Author Topic: ESP.Ra.De PS4/Switch port [M2/Atlus/CAVE: 12/19/2019] (Read 12095 times)

EOJ · « **on:** November 18, 2018, 04:37:36 AM »

Port announced today, the latest in M2's Shottriggers series.

https://twitter.com/cavegames/status/1064085476540182529

UPDATE: Official title is ESP.Ra.De Ψ (Psy), release date is 12/19/2019 for both Switch and PS4. Physical regular and limited editions are planned.

https://m2stg.com/esprade/

EOJ · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2018, 03:49:52 PM »

Promo vid:

https://youtu.be/xMi_aJ84jvI

They state it will have M2 gadgets, arranged music, and a variety of game modes.

Also, here's a short M2 interview about choosing ESP.Ra.De. Not really any new info here, though:

http://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/181118

ookitarepanda · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2018, 06:49:43 PM »

Oh man, I'm gonna JB the hell out of this port.

EOJ · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2019, 06:59:13 PM »

Official page:

https://m2stg.com/esprade/

It shows some artwork for a physical (limited) release.

EOJ · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2019, 05:13:59 AM »

The latest build of the PS4 port, currently running on a Windows PC, will be playable at Hey arcade from May 10-23:

https://www.famitsu.com/news/201905/08175906.html

_rm_ · « **Reply #5 on:** May 14, 2019, 07:55:57 AM »

Any news on this?

Kinda curious...

EOJ · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2019, 06:08:46 PM »

Quote from: _rm_ on May 14, 2019, 07:55:57 AM

Any news on this?

Kinda curious...

Some top players have tried the port at this location test and seem to think the slowdown is pretty accurate:

https://twitter.com/wsmmkz/status/1126722995030904832

However, it appears the sprite flicker that often occurs right before the slowdown begins is not in the port (yet), which causes some of the slowdown to feel a bit different.

https://twitter.com/wsmmkz/status/1127756712969064449

There is no other news yet, such as release date or platform(s) (I mark it tentatively as PS4, due to the high likelihood of it being released on that platform).

EOJ · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2019, 11:58:35 PM »

This will be released for both PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/190529b

Regular and LE physical editions are planned (download too, of course).

Third_strike · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2019, 12:19:37 PM »

I would enjoy a strategy guide about this game from you!

EOJ · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2019, 05:11:46 PM »

This is not a game I ever play or know much about. I've played it a few times over the years, but it's not my style.

Hopefully an ESP.Ra.De pro will write a good guide for the game.

EOJ · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2019, 09:25:03 PM »

Some updates!

First, the release date is December 19th, for both PS4 and Switch.

Second, there is a new "Arcade Plus" mode, which will be playable at Hey arcade for two weeks starting from today:

https://twitter.com/M2_STG/status/1159268238003322880

Third, there will be a special feature on the game (in a booklet) included with the 8/28 issue of Dengeki PS magazine. It will include an interview with Joker Jun, special illustrations and manga, and more:

https://twitter.com/dengekionline/status/1159268257292886017

EOJ · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2019, 12:01:43 AM »

Official site has been updated with the contents of the Limited Edition:

https://m2stg.com/esprade/

It will include the following bonus items:

- 100 page booklet (contains art/materials and new interviews)
- Soundtrack CD
- Stickers
- Reproduction arcade artwork

Also, both the LE and the first print of the regular edition will include a preorder bonus booklet that contains a beginners guide to ESP.Ra.De, written by WR scorer Clover-TAC!

brentsg · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2019, 05:02:38 PM »

I'm pretty excited as I've never spent any time with this game.

Hopefully have a BEEP version secured for the pretty cardboard to hold all the bonus stuff I'll never look at. I'm really interested to see where M2 goes after this. I'd love if they finished up the Bat series of games but will be surprised if that happens. Then again I would have never seen Mahou Daisakusen coming either.

EOJ · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2019, 11:52:31 PM »

Arcade plus mode will include newly recorded voices, and a new (more expanded) script, written by Joker Jun:

https://twitter.com/M2_STG/status/1160029452367097856

Of course, the original voices will be available as well.

@brentsg: I think their next CAVE port will be Ibara + Ibara Kuro (they have dropped too many hints about this over the past year). But we might get a Raizing port before that!

EOJ · « **Reply #14 on:** August 10, 2019, 08:46:49 PM »

The digital download version is only 4500 yen, compared to the regular physical edition at 6800 yen and the LE at 9800 yen. I always buy these PS4 STG ports digitally, so I really appreciate the cheaper digital price. It makes it so much easier to start up a quick credit or two instead of swapping discs in and out.

Also, the physical versions will come with the game on a disc (PS4) or cart (Switch). Not a download card.

EOJ · « **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2019, 12:15:43 AM »

Title screen pic (from M2's twitter account).

EOJ · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2019, 12:16:03 AM »

Behold, the different shop-specific preorder bonus items:

https://m2stg.com/esprade/#storebenefits

EOJ · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2019, 12:36:48 AM »

This is out now. Anyone buy it yet? I'll probably buy the digital version later today (PS4).

The BEEP LE with the cardboard box is a big letdown for the PCB owner below, because the PCB doesn't fit in the box (unlike the Garegga BEEP box, which does fit the PCB):

https://twitter.com/Ajx_Resphoina/status/1207657685631455234

Kaneda · « **Reply #18 on:** December 20, 2019, 08:19:40 PM »

I was hoping you were getting it for your Switch Lite because that looks to be the route I'm going and I'd love to hear your impressions. I've always heard about input lag on the system with the Joy-Cons, but I'm not sure what that means for those playing on the Lite.

EOJ · « **Reply #19 on:** December 20, 2019, 08:45:03 PM »

I thought about getting it for the Lite but I'm afraid the bullets will be so small I won't be able to play it. I have a normal Switch too, but if I'm going to play it on my TV I think the PS4 version is the way to go (better control options, and maybe less input lag).

Kaneda · « **Reply #20 on:** December 20, 2019, 08:58:10 PM »

Yeah, if I were you I'd go with the PS4 version. Not really an option for me, but I'll post my Switch Lite ESPrade impressions when I eventually get it. The mission mode looks like fun and ESPrade finally getting a port is too big to pass up.

EOJ · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2019, 02:00:42 AM »

I bought the PS4 DL version (only 4950 yen) and played a couple credits of Arcade mode. I never really liked this game, but I now see that was partly due to the horrible emulation in MAME (messed up slowdown, terrible input lag, etc). I have played the PCB before, but it was so long ago I can only rely on videos to make a comparison now. Still, it looks a lot closer to the PCB from what I have seen (which should come as no surprise). And it is gorgeous in dot-to-dot with 25% scanlines on a 1080p screen.

EOJ · « **Reply #22 on:** December 21, 2019, 07:58:47 PM »

I changed my mind and ordered the (physical) Switch version with the guidebook preorder bonus. Having this on a little cart on the go, for some reason, sounds like it would be fun on my next international trip. Ketsui DS was pretty fun, for example. And I'd like to read the guidebook!

el_rika · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2019, 07:53:04 AM »

Quote from: EOJ on December 21, 2019, 02:00:42 AM

I never really liked this game, but I now see that was partly due to the horrible emulation in MAME (messed up slowdown, terrible input lag, etc).

Just like PCB, it has 2 frames of input lag in new FBN builds (previously it had 4). Mame(2014+) feels about the same to me, though FBN is my choice for this game. In terms of slowdown, can't say 100% as it is, as we know, very hard to properly compare Cave games in this area, but it feels like it has slowdown in all the right places, as 1st and 2nd gen Cave shmups almost always have hardware generated slowdown (pixel overload) rather than software, like instances in 3rd gen.
The one thing that is hard to keep accurate in Esprade emulation is the overall speed of the game. It runs at 57 fps and, unless you have a monitor capable of displaying that, you will have to speed it up.

Is this release of the game (PS4, Switch) ported from source code, or is it a rom with a few hacks in an emulator?

EOJ · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2019, 10:26:01 PM »

I got the Switch version in the mail today and played a couple credits on my Lite. Input lag feels worse to me compared to the PS4 version. Though I'm not sure if it's the game or the Lite's dpad. I will try it on the Pro Controller on my TV. It's quite hard to play on a small screen as well, though I knew that going in.

The leaderboard is sparse compared to the PS4's, and the scores aren't near 30mil, whereas on the PS4 board they are close to 40mil. Not so many people playing this version, it seems.

The guidebook is very cool, though.

I'll probably keep that and sell the Switch version. The PS4 version is superb, and all I need.

EOJ · « **Reply #25 on:** December 30, 2019, 03:57:50 AM »

I played the switch and PS4 versions back to back over the past hour. Both on the same TV. Dualshock 4 controller for the PS4, pro controller for the Switch. I'd play a minute of one version, pause, change the input on the TV, unpause the other version and play it for a minute or so, then back again. After an hour of this, I am convinced the Switch version has at least an extra frame of lag, maybe two. It doesn't feel as "tight" as the PS4 version. It feels more "floaty" and "loose". (Similar to SDOJ on the X360.) And on the Switch Lite I find the game basically unplayable (due to lag + small screen). So, yep, definitely going to sell it and keep the PS4 version.

BTW in terms of slowdown both seemed more or less identical, though I only tested the first three stages.

EOJ · « **Reply #26 on:** December 30, 2019, 02:34:34 PM »

Here's a video comparison of the PS4 and PCB versions (PS4 on left, PCB on right):

https://twitter.com/charlie0816/status/1211627621961699328

It is from a Japanese player who is quite good at the game. He was surprised by how the PS4 port is practically identical to the PCB (in slowdown, game speed, etc).

el_rika · « **Reply #27 on:** December 30, 2019, 05:16:03 PM »

Levels 4 and 5 would be a great comparison in terms of slowdown accuracy.

EOJ · « **Reply #28 on:** January 11, 2020, 04:33:33 AM »

I’ve started translating the guidebook that comes with the game because it is so interesting. Written by Clover-TAC. Not sure when I will finish but when I do it will be uploaded here.

Plasmo · « **Reply #29 on:** January 11, 2020, 05:01:57 AM »

That sounds excellent! Looking forward to your translation.