[Wii] Star Soldier R for Wii! With bonus (OFFICIAL) score competition. Prizes from Hudson~

This is a Star Soldier thread. I created it on another forum, thought I'd add to the discussion on this forum.

One of the most important things a console manufacturer must have is an identity. While brand identity can manifest itself in a company's PR and marketing, who a company is largely depends on the games associated with it's system, and this was one of the most crucial aspects to the 8 and 16-bit years. SEGA did well with their Nintendon't campaign, but it wasn't until Sonic debuted that the Genesis began to apex. Nintendo's Mario practically resurrected the games industry. Hudson and NEC joined together to create a console. That console was the PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16.

Hudson knew that a well known, highly regarded game series was needed to push sales. Bonk and Bomberman are probably the first two series most game nerds think of when they think of the PCE. Hudson had a few other exclusive titles as well. Neutopia, Nectaris, and the focus of this post, Star Soldier.

Star Soldier originally started on the NES, but really hit it's stride in terms of speed, style, and gameplay with the PC Engine titles.

The Star Soldier series is known for three things. Great music. Insane weapon system. And Caravan Mode.

Great music you say?

Yes. Great music. Almost rivals Thunderforce, but without being all Cock Rock. Don't believe me? Google. There were a couple of CDs released commercially in Japan that contained the soundtrack as well. Fast. Frentic. Memorable music.

Who doesn't love insane weapons?

Jack Thompson, that's who. But fuck him. I'd shoot at him with my blue laser of death that spreads and snakes around the screen, destroying all that lay within my path. Each game had a slightly refined weapon system that builds upon the last. The weapon system (and maybe even the series itself) was heavily inspired by GunHed/Blazing Lazers, another Hudson produced title. You pick up orbs that correspond to different weapon attributes. Some titles let you combine the weapons, while others allow you to stock them for super bombs.

What is Caravan Mode?

Hudson and their games are hugely popular in Japan, and back at the height of their greatness, and the PC Engine's fandom, Hudson would load up a bunch of games and go on tour. They had a special treat for their fans, though. Originally, Hudson would create small games based on full titles that specifically challenge players to get the highest score within a time limit. Hudson would hold competitions between players at various locations. Eventually, Caravan Mode was added to the full releases, and a variety of Hudson's shmups featured it. Starship Hector, Gunhed, Star Soldier, etc. The objective is to destroy as much on screen, uncover hidden bonuses, beat bosses in a specific way, or solve minor puzzles for extra points.

I've always enjoyed the little graphical touches the game employed. Animated sprites that jump out, morph, and then engage. It was competent, and only rivaled by the likes of Gradius and R-Type. Very little slow down.

Let's get on to the games.


Super Star Soldier

This was the first of the series to hit the PC Engine, and retained the most features from Gunhead. There's no smart bomb, but you are treated to homing missles, as well as some cool Gradius like Options. Some impressive graphical capabilities for 89/90. Pretty difficult. Death means you must start the level over. Maybe Hudson wanted to prepare us for Super R-Type.

Final Soldier

Second in the series, and the worst reviewed of them all. It never made it to the States either. Customizable weapons, Options. Not much had changed over SSS. This is generally considered the weakest of the four PC Engine titles. Graphically it's a bit stale. There are a few cool bosses, but the game largely lacks some of the cool enemy designs that we got with Soldier Blade. It's also somewhat easy compared to the other titles.

Soldier Blade

Soldier Blade, my favorite of the four. Some nice graphical tricks. Loads of stuff on the screen, Blazingly fast scrolling backgrounds. Voice sampling. The Options are gone and in place you're escorted by a pissed off little mecha. By pissed off I mean that you can stock weapon upgrades, hit the II button, and send your little buddy out ahead of you to take out whatever's unlucky to be going against you. Caravan Mode is slightly less hectic than in Final Soldier and SSS.

Star Parodier

Another title that didn't make it to the US. But then again, I don't think a single Parodier game has. Very much influenced by Konami's series. Almost identical in some places and in some enemy designs. YOu have a choice of using one of three ships. A giant Bomberman, a giant PC Engine (with a copy of Super Star Soldier in the slot), or a parody of the SSS ship. Homing missles are back. You also face off against a giant Bomberman boss that is pretty much a level straight out of Bomberman.

There was one final game released before the series went silent. Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth was released onto the N64 around 97 or 98. I never played it, it didn't look very pretty, and reports from those that have played it weren't too promising. Some gameplay changes, along with a change in perspective and a DoDonPachi style combo.

Eventually Hudson would remake Star Soldier for the Gamecube. It proved to be pretty popular, so they ported it to the PS2 and PSP. The series was largely dead until...



Star Soldier R

Star Soldier R Trailer

Star Soldier R 5min Caravan

One of Hudson's developers let it be known, through some unofficial channels, that a new Star Soldier was in the planning stages. Eventually more information pointed to the Wii console. Finally, when Nintendo started to ramp up their WiiWare service, Hudson formally announce Star Soldier R.

So what's the story with Star Soldier R?

There's a couple of changes made for the latest entry.

- There is no "Story Mode". The game consists of only various challenge modes.

- 2 Minute, 5 Minute, and Fast Shot Mode, a small minigame that counts how quickly you can fire your weapon.

- Options are back, and are controllable. Not sure on the details, but videos suggest that you have some type of control over your Options and can organize them to some degree.

- Online leaderboards. First for the series, and probably the defining feature for Star Soldier R. Since there's no level structure, this is what will keep you coming back for more.

Day one purchase for me! Caravan Mode in Soldier Blade is an obsession, and now I don't have to keep my score on an obscure shmup forum! Everyone the world over can see my skills! Will Star Soldier R be WiiWare's defining competitive game a la Geometry Wars or SuperStardust HD? Maybe not, maybe. Regardless, I'll make sure to have a higher score than you!



So why should you buy it?

The Penny Arcade forums have always been a good source of healthy competition. We'll all enjoy placing in the Top 10 on the leader boards, but with a healthy dose of shit talking here from PA, I think we can make the competition a little more intense. Plus I'm better than you and want everyone to know it.

Additional Spam:
HIGH SCORES

2 Minute Mode

5 Minute Mode

Please PM me your high score along with your forum name!
(I'll edit this section in a bit to coincide with the format the game presents high scores in. Or, if you already have the game, please lemme know. I'm stuck at work. )





Good luck!

Additional Spam:
Not trying to question the move or anything, but does this board consider high score based games as multiplayer?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Yeah, it's kind of a general series overview with any Star Soldier R talk. I mean, I imagine if there was any interest some high scores would be shared so, why not encourage it, ya know?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Freelance Wolf

While I love the SS series (although I've only played SS [NES], SS (PSP) and Blazing Lazers if that counts), I'm not sure whether a 2 and 5 min mode is enough for me to get SSR. I would have bought it in a heartbeat if it was a full game though.

I hear lots of good things about Super Star Soldier so I should get it on VC. I already have BL.

I'd get Soldier Blade before SSS, simply because it's a bit easier.

Quote:

but Rotor has

Rotor's a bastard.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Kagosin

Hey he can't help it being in the top 1000 of the leaderboards on that game.

I'm about two ranks below him.

Having trouble getting my combo meter past 1000. If I can do that, Rotor's high score is gone.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?