mjmjr25's Arcade game of the Week (or month): BLOOD BROS

[mjmjr25]

Greetings,

This is a pretty slow sub-forum, so i'm taking an opportunity to highlight a lesser known game every so often. Will probably be at the rate of 2-3 a month, give or take.

If you have questions or comments - please post them here.

When I post about a new game; i'll put the game title in the thread title to let the readers know there is a new game.

10.19.13: GAIAPOLIS
10.26.13: BLOOD BROS

[mjmjr25]

The game today (10.19.13) is GAIAPOLIS.

Gaiapolis is a Konami produced game in 1993. And was not a hit but had a solid following, particularly in Japan (as is often the case).

It is an action style RPG. A game like this is right up my personal alley. It has elements not often found in an arcade style game.

There are 3 playable characters and it is a 1p or 2p game. Each character has a strong suit of course.

There are 3 action buttons. (A) Hack and Slash, (B) Dispatch a guardian (once you've found one), (C) Release a special / potion / mass assualt (that you've picked up along the way).

There is RPG style leveling up of your character and there is also quite and involved story. Certainly a more intricate story than in most arcade games. Perhaps the most unique element and something again, that I really appreciate, is a save game feature. After you die - you are able to enter a code and the next time you pop your quarters in, you can go to the saved game option and start where you left off.

The action is not as precise as say Crystal of Kings or Death Adder, but it is functional and consistent. It does not have the A button combos as some other beat 'em ups, but it really isn't trying to be a full-on beat 'em up either. There are some attacks that rely on manipulation of the 8-way joystick and the A button, but the other attacks w/B and C are just push and watch it happen.

A few other things that really stand out: no jump button. Very odd to play this style of game and not be able to do jump attacks. Again, more focus on item finding and story are at play. Also, this is a vertically scrolling game - which is very rare for this genre and gives the game a very unique feel. Levels will give the option to go vertical or horizontal, but the monitor is always vertical.

Some pics:

[EllertMichael]

Cool idea, Mike

I've actually been meaning to spend a little time with this game after recently compiling a list of vertically orientated games that aren't shoot em ups. Looks cool. I'll be sure to report back after I've spent a little time with it.

[mjmjr25]

Let me then also recommend "Fixeight" (a balls hard run 'n gun that plays a bit like a platformer, with bullet patterns of a shmup) and "Rally Bike", an old school racing game that just feels right playing vertically.

[Phades]

I'd never heard of this one before but it certainly looks cool and sounds right up my alley.

Great idea for a topic! I look forward to seeing your future selections!

[bryan_65]

So it's a vertical scrolling RPG beat-em up, Nice. I will have to look up some videos.

[mjmjr25]

I've only played 4 levels so far - I believe there are 17 from another article I read. The bosses are already getting interesting. The first couple had very easy patterns, but on level 3 it picked up a bit. Liking this game.

Screen shot (from web, not me...)

[ninjainspandex]

Great idea Mike, this will give me an excuse to figure out MAME

[ExedExes]

Gaiapolis was pretty sweet. I got to play the actual cab years ago. Where I played it, it was paired up with Metamorphic Force (another great Konami beat em up for you to try perhaps), then it got put next to a Dooyong R-Shark. Completed it on MAME later on. For a Konami game, the graphics were simply amazing. Very tough too, as I recall, especially near the end.

Fixeight was another cab I got to play. It's a sort-of-sequel to Outzone. Tons more action and I think it's a better game.

Good feature. I'll be plugged in to this thread.

[dunpeal2064]

Definietely interested in this. I've never heard of Gaiapolis, but it looks awesome.