Anyone else try Galak-Z and this game? How's it compare?

[AgentFlea]

I enjoyed Galak-Z

http://store.steampowered.com/app/300580/GALAKZ/


This looks similar, but with snappier controls. Has anyone played both and care to give a comparison? I'm on the fence because of the similarities (minus handling). But I enjoyed Galak-Z so I'm also thinking about picking this up.

Just don't want it to feel like I'm playing the same game.

[MechaTails]

I just tried Galak-Z and they don't feel at all like the same game. I want to like GZ but I can't get used to the controls

•Edited for clarity and because pedantics. :/

Buy the game, return it if you don't like it. 2 hours is more than enough time to know if you like Cryptark.

[AgentFlea]

Both Rogue-like elements
Both top-down twin-stick shooters with sci-fi theme
Both offer variety of weapons and enemies
Both have elements of weapon purchase strategy

There. 4 ways off the top of my head on how they're similar.
How about 4 ways they're different?

Besides aesthetics and controls. Which I already know.

[Morphic]

Originally posted by Aegis:

Both Rogue-like elements
Both top-down twin-stick shooters with sci-fi theme
Both offer variety of weapons and enemies
Both have elements of weapon purchase strategy

There. 4 ways off the top of my head on how they're similar.
How about 4 ways they're different?

Besides aesthetics and controls. Which I already know.

Uh by that logic Skyrim and Devil May Cry are similar.

Cryptark's equipment is more consistent/"better".(Your loadout should make it to level 3-4)
Cryptark requires pre-planning and some strategy.
Cryptark applies pressure on the player almost constantly.
Cryptark has a "reward system" that gives bonuses for meeting certain conditions.

Basically think of Galak-Z as a Rogue-like Asteroids game. Whereas CRYPTARK is sorta like a Rogue-like Bullet Hell.

Yeah they are very similar on the surface but the actual gameplay functions very differently. With G-Z you have inifnite ammo(cept missiles) a major i-frame evade, Shields Regen and a Gundam transformation. That's before any equipment, so the Player already has a ton of ways to deal with enemies. What G-Z does to overcome this is throw stupidly buffed enemies your way effectively forcing the player to have "good" equipment in order to overcome them in a reasonable fashion.

CRYPTARK on the other hand offers a variety of Suits(needs unlock but easy to do) that have their own initial equipment and specials. So instead of getting an i-frame dodge/gundam you can choose to get an unbreakable shield, Slow-Mo time, AoE fire burst, etc. This already allows the Player to essentially choose a "loadout" that fits their type of Playstyle while being wholly independant of RNG. Now add in the store never changing and only adding options obtained by the player ... and you don't ever feel like RNG screwed you over equipment wise.

Now where G-Z gets "stupid" with their enemy composition and, IMO, absurd stats/AI ... CRYPTARK has System composition. You'll run into combo'es like a Shuffler(changes positions for all systems) a Repair(fixes a destroyed system in ~90 Seconds) and a Backup(instantly replaces a destroyed system). So you need to effectively kill the Backup, then the Repair in ~90 Seconds while hoping the Shuffler doesn't swap it to the other side of the map. All the while enemies are spawning seeking you and whatever other systems/hazards are in place.

They are both similar, on the surface, and really fun games. However they play very differently.

TLDR: Basically it's like comparing Robotron to SmashTV or DigDug to PacMan. They are very similar but play differently. IMO, if you liked Galak-Z you'll most likely enjoy CRYPTARK. Taking my bias with G-Z's development/end content aside; I prefer CRYPTARK overall. You have better control of what you get, most things are "good" with only a handful being "trash" and you have better variety of weapons/equipment/abilities. IMO you should really watch some gameplay of CRYPTARK.

[AgentFlea]

Yeah I meant to compare them on the surface to get a bit more explanation on the differences.
Figured you had a bias by the 3rd paragraph lol

I've seen the gameplay though, and the gameplay was similar, that's why I asked for more differences - Something I wasn't seeing through the Let's Plays.


The variety/equipment is a selling point for me.

It looks like it feels faster paced due to the faster controls. Am just afraid it'll feel too similar to something I already own. Not like I'm sick of G-Z anyway. The difficulty is a plus for me.

Like if I own Formula Fusion, and interested in getting Wipeout.

[Morphic]

Originally posted by Aegis:

Yeah I meant to compare them on the surface to get a bit more explanation on the differences.
Figured you had a bias by the 3rd paragraph lol

I've seen the gameplay though, and the gameplay was similar, that's why I asked for more differences - Something I wasn't seeing through the Let's Plays.


The variety/equipment is a selling point for me.

It looks like it feels faster paced due to the faster controls. Am just afraid it'll feel too similar to something I already own. Not like I'm sick of G-Z anyway. The difficulty is a plus for me.

Like if I own Formula Fusion, and interested in getting Wipeout.

I gotcha. Personally I'm happy I own both. I had a good time with G-Z when it released for PS4, dropped ~40 hours prior to The Void DLC. Then dropped another ~15 before my disappointment with development got the better of me.

CRYPTARK on the other hand has been a solid blast. I've had a few bouts of frustration with it initially but kept with it. I'm really digging having different Suits since it spices up my runs. Local Co-Op is a nice plus. Currently I'm sitting at ~20 on PC and I'd wager I got another ~20 on my PS4. IMO, Cryptark becomes very frentic on a consistent basis if you don't "go stealth". It's akin to being in a 3-way fight in G-Z ... just all the time lol.

Though I will admit CRYPTARK doesn't hold my interest for extended periods like G-Z did.(GZ feeds my inner child that grew up with Macross and Robotech) So I basically use CRYPTARK like I use FTL; fun games you play to kill ~30 minutes when you can't play anything else.

[Jonathan]

Originally posted by Aegis:

Both Rogue-like elements
Both top-down twin-stick shooters with sci-fi theme
Both offer variety of weapons and enemies
Both have elements of weapon purchase strategy

Cryptarch is not "top-down".

[100% Wolf Urine]

Yeah I had described Cryptark as "Galak-Z meets the old NES game Air Fortress".

I couldn't get into Galak-Z though. It was frustrating because with the movement and aiming, one stunk with a mouse + keyboard and the other stunk with a controller (forget which). So you were stuck with either imprecise aiming or movement no matter which input choice you made.