A collection of 16 old shmup classics from the arcades, and while the price is a bit steep, I couldn't be happier. This is a very no nonsense port of the classics (each entry only take up about 20 megabytes). It runs buttery smooth and comes with several handy features to help one reach that coveted 1CC. That said, as I alluded to earlier, they are still very light on any other content (this is not an M2 release after all) with no bonuses or the like. There is the option for some of the games to select different versions, which is a nice thing to have though, but not much more than that. This collection is only raw gameplay as close to the arcade original as possible. However, as is true of the arcade experience, I wouldn't have it any other way. Any other stuff would just be fluff as these releases do what it needs to do and does so competently.
I am honestly stunned that SNK felt ok releasing something this slapdash. I can barely call this port of a classic functional with it lacking many basic features. Can't rebind controls, can't recognize controllers, no visual options, no game options, nothing. At most you are better off just ripping the rom files right out and then use the emulator of your choice to get things working more properly. A best case scenario here would be for SNK to just let Code Mystics do a more proper port of this game and other titles, similar to Garou or KoF98. To have this game in such a state is just a huge shame given that I have heard that this is one of the best entry games towards SNK.
Have been on a slight SNK spree as of late and I was quite glad to find this game available here on GOG. Have long wanted to test Samurai Shodown, and as such now I finally have the chance. From what I have played so far it seems like the game is a more footsies focused fighter, being less about long combos and more about timing and spacing with single, powerful strikes. From what I have tested so far it seems like quite the solid port, if a tad bit basic, of the arcade classic. There are no things such as a training mode or the like. It is pretty much a 1 to 1 of the original. I will say though that I dock one star due to this port lacking the feature to disable all the flashing. Out of the classic arcade ports that I have tested (Garou, KOF98, Last Blade 2) this is the only one that lacks the feature, and yet it was perhaps the one that needed it the most due to just how aggressive the flashing can be as it can easily cause headaches. Though aside from that and the somewhat lean features, I have really liked it. Hope to see more from SNK here in the future.
Full Metal Daemon Muramasa is one of those VN's I had heard of but never been able to play due to the language barrier. Thanks to JAST however, we are now able to enjoy what it has to offer. To put it simply, FMDM is a philosophical story mired in moral relativity, taking a critical look at traditional heroic archetypes to examine the possible consequences of black and white thinking. And while it can be preachy at times, it presents some interesting ideas. However the story can be uncompromising when it comes to show some uncomfortable realities about humanity, but while it can be cynical and bleak in its outlook, it is not all misery with a pretty witty and well timed sense of humor lightening up things when necessary. But the real strength of Muramasa comes from its quirky and complex roster of characters that almost all manages to be fun and memorable in their own ways. This especially how it gives almost all sides a chance to shine The action scenes are all quite well executed, especially given the limitations of working within the visual novel medium with in depth detailing on the hows and whys in battle, though one particular scene is perhaps little too indulgent in the descriptions. These scenes are backed by a stellar and pumping soundtrack that sets the tone, even if the track selection is somewhat lean for a VN of this lenght. The one big knock I would have against the VN is two segments where it almost seems to switch genre and becomes very unintuitive, pretty much necessitating a guide. Thus I would recommend playing up until about the fifth chapter blind as to not spoil some of the early twists and then whip out a guide after that. (There is a flashback chapter that serves as the signal for the route split after which it is fine to use a guide) All in all it is a fantastic journey that might leave you thinking long after the final scene plays out regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what it has to say.
