Astra Superstars review?
Reed Ballesteros
seeing screenshots of this game a while back, but haven't heard anything
about it since its release. The super moves I've seen from the game
looks cool, as if there was some big animation scene going on when they
are executed. I'm thinking about getting this game, so any review would
be appreciated =)
Also, after hearing so many praises on Radiant Silvergun, I guess I'm
going to pick up a copy myself after my paycheck comes in this Friday
(as well as the US version of Parasite Eve for the PSX)...that's if I
can find a copy anywhere (for a decent price, that is)...
Late.
-Reed
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DENNY471
having much prior info about it other than the fact that it was by the
developers of Galaxy Fight and Waku Waku 7, and it had suffered some serious
delays. While I did enjoy GF initially, I found the game to be in need of some
serious refinements, i.e. more gameplay techniques.
Waku Waku 7 is one
of those games that you either hate or love. I happen to be in the "love"
category, but only because of it's original character designs, great music
and
a plethora of gameplay techniques (I wrote a review of this game on
somebody's
website which I have no idea how to find now. I felt it was one of my best-
written reviews, but alas, is now lost). However, I am not blind to it's
faults. Too much loading, too few characters, and gameplay-hampering
slowdown
(this was the death-blow for some) had a profound effect on how one may
perceive this game. Regardless, I felt it was an original effort, with all
the right elements thrown in, but in need of some fine-tuning.
Enter Astra Superstars. Once again, the cast is definitely original and
varied in design, although small in numbers.
Whereas WW7's cumbersome
gameplay ruined an otherwise brilliant effort,
AS features gameplay at a
furious pace! This is most impressive considering this game does everything
WW7 did in terms of gameplay (except Pursuits, as far as I can tell), while
featuring characters who start out half the size of the screen, and get
LARGER
when performing Supers, at the same time showing off such effects as screen
flares, transparencies, color cycling, warping backgrounds and camera
zooming!! One character, Sakamoto, possesses a Super which transforms him
into a demon that takes up the entire left or right side of the screen
(depending on where you are), while another character (CoCo) summons a giant
pumpkin from the sky, which blankets the entire screen! The Saturn is in
overdrive! Blast Processing is back!!
AS has most of what makes a great fighting game; interesting characters,
frenetic action, great control, great music, BG's which range from good to
breathtaking, and enough gameplay technique to keep the fight interesting.
The only thing AS lacks is skill. This is a button-masher's dream come true.
No fancy joystick movements here. Press a button, get a Special, press two
buttons together, get a 30-hit Super combo ! Needless to say, this game will
not appeal to everyone, but it offers a world of spastic gameplay and more
importantly, fun. For me, this is an infinitely more enjoyable experience
than WW7.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email me.
Reed Ballesteros
to these games?) so I'll look into getting this game. Thanks for the
enthusiastic review =)
Late.
-Reed
Darrius Joiner
compatible and has some wonderfully huge animated sprites. It is definately
worth checking out. It not a Capcom or SNK fighter, but it IS fun in it's
own unique way. If you like the anime style characters in WakuWaku 7 then
you'll love Astra Superstars. A very good 2D fighter on the Saturn!
DENNY471
No, the only relation Astra Superstars has to Galaxy Fight and Waku Waku 7 is
its publisher, Sunsoft.
It seems to me that Sunsoft did not program this game as they did GF and WW7.
A company called "Santa Claus" is mentioned on the manual and in the game. Are
they the actual development team?
BTW, does anyone have a favorite character in this game? I like Fooly. He
actually curses when he loses the match! It's bleeped out, but still, I just
find that hilarious!
Alan Kwan
>The only thing AS lacks is skill. This is a button-masher's dream come true.
>No fancy joystick movements here. Press a button, get a Special, press two
>buttons together, get a 30-hit Super combo !
I think it pays to break down vs. fighting "skill" into categories
such as "timing and position manipulation" and "controller
manipulation". So AS is lacking in the latter category. What about
the former?
"Live life with Heart."
Alan Kwan / ta...@notme.netvigator.com
http://home.netvigator.com/~tarot (hard-core game reviews)
(please remove anti-spam section "notme." from mailing address)
LZduck
Has anyone translated the options menu?
Has anyone found any secrets such as secret characters or other play modes?
Is it possible to have more supers or special attacks than just 3?
ex. wp+wk, sp+sk, fp+fk
Is there a specified way to cause greater chain combos like in xmen vs sf
zig zag pattern or has anyone gotten any good combos to post.
I can't seem to connect combos after I hit them into the ground but I can
air combo them after launching them(I know all the combos are air combos
essentially).
Frank Chaustowich
>
> I think it pays to break down vs. fighting "skill" into categories
> such as "timing and position manipulation" and "controller
> manipulation". So AS is lacking in the latter category. What about
> the former?
>
> "Live life with Heart."
> Alan Kwan / ta...@notme.netvigator.com
> http://home.netvigator.com/~tarot (hard-core game reviews)
> (please remove anti-spam section "notme." from mailing address)
I think that AS indeed has the goods in the area of fighing skills-- I
mean, you're not going to find Street Fighter depth here, but there's a
heckuva lot more depth than one would think with just button press
supers. This was really illustrated for me when playing against a
friend... we were having a blast setting up long combo chains and other
spazzy- type goodness without having to worry about missing the
ocassional move motion. On the other hand, just pounding away at the
buttons more often than not results in a quick defeat.
IMO, this game has alot of the same vibe and appeal as the Capcom VS.
series-- flashy action with enough skill to keep me occupied for an
evening, but not too much to frustrate me if I happen to not be in the
fighting game mind focus.
However, a lot of people can't stand the VS. series...
--
"...you have offered us 1000 gold coins, 900 acres
of farmland, and your first born daughter
...however we still wish to eat your head."
- Dragon Mirth, Dragon 1/84