrolls, which are on top of a line scrolling desert, and behind all that you have clouds scrolling at a different speed than the mountains below, very similar to the 3rd level in Macross 2036, but not quite as good. I haven't played the first DL game in a long time, so going just by aesthetics alone, DownLoad 2 blows the 1st game away, better  in game art/use of color, better animation etc.

[shubibiman]

It's hard for me to vote as I like both.

[PunkCryborg]

Download is the best because of this
Download (PC Engine) OST - Song 3

and this

/end thread

[CrackTiger]

Cackling-mecha-Hitler-brain-spider-fetus-squirter alone is more epic than anything in the first Download game, let alone all the details packed into its stage.

[Nando]

Interesting, I've never played the 2nd one but REALLY like the 1st one. It has that classic 90's Neo-Tokyo futurist vibe that we all love and grew up with.

Dang it, another game to add to the never ending list!  I need to check out the art on #2.

Thanks for the review BT!