Tag: Espgaluda II »

One year after another, everyone always gets consumed with the latest and greatest games. People are usually focused on what’s next, and that was the case for me as well in most situations. However, after not giving much appreciation to shmups on iOS, my mind was changed after reviewing Danmaku Unlimited 2 earlier this year. All of a sudden I didn’t mind the idea of using my finger to play shmups rather than my previously preferred method of a console controller. This year, being focused on the present also reminded me of previously-released games and making a journey into familiar addictions; but this time on iOS.

One of the best things about shooters is that they usually come with a good scoring system for the leaderboards. I love shooters, so I am greatly addicted to high score runs and placing myself near the top of the rankings. So naturally with my new found love for shooters on iOS came an even bigger addiction to placing as high of a score as possible on Game Center leaderboards. All of a sudden I wasn’t just reviewing games like Danmaku Unlimited 2, Plasma Sky, and Liberation Maiden; I was learning to master them by earning a respectable placement on the leaderboards and then sharing that with friends.

I pretty much did my best to put up a quality time or score on all games I reviewed this year that came with a leaderboard. 2013 was also a year of Game Center addiction.

CAVE WORLD makes awesome shooters. And as sure as they make awesome shooters, they also have seasonal sales. This summer, beginning tomorrow (8/10) and wrapping up next Sunday (8/18), a number of their highly acclaimed games will be getting price drops. These include the likes of Dodonpachi Resurrection and my own personal favorite, Deathsmiles.

The full list is below, but know that there's bound to be something there that you'll want.

MUSHIHIMESAMA BUG PANIC - ($6.99 -> $4.99)
Deathsmiles - ($11.99 -> $6.99)
Espgaluda II - ($7.99 -> $5.99)
Dodonpachi Resurrection - ($7.99 -> $5.99)
Bug Princess - ($4.99 -> $2.99)
Dodonpachi Blissful Death - ($4.99 -> $2.99)
Bug Princess 2 - ($6.99 -> $4.99)
Bug Princess 2 BLACK LABEL - ($13.99 -> $6.99)
DODONPACHI MAXIMUM - ($11.99 -> $6.99)
Espgaluda II HD - ($13.99 -> $10.99)
Dodonpachi Resurrection HD - ($13.99 -> $10.99)

A couple of months ago we mentioned that Cave was working on an HD version of Espgaluda II for the iPad, but at the time they didn't disclose much else. We just knew that it was a thing. Well Cave has since chipped away at the ice a bit.

The "Guinness-recognized 'danmaku' shooter!" is indeed being refitted with high definition displays in mind, however it's looking like this HD release will be exclusive to the iPad 2. At least for the time being. In addition to the remastered visuals - although according to the press release, the backgrounds and "some other graphics" will retain their SD quality - the "iPhone Mode" is being re-dubbed "Smartphone Mode" and receiving a new soundtrack by Kenichi Fukui and “KAY.”

Of course, that's not all. Along with all this HD craziness, the current iPhone/iPod Touch version of Espgaluda II is getting a bit of a revision. For starters, the soon-to-be newly dubbed Smartphone Mode will also receive the new soundtrack. So there's no need for audiophile non-iPad users to feel left out. Secondly, the full version will also get two separate "split" versions: Arcade and Smartphone. Each one will contain the full content of its titular mode, but won't contain the other. Of course, the Full version will still be available, and contain everything. I'm guessing (keyword: guessing) this was done to allow more frugal App Store shoppers a way in, so to speak.

There's still no official release date or pricing, but Cave promises that it'll all be posted "soon" on their homepage. I'd strongly suggest iPad 2 owners with a love of bullet-hell keep an eye on it. Or here. We'll probably mention something here, too.

This morning I got to sit-in on a streaming presentation by Cave World as they announced the particulars of their pending DEATHSMILES update. Options have been added, settings have been tweaked and lots of extra content has been tossed in that should keep the fans quite happy for a while. And they announced another game or something.

The update will include two new special features: First, players can unlock new costumes for Princess Tiara in iPhone Mode (eight plus her default, it looks like) by fulfilling "special conditions" such as clearing Normal Mode. The second addition is a jigsaw puzzle, similar to the one found in Mushihimesama BUG PANIC. Players can unlock pieces as they play and pick up equipment in-game and eventually put the whole thing together. What this accomplishes, aside from looking spiffy, wasn't talked about, but it's yet another carrot to keep players interested so it's hardly a bad thing. As is the "hidden" BGM that can be unlocked by using some "special technique."

In addition, special DLC weapons will be available for purchase. One of the DLC weapons, the "Golden Horn," was shown off and looked to be somewhat of a screen-clearing powerhouse. None of these weapons (ranging in price from $2.99 - $3.99) will be required for achievements or unlocking content, but Cave fans probably won't be able to resist using guns from Dodonpachi Ressurection in their game.

Last on the list of additions is a number of unspecified bug fixes and screen adjustment options. Now players will be able to shift the screen to the left or right in order to keep finger obscuring to a minimum, and the display can be reoriented (FINALLY) to accommodate those of us who hate holding our iPhones the wrong way. Oh come on, it's totally awkward with the Home button on the left. Admit it.

But updates to their newest shooter aren't the only thing they had in store. Cave World producer Masa King, clad in a French maid uniform (seriously), showed off a trailer for their upcoming social sim game: Castle Creator. Castle Creator lets players create their own castle town in feudal Japan, register their location and "skirmish" with other players when their town is big enough. There's no specific date yet, but it is in production and should be out later this year.

Mention of a Mushihimesama BUG PANIC soundtrack CD release (featuring 24 tracks) was also made, but I think the bigger announcement was Espgaluda II HD. It was a last-minute thing, and aside from a very brief demo virtually no information was given, but iPad owners should still be getting plenty excited. It looks gorgeous.

DEATHSMILES owners can look forward to the update sometime within the next day or so.