Quick thoughts on Star Parodier for the Wii Virtual Console

[jfe2]

I recently downloaded a bunch of WiiWare games on my newly acquired Wii, but since I love to actually own the games that I play, I decided to only buy games on the Virtual Console that were never released in the United States. One of the games that I downloaded is a charming little shmup from Hudson known as Star Parodier, which was originally released on the PC Engine CD-ROM.

Star Parodier is a parody of the Star Soldier series (also developed by Hudson), a series in which I'm ashamed to admit I have never played before. Although this game is goofing on the Star Soldier games, don't let that fool you. Star Parodier is a more than capable shmup, and although the earlier levels are a bit on the easy side, the final two are hard enough to make up for the rest of the game.

Like all of the other "import" Wii VC releases, Star Parodier is presented entirely in Japanese, and is essentially a straight port of the PC Engine game. I gathered a bit of the story from the opening cinematic, which was fun to watch. To sum it up, a girl asks Bomberman to help save her planet from destruction. So a bunch of Bombermen build a giant Bomberman mech that they then pilot. The "Bombermech" then teams up with the Paro Ceaser ship from Star Soldier, and a giant, anthropomorphic PC Engine to help save the day.

You can actually play as any of the three characters mentioned above, and they all have different, unique weapon layouts. The "Bombermech" has bomb themed attacks, the Paro Caeser uses laser and homing attacks, and the PC Engine actually fires HuCards and CDs at the opposition... and yes, it is as rad as it sounds.

The gameplay is fun, and can obviously be compared to the Star Soldier games, although for people like me, who have been ignorant of the series, it can also be compared to other vertical shmups such as 1942 for the NES, or Phelios on the Genesis. The game is a bit on the easy side, as it offers a metric ton of power-ups, and little in the way of bullet-hell resistance... that is until it comes to the final two levels.

I made it all the way to the 7th stage on one life, but once I got there I hit the proverbial brick wall. I managed to blow all 17 lives that I had managed to stock up between here and the mid-way point of the 8th stage. To put it bluntly, once you die once at this point in the game, you are almost most certainly screwed. You are brought back to life without any of the power-ups that you had previously gathered, so dying is much easier now.

As frustrating as it may get at the end, the game is still an absolute blast to play. And really, who knows? I may just be horrible at shmups, so a veteran may be able to blow through this game with no problems. When it comes down to it though, Star Parodier is just fun, and really, what more could you ask for in a video game?

Playing Star Parodier has actually influenced me to go back and try the rest of the Star Soldier series. From what I've read, its a fun, if not generic, shmup series, but if its anything like Star Parodier then it should offer more than enough fun factor for me.

[Breetai]

Have you played the Parodius games (PCE/SFC) or Air Zonk (Turbografx-16)? Those are great horizontal shooters that are cute/silly like Star Parodier.

Of the four PC Engine games in the Star Soldier Series (Gunhed/Blazing Lazers*, Super Star Soldier, Final Soldier and Soldier Blade), most people consider Soldier Blade to be the best. Personally, I like Final Soldier because the weapon system/choice is more fun, but I'm in the minority.

The usual order from best to not-quite-best is 1. Soldier Blad; 2. Gunhed/Blazing Lazers; 3. Final Soldier; 4. Super Star Soldier. ALL are great games and offer some of the best vertical shoot 'em up action of the 16-bit era; better than anything on the SNES and Genesis in my opinion (although the Aleste games are also among the best verticals). For side scrollers, try the Gradius series(I/II on PC Engine, III on SNES), Parodius series (1 game on PC Engine and 3 games on SFC), Salamander/Life Force (PC Engine beats the NES one easily), Thunder Force III and IV(aka. Lightening Force)(Genesis), Gate of Thunder (Turbo CD) and Lords of Thunder (Turbo CD/Sega CD). There are more, of course, but these are some of the best of the best.

*technically Gunhed/Blazing Lazers isn't part of the Star Soldier series, as it's made by the Aleste guys, but it's so similar that it's usually groups with the other three games.

[jfe2]

I haven't played the Parodius games, or Air Zonk, but I did pick up Zaku for the Atari Lynx which is pretty much a clone of Air Zonk. I want to buy Air Zonk for my TG-16 but I can never find it for less than $40.

As far as Gradius goes, I love those games. I've actually never tried Gradius II, which I saw offered up on the Wii VC and thought about getting. As far as I know, it was never released in the US, so the VC version might be my best option. I just beat Gradius ReBirth a little while back, and more of that can only be a good thing.

It's also interesting that you mentioned Blazing Lazers, as I just bought it for $10 at a flea market over the weekend. I didn't try it out yet, but I've always heard it was a great shmup and just felt compelled to buy it.

Thanks for the suggestions! I've really been into shmups lately for some reason.

[Breetai]

It's also interesting that you mentioned Blazing Lazers, as I just bought it for $10 at a flea market over the weekend. I didn't try it out yet, but I've always heard it was a great shmup and just felt compelled to buy it.

Yeah, if you've played Blazing Lazers then you'll know just what to expect with the other three.

Thanks for the suggestions! I've really been into shmups lately for some reason. [/quote]
I think shoot 'em ups are my favourite type of game. It's very easy to just sit down and play for a few minutes if you don't have a lot of time, whereas that is just not possible with a lot of modern games.

I also forgot to mention R-Type in my last post! The TG-16 port is nearly arcade perfect, although if you have a PS3 just get the PS1 version they have there. It IS arcade perfect plus also has R-Type II. R-Type III on the SNES is AMAZING. Super R-Type is good, too, but is overshadowed by the others.

Get all those, and you'll be set for 16-bit shoot 'em ups for a long time!

[jfe2]

Ah, R-Type! I have memories of playing it as a kid, but this year I picked up R-Type III for the SNES and played through R-Type I and II on R-Type Dimensions on XBLA. GREAT shmup!

[Breetai]

Ah, R-Type! I have memories of playing it as a kid, but this year I picked up R-Type III for the SNES and played through R-Type I and II on R-Type Dimensions on XBLA. GREAT shmup!

Well, you might as well pick up Super R-Type on the SNES then. It should be fairly cheap. Cheaper than R-Type III, definitely!

Does R-Type Dimensions let you play the originals, or is it only remade versions?

[jfe2]

Ah, R-Type! I have memories of playing it as a kid, but this year I picked up R-Type III for the SNES and played through R-Type I and II on R-Type Dimensions on XBLA. GREAT shmup!

Well, you might as well pick up Super R-Type on the SNES then. It should be fairly cheap. Cheaper than R-Type III, definitely!

Does R-Type Dimensions let you play the originals, or is it only remade versions?

Ah crap, I messed up. It was actually Super R-Type that I picked up!

R-Type Dimensions lets you play both the original versions, and lets you update the graphics. The cool thing about it is that you can change up the graphics on the fly at the press of a button.

[Breetai]

Ah crap, I messed up. It was actually Super R-Type that I picked up!

R-Type Dimensions lets you play both the original versions, and lets you update the graphics. The cool thing about it is that you can change up the graphics on the fly at the press of a button.

That sounds awesome! I have no plans to ever buy a 360 (Wii and PS3 is more than enough for me!), so I'll probably miss out unless it comes to the PSN. I've heard of it, of course.

Anyway, if you are into the R-Type games than DEFINITELY check out III on the SNES. Unfortunately it is more expensive than Super R-Type.

[jfe2]

Beat Star Parodier tonight, and promptly downloaded Final Soldier from the Virtual Console.

I played it for a bit and left off at the beginning of the 5th level. Very fun so far, expect some sort of review within the next few days.

[Breetai]

Beat Star Parodier tonight, and promptly downloaded Final Soldier from the Virtual Console.

I played it for a bit and left off at the beginning of the 5th level. Very fun so far, expect some sort of review within the next few days.

GREAT!!! Isn't the music on it wonderful? My favourite in the series!

I recommend Soldier Blade next, if you want more in the series. I highly recommend Air Zonk, Gate of Thunder and Lords of Thunder if you want some different TG-16 shooters.