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So in this thread I am going to be talking about "How one can play Gradius game?" I get this type of question quite often from my fellow Korean Shmupers. And I already gave some answer to them. So I will also explain this in English As well.
So lets start.
So lets start.
First thing I will say.. Your mindset or your experience with games in general heavily impact this. If you have been playing stuff like Touhou, Cave or even Psikyo. Once you get use to these games, the chances are you are going to be thinking about "How do I dodge this?"
Then you will be apply some fundamentals that you learn from other game stuff like misdirecting aimed fire, weeving through narrow bullets, ship manuver and deal with the enemy placement many many great things. And some of them do work in this series. But..
What if I tell you.. Gradius Players actually pay attention to other things? Yes. I said this. So when Gradius players get to play the game first think that comes in mind is "What kind of tool I will need to deal with the situation?" instead of "How do I dodge this pattern?"
Because of this... Most of Gradius Players focus on learning the Power Capsule placement rather than just enemy placement. The more you play the more that you learn what kind of Power up selection would be need rather than how to dodge specific enemies.
Even when you fully powered up managing your power up isnt quite over. You will need to get familiar with Shield recharging. Oh and yeah dont afraid to use shield. Sometimes you will purposely damage your shield just so you can recharge quick and deal with tougher situation
Option movement is also one of the important aspects. Since Vic Viper cannot shoot at all different direction, so often you would want to learn enemy placement and place your options in a righ place to protect yourself.
And here are very interesting tip. If you use speed ups. Your options will spread. So more speed ups means your attack range or general coverage will be very beneficial. The risk is though since your ship is fast you are likely to make movement mistake. Trying to get use to this
Also I see lot of modern shmupers tend to think the area of the screen is the rule of the game. Meaning that you only have to pay attention to your screen area. Since there is no threat anything out side of the area of the screen.
But Gradius in other hand, enemies does still attack you even if they are outside of the screen area. So often you will have to use your imagination to fill out the map for yourself. Just so you can prepare for any potential threat.
And lastly most important aspects, the recovery. Unfortunately I cannot say anything too specific for this one, but, remember you do not have to learn every recovery pattern in the game. Learn it only when you actually got use to the game but still unstable.
When you do a recovery dont be afriad of get close to your enemies. If you die and lose your power ups. Majority of the times your rank is going to be lower too. Learn the enemy placement get a good spot to point blank those enemies. Get speed ups missiles and options.
Best Gradius game to start with?
If you want general easy no miss oriented games.. The first one would be your choice.
If you want some difficulty is there but recoveries are easy...you would want to play Gradius Gaiden. There are so many power up capsule and you can edit menu.
If you want general easy no miss oriented games.. The first one would be your choice.
If you want some difficulty is there but recoveries are easy...you would want to play Gradius Gaiden. There are so many power up capsule and you can edit menu.
I thinkk thats probably it. Gradius V is bit weird cause Gradius V is bit more like an modern shmup. So my tips probably may not be helpful in that game. Hope it was helpful.
