Yet another RotD review

Takumaji

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Finally, I've finished my RotD review. It's still in pure text form, no pics or anything (I will add some screens'n stuff later).

Read it <a href="http://www.lupa.de/ne-o-rama/reviews/rotd.txt" target="_blank">here</a>.

It's the preliminary version of the review I will send to Bobak for neo-geo.com.

Tell me what you think about it.
 
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phew- that was epic....

Great work tak- you sum up the game very well- In particulkar i like what you convey in the gameplay section.

btw- its not so easy when you only have 400 words to do the whole thing in... <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[Crying]" />
 

Takumaji

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Lol, yeah, I know that my reviews are way too long...

At first I thought it's because English is not my native language, but my German reviews aren't particularly short either.

Transporting your point of view in short sentences, say with less than 400 words, prolly is one of the most advanced tasks of journalism/writing...

Anyway, thanks for looking!
 

EMAGDNIM

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That was a great review...I need something like that to help me decide on my next big purchase...
 

The True Warrior

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Originally posted by Takumaji:
<strong>Finally, I've finished my RotD review. It's still in pure text form, no pics or anything (I will add some screens'n stuff later).

Read it <a href="http://www.lupa.de/ne-o-rama/reviews/rotd.txt" target="_blank">here</a>.

It's the preliminary version of the review I will send to Bobak for neo-geo.com.

Tell me what you think about it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

*claps* commendable Takumaji! <img src="graemlins/mrt2.gif" border="0" alt="[Mr T]" />

Very objective and in-depth review you've got there...

However, it still won't persuade me play RotD again. <img src="graemlins/ohno.gif" border="0" alt="[Oh No]" /> <img src="graemlins/shame.gif" border="0" alt="[Shame]" /> I've played it enough times to know that it's not a fighting game that I'd take a fancy to, but that's just me.

Again, great review! :D
 

Takumaji

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Originally posted by The True Warrior:
<strong> [...] However, it still won't persuade me play RotD again. <img src="graemlins/ohno.gif" border="0" alt="[Oh No]" /> <img src="graemlins/shame.gif" border="0" alt="[Shame]" /> I've played it enough times to know that it's not a fighting game that I'd take a fancy to, but that's just me.

Again, great review! :D </strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks, TTW.

The "final word" was the hardest part. I'm partial to RotD, when I first got it, I was honestly shocked how easy it is. I never played a new non-franchise fighter like this, and this is exactly what my friends who mostly don't like fighters attracts to it. In this case, "easy" doesn't necessarily mean a stupid CPU, but a engine which feels blunt, shallow, whatever you want to call it.

From a Neo veteran's point of view, this spoils the whole thing, even Johann isn't your usual cheap-ass Neo end boss. Somebody from ng.com told me about a really cheap trick to beat him. Went home, tried it, couldn't believe it, tried it again, and then finally filed Johann between KoF97 Orochi and KoF2k Zero. Case closed. :)

On the other hand, the game can be mad fun in 2P if your opponent isn't one of the scrubbing sort of player, so I also wanted to reflect this in my review.
 
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Originally posted by Takumaji:
<strong>

Thanks, TTW.

The "final word" was the hardest part. I'm partial to RotD, when I first got it, I was honestly shocked how easy it is. I never played a new non-franchise fighter like this, and this is exactly what my friends who mostly don't like fighters attracts to it. In this case, "easy" doesn't necessarily mean a stupid CPU, but a engine which feels blunt, shallow, whatever you want to call it.

From a Neo veteran's point of view, this spoils the whole thing, even Johann isn't your usual cheap-ass Neo end boss. Somebody from ng.com told me about a really cheap trick to beat him. Went home, tried it, couldn't believe it, tried it again, and then finally filed Johann between KoF97 Orochi and KoF2k Zero. Case closed. :)

On the other hand, the game can be mad fun in 2P if your opponent isn't one of the scrubbing sort of player, so I also wanted to reflect this in my review.</strong><hr></blockquote>

man...reading posts like that makes me realise how much training i'm yet to do...

<img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[Crying]" />
 

Takumaji

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Originally posted by gozaimas:
<strong>

man...reading posts like that makes me realise how much training i'm yet to do...

<img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[Crying]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

I didn't want to say that I'd be able to beat RotD on expert with my eyes closed. With "easy" I was referring to the easily accessible engine.

Some CPU characters can be a bitch on hard, no doubt about that, but they're still quite dumb tactics-wise.

[ November 28, 2002: Message edited by: Takumaji ]</p>
 

Bhm

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Wow, what a kickass review.

THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is how a review should be.

Now if I only could find my misplaced döner... it was here just a minute ago...

// Bhm
 
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My main complaint is that the review comes off as elitist. It leaves me with the impression that you think only an inferior or inexperienced neo fighting game player could like Rage of the Dragons. That type writing makes me reluctant to give weight to your opinion, despite any other points you make. Also, you left out the "miracle" fighting rank. Lastly, it seems like you contradict yourself when you say that the game has "scrubbing potential" at the start of the paragraph, but then go on to say that such tactics are easily countered. To me that sounds as if you're saying that there is no real potential for an experienced player to be beaten by a scrub, but scrubs can have fun playing each other...maybe I just misunderstood what you meant by "scrubbing potential". I thought you meant that cheap tactics work on all skill levels.

Overall, I'd say it was a well written review. By the way, your English skills are impressive. You wouldn't believe how many native speakers misspell "ridiculous"...
 

Takumaji

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Originally posted by galvatron:
<strong>My main complaint is that the review comes off as elitist. It leaves me with the impression that you think only an inferior or inexperienced neo fighting game player could like Rage of the Dragons. That type writing makes me reluctant to give weight to your opinion, despite any other points you make. Also, you left out the "miracle" fighting rank. Lastly, it seems like you contradict yourself when you say that the game has "scrubbing potential" at the start of the paragraph, but then go on to say that such tactics are easily countered. To me that sounds as if you're saying that there is no real potential for an experienced player to be beaten by a scrub, but scrubs can have fun playing each other...maybe I just misunderstood what you meant by "scrubbing potential". I thought you meant that cheap tactics work on all skill levels.

Overall, I'd say it was a well written review. By the way, your English skills are impressive. You wouldn't believe how many native speakers misspell "ridiculous"...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Some interesting points, even more as I received three emails about my review with similar comments.

Thing is that I may not be a very good fighting game player, but I'm part of the fighting game "scene" since FF and SF2 came out, so I have played lots and lots of games of the genre. What I wanted to say is that the replay value of RotD may not be as high for an experienced gamer as for ppl new to these games.

IMO, this is an issue of the game which should be addressed. I'm aware that this may sound elitist, but I didn't know how to formulate it in a better way, that's why I wrote:

" [...] If you can look over all the flaws RotD has and don't consider yourself a fighting game veteran who has seen it all, you will like RotD for its lightweighted engine and easy combo system. Others may have fun as well, but the replay value drops drastically if half of the endings have been seen and all the moves have been tried out. [...]"

You know, there are experienced gamers with very high skills and even higher expectations to get a new KoF98 or RBFF, but given the "transparency" of RotD's engine, these small group of ppl may be disappointed with it.

Lastly, my comments about the scrubbing potential of RotD target 1P games, where a scrub can rush through the stages because of a very predictable CPU, even on the highest diff setting. In 2P games, there are plenty of ways to escape annoying scrubbing, because RotD's engine may be a lil' blunt, but it offers more than the usual jump-D-CD-combo-into-(S)DM routine which CPU opponents like to do.

Anyway, thanks for your comments.
 

black_wizardd

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Excellent review, top class stuff. Easily one of the best reviews I've ever read, period. Well done.
 

Takumaji

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Originally posted by Bobak:
<strong>Damn, I'm looking forward to posting it!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks. I turned it into html already, just have to add some more screens from the Evoga website. Will send it to you by the end of the week, that and an AoF review.
 

Real Bout Maniac

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Good review!

Couple of minor things I noticed though; when describing the Duplex Combos, you list the command as hcf+BC, when everything I've read (including the official moves listing that came with my MVS kit) lists it as qcf+BC.

Hmmm... if it is actually a half-circle motion, that would explain why I have so much trouble pulling this off consistantly at the end of a combo... ;)

Also, when explaining the First Contact combo chains (you call them Sequence Combos), you have one too many button commands - 6 as opposed to 5.

Overall, very nicely written though. It's just that I've done so much editing in my time that things like this tend to pop out at me! :D
 

Takumaji

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Originally posted by Real Bout Maniac:
<strong>Good review!

Couple of minor things I noticed though; when describing the Duplex Combos, you list the command as hcf+BC, when everything I've read (including the official moves listing that came with my MVS kit) lists it as qcf+BC.

Hmmm... if it is actually a half-circle motion, that would explain why I have so much trouble pulling this off consistantly at the end of a combo... ;)

Also, when explaining the First Contact combo chains (you call them Sequence Combos), you have one too many button commands - 6 as opposed to 5.

Overall, very nicely written though. It's just that I've done so much editing in my time that things like this tend to pop out at me! :D </strong><hr></blockquote>

I used the Neo Encyclopedia, the game manual, Evoga's system/commands sheets on their site and several FAQs. Only one FAQ lists the Team Duplex as qcf+BC, all the others say hcf+BC, and I'm much more successful pulling off these Duplexes with hcf.

Likewise, Evoga's RotD website lists a sequence of 6 buttons to be pressed after a successful connect of a Sequence Combo (which is actually called First Impact). This part of the review was done from the top of my head, so I will check it when I'm back from the office.

Thanks for the input.
 

Real Bout Maniac

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Originally posted by Takumaji:
<strong>

I used the Neo Encyclopedia, the game manual, Evoga's system/commands sheets on their site and several FAQs. Only one FAQ lists the Team Duplex as qcf+BC, all the others say hcf+BC, and I'm much more successful pulling off these Duplexes with hcf.

Likewise, Evoga's RotD website lists a sequence of 6 buttons to be pressed after a successful connect of a Sequence Combo (which is actually called First Impact). This part of the review was done from the top of my head, so I will check it when I'm back from the office.

Thanks for the input.</strong><hr></blockquote>

The flyer that comes with the MVS kit lists the Team Duplex as a qcf motion (just double-checked to make sure). Not saying this is right (might not be), but it is what Evoga printed on the flyer. You should probably get some confirmation one way or the other before putting the review up.

Likewise, ALL First Impact combo are 5 buttons (not including the CD starter):


Billy - Ground: BACDD
Air: ABBCD

Lynn - Ground: AAACC
Air: AAACC

Radel - Ground: AAACD
Air: AAACD

Annie - Ground: AABCC
Air: AABDC

Cassandra - Ground: ABCCD
Air: ABCCD

Oni - Ground: AACCD
Air: ABCCD

Pepe - Ground: ABCDD
Air: BACDD

Pupa - Ground: AABBD
Air: BBDDD

Alice - Ground: AACCC
Air: BACDD

Elias - Ground: ABACD
Air: ACDDD

Mr. Jones - Ground: ABCDC
Air: ABBCC

Kang - Ground: AAAAC
Air: AAAAC

Sonia - Ground: AACCD
Air: BABAC

Jimmy - Ground: AABCC
Air: BACDD

Abubo - Ground: AABBD
Air: AACDD
 

Takumaji

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Yep, I was wrong with the First Impact combos, had another two hours of 2P RotD and counted to five only :)

Thanx anyway for the listing, nice one.

I'm still not sure about the Team Duplex; qcf or hcf?

Anybody else to share some info about this?
 

Real Bout Maniac

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Originally posted by Takumaji:
<strong>Yep, I was wrong with the First Impact combos, had another two hours of 2P RotD and counted to five only :)

Thanx anyway for the listing, nice one.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Not a problem! ;)

I just cheated a little and put it on 2-player so I could double-check myself. I was pretty sure it was only 5 hits, but since there are some characters I really don't use much, I thought I'd better be sure before replying! :D

Originally posted by Takumaji:
<strong>I'm still not sure about the Team Duplex; qcf or hcf?

Anybody else to share some info about this?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I've tried it both ways, and I THINK it's a QCF motion. However, since I find the sticks on an MVS cab a bit less precise than using the original home cart joysticks, I can't say for sure. I'd have to try the home version in order to make a comparison.

Anyone want to loan me their home cart of this? Strictly for scientific study of course... <img src="graemlins/glee.gif" border="0" alt="[Glee]" />
 

Takumaji

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Okay, did some more research on the Team Duplex move and found the command on Evoga's website, buried beneath a few ads.

It's qcf+bc, you were right. Will edit my review accordingly.
 
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