S+ ranks are starting to make me hate this game

[powerofdusk]

The flaws in the design really start to reveal themselves once you start trying to S+ every level. I thought this was going to be a game where I would want to replay levels to keep trying to up my PB or getting higher on the leaderboards, but I man I get almost no satisfaction or fun from completing some of these levels, it's just pure frustration and annoyance. Once I get the S+ I think to myself "thank god that is over with, I never want to play this level again". The spike mines have got to be up there with the Cliff Racers from Morrowind as some of the most annoying enemies in a video game. What were they thinking when they designed them?! Especially the containers that, once you destroy, fire them out at a ridiculous distance. Add to that the slow movement speed and the environment gimmicks they add to later levels. It hasn't turned me off the game completely, I still had a great time my first run through and there seems to be a lot of content to the game, It's just really unfortunate to me. Kind of just make this a good game instead of the great one it could have been. Also to be fair, I've only been playing as Cactus. Haven't tried any of the other androids yet, so I realize some of my problems can be addressed with the other characters. I know this is an old game and maybe has been talked about ad nauseam by this point, but I really needed to vent a bit. Anyone else share the same feeling?

[xaxazak]

S+ is a challenge you choose to take upon yourself. There are people (incl me) who enjoy gaining all the S+, and others who don't.

If you dislike doing it, what is actually making you do it? For me, teaching myself to just play the bits of games I enjoy has made gaming more fun.

That said, I'd recommend definitely playing through the whole game and learning all characters before focusing on S+, because most people (at least according to comments) find their skill increases for quite a while and what seemed incredibly hard early on eventually becomes relatively easy.

Lastly some mine tips - watch for falling mine shadows, and practice using weapon-switch invulnerability if you're about to get done by a mine.

[powerofdusk]

I've completed the main campaign, and have gotten S+ on at least half of the levels so far. I'm continuing to do it because overall I do still like the game, I just think there is an unfortunate amount of cheapness to some of the levels and enemies. I agree I need to try out some of the other characters and maybe more time is needed (only have 8 hours so far). Regarding the mines, I have noticed the shadows. Unfortunately sometimes they drop right on top of you, and the character feels so slow, it feels unavoidable. If i'm not instantly being KO'd (another annoyance, instant KO attacks) from them being dropped on me, then it's the AOE attack they release once you do destroy them. Not to mention they do gravitate towards you, and cause chain reaction AOE's. The weapon switch dodge can only help me to escape so much, they usually throw several at you at once.

[xaxazak]

I find I'm usually running full speed without turning much when mines are dropping. This usually prevents them falling on my head.

I do agree somewhat that the focus on minimum skill (requiring a perfect run) rather than average (mean) skill is less fun. I'd personally rather S+ was something like [completion time] minus [volts (s) collected x 0.1s] < [fixed limit]. But that's just MHO.

[powerofdusk]

well your point proven, I just figured out you can spam the weapon switch dodge. I, for some reason, thought I had to use up the secondary weapon ammunition and let it refill before I could use it again.

[XxBarakaxX]

I know this feeling and thoughts :D , but I love the game. In 2-3 Levels its so hard to become S+. They are very fun levels to beat,

[powerofdusk]

Yeah, honestly I don't hate the game, that first post was more venting. Though I still agree with some of my criticisms. I'm currently taking a break from the game, but I do want to finish up getting all the S+'s with all the characters (I have at least 75% so far), then maybe see what the nightmare that NG+ is.

[Groove Wizard]

I feel you. I've been trying to get all the S+ as well, and I've been stuck for 2 days on Collider, which a lot of people seem to agree is by far the most difficult level. I did get frustrated a number of times, and I agree that, with S+ requirements in mind, mistakes were made in the design.

Still, you eventually get there every time, even if, as you mentioned, spike balls are unfair. It only took me 9 hours to get all the S+ but the last two, and I've actually been enjoying the game since I got to the last world, while most of the previous stages all just felt like "dramatically easy to beat, ridiculous to S+".

I took a break at some point to try Infinity Drive and play more "as intended", like caring less about keeping the chain up and more about surviving, and that definitely renewed my excitement.

[xaxazak]

Originally posted by Sad Clarity:

Collider, which a lot of people seem to agree is by far the most difficult level.

The other contender would be Medulla, which was for me far harder to get with all androids - half the issue is it just takes soo long to get to the hard part, which is the only part of S+ that has total time pressure (no ).

With Collider, I think the trick is to really pay attention to when the is about to spawn, and make sure to knock her down or only kill nearby things when it is.

[Groove Wizard]

Originally posted by xaxazak:

With Collider, I think the trick is to really pay attention to when the :batterypower: is about to spawn, and make sure to knock her down or only kill nearby things when it is.

About that, is anything indicating when batteries are about to spawn, or is it just about relying on your instinct ?

[xaxazak]

Originally posted by Sad Clarity:

About that, is anything indicating when batteries are about to spawn, or is it just about relying on your instinct ?

I used instinct - even if I did know the formula, counting AAC kills accurately is probably beyond me. The basically spawns after a level-specific number of s are dropped. More explanation here[assaultandroidcactus.miraheze.org].

[Groove Wizard]

Thanks for the info!

I meant to reply earlier, but forgot about it. Anyway, I just did it!

And it basically took me half the time I needed to S+ the rest of the game. That's a tough fight for sure. Now I get to see what Medulla is about.