THE BORE

General => Video Game Bored => Topic started by: iconoclast on April 24, 2011, 09:55:16 AM

Title: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: iconoclast on April 24, 2011, 09:55:16 AM: :american

Quote
Aksys may have released Deathsmiles in North America, but Cave is taking care of Deathsmiles 2X themselves. The news comes from the ESRB, which rated Deathsmiles 2X and listed Cave as the publisher.
http://www.siliconera.com/2011/04/24/cave-releasing-deathsmiles-2x-in-north-america-hells-christmas-has-frozen-over/

This is pretty good news. Cave publishing it themselves is pretty interesting; that means they might bring over their other Japan-only like games, Dodonpachi Daifukkatsu, Daifukkatsu Black Label, and Akai Katana Shin. Ketsui and Dai Ou Jou are probably a no go since they were licensed to 5pb, but who knows.

My impressions of the Japanese version (having cleared both modes on it):
- There's a decent variety of characters to choose from (in Arcade mode you have Windia, Supe, Casper, and Lei), but the only one I find fun to play as is Lei because he builds the multiplier extremely fast, which means you can focus on scoring for most of the stage.
- The scoring system is fast-paced and fun. I'm not sure I'd call it an improvement over the original game, but it's different and it's just as good. You have to focus on building two different multipliers, and then you use the lock-shot throughout the stage to kill enemies and spawn suicide bullets. Once you release the lock shot, all of the suicide bullets turn into items. It's great.
- Unfortunately, the Arcade mode was tacked onto the port at the last minute, so the graphics are still low-res and there aren't many options to mess with.
- The graphics (in Arcade mode) are entirely 3D and it looks pretty ugly.
- Overall, it's maybe slightly more challenging than Death Smiles 1 while playing ranks 2 and 3 (which means no suicide bullets and no EX stage). There are no adjustable difficulty ranks in the DS2 arcade game, so what you see is what you get. Still, it's pretty easy to clear.
- 2X mode is exclusive to the 360 port, and this is clearly the mode they spent most of their time on. The graphics are HD widescreen and look very nice, there are two more characters to choose from (Follett and Rosa), there are two more stages (a medieval castle and Satan Claws' theme park), adjustable difficulty ranks have returned, and it has a new scoring system. The new scoring system is decent, but it's not as good as the Arcade game's and it's not as exciting. Suicide bullets now have a colored trail behind them, which indicates how many points you'll receive when you launch them. It starts out green, then moves to yellow, and then finally red (IIRC). They disappear if you keep them on screen for too long, so you have to launch them once you've got as many red trails on screen as possible. And once you launch them, the screen gets completely covered in point items, so it's very satisfying. Unfortunately, Follett kinda breaks the scoring system, since her familiar can milk items out of enemies like nobody's business.
- Tsukaima Race is some weird arrange mode where you control one of the girls' familiars and try to reach the finish line on a bunch of different stages. It's bad and Cave should feel bad.
- The art is nowhere near as good as the original game. It looks kinda cheap and rushed, which can also be said for the game itself.
- The music is great.

TL;DR, it's a good game, but it's not as good or refined as the original. I'd give it an 8.5/10 (whereas DS1 would be a 10).

Anyway, I'll double dip for sure (once it hits the bargain bin) if it has a separate achievement list. It's pretty easy to 1000.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: demi on April 24, 2011, 10:38:58 AM: They're gonna learn real hard why they should stay in Japan
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: iconoclast on April 24, 2011, 10:45:15 AM: Death Smiles 1 sold more in the west than it did in Japan.

Some westerners have taste after all. 8)
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: Joe Molotov on April 24, 2011, 10:59:35 AM: Weaboos bought it because they thought it was a loli diddling game.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: iconoclast on April 24, 2011, 11:11:53 AM: Judging by the NA leaderboards... you are probably right. :(
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: Bebpo on April 24, 2011, 12:54:44 PM: cool

It's the only Cave X360 shmup I didn't buy cause I was hoping for a US release. Will pick up whenever it comes out.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: choco parfait on April 24, 2011, 03:24:34 PM: Quote from: demi on April 24, 2011, 10:38:58 AM
They're gonna learn real hard why they should stay in Japan

Unfortunately true. Not because of the nicheness, but because of the 360 environment nowadays, it's impossible for niche publishers to make a sustainable profit. If MS wasn't so draconian, it would totally be feasible for Cave to go the NISA route and appeal directly to a niche crowd and carve out an existence.

Which is exactly the reason why 2X wasn't brought over in the first place, even though DS sold decently well, because it wasn't good enough.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: Trent Dole on April 24, 2011, 05:34:42 PM: Quote from: choco parfait on April 24, 2011, 03:24:34 PM
Quote from: demi on April 24, 2011, 10:38:58 AM
They're gonna learn real hard why they should stay in Japan

Unfortunately true. Not because of the nicheness, but because of the 360 environment nowadays, it's impossible for niche publishers to make a sustainable profit. If MS wasn't so draconian, it would totally be feasible for Cave to go the NISA route and appeal directly to a niche crowd and carve out an existence.

Which is exactly the reason why 2X wasn't brought over in the first place, even though DS sold decently well, because it wasn't good enough.
What are MS policies that are going to fuck them up while NISA is able to thrive on PS3?
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: Ganhyun on April 25, 2011, 09:01:41 PM: My girlfriend loves the first Death Smiles game, so she'd probably love for this one to port over too. :)
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: originalz on April 26, 2011, 01:32:08 AM: Quote from: choco parfait on April 24, 2011, 03:24:34 PM
Quote from: demi on April 24, 2011, 10:38:58 AM
They're gonna learn real hard why they should stay in Japan

Unfortunately true. Not because of the nicheness, but because of the 360 environment nowadays, it's impossible for niche publishers to make a sustainable profit. If MS wasn't so draconian, it would totally be feasible for Cave to go the NISA route and appeal directly to a niche crowd and carve out an existence.

Which is exactly the reason why 2X wasn't brought over in the first place, even though DS sold decently well, because it wasn't good enough.

This makes no sense, there are plenty of niche games out for the 360.

I get the feelign that this game wasn't brought out by Aksys because Cave wanted to do it themselves, possibly because DS did pretty well in the west. I personally feel that Aksys did a terrible localization of the game, so I'm happy to see Cave take care of everything themselves. Still, not sure if I agree with this being the title to get their feet wet with.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: choco parfait on April 26, 2011, 01:53:17 AM: Quote from: originalz on April 26, 2011, 01:32:08 AM
This makes no sense, there are plenty of niche games out for the 360.

There used to be many niche games out for the 360. Look at the landscape nowadays, things have changed, and it's because of MS.

Quote
I get the feelign that this game wasn't brought out by Aksys because Cave wanted to do it themselves, possibly because DS did pretty well in the west.

Not exactly true. Cave took over likely because Aksys was unwilling to take up 2X.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: HyperZoneWasAwesome on April 26, 2011, 03:36:48 AM: It sold okay-ish for Aksys. They ended up holding the bag on lots of their collectors bundles and marking them down.

It was far from a failure, but Aksys isn't big enough to roll the dice again on something that only perhaps made them a modest profit the first time.

And yes, it probably would help its saleability in the west if it weren't so massively uguu.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: demi on April 26, 2011, 08:53:05 AM: Quote from: choco parfait on April 26, 2011, 01:53:17 AM
Quote from: originalz on April 26, 2011, 01:32:08 AM
This makes no sense, there are plenty of niche games out for the 360.

There used to be many niche games out for the 360. Look at the landscape nowadays, things have changed, and it's because of MS.

Solid proof
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: iconoclast on April 26, 2011, 10:57:30 AM: Yeah, Aksys had distinguished mentally-challenged expectations for the game in the first place and the localization was comically bad. I won't miss them (though I do appreciate that faceplate).

Cave publishing this could mean it's a downloadable game only, since Cave doesn't have any offices in the west (as far as I know). I could see it being released as a Games on Demand title, but has any game ever been GoD exclusive, without a retail release?
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: demi on April 26, 2011, 11:03:57 AM: No, and I doubt it will happen.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: choco parfait on April 26, 2011, 05:38:44 PM: Quote from: iconoclast on April 26, 2011, 10:57:30 AM
Yeah, Aksys had distinguished mentally-challenged expectations for the game in the first place and the localization was comically bad.

It honestly has nothing to do with expectations, but about doing well enough to sustain profitability. DS did well, but it did not do well enough. That is all.

Quote
But has any game ever been GoD exclusive, without a retail release?

No. But the RE4/Code Veronica HD ports may possibly be the first, as they had the GoD logo on the CM. But Cave is definitely foolish enough to go for a retail release, they'll do it. My only regret is their first and last foray has to be 2X and not some other awesome shmup.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: iconoclast on April 26, 2011, 06:50:48 PM: Quote from: choco parfait on April 26, 2011, 05:38:44 PM
My only regret is their first and last foray has to be 2X and not some other awesome shmup.

Well, it's not like they have much to choose from: Futari, Galuda 2, and MMP&PS are region free, so most of the people who would buy them already have. Ketsui and DOJBLEX were licensed to 5pb, so they probably can't release those (especially DOJ). All they have left is Daifukkatsu and Death Smiles 2, and I'd definitely take DS2 over DFK.

Or they could just wait a while longer and release Akai Katana, which looks way better than both of those games (but Death Smiles is still more popular).
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: choco parfait on April 26, 2011, 09:20:22 PM: I'd take Akai Katana over 2X.

I don't think Deathsmiles actually has a "brand popularity" in the US other than the obvious loli connotation.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
I'd take Instant Brain over all the shmups actually.
[close]
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: originalz on April 27, 2011, 11:29:59 PM: Akai Katana is way too new to bring over, they need to make their money by selling expensive Japanese copies of the game before it'll be put out as a budget game in the States. I don't think it would be a bad idea to release their region-free games overseas, though. Sell them for $20-30, give it a good cover and a serious localization and you'd probably get enough pickups, especially since reviewers love everything by CAVE for whatever reason.

Personally, I'd think that Bullet Soul could do well in the west with the right push. It's a total 90s-style shooter that's all about big explosions and racking up crazy bonuses with an easy to understand game system. Hell of a lot easier to show off than some complicated chaining system.

Perhaps Deathsmiles iPhone edition will have some promotions for 2X, would make sense.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: iconoclast on April 27, 2011, 11:36:50 PM: Quote from: originalz on April 27, 2011, 11:29:59 PM
especially since reviewers love everything by CAVE for whatever reason.

It seems they're slowly reaching Treasure status with the general gaming public. I can get behind this, since they're at least a tier above Treasure. (Ikaruga and Guardian Heroes are still awesome though)

But, they still get the occasional review from a dunce who wonders why their games aren't $10 XBLA downloads. They've still got a ways to go.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X coming to America?
Post by: iconoclast on May 12, 2011, 07:20:42 PM: http://cave-game.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2011/05/post-2950.html

Coming to Games on Demand on May 17th. $29.99.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: originalz on May 12, 2011, 10:50:29 PM: Interesting. Wonder how they'll be able to market it properly. If they just stick it on GOD without any advertisement or press, it'll die.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: pilonv1 on May 12, 2011, 10:52:42 PM: These are IP locked arent they?
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: iconoclast on May 12, 2011, 11:11:27 PM: I think so. I'd bet Cave is skipping an EU Games on Demand release for now because they want Rising Star to pick it up for a retail release.

The only marketing I see coming from this is an advertisement on the Xbox 360 Spotlight channel. "Japanese import games only available on GoD!" or something. And they'll probably send some press releases to the usual gaming sites.

But in the end, it's gonna sell like shit. People will wonder why this game costs $30 when they can get Strania, Trouble Witches, Ikaruga, Guwange, etc. for $10 on XBLA. Especially since Strania is a better game. ;)
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: Trent Dole on May 13, 2011, 12:15:03 PM: Download only? :yuck ...aaand apparently it is untranslated as well.
http://www.siliconera.com/2011/05/12/deathsmiles-2x-dodges-retail-hits-games-on-demand-next-week/
I'd like to support this since I dig shmups and all but, uh, no.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: Bebpo on May 13, 2011, 12:48:51 PM: lol

Well, uh, I personally wouldn't mind if they released niche untranslated region-locked Japan-only X360 games for $30 instead of the $80-100 import price. But it's kind of dick to people who don't play import games in the first place.

I wonder what they could even bring over besides shmups. I doubt they'd bring over untranslated visual novels. And X360 doesn't have many JPN only games besides shmups/visual novels.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: iconoclast on May 13, 2011, 05:10:01 PM: There are a few other games (Arcana Heart 3, No More Heroes, gal gun, phantom breaker, Tetris TGM Ace, Virtual On Force + all the region free stuff) but yeah it's mostly shooters & VNs.

I'd love it if this were successful. Give me Shikigami 3, Shooting Love 200x, Mamoru-kun, Radirgy Noah, and the rest of the games I don't want to pay $80 for.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: pilonv1 on May 14, 2011, 05:44:20 AM: Idolm@ster pls :heart
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: Bebpo on May 14, 2011, 05:48:49 AM: you mean Id@lmaster 2 plz 8)
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: pilonv1 on May 14, 2011, 07:21:43 AM: one of them
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: Trent Dole on May 14, 2011, 09:12:42 PM: Lolimaster can stay in Japan. Are games on demand seriously locked to the console they're downloaded on? So if I get this then my 360 craps out I'm sucked? If so I am staying away, if I can restore it then I might bite since they let you get this with points and I'll be able to snag a card on Thursday. Here we come a-waffling~
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: iconoclast on May 14, 2011, 09:41:10 PM: The only GoD game I have is Ninja Gaiden Black and I had no trouble moving it over to my current console after my old one died. It's probably just like XBLA games.

That's just a guess though, I really have no clue.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: demi on May 14, 2011, 11:58:50 PM: Quote from: Trent Dole on May 14, 2011, 09:12:42 PM
Lolimaster can stay in Japan. Are games on demand seriously locked to the console they're downloaded on? So if I get this then my 360 craps out I'm sucked? If so I am staying away, if I can restore it then I might bite since they let you get this with points and I'll be able to snag a card on Thursday. Here we come a-waffling~

in what situation has this ever been the case.
Title: Re: Death Smiles 2X (NA) - Games on Demand, May 17th, $29.99
Post by: iconoclast on May 17, 2011, 06:56:11 AM: The game's out. 1.19 GB

It's also easy to get 1000/1000 on this, btw. It doesn't have any God Hard achievements like most Cave's games.