High Score: 1,324,627,321 on Area 5 with 0 continues - Bomb mode.

The Battle Was Just to Continue that Future

I made it past the midboss, but Area 5 is RIDICULOUS and I am never getting that 1 CC. That’s fine, I’m still very proud of this. I never thought I would be into bullet hells, they seemed frustrating and out of my reach, but now I play them to relax. Once you crack them they’re really not so intimidating and very conducive to flow state. Cave makes some of the absolute best and I adore the crunchy 2D pixel work. Also highly recommend Espgaluda and Mushihimasama Futari. I also have a soft spot for Deathsmiles, ESPRa.De., and Muchi Muchi Pork. For non-Cave stuff, Raizing’s Armed Police Batrider and Sorcer Striker/Dimahoo are great as well as Psiykyo’s Dragon Blaze.

Seriously, give them a try. Fire up MAME where you can pump infinite virtual quarters into them, pick one to focus on and see what you can do. You might be surprised.

  • ganoo_slash_linux@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    4 days ago

    1 billion means you only earned the first score extend right? I’m very impressed you survived to stage 5 yet didn’t score even close to the 2nd score extend. I think if you figure out how to do a little scoring in the first 2 stages the game will really come alive and you might also pocket the extend at 10billion sometime in stage 4 or so. You clearly have the skills to dodge/bomb/hyper when necessary.

    I only played black label (steam version and also an arcade near me has a DFKBL pcb) but the second score extend is basically mandatory for me to get to the end of stage 4 or have a chance of going to stage 5. And before that, getting the first score extend would get me to the hidden extra life in stage 3 etc. Scoring is good for survival and I think it’s fun to play for score even at the level where we can’t currently 1cc. Gives a goal/benchmark for how I’m playing

    • audaxdreik@pawb.socialOPEnglish
      3·
      4 days ago

      Thanks! Yeah, only the first score extend. I’ve been trying to figure out the game on my own since I kinda treat these things as puzzles, but I think I’ve really maxed out what I can understand and it’s time I watch a video or two of a pro playing. I have a general concept of how things work, but I often forget where the hidden bees are. I’ve memorized a bunch of patterns but I still don’t really approach things with a “plan”, mostly just survive and pick up bees when/where I remember them. I also probably hold onto my hypers too long to use on the midboss and endboss, I could be more efficient with them.

      Had no idea I was so far off on the scoring, though, oops. I can get the hidden extra on Stage 3 before getting the extend pretty easily, but I’ve only ever been able to get into Stage 5 twice as it is. I thought my barrier was skill, but maybe it’s scoring (AND skill). I appreciate the advice!