Soldier Blade!

[soop]

I'm very impressed with Soldier Blade (Thanks Blue!) although my big TV is no good for shooters unless I stand really far away.  That's lesson 1 for me.

I think this may be my favorite 16 bit shooter, past Wind of Thunder, Gate of Thunder and even Super Star Soldier (previous fave).  The thing I like is that it keeps throwing you curveballs to make you think, and each boss (so far) can be beaten with either skill or smarts (and a bit of skill).

I was dying halfway through Operation 2 yesterday (the mid boss is the only time I lost lives on both plays), but I think I'm getting the hang of that boss.  Part of it was the fact that I was so close to the TV I couldn't see what was happening at the bottom of the screen and the top at the same time, and wasn't seeing the pattern of those bullets.

Anyway, I have some questions:
The weapon system.  Allegedly, you have 3 spaces, with the active type on the far right.  Am I right in thinking that if you have 3 pods of ANY colour, the rightmost one will be powered up to max?  And does the first one you collect always give you the helper?

Secondly... is there that much difference between the weapons?  The red pods seem more than enough to do the job.  I don't see much difference in say, max blue and max red.  I haven't played with green much.

Oh, I also take back what I said about R-Type.  It's actually pretty damn good.  I dislike the restart points, and it is a bit hard, but it's very polished, and very smooth.

[esteban]

...
Oh, I also take back what I said about R-Type.  It's actually pretty damn good.  I dislike the restart points, and it is a bit hard, but it's very polished, and very smooth.

Cook knows that Tatsujin will be happy now.

[Tatsujin]

...
Oh, I also take back what I said about R-Type.  It's actually pretty damn good.  I dislike the restart points, and it is a bit hard, but it's very polished, and very smooth.

Cook knows that Tatsujin will be happy now.

He indeed very much is 

[soop]

...
Oh, I also take back what I said about R-Type.  It's actually pretty damn good.  I dislike the restart points, and it is a bit hard, but it's very polished, and very smooth.

Cook knows that Tatsujin will be happy now.

I'm not convinced cook is actually wearing pants

[Digi.k]

As it is it's just a good game.

Would have been fantastic since it came out late in the pce's life that hudsonsoft pushed for an 8mb card and went all out graphically..  *thinking about that just makes me drool*

[soop]

As it is it's just a good game.

Would have been fantastic since it came out late in the pce's life that hudsonsoft pushed for an 8mb card and went all out graphically..  *thinking about that just makes me drool*

I think the graphics are better than something like Spriggan - not too fussy, just big and bold.  It's exactly what I wanted it to be!

[NecroPhile]

Haha!  Another believer in the greatness of Soldier Blade!

Am I right in thinking that if you have 3 pods of ANY colour, the rightmost one will be powered up to max?

Not exactly.  Changing weapons doesn't effect how far they're leveled up, but getting hit (and going down a level) doesn't take away any pods.

And does the first one you collect always give you the helper?

Yep.

Secondly... is there that much difference between the weapons?  The red pods seem more than enough to do the job.  I don't see much difference in say, max blue and max red.  I haven't played with green much.

I'm pretty sure blue is more powerful, but you can't see that with small fry that die easily.  I've never timed how long it takes to smoke bosses with the different weapons, though, so perhaps you're correct.

[soop]

Haha!  Another believer in the greatness of Soldier Blade!

Am I right in thinking that if you have 3 pods of ANY colour, the rightmost one will be powered up to max?

Not exactly.  Changing weapons doesn't effect how far they're leveled up, but getting hit (and going down a level) doesn't take away any pods.

And does the first one you collect always give you the helper?

Yep.

Secondly... is there that much difference between the weapons?  The red pods seem more than enough to do the job.  I don't see much difference in say, max blue and max red.  I haven't played with green much.

I'm pretty sure blue is more powerful, but you can't see that with small fry that die easily.  I've never timed how long it takes to smoke bosses with the different weapons, though, so perhaps you're correct.

Excellent!  All questions answered ;)  Might be time to start packing my GT again, get some practice in on this game!

[Arkhan Asylum]

wait, who doesn't believe in the greatness of the game?

[Obfuscate]

I say I have a 4 way tie for best shooter on PCE but if I HAD to pick one Soldier Blade would be it. As a kid I had both GoT and Soldier Blade and even then preferred Soldier Blade. The weapons don't matter a ton which one you use but I like Blue on lvl 1, Red on lvl 2, Green on 3, Blue the rest on the way until the final board where I go red again. However, if you use a lot bombs you may be switching it up more. Least favorite is non leveled up Blue, I try to switch that if I get down to it.

Game is just great, a good challenge for someone new to it and still a fun challenge for someone that's played a ton to 1 life clear the game. Also, it has the best Caravan mode ever.

[CrackTiger]

wait, who doesn't believe in the greatness of the game?

Game mags bitd.

[nat]

I think this may be my favorite 16 bit shooter, past Wind of Thunder, Gate of Thunder and even Super Star Soldier (previous fave). 

I should hope so, SSS is about as entertaining as the Soldier Blade title screen.

[Samurai Ghost]

For me it's always a toss up between Soldier Blade and Gunhed... Both are such awesome games!

[Obfuscate]

I should hope so, SSS is about as entertaining as the Soldier Blade title screen.

LOL, it's all opinion but in mine at best SSS is average.

Also, Blazing Lazers is only above average, not great for me. Maybe it's because I never played it till I was an adult and have no childhood memories but it's way too long. You could easliy just cut out the first 2 levels. It really doesn't get hard till the last, maybe the last 2 levels so you play like 45 minutes to get to the challenge which drives me bonkers. Hate the balance. The saving grace is it has a lot of fun weapons, good music and graphics but when you break down the gameplay IMO Soldier Blade is superior in every way. Blazing Lazers doesn't even make my top 10 PCE shooters.

[soop]

I don't know why everybody's ripping on SSS.  Yes it may be an average shooter on the PC ENGINE...  But we're a little spoiled for choice.  It's the PC Engine FFS!

I have fond memories of Super Star Soldier.  I was working in a shitty office in '99 or so, and I would download that PC Engine emulator made by Mr Kipling and Jamsponge, and I downloaded SSS and puzznic.  Fun times.  And then it was...   I think the 5th game I bought outside of my original 7.

I really like Super Star Soldier, and I think it could stand proud agains't most shooters on a lot of other systems (maybe the Saturn would be an exception)

[Samurai Ghost]

I should hope so, SSS is about as entertaining as the Soldier Blade title screen.

LOL, it's all opinion but in mine at best SSS is average.

Also, Blazing Lazers is only above average, not great for me. Maybe it's because I never played it till I was an adult and have no childhood memories but it's way too long. You could easliy just cut out the first 2 levels. It really doesn't get hard till the last, maybe the last 2 levels so you play like 45 minutes to get to the challenge which drives me bonkers. Hate the balance. The saving grace is it has a lot of fun weapons, good music and graphics but when you break down the gameplay IMO Soldier Blade is superior in every way. Blazing Lazers doesn't even make my top 10 PCE shooters.

Yeah, you do have a point. Blazing Lazer/Gunhed is a total pushover until the last couple levels and it does get boring at times, while Soldier Blade has a nice difficulty ramp-up that keeps things interesting.

[nat]

If you think Blazing Lazers/Gunhed drones on, you've obviously never played Space Megaforce. You start to wonder if the thing is ever going to end.... before you've even cleared the first level.

[Samurai Ghost]

Well, I guess that's why I still like Gunhed. It's a total pushover until the very end, but it's still enjoyable to play. Sometimes I want to play something extremely hardcore and challenging, other times a breezy game is just relaxing to play though.

And yeah, SSS isn't a bad game in my opinion. Just another solid PCE shooter to me. Nothing really to make it stand out too much, but it's right at home on the system.

[SamIAm]

If you think Blazing Lazers/Gunhed drones on, you've obviously never played Space Megaforce. You start to wonder if the thing is ever going to end.... before you've even cleared the first level.

If you ever find yourself playing it again, may I suggest getting the #3 weapon powered up ASAP and trying to destroy as much scenery/get as many points as possible. That's why it's one of my all-time favorites - the amount of crap to destroy is immense, and trying to get it all keeps you pretty busy and stimulated. On a good day, I can clear 700K before the first boss fight. Give it a shot yourself.

[FraGMarE]

Round here, the community is pretty evenly split on Blazing Lazers vs. Soldier Blade.  I, myself, prefer Soldier Blade but there are just as many people out there that prefer Blazing Lazers.

[spenoza]

I like them both for different reasons. Blazing Lazers definitely has the best sound effects of any shooter on the system.

[grahf]

Well, I really like Super Star Soldier. It's not half as bad as people make it out to be.

[Tatsujin]

Yeah it def. isn't. It has all what a good pce huey shewty needs.

[Nando]

Yeah it def. isn't. It has all what a good pce huey shewty needs.

[spenoza]

WTF is that?

[nectarsis]

WTF is that?

electrolytes ;)

[Nando]

WTF is that?

electrolytes ;)

IT'S GOT WHAT PLANTS NEED!!!

[turbokon]

Well, I really like Super Star Soldier. It's not half as bad as people make it out to be.

Yeah, I don't get it. Out of all three, I prefer SSS, Blade is a close 2nd. The fact that I grow up playing SSS might play a role as to why I like it so much. I didn't play the other two until well into my adulthood. I can still feel the pain every time my ship gets hit. Bing!!

[esteban]

Well, I really like Super Star Soldier. It's not half as bad as people make it out to be.

Yeah, I don't get it. Out of all three, I prefer SSS, Blade is a close 2nd. The fact that I grow up playing SSS might play a role as to why I like it so much. I didn't play the other two until well into my adulthood. I can still feel the pain every time my ship gets hit. Bing!!

You had Cook at "Bing!!"

[soop]

Playd some more today   Totally figured out the 2nd boss, and I totally know how to get around the 3rd too I reckon.  I used the special weapons for the first time, and I SO GET IT!!!!

Loving the game more and more!

[rag-time4]

wait, who doesn't believe in the greatness of the game?

I dont believe the hype soldier blade gets around here. I think its got nice looking artwork, especially the bosses, but overall its decidedly above average and unspectacular. The player weapons are boring, and the special attacks are too powerful. I just dont find anything about the game particularly exciting.

SSS has more interesting weapons, notably the flame, and more memorable tunes. Definitely looking forward to getting Star Parodia to complete the series.

[Samurai Ghost]

Star Parodia is a blast and has a ton of great references but is WAY too easy. No need to make it Twin Bee hard but a little challenge would have been nice...

[Tatsujin]

don't play it on baby easy then ;)

[soop]

Call me doctor, because I just completed operation 3

Can't figure out the flame boss yet, but I will.  Oh, and level 4 ROCKS O____O

[kazekirifx]

Soldier Blade is my favorite Hucard shooter, though other games come very close.

Star Parodia is a blast and has a ton of great references but is WAY too easy. No need to make it Twin Bee hard but a little challenge would have been nice...

I can't agree more about Star Parodia. This game could be fun, but the low challenge really ruins it. Honestly, I've hardly played it, just because the low challenge makes the gameplay so damn boring...

[Samurai Ghost]

Yeah, but I didn't realize there was a hard mode for it as Tatsujin mention, so I should give a shot. But to be honest I usually can't tell the difference between the "normal" and "hard" mode of most shooters. It usually just means a few more random enemies and longer boss battles, but the game remains basically the same. I'll try it out though!

[nat]

I've never tried it on Star Parodia, but "HARD" mode on Final Soldier is significantly more difficult.

[esteban]

Yeah, but I didn't realize there was a hard mode for it as Tatsujin mention, so I should give a shot. But to be honest I usually can't tell the difference between the "normal" and "hard" mode of most shooters. It usually just means a few more random enemies and longer boss battles, but the game remains basically the same. I'll try it out though!

Adjusting the difficulty in Blazing Lazers makes a significant difference. "God of Game" is a wondrously fantastic experience, that, sadly, very few folks play. BL should have had the difficulty settings available immediately from the main menu, then I wouldn't have to hear folks complaining about "how easy" Blazing Lazers is 

[soop]

Yeah, but I didn't realize there was a hard mode for it as Tatsujin mention, so I should give a shot. But to be honest I usually can't tell the difference between the "normal" and "hard" mode of most shooters. It usually just means a few more random enemies and longer boss battles, but the game remains basically the same. I'll try it out though!

Adjusting the difficulty in Blazing Lazers makes a significant difference. "God of Game" is a wondrously fantastic experience, that, sadly, very few folks play. BL should have had the difficulty settings available immediately from the main menu, then I wouldn't have to hear folks complaining about "how easy" Blazing Lazers is   

I don't think Gunhed is easy.  I keep dying on the same part as well...  I'm hoping my Soldier Blade practice will have a knock-on effect on my 16bit shoot-em-up skills.

I was gonna play last night, but we had a power cut, so it was all candles and PSP

[Samurai Ghost]

Yeah, but I didn't realize there was a hard mode for it as Tatsujin mention, so I should give a shot. But to be honest I usually can't tell the difference between the "normal" and "hard" mode of most shooters. It usually just means a few more random enemies and longer boss battles, but the game remains basically the same. I'll try it out though!

Adjusting the difficulty in Blazing Lazers makes a significant difference. "God of Game" is a wondrously fantastic experience, that, sadly, very few folks play. BL should have had the difficulty settings available immediately from the main menu, then I wouldn't have to hear folks complaining about "how easy" Blazing Lazers is   

Wow, I had no idea this existed! I love Gunhed but to be honest I usually fall half asleep during the first 7 levels or so. I didn't realize there were so many codes for this game. Going to check it out as soon as I have the chance!

30 Credits - After pressing Run at the title screen, hold Select until the game begins.
Difficulty Select - At the title or intro screens, hold Select then press (Bomb, Shoot) 10 times. This takes you to a screen where you can choose between "Hard Human" and the default "Normal Dog". Repeat the code once more to add "Super Mania" to the possible selections. Then, do the code still once more to unlock "God of the Game". Once you have your preferred difficulty selected, perform a soft reset to exit this screen.
Sound Test - At the title or intro screens, press (Left, Right) 8 times. This doesn't need to be done particularly quickly, but it must be done accurately. (Holding Select is not necessary.)
Debug Mode - While in Sound Test mode, press Bomb, Shoot, then Select 21 times. If you entered the Sound Test code during the intro, a ship or laser blast may appear at the bottom of the screen. Otherwise there's no indication that you're in debug mode other than you can now select "sounds" higher than 4C.
Stage Select - While in Debug Mode, select a number from 00 to 09. Simply press Run to start normally, or hold Bomb+Shoot and press Run to start with 10 lives, bombs, and respawns.

[shubibiman]

Gunhed, SSS, Final Soldier and Soldier Blade all are great games on their own. They're all so different that I really have hard time saying which is best, except for the caravan modes (Final Soldier has my vote, followed by SSS).

[esteban]

Yeah, but I didn't realize there was a hard mode for it as Tatsujin mention, so I should give a shot. But to be honest I usually can't tell the difference between the "normal" and "hard" mode of most shooters. It usually just means a few more random enemies and longer boss battles, but the game remains basically the same. I'll try it out though!

Adjusting the difficulty in Blazing Lazers makes a significant difference. "God of Game" is a wondrously fantastic experience, that, sadly, very few folks play. BL should have had the difficulty settings available immediately from the main menu, then I wouldn't have to hear folks complaining about "how easy" Blazing Lazers is   

Wow, I had no idea this existed! I love Gunhed but to be honest I usually fall half asleep during the first 7 levels or so. I didn't realize there were so many codes for this game. Going to check it out as soon as I have the chance!

You will have fun, even on the first level, because it is so beautiful with all the psychedelic clouds of bullets .

[ClodBusted]

I downloaded Soldier Blade today for the Wii Virtual Console.

Favourite weapon? It's a tie between the blue and the green one.
I like how the smartbombs act differently depending on the type of weapon you've got equipped. Also the idea of having three weapon slots acting as the smartbomb inventory is pretty new to me.

The music rocks. The graphics look very nice, both spritework as well as the scenery.

For the first time, I played up to the point where you're in the city battling tanks and then going to the desert for that level's boss tank. It took all my remaining lifes in no time with it's main gun beam.


No regrets, no regrets at all.

[ClodBusted]

Aaaaand I just beat the boss tank. After five tries.

Good thing the game has unlimited continues, or it seems so to me.


Up to the next level!

[esteban]

Aaaaand I just beat the boss tank. After five tries.

Good thing the game has unlimited continues, or it seems so to me.


Up to the next level!

It is such a fun game. Quite nice.



YOU WILL HAVE LOTS OF FUN.

[Winniez]

In my book the best game of the system. Gameplay, sound/music, pacing (surprisingly many shooters get this wrong), graphics and the overall feel. Hudson at its absolute best in my opinion.

[johnnykonami]

I discovered Soldier Blade a little late, so hunting for a viable/affordable copy to play.  The prices are pretty crazy on ebay, I need to check Rakuten/Suruga-ya too.  Definitely my fave of the SS series.

[soop]

It's strange to come here for the first time in months and see one of my posts from 2012 on the first page.  Glad we all agree how damn good this game is.  Also, perhaps my fave box art of all time.

[NecroPhile]

Soldier Blade is timeless. 

[esteban]

Soldier Blade is timeless. 

Soldier Blade is timeless, but, sadly, it is also Timeball-less.

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