I'm very curious about everyone's thoughts on Image Fight

rag-time4 · 08/31/2007, 02:52 PM

I've been playing Image Fight a lot lately during my lunch breaks... and I've been having a blast with it. I work graveyard, and the game definitely keeps me awake!

I've really had a tough time getting through it! I love the way that the game sets you back a bit when you die... some of the restart points are brutal to escape from alive without any special weapons! But it seems like it can always be done. It's taken me about a week to finally kill the level 5 boss... which I just did for the first time this morning.

One interesting thing that really got me into it was that it seems to be held in high esteem in Japan. Hiroshi Iuchi, the producer of a much more recent shooter: Radiant Silvergun, said that his main inspiration was Image Fight. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiant_Silvergun

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has played Image Fight, and if so, what you think of it!

Keranu · 08/31/2007, 04:24 PM

I always get this game confused with Terra Cresta, so I can't really remember what this game was like at the moment! I want to say that I didn't like it much personally, but I might be thinking of Terra Cresta instead.

rag-time4 · 08/31/2007, 04:58 PM

Quote from: Keranu on 08/31/2007, 04:24 PMI always get this game confused with Terra Cresta, so I can't really remember what this game was like at the moment! I want to say that I didn't like it much personally, but I might be thinking of Terra Cresta instead.

I just checked out Terra Cresta for MAME (i've never played the game before)

Other than the fact that they're both vertical shooters, they seem quite different.... Image Fight has those awesome red pods that face the opposite direction of your movement...

Similar to the tentacles in another Irem shooter, the side-scroller X-Multiply. The tentacles move opposite of the player's movement. Image Fight is the game where that dynamic first appeared, as far as I know.

It seems like a very overlooked and underrated PCE game on this forum... I find very little mention of it by searching.

nat · 08/31/2007, 06:13 PM

I seem to remember playing Image Fight one time a long time ago and thinking it looked and played like an NES game and turning it off.

I'm not trashing the NES or anything here, but I'm kind of a graphics junky. When I'm in the mood for Turbo games I'm usually in the mood for something pretty to look at. Of course this a gross generalization, but you get the idea. And I should mention again it was years ago that I tried playing Image Fight so my memory may be somewhat off.

Terra Cresta II on the other hand, is fucking awesome. Especially after you play into it a little bit. Graphics are above average to great, the music is sweet, and the powerup system is unique. You can design your own flight formation before play. There is some top-notch multi-layered scrolling that actually serves a purpose in places. The "instruments" used in the musical score sound to me like what you would get if you crossed an NES sound chip with the Genesis sound chip. A lot of the audio sounds unlike your typical Turbo chip sound. If we're talking about underrated games, I think Terra Cresta II definitely classifies. There's hardly ever a passing mention of it made here.

Sorry to derail your Image Fight thread. I'll give it another go someday before I write it off forever.... Mostly because I'm curious just how accurate my memory is.

awack · 08/31/2007, 07:11 PM

Since you like image fight so much i should point out that image fight 2 was also released on the pc engine (super cd), it has far better graphics and sound but is very difficult.

ParanoiaDragon · 08/31/2007, 09:41 PM

And I'll point out, that you should try the NES & Turbo versions of Image Fight side by side to see & hear the difference!

Tatsujin · 08/31/2007, 10:07 PM

image fight is the r-type in vertical. it's not a bad port, alltough i like to play the original on the PSone in tate mode.the game also came for the FC (NES) and believe me, it looked quite different to what you can see on the PCE ;)

ccovell · 08/31/2007, 10:23 PM

Image Fight is brutal. I actually found IF2 to be a bit more forgiving. But perhaps I was more motivated as I had actually spent my hard-earned cash on IF2.

Tatsujin · 08/31/2007, 10:36 PM

Quote from: ccovell on 08/31/2007, 10:23 PMspent my hard-earned cash on IF2.

i thought that's more for stuff like tsûshin-boosters and such kind of things ;)

lkermel · 08/31/2007, 10:41 PM

I quite like Image Fight, I only wished it wasn't that hard... some of the last stages are just crazy.
By the way, I finished it on an emulator and the game crashed right after the last boss... I don't think I'll ever be able to finish the real game, but if someone does, I'd be interested to know if the problem is coming from the dumped Rom (or the emulator), or from the actual game...

By the way, I've also played the Famicom and original arcade versions. The Famicom game, if not as nice as the PC Engine conversion, is surprisingly really good. And the arcade is *of course*overall much better than those conversions, and easier too I think.

ccovell · 08/31/2007, 11:19 PM

Quote from: Tatsujin on 08/31/2007, 10:36 PM
Quote from: ccovell on 08/31/2007, 10:23 PMspent my hard-earned cash on IF2.
i thought that's more for stuff like tsûshin-boosters and such kind of things ;)

Yeah, but this was back in 1995, when I had much less hard-earned cash.

WoodyXP · 09/01/2007, 07:45 AM

Uggghhh... Image Fight is ASS on FC.

Quote from: Tatsujin on 08/31/2007, 10:07 PMFC (NES) and believe me, it looked quite different to what you can see on the PCE ;)

Tatsujin · 09/01/2007, 08:11 AM

never said anything against the FC image fight, just it looks clearly better on the PCE, but still far from the arcade pendant

rag-time4 · 09/01/2007, 01:00 PM

Quote from: awack on 08/31/2007, 07:11 PMSince you like image fight so much i should point out that image fight 2 was also released on the pc engine (super cd), it has far better graphics and sound but is very difficult.

Image Fight 2 is definitely on my want list.... There was one recently at play-asia with the spine for about 80 bucks. I should have bought it.

Toshi of Dream-stars-japan on ebay has a sealed copy for $144, but I don't like to pay extra for sealed games that I'm gonna pop open, unless there are inserts/maps involved that are hard to find.

rag-time4 · 09/01/2007, 01:11 PM

Quote from: nat on 08/31/2007, 06:13 PMI seem to remember playing Image Fight one time a long time ago and thinking it looked and played like an NES game and turning it off.

I'm not trashing the NES or anything here, but I'm kind of a graphics junky. When I'm in the mood for Turbo games I'm usually in the mood for something pretty to look at. Of course this a gross generalization, but you get the idea. And I should mention again it was years ago that I tried playing Image Fight so my memory may be somewhat off.

Terra Cresta II on the other hand, is fucking awesome. Especially after you play into it a little bit. Graphics are above average to great, the music is sweet, and the powerup system is unique. You can design your own flight formation before play. There is some top-notch multi-layered scrolling that actually serves a purpose in places. The "instruments" used in the musical score sound to me like what you would get if you crossed an NES sound chip with the Genesis sound chip. A lot of the audio sounds unlike your typical Turbo chip sound. If we're talking about underrated games, I think Terra Cresta II definitely classifies. There's hardly ever a passing mention of it made here.

Sorry to derail your Image Fight thread. I'll give it another go someday before I write it off forever.... Mostly because I'm curious just how accurate my memory is.

Nat, I agree with you that Image Fight is definitely not all about eye-candy, but the PCE version of Image Fight is way better looking than the NES version, I think.

The music, at least for the first couple stages, is better on the PCE than the arcade version, in my opinion...

But what really does it for me with Image Fight is the gameplay and the difficulty level. Before I figured out how to beat the level 5 boss, I kept failing to kill it in time and kept getting sent to the penalty area about halfway through my lunchbreak. I've never successfully played through the penalty area. My lunch always ends before I can finish it, since I die so often

elnino · 09/01/2007, 03:10 PM

Image Fight simply rox but it's very annoying if you don't want to spend quite some time to get into the game. You have to remember a lot of enemy pattern by heart, else you don't stand a chance, just like R-Type.

elnino · 09/01/2007, 03:16 PM

Quote from: lkermel on 08/31/2007, 10:41 PMBy the way, I finished it on an emulator and the game crashed right after the last boss... I don't think I'll ever be able to finish the real game, but if someone does, I'd be interested to know if the problem is coming from the dumped Rom (or the emulator), or from the actual game...

I've played it through (no 1cc though) and the game didn't crash. Instead you see a REALLY lame ending. Maybe the crash is the better choice, haha

lkermel · 09/01/2007, 04:24 PM

Quote from: elnino on 09/01/2007, 03:16 PMI've played it through (no 1cc though) and the game didn't crash. Instead you see a REALLY lame ending. Maybe the crash is the better choice, haha

Maybe what I took as a crash was the actual ending

I really wanted to finish it to see the end credits and staff behind the game...

LEO EL INCOMPARABLE · 09/01/2007, 09:42 PM

GOOD GAME

esteban · 09/01/2007, 10:30 PM

I know I wrote a mini-review for Image Fight, but I can't find it. I remember I was responding to some INSANE review I found that said that Image Fight was "too easy" and "broken" and other such nonsense. Dammit, it might have been at another board.

Anyway, I like Image Fight... it is rarely discussed, unfortunately, but I dig it.

I haven't played Terra Cresta II, but I'd love to. Nat, sell me your goddam copy already. And Mr. Covell, sell me Image Fight 2.

elnino · 09/02/2007, 05:42 AM

Quote from: lkermel on 09/01/2007, 04:24 PMMaybe what I took as a crash was the actual ending
I really wanted to finish it to see the end credits and staff behind the game...

That could be true, the ugly pixel graphic of your ship in the background really does look like a crash! The only thing you see is a stinky little report from the ship like "I found out the cause of the problem.... it was some space mutant from planet XY.... I shot him in the ass." Then your mothership picks you up and the Game over screen appears, rofl, as if you haven't seen it enough!

rag-time4 · 09/02/2007, 03:41 PM

Quote from: elnino on 09/01/2007, 03:10 PMImage Fight simply rox but it's very annoying if you don't want to spend quite some time to get into the game. You have to remember a lot of enemy pattern by heart, else you don't stand a chance, just like R-Type.

Elnino, I disagree with you a bit on the enemy patterns. I think memorizing the patterns is only important if you're going for 100% kills on every stage.

Because the enemies are not random, however, there is probably a "perfect way" to play through the game without being hit... I really love the game but I don't plan on mastering it to that degree

elnino · 09/03/2007, 01:50 AM

Quote from: rag-time4 on 09/02/2007, 03:41 PM
Quote from: elnino on 09/01/2007, 03:10 PMImage Fight simply rox but it's very annoying if you don't want to spend quite some time to get into the game. You have to remember a lot of enemy pattern by heart, else you don't stand a chance, just like R-Type.
Elnino, I disagree with you a bit on the enemy patterns. I think memorizing the patterns is only important if you're going for 100% kills on every stage.

Well, you kinda do have to go for a 100% kill because if you fail to get at least 90% of the enemies after the first five levels you are not allowed to proceed to level 6. Instead you will be sent to the penalty zone which is nearly impossible to beat even by Image Fight standards since there are no powerups at all!

nat · 09/03/2007, 02:01 AM

Quote from: esteban on 09/01/2007, 10:30 PMI haven't played Terra Cresta II, but I'd love to. Nat, sell me your goddam copy already.

It'll be in the mail shortly right along with Motoroader II.

This thread is making me itchy to get a copy of Image Fight and give it a second chance.

esteban · 09/03/2007, 12:09 PM

Quote from: nat on 09/03/2007, 02:01 AM
Quote from: esteban on 09/01/2007, 10:30 PMI haven't played Terra Cresta II, but I'd love to. Nat, sell me your goddam copy already.
It'll be in the mail shortly right along with Motoroader II.

This thread is making me itchy to get a copy of Image Fight and give it a second chance.

Yeah

. Image Fight is cheap, IIRC, so you should grab it! I don't have the CD game (Image Fight II?), but that is much more expensive, from what I remember.

elnino · 09/03/2007, 01:05 PM

Quote from: esteban on 09/03/2007, 12:09 PMI don't have the CD game (Image Fight II?), but that is much more expensive, from what I remember.

The game is quite expensive, I bought mine for ~$80 w/ spine and consider myself lucky

rag-time4 · 09/03/2007, 02:26 PM

Quote from: elnino on 09/03/2007, 01:50 AM
Quote from: rag-time4 on 09/02/2007, 03:41 PM
Quote from: elnino on 09/01/2007, 03:10 PMImage Fight simply rox but it's very annoying if you don't want to spend quite some time to get into the game. You have to remember a lot of enemy pattern by heart, else you don't stand a chance, just like R-Type.
Elnino, I disagree with you a bit on the enemy patterns. I think memorizing the patterns is only important if you're going for 100% kills on every stage.
Well, you kinda do have to go for a 100% kill because if you fail to get at least 90% of the enemies after the first five levels you are not allowed to proceed to level 6. Instead you will be sent to the penalty zone which is nearly impossible to beat even by Image Fight standards since there are no powerups at all!

How nice is it that this game actually has a "penalty zone"?

Is it a unique feature to this game?

I know what you mean about it... I haven't been able to clear the penalty zone yet. If i get stuck there, it gobbles up the rest of my lunch break!

You know what though, I've beaten the first 5 levels twice on the recruit class with auto fire on in the last few days, and the game locks up on me...

I'm going to try on a higher difficulty setting and see if it lets me continue. When the game locks up after level 5, even the run+select reset won't work...

I've been playing on a USA TurboExpress with a HuCard converter...

rag-time4 · 09/05/2007, 01:30 PM

OK, I cleared the first 5 levels of Image Fight at home, on my USA TurboDuo w/HuCard converter, and I was able to play level 6 just fine, after seeing the groovy little "real fight" intro... (though I got smoked in level 6

)

I tried again this morning on my USA TurboExpress w/HuCard converter at lunch, and once again, the game locked up on me. It doesn't seem to like my TurboExpress...

Anyone have any idea as to why?

Tatsujin · 09/05/2007, 08:21 PM

Quote from: rag-time4 on 09/03/2007, 02:26 PMHow nice is it that this game actually has a "penalty zone"?

Is it a unique feature to this game?

part two has that feature as well ;)

elnino · 09/06/2007, 03:33 AM

Quote from: Tatsujin on 09/05/2007, 08:21 PM
Quote from: rag-time4 on 09/03/2007, 02:26 PMHow nice is it that this game actually has a "penalty zone"?

Is it a unique feature to this game?
part two has that feature as well ;)

It's like real life, you will be punished if you do things half-assedly

rag-time4 · 09/06/2007, 01:16 PM

Quote from: elnino on 09/01/2007, 03:10 PMImage Fight simply rox but it's very annoying if you don't want to spend quite some time to get into the game. You have to remember a lot of enemy pattern by heart, else you don't stand a chance, just like R-Type.

Elnino,

After playing level 6, I now have to agree with you about remembering enemy patterns.

I'm stuck on level 6!

Since the game crashes after level 5 on my TurboExpress, I brought Blazing Lazers to work today and played that one at lunch.

I missed my red pods!!!!

RuninRuder · 12/16/2007, 03:15 AM

I'm late on this. Sorry.

Just played and beat it for the first time tonight (on recruit class, with quite a few continues). I'll play it again tomorrow (I still need to see the infamous penalty zone) and type up a useless mini-review, but for now I just wanted to say great game, and much credit to rag-time for bringing all this attention to it lately.

rag-time4 · 12/16/2007, 01:59 PM

Quote from: runinruder on 12/16/2007, 03:15 AMI'm late on this. Sorry.

Just played and beat it for the first time tonight (on recruit class, with quite a few continues). I'll play it again tomorrow (I still need to see the infamous penalty zone) and type up a useless mini-review, but for now I just wanted to say great game, and much credit to rag-time for bringing all this attention to it lately.

You beat the whole game already?!?!

Man, I'm impressed!

Keranu · 12/16/2007, 06:36 PM

Yeah I also want to comment on this game since ragtime was kind enough to send me it (which arrived on my birthday!). This game is totally awesome and it's amazing how this game isn't talked about more! I think the opening of the game with the first stage might throw a lot of people off into thinking it's some generic shooter, but far from it. Lots of fast-paced intense action!

By the way, ragtime, I made it to the penalty stage and that level is hilariously frustrating! I didn't beat it, but I believe I made it to the last check point and just gave up after a lot of tries. Is there a boss in that level?

rag-time4 · 12/17/2007, 12:44 PM

Quote from: Keranu on 12/16/2007, 06:36 PMYeah I also want to comment on this game since ragtime was kind enough to send me it (which arrived on my birthday!). This game is totally awesome and it's amazing how this game isn't talked about more! I think the opening of the game with the first stage might throw a lot of people off into thinking it's some generic shooter, but far from it. Lots of fast-paced intense action!

By the way, ragtime, I made it to the penalty stage and that level is hilariously frustrating! I didn't beat it, but I believe I made it to the last check point and just gave up after a lot of tries. Is there a boss in that level?

HAHA I've never cleared the penalty zone myself, so your guess is as good as mine as to whether or not there is a boss. For know, I think both of us have no choice to file it under "games that have beaten you" ... although I haven't given up all hope!

When I get my games set up again I'll give it another go.

rolins · 12/18/2007, 01:32 AM

Quote from: runinruder on 12/16/2007, 03:15 AMI'm late on this. Sorry.

Just played and beat it for the first time tonight (on recruit class, with quite a few continues). I'll play it again tomorrow (I still need to see the infamous penalty zone) and type up a useless mini-review, but for now I just wanted to say great game, and much credit to rag-time for bringing all this attention to it lately.

I'm surprised you beat it on your first try. Props to ya mate!

It been a couple months since I last played, but I'm stuck in stage 6. No hints please, I tend to finish it one of these days.

rag-time4 · 12/19/2007, 07:23 AM

Any chance of some competition in the Image Fight high score thread?

Nat and I are awful lonely over there.

It's lonely at the top...

elnino · 12/19/2007, 11:07 AM

Enter elnino, I'll post my high score this evening

rag-time4 · 12/19/2007, 02:12 PM

Quote from: elnino on 12/19/2007, 11:07 AMEnter elnino, I'll post my high score this evening

UH-OH... I think my reign is about over...

Sinistron · 12/20/2007, 09:13 AM

In my opinion one of the top five best overhead hucard shooters.

RuninRuder · 12/20/2007, 09:32 AM

Quote from: rag-time4 on 12/19/2007, 07:23 AMAny chance of some competition in the Image Fight high score thread?

Nat and I are awful lonely over there.

It's lonely at the top...

I should, but my stack of unplayed games is starting to get out of hand.

You and Keranu have convinced me that I need to see the penalty zone, though, so I might get back to IF sooner rather than later. I did check the high-score thread when I was playing it, and you did have me beaten, rag-time.

I'll post a few more IF thoughts in the meantime!

-Smart move by Irem making the option pods change from blue to red and back again before you pick them up. You never feel compelled to grab a pod of a particular color when you'd prefer another. Of course, you still have to hold off the enemies while you wait for the change in shade, which can make for some hectic situations!

-The ability to change your ship speed actually comes in handy mid-game. With most shooters, I just pick the speed I'm comfortable with as soon as I start the game, and don't give it another thought from then on. But in IF, it's advantageous at times to switch gears. In one stage, there are two paths you can take: one leads to the boss, the other to a dead-end where there are a bunch of power-ups. I love to take the daredevil approach, cranking up my speed, grabbing the icons, and zooming back to the correct path before the screen scrolls too far up.

-I'm glad it has a Ninja-Spirit-style audio test mode, because the soundtrack is really interesting. I wouldn't say it's one of the PCE's best or anything, but it struck me as atypical and definitely good overall. I can't decide whether I love or hate the drum sounds.

Quote from: Sinistron on 12/20/2007, 09:13 AMIn my opinion one of the top five best overhead hucard shooters.

Hmm, it's certainly a very cool game, but it has a lot of tough competition! Off the top of my head, I'd say I prefer Blazing Lazers, Soldier Blade, Final Soldier, and Cyber Core. If Salamander counts, I'd toss that in as well. But if IF doesn't make the top 5, it's at least on the very cusp.

nat · 12/20/2007, 11:21 AM

Quote from: runinruder on 12/20/2007, 09:32 AMHmm, it's certainly a very cool game, but it has a lot of tough competition! Off the top of my head, I'd say I prefer Blazing Lazers, Soldier Blade, Final Soldier, and Cyber Core. If Salamander counts, I'd toss that in as well. But if IF doesn't make the top 5, it's at least on the very cusp.

That's kind of how I feel.

I played the game once years ago sometime during the 90's and wrote it off at the time because I thought it was hard and the graphics sucked. I panned the game for years afterwards as having NES-like graphics.

Rag-time inspired me to pick it up again a few months ago and at that point I really discovered it for the gem that it is. I'm a better player now than I was then, too, and it doesn't seem so tough anymore. I still think a lot of the graphics are not up to par with what the system can do, but that's OK because the gameplay is so good.

I still need to pick it up and finish it. I really only sat down with it once since I got it, and that was the day I posted the high score up in rag-time's thread.

rag-time4 · 12/20/2007, 01:18 PM

Quote from: runinruder on 12/20/2007, 09:32 AMI should, but my stack of unplayed games is starting to get out of hand. You and Keranu have convinced me that I need to see the penalty zone, though, so I might get back to IF sooner rather than later. I did check the high-score thread when I was playing it, and you did have me beaten, rag-time.

I'll post a few more IF thoughts in the meantime!

-Smart move by Irem making the option pods change from blue to red and back again before you pick them up. You never feel compelled to grab a pod of a particular color when you'd prefer another. Of course, you still have to hold off the enemies while you wait for the change in shade, which can make for some hectic situations!

-The ability to change your ship speed actually comes in handy mid-game. With most shooters, I just pick the speed I'm comfortable with as soon as I start the game, and don't give it another thought from then on. But in IF, it's advantageous at times to switch gears. In one stage, there are two paths you can take: one leads to the boss, the other to a dead-end where there are a bunch of power-ups. I love to take the daredevil approach, cranking up my speed, grabbing the icons, and zooming back to the correct path before the screen scrolls too far up.

-I'm glad it has a Ninja-Spirit-style audio test mode, because the soundtrack is really interesting. I wouldn't say it's one of the PCE's best or anything, but it struck me as atypical and definitely good overall. I can't decide whether I love or hate the drum sounds.

Quote from: Sinistron on 12/20/2007, 09:13 AMIn my opinion one of the top five best overhead hucard shooters.
Hmm, it's certainly a very cool game, but it has a lot of tough competition! Off the top of my head, I'd say I prefer Blazing Lazers, Soldier Blade, Final Soldier, and Cyber Core. If Salamander counts, I'd toss that in as well. But if IF doesn't make the top 5, it's at least on the very cusp.

Waiting for the pods to change colors is probably the source of at least 75% of my deaths in Image Fight!! Waiting for the color you want (usually red

) does indeed make for some tight squeezes and tough challenges.

I don't find myself changing speeds that much, but I should experiment with it. I usually just set it to 4 and leave it. I also do the daredevil move in level 6 if I need the pods.

Runinruder, if you ever try the arcade version or check out a youtube video of the arcade version you'll see what Ccovell was talking about a few weeks ago with regards to the musical instrumentation used by Irem in the arcades. The tunes are the same but the instrumentation in the Arcade version is very unusual.

I prefer Image Fight to the Soldier series, but I certainly recognize that the Soldier games have much more colorful graphics, and even faster pacing a lot of times. I just love the red pods in Image Fight though and they way they respond to your movement. The soldier games and Salamander don't feel as dynamic to me as Image Fight because you're always shooting in the same direction.

I finally sat down and played the first level of Image Fight 2 yesterday, I'll start a thread on it since you asked me to do so.

EDIT- I just noticed that the youtube poster who put those Image Fight Arcade videos on youtube has only three videos posted, and they're all Image Fight! How sweet is that?