One of my very favourites... The Moment in level 3 when the clouds open up Just for 3 seconds to have a look at the boss of the stage, and the music suspend, for me, Is pure poetry...
The chief creator of this game is currently the producer of Taito's masterpiece IP reprint project, and appears on Arcade Archives' TH-cam channel about once a month. It was information from Japan.
A friend of mine was selling this along with a couple other Saturn imports a few years ago. Knew nothing about this game at the time, but decided to buy it from him anyways. So glad I did, as this is one of my favorite games on the system. It's also fantastic hearing Sakimoto's music in the background.
Great review. I have this on my ps1. Also, I liked the sponsor you mentioned at the beginning. It'd be great to see more gaming videos on TH-cam have sponsors like locally owned game stores instead of corporate places.
I picked this one up on a whim a few years ago without yet knowing what it was. Very pleasantly surprised when I got home and played it! Love the soundtrack too!
Another classic review for a classic game. One of my favs in fact. Definitely doesn't get the credit it deserves. And with it being relatively cheap, should be in everyone's collection.
Agreed. I've heard nothing but amazing things about Soukyugurentai, and it was one of our most frequently-requested games. Glad I was finally able to make this one!
Just grabbed this game in the last couple weeks! It’s pretty awesome, definitely challenging, and I can see myself going back to it, as you said, to try and master it. It’s a definite balancing act between regular fire and use of the field, knowing when to use either.
I love this radar lock-on method that Soukyugurentai has! The customizations also help with easing a new player into the game. Thanks, your channel introduces me to so many shmups!
Ser, what do you do for a living? The quality of your reviews always blows me away--better than a lot of IGN/mainstream sort of reviews. Yet because shmups are a niche genre it seems like you make these mostly out of pure passion. Which is super impressive.
I've had this since I've owned a Saturn the last couple of years. I have to agree with what you guys have said; it does keep you wanting to come back and play it. Cheers to you for another great review!
It came very close to a 5/5 for us too, but the zoom and pan issues in 2P dropped the score that quarter of a point. If it were a single player game only, definitely though!
SUCH a good series! For a long time I'd been wishing for a really top notch, well produced SHMUP review show and I didn't even know you guys existed! Bullet heaven is a god send! Minus the many ours of sleep I've lost since I found you, digging through the back catalog. :-P You guys should review some Neo Geo shmups! Viewpoint, Last Resort, and the fantastic Pulstar would be great candidates. Not to mention Twinkle Star Sprites (If you can get a copy). The carts are expensive, but the NEOCD copies should be affordable enough! ANYWAY Keep up the good work!
You need to join the Facebook page; you might just like what you see in regards to future episodes planned out =P Glad you enjoy the show! Just don;t put too much faith in the first 13 episodes in the series... they're really rough compared to what we're doing now, and I plan to revisit some of the bigger names we covered back then.
***** Oh MAN! Just checked it out! Can't wait to see those! And that's actually a good thing about the early episodes if you ask me, it just means you're improving! :-) You've definitely got me as a subscriber and I'm looking forward to everything you're putting out!
That sounds pretty neat, though I heard the gameplay wasn't as good overall despite the extra fourth ship. If we ever get a Japanese PS2 (and how have we not yet, really), I'll definitely have to snag it.
GRUSS Newton This is a fantastic channel russ if you are getting into your shooters. You have to look back at all the previous reviews. So many great games. In fact I can only think of one channel that might be better 😀
markhorsburgh Yeah I'm going to watch a few videos later. Just checked the price of this and it's a sensible price on eBay :-) What's this other channel then? ;-) While i've got you.. Which other decent shooters offer 'TATE' mode? Any particular system I don't mind
Unfortunately a most of the pce games don't have it as it never really became mainstream untill ps1/2 era of shooters. The best ones I could recommend is batsugun or battle garegga for the sat. But you may be shocked once you ebay them. Sonic wings on the sat/ps has a good tate option. Aswell as gunbird2 on the dreamcast. All of the 360 shooters has it. Apart from the horizontal ones of course ;-) Have you dabbled into the 360 shooters yet?
markhorsburgh I have looked at 360 but I'm not HDMI equipped up in the cave. I will be posting my custom TATE setup next week though so you'll have to give me your opinion on it and 360 :-) Gunbird 2.. Is that the same as mobile light force. I always get confused :-/
Mobile light force is gunbird one. Mobile light force 2 on the ps2 is castle of shikigami. It is a bit confusing. Gunbird 2 is pretty fun. I shall look forward to your tate setup mate.
Ive been wanting this game for a long time, but work ,family bills etc means I have to pace my gaming habit. Ive also been eyeing Einhander. So my next shmup purchase will be either of the 2. How would anyone here that may know compare the 2 games?
Well, I'd actually give the edge to Einhander. More stages with secret alternate routes, more unlockables, a ridiculously flexible weapon system, a fantastic presentation and a tame scoring system. It's also less expensive on average.
***** I appreciate the info. What about the 'deeper' mechanics of soukyugurentai? On a side note I bought einhander day 1 back in the day. It was my first shooter I ever owned. Get this, I took it back the very next day. Back then I just wasn't into these type of games. Now this is one of my most anticipated games.
i imported the damn thing for 70 AUD and it won't work on my saturn.. Oh well, i'll fire it up on mame.. I have zero qualms doing that when I have paid for it and it's identical. I'd like to get it working though to use that saturn d pad... perhaps I'll get one of those new 8bit do saturn pads for my mac. Cheers. Great game.
@@StudioMudprints No the disc is damaged.. Sorry I should have been more clear..Sale said "very good" condition.. But it must have been a rental in Japan.. it has thousands of scratches on the label side too.. assholes. I do have a Japanese machine I imported one day one before the Australian one ;) I thought might be my saturn but I tested a few games since then and all work fine. I have to send it back.. with mame I can't get the rapid fire option on one button and regular on other.. so.. tired fingers.. am using an sn30 pro and it's pretty decent for shmups I have found.. terrible for fighting games though so don't know whoever said it was such a great d pad! :) PS I have been through this thing when games are listed "as new" or "VGC" in at least a third of the s/h games I buy.. I have even received games with stuck on food crumbs on the disc and what looks like boogie (hard snot).. It's horrible.. I always have to clean them.. but this is the first time one hasn't worked at all. It's too much money to let go and he's going to get a big fat negative too but I'll wait to get a refund first!
Great review sir flash. I got this game years ago because of the praise it gets, and I don't see the appeal at all. Its hard to grasp the hitbox, and the visual style (pre-rendered or whatnot) is very boring. Also to make up for this, the levels aren't anything to write home about in terms of theme and presentation. I also hate the "power up and make the game more difficult" gameplay device; the person who thought of this idea is/was an idiot. All in all, I thought It was an alright shooter. It just failed to grab me like other ones on the system.
I never felt like the hitbox was a huge issue. Some of the zoomed perspectives were a pain though. The theme really only works if you know what's going on, and we dug it; It's cold and heartless in a good way.
In regards to the negative effect on rank from collecting power-ups, that's pretty much every game by Raizing. Big difference with Soukyuugurentai though is that power-ups are completely unnecessary. The NALS mechanic does way more damage and is the only way to score well. Not to mention that collecting power-ups decreases the appearance of the power-up carriers, resulting in fewer bombs.
![Bullet Heaven HD60 #119 - Bangai-O [Dreamcast]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FyX8QDoEoZ8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Bullet Heaven HD60 #119 - Bangai-O [Dreamcast]](/img/tr.png)
![PSX Longplay [477] Soukyu Gurentai Oubushustugeki](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gNZYYrDnWIU/mqdefault.jpg)
You two make some of the BEST in-depth game reviews! Great job
Thanks! We're glad you dig it! Much more to come!
One of my very favourites... The Moment in level 3 when the clouds open up Just for 3 seconds to have a look at the boss of the stage, and the music suspend, for me, Is pure poetry...
The chief creator of this game is currently the producer of Taito's masterpiece IP reprint project, and appears on Arcade Archives' TH-cam channel about once a month. It was information from Japan.
A friend of mine was selling this along with a couple other Saturn imports a few years ago. Knew nothing about this game at the time, but decided to buy it from him anyways. So glad I did, as this is one of my favorite games on the system. It's also fantastic hearing Sakimoto's music in the background.
Great review. I have this on my ps1. Also, I liked the sponsor you mentioned at the beginning. It'd be great to see more gaming videos on TH-cam have sponsors like locally owned game stores instead of corporate places.
I picked this one up on a whim a few years ago without yet knowing what it was. Very pleasantly surprised when I got home and played it! Love the soundtrack too!
Another classic review for a classic game. One of my favs in fact. Definitely doesn't get the credit it deserves. And with it being relatively cheap, should be in everyone's collection.
Agreed. I've heard nothing but amazing things about Soukyugurentai, and it was one of our most frequently-requested games. Glad I was finally able to make this one!
I been waiting for your review on this since day one. Thank you for your review.
Just grabbed this game in the last couple weeks! It’s pretty awesome, definitely challenging, and I can see myself going back to it, as you said, to try and master it. It’s a definite balancing act between regular fire and use of the field, knowing when to use either.
I love this radar lock-on method that Soukyugurentai has! The customizations also help with easing a new player into the game.
Thanks, your channel introduces me to so many shmups!
Level 3 music is the best music ever in the history of all music
joe f It is pretty exquisite.
Almost sounds like it belongs in Final Fantasy Tactics, but still works incredibly well in this game.
Ser, what do you do for a living? The quality of your reviews always blows me away--better than a lot of IGN/mainstream sort of reviews. Yet because shmups are a niche genre it seems like you make these mostly out of pure passion. Which is super impressive.
I've had this since I've owned a Saturn the last couple of years. I have to agree with what you guys have said; it does keep you wanting to come back and play it. Cheers to you for another great review!
I know I'll definitely be back for more!
One of the best shooters out there, seems to be passed over by others but I love the game, 5 out 5 all the way for me!
It came very close to a 5/5 for us too, but the zoom and pan issues in 2P dropped the score that quarter of a point. If it were a single player game only, definitely though!
SUCH a good series! For a long time I'd been wishing for a really top notch, well produced SHMUP review show and I didn't even know you guys existed! Bullet heaven is a god send! Minus the many ours of sleep I've lost since I found you, digging through the back catalog. :-P
You guys should review some Neo Geo shmups! Viewpoint, Last Resort, and the fantastic Pulstar would be great candidates. Not to mention Twinkle Star Sprites (If you can get a copy). The carts are expensive, but the NEOCD copies should be affordable enough!
ANYWAY Keep up the good work!
You need to join the Facebook page; you might just like what you see in regards to future episodes planned out =P
Glad you enjoy the show! Just don;t put too much faith in the first 13 episodes in the series... they're really rough compared to what we're doing now, and I plan to revisit some of the bigger names we covered back then.
***** Oh MAN! Just checked it out! Can't wait to see those!
And that's actually a good thing about the early episodes if you ask me, it just means you're improving! :-) You've definitely got me as a subscriber and I'm looking forward to everything you're putting out!
Just found your channel it’s brilliant thank you
One of my favourite shooters :-)
Worthy, for sure!
Just comes together so well could possibly be my favourite shooter on the Saturn
Woo, she's a doozy! I was really enjoying the OST as the game clips played. Awesome stuff.
Hitoshi Sakimoto is one of our favorite composers; as you can see we really dug this OST!
One of the BEST shooters of *any* generation! \(^-^)/
It is one of my favorites, lovely game. The Playstation version is interesting too with extra video between levels.
That sounds pretty neat, though I heard the gameplay wasn't as good overall despite the extra fourth ship. If we ever get a Japanese PS2 (and how have we not yet, really), I'll definitely have to snag it.
Oh, and I was impressed with your pronunciation! Pros, you are!
We're not nearly on the same level as you with Japanese, but I can still pick apart Hiragana, Katakana and a bit of Kanji =)
Ooh, Blast Wind up next! It'll be interesting to hear what you think of it.
I hope to have that one out by the end of next week!
This game is a true gem.
Got this on Playstation. Wonderful game!
A top tier shooter that is a must buy if you're into Saturn Imports:)
It's just so good!
This looks fantastic!
Subbed! :-)
GRUSS Newton This is a fantastic channel russ if you are getting into your shooters. You have to look back at all the previous reviews. So many great games. In fact I can only think of one channel that might be better 😀
markhorsburgh Yeah I'm going to watch a few videos later. Just checked the price of this and it's a sensible price on eBay :-)
What's this other channel then? ;-)
While i've got you.. Which other decent shooters offer 'TATE' mode? Any particular system I don't mind
Unfortunately a most of the pce games don't have it as it never really became mainstream untill ps1/2 era of shooters.
The best ones I could recommend is batsugun or battle garegga for the sat. But you may be shocked once you ebay them.
Sonic wings on the sat/ps has a good tate option. Aswell as gunbird2 on the dreamcast.
All of the 360 shooters has it. Apart from the horizontal ones of course ;-)
Have you dabbled into the 360 shooters yet?
markhorsburgh I have looked at 360 but I'm not HDMI equipped up in the cave.
I will be posting my custom TATE setup next week though so you'll have to give me your opinion on it and 360 :-)
Gunbird 2.. Is that the same as mobile light force. I always get confused :-/
Mobile light force is gunbird one. Mobile light force 2 on the ps2 is castle of shikigami. It is a bit confusing. Gunbird 2 is pretty fun.
I shall look forward to your tate setup mate.
We need a Switch port of this gem! Come on City Connection!
I'd rather M2 do it, quite frankly.
Def in my top 5 shoot em ups
It's one of those legendary ones that has to be played at some point by everyone.
@@StudioMudprints totally agree greetings from the uk
Ive been wanting this game for a long time, but work ,family bills etc means I have to pace my gaming habit. Ive also been eyeing Einhander. So my next shmup purchase will be either of the 2. How would anyone here that may know compare the 2 games?
Well, I'd actually give the edge to Einhander. More stages with secret alternate routes, more unlockables, a ridiculously flexible weapon system, a fantastic presentation and a tame scoring system. It's also less expensive on average.
***** I appreciate the info. What about the 'deeper' mechanics of soukyugurentai? On a side note I bought einhander day 1 back in the day. It was my first shooter I ever owned. Get this, I took it back the very next day. Back then I just wasn't into these type of games. Now this is one of my most anticipated games.
Top tier shooter for the sega saturn ~_^
i own it and i love it
It's super good.
Is Warpzone still around and if yes did you say Hilliard Ohio?
Yes, and yes!
I'd really like to know the story behind EA publishing this japanese release xD
They also published Battle Garegga, if you can believe it!
i imported the damn thing for 70 AUD and it won't work on my saturn.. Oh well, i'll fire it up on mame.. I have zero qualms doing that when I have paid for it and it's identical. I'd like to get it working though to use that saturn d pad... perhaps I'll get one of those new 8bit do saturn pads for my mac. Cheers. Great game.
Do you have a Pro Action Replay? It should let you play, unless it's the regular version instead of the Otokuyo (or budget) version.
@@StudioMudprints No the disc is damaged.. Sorry I should have been more clear..Sale said "very good" condition.. But it must have been a rental in Japan.. it has thousands of scratches on the label side too.. assholes. I do have a Japanese machine I imported one day one before the Australian one ;) I thought might be my saturn but I tested a few games since then and all work fine. I have to send it back.. with mame I can't get the rapid fire option on one button and regular on other.. so.. tired fingers.. am using an sn30 pro and it's pretty decent for shmups I have found.. terrible for fighting games though so don't know whoever said it was such a great d pad! :) PS I have been through this thing when games are listed "as new" or "VGC" in at least a third of the s/h games I buy.. I have even received games with stuck on food crumbs on the disc and what looks like boogie (hard snot).. It's horrible.. I always have to clean them.. but this is the first time one hasn't worked at all. It's too much money to let go and he's going to get a big fat negative too but I'll wait to get a refund first!
Great review sir flash.
I got this game years ago because of the praise it gets, and I don't see the appeal at all.
Its hard to grasp the hitbox, and the visual style (pre-rendered or whatnot) is very boring. Also to make up for this, the levels aren't anything to write home about in terms of theme and presentation.
I also hate the "power up and make the game more difficult" gameplay device; the person who thought of this idea is/was an idiot. All in all, I thought It was an alright shooter. It just failed to grab me like other ones on the system.
I never felt like the hitbox was a huge issue. Some of the zoomed perspectives were a pain though. The theme really only works if you know what's going on, and we dug it; It's cold and heartless in a good way.
In regards to the negative effect on rank from collecting power-ups, that's pretty much every game by Raizing. Big difference with Soukyuugurentai though is that power-ups are completely unnecessary. The NALS mechanic does way more damage and is the only way to score well. Not to mention that collecting power-ups decreases the appearance of the power-up carriers, resulting in fewer bombs.
I'm downloading the Soundtrack. Anyone else want it?