Understanding the basics?

[nightblade628]

I've just got this on PS4 for around £10 I think (without DLC, sadly), and this game is making me feel so stupid. I can't seem to wrap my head around the basics. I've read the DB website which explains a few things, but I'm lost otherwise.

Firstly, I'm very confused about the differences between the various modes. I sorta gather that AC is the original Arcade mode, while CS is the newer mode. But AC has several modes within it and I have no idea what they mean.

If I'm looking for a straightforward single player campaign with (hopefully) the ability to unlock ships or upgrades, do I go CS mode or one of the AC sub-modes?

Also, on CS mode I've noticed all the ships are locked and look like you need a minimum score to unlock them. Except my minimum score is non-existent because every time I start making progress and get to the fourth level, I die completely and have to start all over again. Why not just allow you to continue from the beginning of the level you were last at?

Is there some kind of difficulty setting I'm missing? Must I just pray that I don't die through 5/10/50/500 or however many straight levels or risk starting from scratch?

I do want to get good at this but it seems to have insane penalties for failure. I know the trick is in the angled burst mode that blocks bullets, but it's not so much bullets as it is a giant boss moving around in circles and just crushing me because I can't get out of the way quick enough. Dying is all part of learning, but losing nearly half an hour's progress at a time is frustrating as hell. I must be doing something wrong somewhere.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated, if someone could even just point me in the direction of a beginners guide, walkthrough, FAQ, or manual (apart from the basic stuff on the official website) I would be so grateful. Thanks guys.

[KingfossilFER]

Withing AC, Original mode is the regular arcade mode where you can keep continuing as much as you want. Dont bother picking easy mode because its pointless.

Original EX is a hard version.

Event mode does nothing

Chronicle saviours is basically CS mode with 2 screen layout and intended to be completed with the help of everyone in the same cabinet you chose at the beginning.


CS mode is a mix of campaign with challenge mode.

BTW is it the first mission in CS where you keep dying?

[nightblade628]

Thank you for that!!! That's a huge help already! Why do you say Easy Mode is pointless? Is it too easy or not easy enough? AC mode seems really stretched (tiny ships and two huge black bars top and bottom of the screen), like it should be played on two monitors as opposed to a Widescreen TV, guessing it's meant to look like that?

In CS mode, it's the first level, Oruriba, on Stage 4 (giant blue and grey Eel boss) that starts wrecking me. If I could just start from the beginning of stage 4 instead of having to go back all the way to the beginning...

[John4300]

I think you are meaning Lightning Prison on Oruriba? (If I remember correctly...)

Some tips in general, you should concentrate on killing blue enemies and getting the blue shield power ups. After you have golden shield, every shield power-up gives you 3 more shield units!

On Lightning * type bosses, they start their pattern with spinning around a little, and then shooting a huge spread of bullets towards you. Either try to place your laser unit to block the lasers, or just go under the boss! The boss has one aimed laser towards you and the enemies it releases, so you might need to move forward and backwards a little under it. After it's done shooting the laser spread, go back front of it.

I don't remember which boss it is, but if the boss is Lightning Prison, once it starts shooting you with those 4 huge aimed "lasers" to trap you, go right front of it. The boss can't hit you, and your missiles should do enough damage to kill the boss in this pattern if you are close enough. =)

If you need more tips, add me as a friend, I'll be happy to help more!

[HYPERSNAP]

Originally posted by nightblade628:

Why do you say Easy Mode is pointless? Is it too easy or not easy enough?

Not to speak for FER, but I'd guess it's because having unlimited continues is enough of a safety net. If you're not playing for score or trying to 1CC there's no real harm in stacking credits in arcade mode, especially if you're still trying to learn enemy paterns.

Originally posted by nightblade628:

AC mode seems really stretched (tiny ships and two huge black bars top and bottom of the screen), like it should be played on two monitors as opposed to a Widescreen TV, guessing it's meant to look like that?

Yep! The original arcade release has an enclosed cabinet that has two 32" HDTVs next to each other for a 32:9 resolution. I've only been able to play like this a handful of times but it's really really cool, it really adds a nice sense of scale when Iron Fossil takes up an entire monitor.

[KingfossilFER]

Since AC mode is an 99% exact copy of the arcade game, it has easy mode which gives infinite continues but doesnt record your score. It is pointless in this release because AC mode already has FREE PLAY (infinite credits) anyway.

About lighting prision boss, dont get infront of his mouth or it'll shoot that green lighting beam. If you destroy the 4 guns on its wings youll also disable the green beam. Stay on the left and destroying the guns helps alot.

[John4300]

Originally posted by FER:

Since AC mode is an 99% exact copy of the arcade game, it has easy mode which gives infinite continues but doesnt record your score. It is pointless in this release because AC mode already has FREE PLAY (infinite credits) anyway.

About lighting prision boss, dont get infront of his mouth or it'll shoot that green lighting beam. If you destroy the 4 guns on its wings youll also disable the green beam. Stay on the left and destroying the guns helps alot.

Lightning Prison doesn't use the green front beam if it's trying to trap you with the four other beams - Lightning Prison and all variants WILL however use the front beam while spinning around.

Lightning Prison is a bit weird variant anyhow, compared to Lightning Claw and Lightning Flamberge.

[nightblade628]

Guys, thank you all so much for your input. I've just managed to progress past the "impossible" bosses easily ever since I learned where to stay on screen to dodge their attacks from your suggestions. It's basically just a case of, "Keep fighting them until you get good enough to beat them blindfolded."

Now that I finally get it, the game is really opening up. It's nice having comments that aren't full of arguing and condescension, which is what you tend to see in most Steam game forums. I was very lucky the PS4 version went on sale when it did, because everywhere else wanted £60 - £100 for the game. Thankfully, it took me so long to work out the numbers to remortgage my house that when I went to buy it, the price had crashed down to ultra-low.

[Toki Zensekai]

Also, I believe there is a guide that someone made that should also explain other gameplay tips and tricks for you (such as bullet deflections, counter beams, etc.). Check it out when you can.