Shin-oh-Ken (Ragnagard) is actually a GREAT fighter.

SSS

neo retired
Joined
Sep 27, 2002
Posts
10,771
I had only played this game a few times and didn't think that highly of it. I read Kazuya's review but didn't think it was that bad.

I just picked up the homecart two days ago.

This game has probably one of the coolest combo systems out of any Neo Geo fighter. If you play this game like a normal fighter, you will suck and die. There is a reason it is called "Aerial Battle Action Game".

I can see alot of people not understanding the gameplay mechanics. The "How To Play Screen" does not elaborate on anything. So those with loose MVS carts are screwed. The only FAQ I've seen (Bun's on gamefaqs). Is very incomplete and wrong in some parts.


Those with loose MVS carts, who would like to know alot more about the aerial combat system, check this thread. <a href="http://www.neo-geo.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=009197" target="_blank">http://www.neo-geo.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=009197</a>

There are many ways to start Aerial Combos. You can start from the ground up, or start in the air and work your way down. The air dash (also in Guilty Gear) plays a vital role in starting/continuing a combo. The probably easiest way to start is by dashing in, attack, then use the rising AB. Once your opponent is in the air, try a whole bunch of different things. I find trying to use rising AB from the ground to start aerial combos against shorter characters is alot more dificult. That's where the strong attack forward BC comes in. On the ground it will usually just send the opponent flying backwards. But if you have them backed up to the edge of the screen, it will actually bounce them into the air, then you can start with the rising AB. This is useful against the midgets.

Another good thing, is some special moves that work on the ground can also work in the air (EX: uppercuts).

The charge up system is one of the neatest I've seen. Each character has two different elements (out of Fire, Lighting, Water, Wind). ABC will charge up the first element. BCD will charge the second. Each element for your character wields a different DM. There is also SDMs (you need a full powerstock, doesn't matter which element you have charged), and contrary to Bun's FAQ, this can be preformed at any time, not just when your life bar is flashing red.

Actually gaining power stocks is innovative as well. Let's say you finish charging up lighting. Lighting balls will start to appear randomly around the screen and zap down. To gain a power stock, you have to be standing under it.


This isn't a game you can play for 5 mins and expect to know everything, give it time.

Head over to daddlekingz for a good review. They actually score Ragnagard higher than Rage of the Dragons, and I agree. I have spent more time playing Ragnagard in the past two days, then I have spent playing ROTD over the past month.

I was planning to make a little combo video, but my hosting service is down.

<small>[ June 17, 2003, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: SamuraiShodownSensei ]</small>
 

RabbitTroop

Mayor of Southtown, ,
20 Year Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2000
Posts
13,852
I gave this game a month before I labeled it "shit"... I can't stand it, I find the gameplay shallow, the graphics terrible, the combos boring, and the characters contrived. The music was good in some places, cat screeching anoying in others... This is the only MVS cart I felt I had to get rid of... I mean I hated it that much...

-Nick
 

Cnidarian

Over Top Auto Mechanic
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Posts
854
Hmm, I was thinking of picking this title up myself...

Just one question: how would you rate the overall balance between all the characters?

What I mean is, are there some that are more useful/effective than others, making only one or two guys really worth a damn to play as?

Or is the playing field fairly level for all the characters, like in the Last Blades or KOFs?

This is usually one of my first thoughts about these fighters with the smaller casts...
 

SSS

neo retired
Joined
Sep 27, 2002
Posts
10,771
I would say there are fighters that are more effective than others, but then again I've only had the game for two days. If you want more details, talk to Evil Wasabi or Neo Bomber Man.
 
Joined
May 29, 2002
Posts
4,771
I saw a video of this yesterday, and I friekin love the color, animation, and music.

But all the reviews I've read label the game as shit.

Evil Wasabi and NeoBomberman, care to expend your expert opinions on the game?
 

steveold

Guerilla Warrior
Joined
Nov 7, 2001
Posts
1,732
Yeah I remember NBM "raving" this game.

If you wanna try it out for real cheap, and have a Saturn, might as well give the Saturn version a spin at $10... no it's not the same feel as NEO obviously but it is cheeeeap :)
 
Joined
May 29, 2002
Posts
4,771
Steve:
Yeah I remember NBM "raving" this game.

If you wanna try it out for real cheap, and have a Saturn, might as well give the Saturn version a spin at $10... no it's not the same feel as NEO obviously but it is cheeeeap :)
:) Thanks for the input. No, I don't have a Saturn actually however.
 

yagamikun

Mauru's Zoo Manager
25 Year Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2000
Posts
2,851
Steve:
Yeah I remember NBM "raving" this game.

If you wanna try it out for real cheap, and have a Saturn, might as well give the Saturn version a spin at $10... no it's not the same feel as NEO obviously but it is cheeeeap :)
I'll never plop down the home cart cash, but if You know a place that has it on saturn for 10 bucks send the link my way cuz I want to pick it up!
 
Top