Mutant Storm Empire
So what do we think after this long wait? I'm personally a teeny bit disappointed to be honest, not sure I'm feeling the new multi level structure and the plodding between stages. I like the idea of the chain system, though once it gets hectic the whole idea goes quite out of the window. It isn't as simple yet well thought out as Ikaruga (but then what is?).
Reloaded seems to suit my tastes better at the moment, but maybe it is just a grower, what do others think?
Rob
Empire does feel a lot different than Reloaded. I think the beauty of MSR was in its simplicity and purity. Empire sacrifices some of that for more variety and better pacing. I think that makes it more fun to play the full game start to finish, but maybe it won't be as endlessly replayable?
Reloaded has the same chain system, it just wasn't as obvious. I like how they added a secondary goal of collecting every combo in this game, and how some of the enemies are intentionally challenging to combo.
Had a good long session with it last night and still feel the same, but it did grow on me a little bit. I just didn't feel the urge to restart again the minute it was game over, I just got a bit frustrated with it. Think it's partly to do with the 'death' system - it should stop you like Ikaruga, but not recommence the level like Reloaded did. As it is it just makes a noise, you flash white and you carry right on without missing a beat. It cheapens the feeling that dying in a shmup should give you.
It doesn't feel like you're dying now, but like a health system. Which it is, a very un-shmupish thing, but then it feels harsh having only one life. I think this could be a response to the criticism that MSR took rather long mammoth sessions to score chase. I think the biggest thing I would say about it is that I miss the power ups, but approve mostly of the 'super weapon'. A smart bomb still wouldn't go amiss, though I know MSR never had a proper one either.
Rob
I really like it and hate that people are constantly comparing it to GeoWars. It's so much more. I really like the fact that it has scrolling levels, compartments, LOTS of bosses and is really diverse and pretty. GeoWars is great and all, but it's a one-trick-pony and people need to move on or at least not compare every game to it.
That said, I do wish there were more weapon powerups on MS Empire. It just feels so hollow not to have some nice homing missiles, a laser, flamethrower, whatever...
Other than that, Mutant Storm Empire's a solid game in my book.
I also really like the title, but somethings missing...
I wish I could put my finger on it, but for some reason, Empire just didn't grab me the way that the original did.
I guess since this game was announced so far in advance (it was actually announced before the 360 was released), there was no way it was going to live up to the hype.
Joined: 2007-09-15