Steel Dragon EX

[Ratso]

Hi everyone.

I've done a search but I can't find a thread about this game, out today from budgetmeisters Midas.

They had it on sale for ?10 in Gamestation yesterday, but I wanted to check with you guys if it's any good.

Would I know it better by another (Japanese) name?

Who is it originally by?

Does this PAL release have a 60Hz option?

Any info gratefully received.

[Kaladron]

The game is better (or worse) known as "Simple 2000 Series Vol. 37: The Shooting: Double Shienryu". It's one of those wierd budget thingies that are becoming popular in Japan.

I played this briefly at work yesterday and I have to say its ok. There's no 60hz option but it runs at a decent pace. I only played the first level which seemed a little too easy but there were some nice effects: enemies don't explode they power down and drop towards the sea and you can carry on shooting enemies once a level has ended and is displaying your score. Its ok for a tenner.

[Duddyroar]

I never did get round to picking up the Saturn version so I may well invest in this. Can't argue for a tenner!

[Ratso]

Thanks for the info Kaladron.

[Tom Salter]

I've got the JPN version, and it's nothing special. Shienryu by today's standards is incredibly basic, and they've added a 3D game (couldn't get the name, it was in Kanji) and that's awful too.

Seriously, pay a little more and grab a copy of Dodonpachi Daioujou or Psyvariar (If you haven't already got it, get it!) and you'll have 10 times the amount of fun than you'll get with this turd.

Who is it originally by?

The JPN version is by Warashi.

[markgreyam]

i'd suggest you save your money. even for that price i dont believe its worth it. i bought it last week, and im wishing i saved the money and put it towards Gradius V, or if you can play japanese games, Dodonpachi.

the 'original mode' smacks of Raiden, but without whatever it is that makes Raiden so fun to play, and the EX mode is just some crappy 3D attempt that clutters the screen with too much fancy **** to make much sense of whats going on, and on the default difficulty (assuming there are more) i got to level 12 on one credit, and i think my first death was at about level 8. you dont really feel in danger for the first half dozen levels at least.

also, the original mode, which is the better of the two, is d-pad only. do arcade machines have d-pads? no. so why the **** do so many shoot em ups force the d-pad as the only control option. annoyance++

if you have to buy a cheap shoot em up, there is also a budget PAL release of XII Stag around the place. there is a review on this site, which is pretty accurate. its good cheap fun, and better than Steel Dragon EX.

but for a bit more money, there are much better options.

[Naiera]

also, the original mode, which is the better of the two, is d-pad only. do arcade machines have d-pads? no. so why the **** do so many shoot em ups force the d-pad as the only control option.

They sure don't have analogue sticks either! Arcade machines used for shooters use DIGITAL CONTROL. Go buy an arcade stick from Hori or something.

And it's funny how people are suddenly ****ting all over the original Shienryu. It's a classic in the genre.

And the name of the second game is Shienryu Explosion. Yes, that one is indeed crap. But don't get Psyvariar either, unless you like making up your own challenge in an otherwise incredibly basic and boring game.

[Ratso]

I didn't go with Steel Dragon, but I did get Gradius V which is awesome.

My 2D shooter collection currently consists of:

Salamander Deluxe Pack --- Japanese Saturn
Gradius III & IV --- Japanese PS2
Gradius V --- PAL PS2
Radiant Silvergun --- Japanese Saturn
Ikaruga --- Japanese Dreamcast
Einhander --- US PSone
R-Types --- PAL PSone
R-Type Final --- PAL PS2
Psyvariar Complete Edition --- PAL PS2
Capcom Generation 1 --- Japanese Saturn
Parodius/Fantastic Journey --- PAL Saturn (60Hz switch)

I'm looking to get:

DoDonPachi Daioujou
Star Soldier
Psyvariar 2
ESPGaluda
Castle Shikigami II

Any comments?

[Naiera]

Get all Cave games before any of the other games you don't have. They're better in every way.

[Ratso]

Will do.

I'm finding Gradius V to be less difficult than I'd been led to expect - I think it's in fact easier to make good progress than earlier games in the series (save Salamander, my personal favourite), and easier than the other Treasure shoot 'em ups I've played.

As regards to the bullet-pattern dodging games, I don't think that I'm quite the player I was at around 18-20 (I'm 32 now). I remember finding the likes of Gynoug on the MD quite a breeze, but years of too much beer and not enough sleep have put paid to that...

[Kaladron]

If you want Shikigami on a budget then get the PAL Mobile Light Force II. It's actually Skigami No Shiro 1 but with a terrible box (looks like Charlie's Angels) and stupid name. You should be able to pick it up for less than a tenner.

Strangely the box for Mobile Light Force 1 on the PSOne is exactly the same but the game is actually Gunbird. Very weird.