CAVE-STG

Presented By CAVE => CAVE Games => Topic started by: EOJ on December 09, 2007, 06:34:20 PM

Title: Deathsmiles
Post by: EOJ on December 09, 2007, 06:34:20 PM
Released October 2007

http://www.cave.co.jp/gameonline/deathsmiles/index.html
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on December 10, 2007, 12:46:21 AM
Arcadia Magazine (http://www.arcadiamagazine.com/cgi-bin/highscore_rule.cgi) has updated its site with new rules for the Deathsmiles ranking (submission deadline for the next issue is this monday). First, they will have 6 different rankings:

Windia Normal
Casper Normal
Folette Normal
Windia Canyon
Casper Canyon
Folette Canyon

The Canyon ones involve the optional extra stage. Also, there seems to be some bug on the "Today's Ranking" page where the EX display cuts out sometimes. So, they require you to take a picture of the TOTAL ranking to submit your score.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on December 11, 2007, 03:14:49 AM
Cave has updated its Death Smiles page (http://www.cave.co.jp/gameonline/deathsmiles/chara.html) with character bios.

The interesting thing is they have the three playable girls there (Windia, Casper, and Folette), plus Sakura, and two empty slots to the right of her. One is likely that other girl in the poster, but what about the last? And will we be able to play as Sakura as well? It would be really great if Cave had a bunch of hidden, unlockable characters in this game. I don't believe they've ever done that before.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on December 11, 2007, 04:41:39 AM
My first post here.Glad to see you make a forom EOJ ;)

I'll wait for a while the DS update.I think the last slot is for the 4-1 Boss(don't remember his name)
I hope they will be playable
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on December 11, 2007, 04:52:36 AM
Yeah, you may be right about the 4-1 boss. Perhaps all the 'character' sprites in the game will be playable then? If so, that will increase the longevity of this game a lot.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on December 13, 2007, 07:16:49 AM
About the 4-1 boss and Sakura,they're both a boss in game so i doubt they will be playable finally but who knows.

During this time after watching www.alpha-st.co.jp  the guys told us Rosa is available,i check the DS thread in 2chan and someone put the code to unlock her:

CBACB?A?C?B?CBAAA
Put 1 credit and stay push on ABC 2P


Personal pictures:
Same skills than Kasper(stronger),the "striker"(an Angel) turn around Rosa when you maintain  A or B button.He launched Roses.

Rosa 1 (http://www.enregistrersous.com/images2/210206392220071213131434.jpg)

Rosa2 (http://www.enregistrersous.com/images2/56040574220071213131544.jpg)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on December 13, 2007, 10:23:34 AM
I have a "confidential" project proposal of Death Smiles which was given to operators pre-release.  It has all the details currently found on the website, plus a blurb about Gerabado (sp?) which is not released on the page.  Folette's profile has no text and only features a silhouette of her.  That's the only one like that.  So, kind of iffy whether the other characters are unlockable or not.

EDIT: But, I guess there are pictures to prove otherwise.

And I also updated this (http://www.gamengai.com/bn_inf.php?type=translation&id=1617&l=e).  New interview.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on December 13, 2007, 02:35:56 PM
QuoteAnd I also updated this (http://www.gamengai.com/bn_inf.php?type=translation&id=1617&l=e).  New interview.

Awesome interview, thanks for posting it.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on December 17, 2007, 04:47:32 PM
New Extra stage (4-1) superplay vid from Tsumanne (340+MB file):

http://www.filebank.co.jp/guest/tsumannne/fp/deathsmilesexcastle

Password is 5963.

Really awesome strats in this one. High score in the vid is 380mil, and the guy gets about 340mil by the end of 4-1.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on December 24, 2007, 01:09:51 PM
So is the general consensus among the hardcore fanbase that DeathSmiles is one of the easier Cave titles?  I ask because I've managed to come within a hair of a 1CC the past few days (granted, I get the closest when I play a stage or 2 on the 2nd rank as opposed to 3rd), whereas a credit will occasionally last me as far as the third level on most of the company's other titles.  I'm certainly finding it a bit more accessable than some of the company's other titles with regards to the scoring system.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on December 24, 2007, 10:10:49 PM
I think it is regarded as their easiest game... even easier than Mushihime-sama Futari Original & ESPGaluda.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on December 25, 2007, 12:00:18 PM
Yeah, I wouldn't at all call those two pushovers in the least.

Made it to Tyrannosatan today, that was quite a adrenaline rush knowing I'd got that far.  Of course, I completely botched it when I got him down to about half life having unnessicarily used all but one of my bombs on Jitterbug, but hey, it was close to a 1CC.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on December 27, 2007, 11:52:30 AM
Anyone care to translate what is written on this guys armband ?

http://www5.airnet.ne.jp/jokerjun/index.html

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on December 27, 2007, 12:01:33 PM
The armband says hodouin, which means "protective custody (or 'guidance') staff member".
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on December 27, 2007, 12:11:31 PM
QuoteThe armband says hodouin, which means "protective custody (or 'guidance') staff member".

Thanks but I still don't get it... assuming it's supposed to be funny.

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on December 27, 2007, 08:03:41 PM
Those are Otogi Matsuri characters.  It's just the teacher looking over their shoulders.  Nothing too crazy/funny.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on December 28, 2007, 12:09:03 PM
So I've got a few questions pertaining to DeathSmiles.  Other than GaijinPunch's (slightly old) guide on Shmups and a few Youtube videos, my main education on the game has come from the time-honored tradition of peering over the shoulders of other players in the arcade.  This has allowed me to get an idea of how a fair amount of gameplay works, but I'm a little unclear on a few other issues:

-First, I am not yet to the point where I can play the entire game through on Level 3.  I usually drop to down to Level 2 for the railway (?) level because Mary the cow is such a bitch to fight on Level 3.  I usually also go Level 2 on the swamp just to avoid the cat food bullets and make Sakura a little easier on the end.  Assuming I get out of my recent rut of making it to Tyrannosatan with only one life left and doing something boneheaded within the first minute of the battle, is this technically a 'true' 1CC because I didn't play on Level 3 the whole way through?  It seems a bit like cheating somehow.

-Speak of the cat food bullets, I just learned today that the familiar apparently can block them, and not only that, but it looked like they add to the item counter as well?  Or was I just imagining that?

-Is the Canyon level simply not accessable with Rosa?  I was able to get there wil Folette just fine (and was then butchered by said cat food bullets), but it doesn't seem like Rosa has that option.  Also, when Canyon is cleared, does the player go on then to the Final level, or does the Canyon lead to an alternate ending?

-Finally, I know that a few of the stages have places that are especially worth kicking off the 'fever mode' (or whatever it's called) for mega-points.  The beginning of the volcano stage and near the house in the graveyard are excellent scoring opportunities, but do all levels have a similar 'gimmick' where it's possible to rack up the mega points?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on December 29, 2007, 12:13:03 AM
I would say it's technically a clear.  Your score will show if you did level 3 all the way or not.  It's an easy one, but still a clear.

-Canyon w/ Rosa: Possibly not.  I wasn't able to go there with her.
-The return bullets are supposed to be absorbed by your option.  In Fever Mode, they add 100 to the counter.
-Not each stage has a Gimmick.  The idea is to get the counter to go off right as you jack the shit out of something like the house, the flying rocks on the volcano stage, or the the long things at the end of the swamp.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on January 01, 2008, 06:25:56 AM
Two videos of DS spécial version [cave matsuri]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HubkaaZsqE

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=6zIGbUWNzfI
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on January 09, 2008, 07:13:36 PM
Just got the new Legend price list and Death Smiles kits are still selling for $2158, same price as when it was released 3 months ago (and the same price as a Futari BL kit). I had thought this one would fall in price quickly, but it seems to be holding its value better than any other Cave game before it. Seems wildly popular in Japan.

If it ever gets to the $1000-$1200 range I'll pick up a kit.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on January 09, 2008, 07:36:49 PM
I'm curious about the print run.  Cave seems to be holding back these days.  Galuda 2 seems to be the first one where the printed far too many, and even that held it's value, all things considered.

Pretty interesting though.  Forgot who it was, but someone at KC predicted it would be the fastest to depreciate, and he'd pick it up for $1000 or so early Spring.  Haha.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Sperrfeuer on January 10, 2008, 12:32:48 AM
i got the info (2 weeks ago) it is already low stock :?
fujita will have it for 200 or 205k on the new price list
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on January 10, 2008, 01:10:07 AM
If that's true then they only did one print run so far. They may announce another print run later this month, as that's exactly what happened with Futari (released Oct 2006, second print was announced at the end of January 2007).

Death Smiles is still very popular, I can't see why they wouldn't do a second print, but who knows.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on January 10, 2008, 01:58:43 AM
Seems to make sense to print up more and sell them for anything down to 100,000 yen.  Probably just trying to get all they can.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on January 14, 2008, 01:11:50 AM
Then again, the prices indicated by the secondary market (basically, any reseller that isn't AMI directly) are of course not entirely indicitive of the profits earned by Cave.

Okay, here's a question regarding music.  I was dumb enough not to bring any headphones with me in the first few weeks Deathsmiles was at Game Magma and so missed out on the ability to listen to the music while they still had a headphone jack installed in the machine.  One of the stage videos I found a while back, I think on shmups.com, included a rip of the Halloween Town music with it.  Have there been any other music rips of this sort for the game?  Or is that a taboo question?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on January 14, 2008, 01:14:33 AM
QuoteHave there been any other music rips of this sort for the game?  Or is that a taboo question?

It's not taboo here. You're free to discuss such things on this site.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Sperrfeuer on January 15, 2008, 12:54:13 AM
still 218K :confused:
PS sold out again
no price drop @ Futari BL (and also on other cave games i think)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on January 20, 2008, 09:33:33 AM
Okay, this is really irritating me:

How the hell do you get Jitterbug to drop the super Life Up item when he gets snatched by Tyrannosatan?  Every player I've watched manages to get their life back up to full for the final battle, but each time I play I end up getting balls-all.  What's the catch?

Also, is there any possible way to play the Canyon (which can be done with Rosa!) without the cat food bullets?  The level's difficult enough, and if I have one complaint with DeathSmiles it's the arbitrary way the difficulty is increased by simply adding suicide bullets.

Speaking of the Canyon: Christ, the dragons are hard.  What's a good strategy to keep in mind?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on January 20, 2008, 09:54:46 AM
Does not use the bomb on Jitterbug to get the superlife.The easy way to beat him is to shoot with the "fevermode".I mean,it's not necessary to get 1000 to the counter,just lock him with A+B when the fight start and stay to the left on the screen.2 minutes job to beat him with Rosa.

Canyon can only be play in rank 3.When you choose 4 times Rank 3 ,the fifth will be always a rank 3(castle by exemple)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on January 20, 2008, 01:11:26 PM
Yeah, I usually play two levels on rank 2--the swamp because Sakyura is really bothersome on rank 3, and the rail car level, because I can't yet beat Mary without taking a hit on rank 3.  Plus, like I said, I hate the suicide bullets.  I was just wondering if the canyon too could be played without them, as they never show up for me in the final level even though it's technically my 5th rank 3 level.

Ah, no bombs on Jitterbug.  I always end up using a desperation bomb or two on him, so that could be my problem.  Is it just on him, or that entire final level that you can't bomb?  I often find myself bombing to avoid the hit on the section about a third of the way through the level just to get past the part with the multiple green dragons.

Also, what's this about A+B even though the item meter is not yet at 1000 and locking on to an enemy?  Have I completely missed some important gameplay strategy?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on February 03, 2008, 06:07:36 PM
400mil EX ALL vid with Rosa:

http://b-board.rdy.jp/torrent/details.php?info_hash=b98efe02259197e1bb26e315603235ea4f1e13ea

It's a large file at over 2GB, but looks to be worth it, as there aren't many Rosa vids out there.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on February 04, 2008, 04:43:55 AM
Christ, 400mil?  Even with EX, that's a helluva lot.  I've got a long way to go.

Too bad it's 2GB, otherwise I'd be all over it.  I've only got about 2.5 GB free on the laptop right now. :(  I only really use Rosa and constantly find myself not quite being able to pull off the scoring tricks that some of the videos of Casper and Windia show, so it would be nice for a few more hints.

I really hope this gets a superplay DVD and/or soundtrack release at some point.  Cave's been pretty good about doing their own DVDs for the past few releases, but I like the extras and presentation of the INH sets.  Of course, the game's probably still too young for them to worry about such things at this point.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Plasmo on February 04, 2008, 07:31:26 AM
I'm almost 100% sure Death Smiles gets a Superplay DVD. The game was very popular and like you mentioned it's one of their most recent games. Either Cave themselves or INH. Fingers crossed! :)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on February 04, 2008, 08:21:45 AM
Quote400mil EX ALL vid with Rosa:

http://b-board.rdy.jp/torrent/details.php?info_hash=b98efe02259197e1bb26e315603235ea4f1e13ea

It's a large file at over 2GB, but looks to be worth it, as there aren't many Rosa vids out there.

It's 720x480 MPEG2, I can reencode it as 360x240 XVID but I need a place to upload it.

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on February 04, 2008, 10:19:36 AM
Rapidshare.

2GB? WTF is up w/ these people?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on February 04, 2008, 01:02:02 PM
QuoteRapidshare.

2GB? WTF is up w/ these people?

It's only 490Mb at 360x240.

Rapidshare is kind of limited, anyone have an ftp or suchlikes ?

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Plasmo on February 04, 2008, 01:21:38 PM
just upload it to super-play.co.uk or ask zakk on shmups.com
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on February 04, 2008, 01:22:32 PM
I've watched this vid, and it's pretty nice. Nice run.
Too bad it took me like 8 hours to download. :whyioughtta:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on February 04, 2008, 02:39:36 PM
QuoteI'm almost 100% sure Death Smiles gets a Superplay DVD. The game was very popular and like you mentioned it's one of their most recent games. Either Cave themselves or INH. Fingers crossed! :)

Yeah, this is a no-brainer. It will most likely be a 4 DVD set + artbook. Each character will have their own DVD, and both Canyon and non-canyon runs
will be on each DVD.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on February 04, 2008, 05:27:38 PM
Let's try a torrent :D

http://home.online.no/~totjabe/death_smiles_rosa_400mil.avi.torrent

let me know if something is amiss, my upload bandwidth is not great so please
have patience.

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jpj on February 04, 2008, 06:25:30 PM
Quote
QuoteI'm almost 100% sure Death Smiles gets a Superplay DVD. The game was very popular and like you mentioned it's one of their most recent games. Either Cave themselves or INH. Fingers crossed! :)

Yeah, this is a no-brainer. It will most likely be a 4 DVD set + artbook. Each character will have their own DVD, and both Canyon and non-canyon runs
will be on each DVD.

i hope so, but inh have been pretty quiet lately.  because they're such raiden fanboys, i'm gonna put my neck out and say their next one will be for raiden iv...

after pink sweets (and the drought of decent vids  :| ), superplays is something that will sway my pcb purchases...
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on February 04, 2008, 06:41:02 PM
Oh, I don't think INH will do this. Cave has been putting out their own superplays since Galuda 2, with every game but Pink Sweets having one. I don't see why they'd stray from this practice - it surely makes them more money than an INH deal.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on February 24, 2008, 01:37:39 PM
The soundtrack is set for a May release, according to Ikeda at the recent Ketsui meet #3.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Sperrfeuer on February 24, 2008, 01:41:31 PM
Great!:D
Any word on a superplay DVD?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on February 24, 2008, 01:48:40 PM
Nope. That will likely come later.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Shalashaska on February 25, 2008, 03:39:08 AM
Quote from: rtwLet's try a torrent :D

http://home.online.no/~totjabe/death_smiles_rosa_400mil.avi.torrent

let me know if something is amiss, my upload bandwidth is not great so please
have patience.

rtw
Do you still have this file rtw? The link just gives me a jumbled mess.:( I'd like to see this vid as I haven't seen Rosa in action yet I don't think.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on February 25, 2008, 04:05:28 AM
Quote from: Shalashaska
Quote from: rtwLet's try a torrent :D

http://home.online.no/~totjabe/death_smiles_rosa_400mil.avi.torrent

let me know if something is amiss, my upload bandwidth is not great so please
have patience.

rtw
Do you still have this file rtw? The link just gives me a jumbled mess.:( I'd like to see this vid as I haven't seen Rosa in action yet I don't think.
It's still being seeded. It's a torrent link, i.e. you need a bittorrent client.

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on February 26, 2008, 10:03:17 AM
Did Ikeda make any mention of the circumstances surrounding the OST release?  I.e. are they going to have another festival to commemorate it, or is it going to be available from their website only?  Or did he just mention the approximate release date.

Either way, I'll be all over it like a fat kid on a candybar.  I remember GaijinPunch saying something in his loke-test report about the music sounding like Manabu Namiki doing the Monster Mash, but that's what I think I like so much about it.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Shalashaska on February 27, 2008, 11:16:18 PM
Quote from: rtwIt's still being seeded. It's a torrent link, i.e. you need a bittorrent client.
Yah, it wouldn't let me download the torrent file unless I manually added the .torrent extension. I let it go for about a day and a half but there were no seeds so I ended up just getting the 2GB file instead. Still appreciate it though rtw.:righton:

The video was pretty cool, Rosa seems powerful and I've never seen that last pattern Jitterbug throws out before and a few of the Tyrannosatan patterns were different. Good stuff! I'm torn between picking up this next, MMP, DDP DFK, or continuing my search for a Ketsui kit.:/
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on February 28, 2008, 02:04:56 AM
Quote from: Shalashaska
Quote from: rtwIt's still being seeded. It's a torrent link, i.e. you need a bittorrent client.
Yah, it wouldn't let me download the torrent file unless I manually added the .torrent extension. I let it go for about a day and a half but there were no seeds so I ended up just getting the 2GB file instead. Still appreciate it though rtw.:righton:
Weird, It's seeded on my side. Maybe there is something wrong with the way I setup the tracker ?

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on February 28, 2008, 03:05:53 PM
Quote from: gslDid Ikeda make any mention of the circumstances surrounding the OST release?  I.e. are they going to have another festival to commemorate it, or is it going to be available from their website only?  Or did he just mention the approximate release date.
Just the release date.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on March 29, 2008, 03:04:30 PM
The incomparable Tsumanne has posted a new Deathsmiles vid:

http://www.filebank.co.jp/guest/tsumannne/fp/deathsmilesexdeathcastle

The password is "chain", and you need to use IE.

This vid is pretty amazing - it's a 184mil Stage 4 vid with Folette (ending with 448mil before the boss). What's amazing is he does not use the A+B scoring mode at all - he goes through the whole stage with his skull counter maxed at 1000, and uses only the shot. By doing so, he soon maxes out the multiplier at 10,000, and after that he starts getting steady, large point gains until the end of the stage. Apparently this is the key to high scores.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on March 29, 2008, 03:41:01 PM
Thx EOJ.I'm very curious to see that.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on March 29, 2008, 04:14:50 PM
What does one click on to download inside the GuestFolder ?

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on March 29, 2008, 04:32:35 PM
@rtw: you click on the far left icon (the green box with an arrow pointing down), then choose the second option. This should bring up the download box, or prompt you to download and install their download software. After that, just click download and let it finish.

I've only gotten this to work in IE. No matter what I do it won't work in Firefox.

I will try and megaupload this later today or tomorrow, for those having trouble downloading it.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on March 30, 2008, 06:32:29 AM
Quote from: EOJ@rtw: you click on the far left icon (the green box with an arrow pointing down), then choose the second option. This should bring up the download box, or prompt you to download and install their download software. After that, just click download and let it finish.

I've only gotten this to work in IE. No matter what I do it won't work in Firefox.

I will try and megaupload this later today or tomorrow, for those having trouble downloading it.
I tried that in IE6 but no dice. Megaupload would be nice :D

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on March 30, 2008, 05:48:54 PM
Alright, I've uploaded the vid. You should know where to find it.;)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on March 30, 2008, 06:18:34 PM
Quote from: EOJAlright, I've uploaded the vid. You should know where to find it.;)
Thank you!

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: sven666 on April 13, 2008, 06:30:28 AM
looks like a price cut is pretty damn close now.. the price has started creeping down ever so slowly on yahoo..

thanx for the vid EOJ, damn this game looks fun.. also "its NOT a danmaku" :rolleyes: yeah right...
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on April 13, 2008, 06:34:19 AM
Quote from: sven666looks like a price cut is pretty damn close now.. the price has started creeping down ever so slowly on yahoo..
What's the lowest you have seen sven666 ?

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 13, 2008, 03:42:31 PM
Quote from: sven666looks like a price cut is pretty damn close now.. the price has started creeping down ever so slowly on yahoo..
Yeah, I just bought the complete mint NOS kit that was up there for a buy-it-now of 120,000yen (http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n58955939). :D Can't wait to get it!
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: sven666 on April 13, 2008, 03:56:13 PM
good shizzle.. how much does that total with fees and all?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 13, 2008, 04:19:18 PM
$1300 + shipping to me, which will be about $35.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Plasmo on April 15, 2008, 04:32:39 PM
Very good 500mill+ (with Rosa) replay is up at niconico and youtube! Definitely a Must Watch!:shock:

Part 1/4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY9ABvJnh10
Part 2/4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4zzLvB8uhE
Part 3/4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_dLccBvlpY
Part 4/4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tDJ7tSsCvg
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 15, 2008, 04:52:41 PM
Awesome, thanks!
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: sven666 on April 15, 2008, 05:32:27 PM
amazing.. this guy makes it look like art, too bad he does a few misses near the end or his score would have been even higher by quite alot i suspect :shock:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Plasmo on April 17, 2008, 03:56:47 PM
Ok can anyone explain why the guy suicides on the fire stage? And what's the purpose in using bombs?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 17, 2008, 04:02:29 PM
I'm not sure of the suicide. As for bombs, I notice some players use them when the counter is approaching zero in order to quickly get it back up to 1000. If you time it right, you'll absorb a bunch of skulls that will jack the counter to 1000 in a second. You can do it without a bomb if you destroy a large enemy at the right time, but it's a bit trickier.

Anyway, that's what I notice from the vid, but maybe I'm wrong. I'll experiment once I get the game.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on April 17, 2008, 05:28:43 PM
That is correct EOJ but you need to have the best timing to get the counter back to 1000.Basically it's all about timing anyway or you miss the stage.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Plasmo on April 18, 2008, 03:18:30 AM
Well, thanks that also explains the suicide, because he had no bombs left at this time.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: sven666 on April 18, 2008, 03:40:10 AM
he suicides to stop the skull counter from counting down doesnt he?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on April 18, 2008, 04:55:16 AM
No he doesn't sven,the fever mode was not power up.

Like Plasmo said,he just suicides to get back 3 bombs in stock for the next stage and in beating the boss,he had enough skulls to have 1000 at the counter.Pretty clover.

I hope that's sound english for you.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 19, 2008, 08:36:13 PM
Got my kit today. :D

I've only played a few credits, but my initial impression is that the game is awesome, and actually much more difficult than in looks (I've only played at all Rank 3). I'm also not really used to horis so the whole change in perspective is throwing me off a bit.

I should add that it was a pain in the ass entering in those codes to unlock Rosa, Folette, and the Canyon stage! Glad that's over with. If you don't have a second controller for your supergun or 2P controls hooked up to your cab, then you're screwed.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on April 19, 2008, 08:46:09 PM
It really does get quite difficult when the suicide bullets start flying if you play all Rank 3.  I still end up doing 2 stages on Rank 2 to avoid that, plus Mary the cow's Rank 3 form gets kinda difficult in some places.  The Canyon stage especially is rough with the suicide bullets.
I think part of the difficulty is, for the most part with the vert shooters, you only really have to worry about bullets generally coming from above, whereas in Deathsmiles, they come from every direction, to the point that being able to shoot in two directions is part of the game mechanic.  That said, the game's got a great balance depending on how you set your rank--it can be easily accessable, or quite brutal.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: DED on April 21, 2008, 11:04:46 AM
http://cave.shop-pro.jp/ <- ds soundtrack and dvd
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on April 21, 2008, 12:12:07 PM
Quote from: DEDhttp://cave.shop-pro.jp/ <- ds soundtrack and dvd
Awesome, is there a date ?

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Sperrfeuer on April 21, 2008, 12:23:34 PM
great!
looks like the release is 2008年5月26日正午より販売スタート
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 21, 2008, 01:28:03 PM
I can't wait to get that superplay DVD! They say it'll be a 2DVD set, with superplays for all 4 characters. Looks like they will only have EX stage runs, not separate non-EX runs. That's a little disappointing, but not a big deal. They don't mention the players on the DVD, but it seems likely that it'll be the usual group of ISO, TAC, SWY, and Dame K.K.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Plasmo on April 21, 2008, 01:35:55 PM
Basically non-EX runs are exactly the same but with one stage missing. I can't understand why anyone would like to watch non-EX replays.
Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm going to buy this one. Maybe after a big price drop.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 21, 2008, 01:40:10 PM
The final boss patterns are harder when you take the EX route. Also, the Castle stage's rank is higher after the EX stage.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Plasmo on April 21, 2008, 02:06:12 PM
Both true, two more reasons why non-EX replays are redundant.;)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on April 21, 2008, 03:34:13 PM
I just dl a new video from Tsumanne.He's just show us different safe spot from forest boss.
But i was impressed by his high score,598M.I think is it the best score i've seen so far....i think.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 21, 2008, 03:35:52 PM
Wow, 598mil?? Someone should be breaking 600mil soon then. Hopefully we'll see some 600+mil runs for the DVD.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on April 21, 2008, 03:43:12 PM
Quote from: KOMAI just dl a new video from Tsumanne.He's just show us different safe spot from forest boss.
But i was impressed by his high score,598M.I think is it the best score i've seen so far....i think.
Got a link ? :D

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on April 21, 2008, 04:00:52 PM
Here we go
http://www.h7.dion.ne.jp/~koena-oi/index.htm
Password:whroon

It's a filebank link by the way :lol:

I'm wondering if he made the hyper link suicide bullets to get this high score.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on April 21, 2008, 05:47:59 PM
Quote from: KOMAHere we go
http://www.h7.dion.ne.jp/~koena-oi/index.htm
Password:whroon

It's a filebank link by the way :lol:
It's amazing, whatever I do I cannot get filebank to work :( Could a kind soul please upload it to megaupload ?

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on April 21, 2008, 07:10:56 PM
Soundtrack: http://cave.shop-pro.jp/?pid=7514139
Super Play: http://cave.shop-pro.jp/?pid=7514438
The Set: http://cave.shop-pro.jp/?pid=7514558

On sale 05.26
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 21, 2008, 07:23:19 PM
Already mentioned on the previous page in this thread, GP. Will you be taking orders for these? If so, mark me down for one of the superplay DVDs. :D
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on April 21, 2008, 08:08:31 PM
Aaah.  I just checked the last page and saw rtw and others going on about some torrent.  Also didn't see mention at shmups so figured it wasn't touched on.  Got a notification from the Cave shop... not the usual news sources.  Not a whole hell of a lot of web surfing in my life at the moment, as you could imagine.

I should be able to make an order.  Wonder how the limits will be set.  Like, if you buy 10 sets, can you still buy 10 DVDs, etc.  I doubt they're packaged together.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: cannonball on April 21, 2008, 08:51:21 PM
Please put me down for the set if you make an order GP.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: RAR on April 22, 2008, 03:25:21 AM
I can't figure out how to get FileBank to work so I could download the replays. Can someone tell us how to navigate through FileBank, or just upload to Megaupload, please?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on April 22, 2008, 03:27:52 AM
It's a pretty boring vid, not worth downloading IMO. It just shows two safe spots on the Tree boss.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on April 22, 2008, 03:50:09 AM
If one of them's the one I'm thinking of, you can find a clip with it on YouTube--it's a bit blurry, but once you've seen the safe spot you'll wonder how it is you missed it before.

EDIT: Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApHS6QMKxxA
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Plasmo on April 27, 2008, 01:23:52 PM
DVD and OST will be available @play-asia btw.
I don't have the links, just search.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on May 12, 2008, 04:12:34 PM
Promo Movie for the superplay DVD is up:

http://cave.shop-pro.jp/?mode=f6

They reveal the players are:

Windia: Clover-TAC
Casper: SWY
Follett: Dame K.K.
Rosa: IML-YUJ

ALL of the scores are over 600mil. :shock:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 13, 2008, 08:42:35 AM
Shocker.  The same people making love to a cab.
Can't wait.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: drboom on May 13, 2008, 11:35:36 AM
For some reason I can't get the Cave video link to work for me - I found it on youtube for those with the same problem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r51qKoDapcI
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jpj on May 13, 2008, 11:52:13 AM
thanks :)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: cannonball on May 13, 2008, 02:09:08 PM
Quote from: EOJPromo Movie for the superplay DVD is up:

http://cave.shop-pro.jp/?mode=f6

They reveal the players are:

Windia: Clover-TAC
Casper: SWY
Follett: Dame K.K.
Rosa: IML-YUJ

ALL of the scores are over 600mil. :shock:
Can't wait for this!
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: HUU on May 17, 2008, 11:23:19 AM
windia  Clover-TAC
612,024,038 pts.
casper SWY
607,878,422 pts.
folet K.K
636,823,482 pts.
rosa IML-星白金-YUJ
634,694,764 pts.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: cannonball on May 17, 2008, 01:32:42 PM
DS board came in the mail today.  This game is tons of fun.  Can't wait for the superplay and soundtrack to come out.
Now if I could just figure out how to bomb the counter back up to 1000 successfully :laugh:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: rtw on May 18, 2008, 09:27:58 AM
Just back from a small holiday, can anyone update me on the current price for a DS kit ?

rtw
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: cannonball on May 18, 2008, 10:21:11 AM
Quote from: rtwJust back from a small holiday, can anyone update me on the current price for a DS kit ?

rtw
fujita is around 138K yen
exellectcom is 1600 USD
YAJ has had a few at 110K yen

As of last week.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 18, 2008, 11:41:46 AM
Just wait... cheaper ones will come by... unless you're dying to play it.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: thegreathopper on May 18, 2008, 01:20:08 PM
Quote from: GaijinPunchJust wait... cheaper ones will come by... unless you're dying to play it.
I wish the price would drop on these newer games, I bought Mushi, ESP2, Ibara, Mushi Futari all under $1000 a year or so after they came out but Death Smiles, Muchi Pork seem to be holding their value for much longer.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 18, 2008, 07:52:16 PM
Death Smiles is a faster drop than Futari or MMP.  It's only been out like 7 months, and the kit has hit ~100,000 yen.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: thegreathopper on May 19, 2008, 01:24:41 PM
Quote from: GaijinPunchDeath Smiles is a faster drop than Futari or MMP.  It's only been out like 7 months, and the kit has hit ~100,000 yen.
If I could buy one for ~100,000 yen I would buy it today, cheapest I have seen is $1400 inc fees, shipping etc.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 19, 2008, 07:11:57 PM
There was a board only for 75,000 yen, then a kit w/ BIN for 110,000.  I don't see $300 in fees on top of that happening.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on May 19, 2008, 08:20:13 PM
Quote from: GaijinPunchThere was a board only for a BIN of 75,000 yen,
That sold so fast not even you could nab it! Thus not very indicative of the current going rate for the game.

Quotethen a kit w/ BIN for 110,000.  I don't see $300 in fees on top of that happening.
There were a bunch of kits (NOS) in the range of 110K~130Kyen by one seller on YAJ (nana yuu ru)- I bought mine from them. Hopefully the seller has more (I think they've sold 3-4 of them so far). If not you'll be out of luck for now as no one else is selling them so cheaply.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 19, 2008, 08:35:00 PM
QuoteIf not you'll be out of luck for now as no one else is selling them so cheaply.
But everyone *is* listing them for a similar price (130,000 - 140,000).  Seems there's no shortage of PCBs, which means the price will drop.  With MMP, Fujita seemed to be the only one to have new kit at that price point.  Now, everyone does, which is a good thing (for us, of course).
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on May 19, 2008, 09:33:27 PM
Quote from: GaijinPunch
QuoteIf not you'll be out of luck for now as no one else is selling them so cheaply.
But everyone *is* listing them for a similar price (130,000 - 140,000).
By cheaply I was referring to your 100k~110K level. 130-140K yen is the standard going rate at Fujita, and is not what many would consider cheap, as it's over $1400 with fees and shipping, like thegreathopper said.

I still haven't heard any word of a second print of DS, and the new kits on YAJ have been listed as "New Old Stock", which makes me think they're just clearing the remaining stock at around 110K and then it'll be sold out. Will have to wait and see of course.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 19, 2008, 09:39:42 PM
I'm going to roll the dice and wait.  Then again, I have the art set/box/poster already, so I can totally live with just a PCB.  The reason I see the price dropping is b/c even GFront has them listed at 140,000 yen.  They *NEVER* have competitive prices for the Cave stuff, and they do a ton more business than Fujita.  Leads me to believe AMI have way more than they want.  Again, all deductive.  Time will tell.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on May 20, 2008, 02:03:41 AM
Quote from: GaijinPunchLeads me to believe AMI have way more than they want.
Yeah, could very well be. Though maybe they're done doing large "second" or "third" prints, and they just make a small bunch every couple of weeks (perhaps to order?), and when those sell they make another small bunch and so on, for as long as it's selling for over 100Kyen and turning them a nice profit. Might be their new business strategy after getting burned on excessive extra prints of Ibara and Galuda II. Nothing from Mushi Futari onward has sold for less than 100Kyen for a new kit from the shops. Futari 1.5 is also the last game confirmed to have a real second print.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Budloc on May 20, 2008, 05:15:36 AM
Quote from: GaijinPunch
QuoteIf not you'll be out of luck for now as no one else is selling them so cheaply.
But everyone *is* listing them for a similar price (130,000 - 140,000).  Seems there's no shortage of PCBs, which means the price will drop.  With MMP, Fujita seemed to be the only one to have new kit at that price point.  Now, everyone does, which is a good thing (for us, of course).
i'll wait a price drop for Death Smiles, i'm not sure about how addictive this game is, and like gaijinpunch said, it seems there is plenty left, so i'd rather wait for this one.
I just ordered MMP from Fujita, Yumi told me she had only 5 kits left, i hope mine will arrive within one week :)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jpj on May 20, 2008, 06:40:41 AM
Quote from: BudlocYumi told me she had only 5 kits left
she's good, that one ;)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: sven666 on May 20, 2008, 10:56:26 AM
Quote from: jpj
Quote from: BudlocYumi told me she had only 5 kits left
she's good, that one ;)
:laugh: yumi always only has 5 kits left..
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Budloc on May 20, 2008, 11:06:22 AM
haha that's good to know, btw all i want is to play MMP :cool:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jaycm1 on May 22, 2008, 03:29:39 PM
just wondering who was the cheif programer on deathsmiles and what other work has he done for cave?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on May 22, 2008, 03:32:10 PM
The main programmer is Takashi Ichimura. He's been with CAVE for a long time, he helped program Ketsui and Mushi Futari, and he did Dangun Feveron as well. Tsuneki Ikeda and Yuji Inoue also worked as programmers for Deathsmiles.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jaycm1 on May 22, 2008, 03:41:07 PM
thanks for the info EOJ still cant't decide what game to buy next :rolleyes:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 26, 2008, 12:18:18 AM
I put the order in for the stuff.   The double sets were limited to 5 though, so I got 5 of those, then 5 CDs and 5 DVDs.  I will spread the extra cost around to everyone.  Looks like about $117 total before shipping for the sets.  EOJ & GSL are splitting a set (DVD and CD respectively) so I'll work your cost out later.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Sperrfeuer on May 26, 2008, 01:13:31 AM
1 for me please....
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: cannonball on May 26, 2008, 02:04:50 AM
You can still count me in for a set GP :D
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 26, 2008, 02:33:33 AM
BTW, this is just a heads up for the many that put in a reserve.  The list filled up almost immediately, so I cannot get any more at the moment.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on May 27, 2008, 08:57:48 PM
Not surprisingly, both the CD and DVD are sold out at CAVE's shop. Play-asia should have them soon though (they state May 30th for the CD, but still TBA for the DVD).
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 30, 2008, 05:40:44 AM
Okay, since my box here will fill up (and there's no way to do a mass delete [you need to fix that, EOJ!], I'm just going to spill it out here.  I'm usually for anonymity, but who gives a shit about this really, yeah?

Okay, $117 + shipping.
$16 to the good old US of fucking A, $19 for you Euro trash people.
There's a bit more cost since the sets were limited to 5, and buying 5 of the CDs and DVDs alone ran more.  I'll fire out EMS, obviously.

People that have the sets:
Cannonball
MrMonkeyMan
eretsua
Fudoh
rtw
sven
CIT
SuperPang

If I have some other stuff I'm sending you, I can gladly throw these in there.
If you don't know my Paypal address, feel free to PM me.

-GP
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on May 30, 2008, 05:48:36 AM
Quote from: GaijinPunchOkay, since my box here will fill up (and there's no way to do a mass delete [you need to fix that, EOJ!],
Yes there is. Just select "delete multiple messages" and click away.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on May 30, 2008, 05:49:55 AM
Cool.  Wish I saw that before.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: HUU on May 30, 2008, 01:33:30 PM
Quote from: HUUwindia  Clover-TAC
612,024,038 pts.
casper SWY
607,878,422 pts.
folet K.K
636,823,482 pts.
rosa IML-星白金-YUJ
634,694,764 pts.
Nobody notice I guess, but I have posted the DVD scores a few days ago...
Anyway I just checked the DVD run with rosa...
270millions before extra, counter blocked at extra and then no miss the last stage, no miss the last boss + hyper at last jitterbug attack, filled up to 1000 again and hyper at last satan attack, all clear no miss...
This is just a crazy run !! :P
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: AlephNull on May 30, 2008, 09:37:09 PM
HUU, meaning IML-YUJ uses power-up (hyper) normally from 1-1 to 3-2, then stops using power-up and raises the bonus value to 10000 for 4-1 and 4-2?

Could you check if the other players also use this same strategy, or something different? Thanks!
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: HUU on May 30, 2008, 10:15:52 PM
Well during the 6 first stages he uses power up mode...extra is for counter blocking and then he scores last stage with +10 000 on every bullet.

I don't own the dvd, I checked the run via webcam while chatting with a friend in japan...so I can't tell you about the other character. But it's pretty sure this is the only strategy to do very high scores...even if you play well the power up mode, you will not score as much as if you block the counter to +10 000.
With the counter blocked, you score a bit of the extra and the whole last stage with + 10 000 on every bullet....while in power up mode, it's only for a limited time and you can't divide the crown everywhere. So I guess the math is done !!!

Also I forgot to tell but he suicide once during the volcano (C2) at the end, same as the ToLL 500millions video...He gets 1000 at the end of the stage on the pigs , then suicide so the power up counter falls to 700 but he gets some more bombs for the rest of the run, then after beating the dragon , up to 1000 again for next stage. Then no miss until the jitterbug cake...
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on June 07, 2008, 06:53:38 AM
I'm wondering if someone could rip with dvd decrypter(easy to do) a run of the official DVD?
Delete the message if it is not appropriate.
Thx.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on June 07, 2008, 07:39:17 PM
Just got my Deathsmiles DVD today (thanks GP!). I've only watched the Windia run so far, but it's great.
Other great things about this DVD set:

-the bonus videos are superb. There's even a non-canyon run with Casper by GFA2-ISO included! :shock:
-The included booklet is really nice - it looks and reads a lot like a console game's instruction manual.
-There is a postcard included that you can mail to CAVE to be entered in a drawing for a Deathsmiles PCB. The deadline is August 29th, 2008. Runner ups will get Deathsmiles posters.

@KOMA: please don't discuss ripping DVDs or games that are still available for sale (particularly those just released). You can talk about ripping OOP stuff like the Futari or Ketsui DVDs, but that's it. Thanks.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on June 08, 2008, 02:08:53 AM
Futari & Galuda come back in print from time to time.  Ketsui: Dream on. :)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: gsl on June 08, 2008, 03:40:45 AM
Aren't the Futari and Galuda II DVDs up for sale in the Online Festival later this month anyways?

Also, GP, have you started sorting and shipping out the Deathsmiles CDs/DVDs yet?  I should probably figure out how we're going to make the handoff or whatever.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on June 08, 2008, 03:51:44 AM
Sorry EOJ ;)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on June 08, 2008, 04:41:44 AM
Quote from: gslAren't the Futari and Galuda II DVDs up for sale in the Online Festival later this month anyways?

Also, GP, have you started sorting and shipping out the Deathsmiles CDs/DVDs yet?  I should probably figure out how we're going to make the handoff or whatever.
Yes, and yes.  I sent out about half.  Only watched one run on the DVD (amazing stuff, obviously).  Haven't busted out the CD yet.  Just figure out when you're going to be in the hood and we can meet up.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on June 08, 2008, 04:47:15 AM
I've watched most of the runs now. It's interesting how they all use different paths. A couple of the runs start in the Forest stage, which surprised me. Also, in the Follett run, he switches to the power-up mode near the end of the castle stage. There's also a bonus vid showing him get 300mil before the Canyon stage, so there's definitely room for more points. Probably 675mil or so is possible with Follett.

Oh, make sure to watch the bonus interview with Junya Inoue. It's one of the weirder things you'll ever see.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: drboom on June 08, 2008, 10:09:11 AM
The interview isn't translated/subtitled - is it?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: MrMonkeyMan on June 08, 2008, 01:55:42 PM
Quote from: drboomThe interview isn't translated/subtitled - is it?
"YES"

But no.  Someone should tell us what is going on, and why he thinks he's a gorilla.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: AlephNull on June 09, 2008, 12:27:26 PM
Any idea why K.K manages to score higher with Follett? e.g. is it some property of her shot/option that's being used, that use of power-up at the end of castle, or just that K.K is really good?

Also, are there any other bonus vids included?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jaycm1 on June 17, 2008, 06:30:12 AM
Just ordered my kit today from fujita 130,000j yen I can't see it droping in price that much more,can't wait for it to be delivered it looks amazing what iv'e seen on youtube!!
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on June 17, 2008, 06:33:42 AM
Congrats jaycm1! It's a fantastic game, and 130K yen is a great price right now. I don't think the price for a new kit will go down much more. It's been out about 8 months now. Maybe it will bottom out at 100K yen later in the year, but maybe it will sell out before then too. We'll see.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jpj on June 17, 2008, 06:44:52 AM
Quote from: jaycm1Just ordered my kit today from fujita 130,000j yen I can't see it droping in price that much more,can't wait for it to be delivered it looks amazing what iv'e seen on youtube!!
you're only an hour drive from me...  ;)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jaycm1 on June 17, 2008, 07:32:03 AM
Quote from: jpj
Quote from: jaycm1Just ordered my kit today from fujita 130,000j yen I can't see it droping in price that much more,can't wait for it to be delivered it looks amazing what iv'e seen on youtube!!
you're only an hour drive from me...  ;)
you don't know to any decent arcades nearby? The only chance I get to play these great games is a lot of saving up.:lol:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jpj on June 17, 2008, 08:00:47 AM
not down in gloucester :(
my younger brother goes to uni in weston which has 1 or 2 kicking about, but it's the usual fighting, driving, and light-gun stuff.

hope you enjoy your new game mate :cool:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jaycm1 on June 23, 2008, 05:02:43 PM
got my kit today one word wow!!! Had a couple of credits loving it finding it quite strange playing in horizontal as I've never played progear but this is one fine game the graphics and sound are top notch nice to see joker jun back love his little touches like the cut scenes at the end of each level have  to start saving for my next game now thinking muchi muchi pork I live in the uk so me going down to my local arcade to play these games is no no unless I want to go on a gun or car game how I would love to visit hey in japan  :laugh:
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: sven666 on June 23, 2008, 05:40:38 PM
wow.. you sure seem happy, congrats, just dont forget to breathe ;)
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on June 24, 2008, 11:56:41 PM
Okay, I watched another replay (TAC).  Pretty cool stuff.
Some questions though.

To reap the benefits getting better items, do you actually have to HIT the enemy w/ that type of shot, or just be in that mode.  It looks like TAC goes to lock on and then bombs at the end of the cave stage (the downward vertical scrolling one) and refills the counter.  He also looks to make the owl's shot over on some trains, and then goes into lock on to grab some skulls.

Also, it seems he let's all the crowns hit the ground.  Won't the counter hit 10,000 quicker if you get the crowns as opposed to letting them break?
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on June 25, 2008, 12:36:32 AM
@GP: there's some discussion of those topics in the DS strategy thread here.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on June 25, 2008, 10:50:22 PM
Well that makes sense.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: Shalashaska on June 29, 2008, 11:58:18 PM
If you guys missed out on getting a DVD from GP (like myself) Play-Asia is taking pre-orders here (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-7x-77-1-49-en-15-deathsmiles-70-2qaa.html). Will be available July 2nd.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on June 30, 2008, 09:03:22 PM
Play-asia is already all presold out of the Deathsmiles DVD. That was fast!!
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on July 01, 2008, 12:41:55 AM
Damn, they had them yesterday.  I sold my one extra for the PA price, which I think was a bit of a loss.  Oh, well.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jaycm1 on July 05, 2008, 03:04:38 AM
finally my first cave game to complete on one credit never thought this day would come,played with windia all all ranks score 28340692 i know it's a rubbish score, I'm just happy my first 1cc.
Title: Death Smiles
Post by: jpj on July 05, 2008, 03:35:09 AM
well done mate :righton:
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on August 04, 2008, 07:50:38 PM
Some Deathsmiles Figurines by Kurosupointo at the Wonder Festival 2008 in Tokyo (one of Windia and one of Casper):

(http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/097/97149/c20080804_wf02_d0802_01_cs1w1_480x640.jpg)
(http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/097/97150/c20080804_wf02_d0802_02_cs1w1_480x640.jpg)

The Casper one is pretty cool, but the Windia doesn't look too great.

Full details:

http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/097/97074/
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on August 04, 2008, 11:39:51 PM
Any panties on those things?
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: innerpattern on August 13, 2008, 12:06:50 AM
Death Smiles is going to be my first Cave PCB purchase. Watched a superplay and was absolutely blown away by how cool it looks. Best hori stg ever from what I can see and it just so happens I have a non-tate-able cab that needs a new game.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on August 13, 2008, 12:10:08 AM
It's well worth it! I never cared for horis before (well, Border Down was pretty nice), but this game changed all that. Warning: once you play it you'll start to see bouncing skulls and glowing orange +10,000 multipliers in your head when your close your eyes before bed.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: innerpattern on August 13, 2008, 12:16:02 AM
Quote from: EOJ on August 13, 2008, 12:10:08 AM
I never cared for horis before (well, Border Down was pretty nice), but this game changed all that.

Me either, I think DS is just what I need.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 09, 2008, 03:21:27 PM
I'm clearly a freak as I don't like this at all :(

I'm going to give it some serious play time, but I have MMP & Futari here & want to play them! Think I'll clear it & move it on
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on September 09, 2008, 03:26:52 PM
Quote from: markedkiller78 on September 09, 2008, 03:21:27 PM
I'm clearly a freak as I don't like this at all :(


Do you know how the scoring system works and all that? The game isn't much fun if you just go blasting through the stages.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 10, 2008, 07:47:46 AM
Quote from: EOJ on September 09, 2008, 03:26:52 PM
Quote from: markedkiller78 on September 09, 2008, 03:21:27 PM
I'm clearly a freak as I don't like this at all :(


Do you know how the scoring system works and all that? The game isn't much fun if you just go blasting through the stages.

We'll I've watched a few vids & toyed with it myself. I managed 25m last night & died on 4-2.

I think I might start to like it better when I get better at it. Strangely although I'm saying that I don't like it, all I can think about today is getting home to play it.

Strange.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: SuperPang on September 11, 2008, 07:25:59 AM
I didn't get DS on my first few plays. Its not as instantly gratifying as other Cave shooters. The quality shines through though.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 11, 2008, 08:12:13 AM
I'm going to unlock the hidden characters tonight when I get home. I got 50% through the final stage last night (rank2s & 3s) after about 20mins play.

I'm still not loving it & I ended up playing MMP for the remainder of the night. I was too hasty to write off progear, so I'll persevere with DS for the time being. I was expecting an instant pull from this, but I think it's a slow burner.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: EOJ on September 11, 2008, 03:41:22 PM
Quote from: markedkiller78 on September 11, 2008, 08:12:13 AM
I'm going to unlock the hidden characters tonight when I get home.

Well, here's a problem! You really need to unlock Follett and Rosa. A lot of people prefer one of these two over Windia or Casper. I use Follett the most these days.

Also, I can't emphasize enough that the fun of this game is in its scoring system. Once you get a screen full of bouncing skulls and glowing orange +10000 multipliers, things get very fun indeed.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: The Sheep on September 13, 2008, 06:13:31 AM
In the char selection screen, there are two options for each char. What are they for ?
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: SuperPang on September 13, 2008, 07:43:22 AM
Skip demo
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: The Sheep on September 13, 2008, 08:45:55 AM
ahhh, k.Thx =D

Awesome game. btw. I really love it.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 13, 2008, 10:50:36 AM
40.6m level 4-2.

I thought this was meant to be easy, granted I can get to the final level after 2 days, but Level 4 is a total bitch
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 13, 2008, 12:06:19 PM
Quote from: markedkiller78 on September 13, 2008, 10:50:36 AM
40.6m level 4-2.

I thought this was meant to be easy, granted I can get to the final level after 2 days, but Level 4 is a total bitch

Right I take it back. Next run & I cleared the game. Bar none the easiest cave game ever. Rosa is a powerhouse
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: SuperPang on September 14, 2008, 07:16:25 AM
Extra stage time ;)
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 14, 2008, 01:26:39 PM
Quote from: SuperPang on September 14, 2008, 07:16:25 AM
Extra stage time ;)

Aye, I've got to the 2 Dragons twice, but suicide bullets (when doing all 3's as well) are mental :mad:

I am enjoying this one now, I can clear the first 6 stages every time, but my scores are a little inconsistant. The Lava Level & Jungle with the vines are score tastic :)
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 15, 2008, 10:44:58 AM
I wrote this:

I?ve been playing far too much Death Smiles. Every time I close my eyes I can see  Pumpkins / crowns / skulls, 1000+259 multipliers & I can hear the SFX when you select a level, text pops up on screen. I wanted to call in sick today to play the game & had I not just changed jobs, probably would have.

Jesus this game is addictive.

I?ve gone from thinking it?s shit (I didn?t know how to score), to thinking it?s too easy (I figured out how to score), to thinking it?s too hard (suicide hell & Canyon).

My partner is doing a postgrad & studies everynight. I now have all this free time which we used to spend together and all I do is play shmups. I?ve discovered that I can forget about my job (which can be quite stressful) when I?m trying to dodge through hordes of bullets or chaining enemies together.

I think I?ve either discovered a new level of enjoyment or that I?ve turned into a massive cave fan boy overnight. I?m happy regardless.

Then read this lol:


Quote from: EOJ on August 13, 2008, 12:10:08 AM
Warning: once you play it you'll start to see bouncing skulls and glowing orange +10,000 multipliers in your head when your close your eyes before bed.

Thank god it's not just me!
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on September 15, 2008, 11:14:18 AM
QuoteThe Lava Level & Jungle with the vines are score tastic

The key to scoring is the refill.  Personally I think the timing is a bit unforgiving (a la old Cave) but once you get it, it makes it way funner.  And of course, if you fuck up, way more frustrating.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 15, 2008, 02:05:44 PM
By refil do you mean, haveing tons of crowns on screen as the timer hits zero?

It's a total fluke if I do it.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 17, 2008, 06:56:01 AM

I?ve fully read the Strat section, so hopefully I?ll be refilling this week & enjoying this game even more!

I know that I can hammer my current 112m. I got to the volcano level with 40m+ last night, but then died stupidly thanks to those pissy suicide bullets. I might do an easy ALL (No suicide) and aim for 150m this week.

I had no idea how subtle this game is. Absorbing suicide bullets takes some serious skill on the Volcano & Canyon thanks to the scenery. Rosa?s option is a pain to rotate in front of you, I?m guessing this is her only drawback as the others are so underpowered in comparison.

I am absolutely smitten by this game & over the moon that it?s one of the 360 ports. If any hori can rekindle some shmup lovin, this has got to be it.





Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: KOMA on September 17, 2008, 07:08:54 AM
If you have the suicide bullets at the volcano stage,you choose the wrong route or at least a difficult one.
If i remember correctly since i do not have the game anymore, i took:
A1-C2-C1-A2-B2-B1
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on September 17, 2008, 08:49:14 PM
Quote from: markedkiller78 on September 15, 2008, 02:05:44 PM
By refil do you mean, haveing tons of crowns on screen as the timer hits zero?

Yes, that's exactly how you do it.  Some spots are easier than others.  Any of the "big shit" (The boats in the harbor, the ugh... big ass round things in the forest, the house in the graveyard) all spew crowns, so use them to time out a zero.  Also remember some of them require the lock on to trigger way more crowns.

And yes, you don't want suicide bullets on the volcano. 
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 18, 2008, 09:54:21 AM
Thanks guys. I?ll go for a Rank 3 run tonight & see what happens (Avoiding a suicide Volcano)
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: GaijinPunch on September 18, 2008, 08:54:55 PM
Quote from: markedkiller78 on September 18, 2008, 09:54:21 AM
Thanks guys. I?ll go for a Rank 3 run tonight & see what happens (Avoiding a suicide Volcano)

Do you have the super play DVD?  There are some spots where you'll want to bomb to get the refill.  Make sure to
1: Hold down A+B
2: Make sure the bomb "hits" the target.
Title: Re: Death Smiles
Post by: markedkiller78 on September 19, 2008, 03:38:49 AM
Quote from: GaijinPunch on September 18, 2008, 08:54:55 PM
Quote from: markedkiller78 on September 18, 2008, 09:54:21 AM
Thanks guys. I?ll go for a Rank 3 run tonight & see what happens (Avoiding a suicide Volcano)

Do you have the super play DVD?  There are some spots where you'll want to bomb to get the refill.  Make sure to
1: Hold down A+B
2: Make sure the bomb "hits" the target.

Nah mate it's a little too expensive at the mo. I notice that there are spots where you don't need to bomb. The volcano & Jungle are the 2 places I would really love to figure out the refil