Radiant Silvergun VS Ikaruga

[Atari7800]

I recently got a Dreamcast and finally got a copy of Ikaruga...

I had heard it was the psuedo-sequel to Radiant Silvergun (which I thought to mean "spiritual successor") but then I noticed that the unique ship design is basically the same for both games, suggesting it is a true sequel. I know both games were made by Treasure.

HOWEVER, the gameplay is different... I remember Radiant Silvergun having 6 different weapons, while Ikaruga has only one and the "super shot' plus the whole black and white thing going on...

My questions are...

1. Is Ikaruga a sequel to RS (which I am too lazy to dig out) and

2. Which game is better in your opinion?

:D

[SoulBlazer]

I don't understand why everyone has the DC import version of Ikrauga when the game was released for the GameCube as well.

Does'nt anyone else have the GC version? :(

[Captain Wrong]

I don't understand why everyone has the DC import version of Ikrauga when the game was released for the GameCube as well.

Well, the DC version came out at least a year before the GC version. Everyone who really wanted to play this game probably pre-ordered it, or purchased it shortly after it dropped. Kudos to "Atari" for releasing the GC version here, but I think everyone who was really hot for it imported.

To answer the other questions:

1. I think sequel in spirit would be the best was to describe Iky. "Treasure doesn't do sequels" after all. Honestly, I think it's a sequel, but "spiritual sucessor" is the way Treasure calls it.

2. Of the two, I call it for RS. Neither of them provide the kind of white knuckle gaming zen I look for in a shmup, but RS has interesting weapons and though I still think it's waaay over rated is a stronger game overall than Iky, IMHO.

[WiseSalesman]

My best friend has the GC version. I liked it very much. Most people here probably have the DC import because there was talk of this becoming another RS rarity wise, and we weren't sure if it would come to the US.

Also, I hear that the DC version is slightly better. Closer to the Naomi hardware the game was originally designed for.

I can't comment on which is better. I'm insulted at being asked to pay $200 or so for a shooter, so I haven't played RS.

[Atari7800]

My best friend has the GC version. I liked it very much. Most people here probably have the DC import because there was talk of this becoming another RS rarity wise, and we weren't sure if it would come to the US.

Also, I hear that the DC version is slightly better. Closer to the Naomi hardware the game was originally designed for.

I can't comment on which is better. I'm insulted at being asked to pay $200 or so for a shooter, so I haven't played RS.

Ikaruga (DC) is way easy to find new, that's for sure. I heard of people buying up a lot of copies to hoard, yet you can still find it new all over the web and on ebay.

I wonder if we'll see a lot of pirated games for the DC in the future... with printers being such good quality nowadays and the DC being SO easy to copy games that will self-boot, it seems that an enterprising and skilled scammer could print out the printed materials, burn a disk, and a lot of people wouldn't even know it. I'm a dunce... I hardly ever open the instructions on games, and I'm not so observant... it would be easy to dupe me. :embarrassed:

[Sotenga]

I can't comment on which is better. I'm insulted at being asked to pay $200 or so for a shooter, so I haven't played RS.

You too? Let's not forget the extra money we'll need for a converter... :angry:

Ikaruga is one of the greatest shmups I've played PERIOD. However, RS is really high on my wanted list... it's #2 on my list, actually! But I don't even have a Saturn... :(

Look below the Treasure logo soon after the game boots up... notice the words "Project RS-2." ;)

[Jive3D]

I have RS & the Import GC version of Ikaruga. I think RS is much harder, there is not way that I could get through that game without unlimited continues, fucking crazy. But I still cant beat stage 4 on ikaruga either. I love both games, but when I move, Ikaruga comes with me for play time and RS will go into the vault for safe keeping.

I think that a lot of people like the DC version of Ikaruga b/c of the DC controller. That thing hurt my hand like nuts, so I dunno what they are thinking.

WAVEBIRD!

How about someone hack the game and change the ikaruga ship to look like a wavebird!

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't understand why everyone has the DC import version of Ikrauga when the game was released for the GameCube as well.

Well, the DC version came out at least a year before the GC version. Everyone who really wanted to play this game probably pre-ordered it, or purchased it shortly after it dropped. Kudos to "Atari" for releasing the GC version here, but I think everyone who was really hot for it imported.

I'd never heard of it until the latest batch of rereleases came about, and a lot of folks bought it that way.

I also had heard there was an XBox version, but now that I'm looking to see if it actually exists it looks like it doesn't. Hmm, score one for the GC, then.

[RCM]

I recently got a Dreamcast and finally got a copy of Ikaruga...

I had heard it was the psuedo-sequel to Radiant Silvergun (which I thought to mean "spiritual successor") but then I noticed that the unique ship design is basically the same for both games, suggesting it is a true sequel. I know both games were made by Treasure.

HOWEVER, the gameplay is different... I remember Radiant Silvergun having 6 different weapons, while Ikaruga has only one and the "super shot' plus the whole black and white thing going on...

My questions are...

1. Is Ikaruga a sequel to RS (which I am too lazy to dig out) and

2. Which game is better in your opinion?


I have heard that Ikaruga is a sequel to Radiant Silvergun but besides the developer I don't many similarities. In IK, they use that light and dark thing that is similar to Silhouette Mirage. They also encourage you to collect the enemy pellets in IK for your super weapon. In RS you finish with the same weapons you start with. If you save each time you play your weapons get stronger. You don't really collect anything in RS. Oh yeah, you also have that sword thing that is helpful. The point to all this is that Ik might be called RS 2 but they share nothing really besides being excellent.

I do think RS lives up to the hype. It is a different kind of experience. No shooter ive ever played is the same as RS. The ending is sort of poetic as well. Not the animation but the last minute of RS gameplay. My only nitpick is that there are no power ups. I love the system that they developed, but I sort of like being punished if I die as well. In Gradius, if you have a lot of (or any) power ups and die you lose everything. In RS you just continue with what you had before you died. I make it a point not to die anyway, but I always felt that that little added "bonus" of losing everything always encouraged me to be on top of my game. I still haven't beaten RS using no continues but I have gotten pretty close. It is very tough!

I prefer Radiant Silvergun just b/c i have never played anything like it. I also enjoy that it really does live up to the hype. In no way am I saying IK is bad, it is great as well. I just prefer RS.

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

[SoulBlazer]

Yeah, I've always wanted to play RS, but it's just way too much money. Was'nt that released in the States by Working Designs? Or is that another game I'm thinking off? :hmm:

I don't think Ikrauga for the GC is rare, though -- I found my copy used at my local EB and I've always seen both used and new copies for sale there for MONTHS. I don't know how many were made, but enough to deal with any demand.

I just have'nt had a chance to try it on my smaller 13 inch TV on it's side so it can match the arcade version. :P I also hear the game looks REALLY good in Composite mode, but again I have too old a gaming TV for it.

I'll say this much about Ikaruga, though -- that game is DAMN hard. I have STILL to beat the final boss and win the game in Normal mode. I always lose several ships still on the 'flaming wheel of death' boss of Stage 3 and I can't beat Stage 4's boss -- I just hide and wait for time to run out. x_x

[ubersaurus]

Ironic that RS's arcade board is cheaper then the home version.

[ManekiNeko]

Is Ikaruga the sequel to Radiant Silvergun? Uh... yes! Er, I mean, no! Um, er... maybe? Ikaruga borrows heavily from Radiant Silvergun in many respects (for instance, the combo system in Ikaruga was first utilized in Radiant Silvergun) but I personally feel that the light and dark play mechanics makes Ikaruga play like an entirely different game. In fact, no other shooter is quite like Ikaruga... it almost deserves its own genre.

It is worth pointing out that Ikaruga was code-named "Project RS-2" when Treasure first started work on it. The two games are definitely related, but it may be going too far to call Ikaruga a legitimate sequel.

As for my personal preference, I like Radiant Silvergun best. Ikaruga is too simplistic, and too focused on squeezing perfect performance from the player. Radiant Silvergun is more lenient, allowing the player to experiment and have fun. Ikaruga is just too rigid and unforgiving for my tastes.

JR

[hu6800]

I recently got a Dreamcast and finally got a copy of Ikaruga...

I had heard it was the psuedo-sequel to Radiant Silvergun (which I thought to mean "spiritual successor") but then I noticed that the unique ship design is basically the same for both games, suggesting it is a true sequel. I know both games were made by Treasure.

HOWEVER, the gameplay is different... I remember Radiant Silvergun having 6 different weapons, while Ikaruga has only one and the "super shot' plus the whole black and white thing going on...

My questions are...

1. Is Ikaruga a sequel to RS (which I am too lazy to dig out) and

2. Which game is better in your opinion?

:D

In my opinion, if you dont own them both something is wrong with you.
yes it's a sequel , and get it on the DC before the gamecube
because its smells better that way.

[hu6800]

I don't understand why everyone has the DC import version of Ikrauga when the game was released for the GameCube as well.

Does'nt anyone else have the GC version? :(

Yes, its holding the window up in my living room.

The more you play the game, the more you unlock...
turn the difficulty level up, blast the stereo system and start shooting.
I beat IKARUGA before atari even knew they were gonna port it.

Most gamers like myself keep a close watch on imports..
when a game like IKARUGA comes out, thats when the hardcore
shooter fans take out thier wallets.

How many of you bought a new Sapphire when it was released?
you think getting RS is a bitch? hahahah start hunting SCD import shooters.

[Ed Oscuro]

...you bought Sapphire close to its release date?

O_O

that is the mark of a true import fanatic!

[WiseSalesman]

I don't think Ikrauga for the GC is rare, though --

What I said was, people thought the DC version was going to be rare. In fact, neither of them are, really.


You too? Let's not forget the extra money we'll need for a converter..

Convertor? What convertor? (http://www.gamesx.com) :D

[anagrama]

I think that a lot of people like the DC version of Ikaruga b/c of the DC controller. That thing hurt my hand like nuts, so I dunno what they are thinking.

Ikaruga simply has to be played with an arcade stick. :-P

[WiseSalesman]

I can't STAND to play arcade shooter with an arcade stick. I know, I know....lynch me now. :)

[GaijinPunch]

1: I think sequel in spirit would be the best was to describe Iky. "Treasure doesn't do sequels" after all. Honestly, I think it's a sequel, but "spiritual sucessor" is the way Treasure calls it.


They've changed the page since, but when Ikaruga was first announced, it was plastered on the site "The sequel to Radiant Silvergun."

Trust me guys - it's a sequel.

[Cafeman]

I own both games: RS on the Saturn and Ikaruga on the Cube.

Radiant Silvergun is my 2nd favorite shooter of all time. (MUSHA for Genesis is #1). I hold it in high esteem because of several reasons including:

(1) I love how Treasure really used the Saturn hardware!
(2) RS is a totally unique shooter, with like 6 or 7 weapons that you always have yet must power up. Plus the Radiant Sword & energy collection gameplay mechanic are great.
(3) Lots of polish
(4) Although I don't speak Japanese (I do understand some of it though), I really like the cinemas and characters and .. the end!
(5) awesome bosses!
(6) Incredible difficulty that can be beat with practice.

Ikaruga, well I like it but I doubt I've even yet given it enough time to really get into it. I like the black/white gameplay because it makes this game unqiue and not a me-too shooter; on the other hand it gives Ikaruga a more puzzle feel and less of a power-me-up shooter feel. I enjoy Ik a little less than I do RS.

I really like vertical shooters.

[WiseSalesman]

Can I compliment you on your avatar again, Cafeman?

"D.B.U.T.T! Don't Break Up The Team!"

[Balloon Fight]

I just bought Ikaruga for the GC, since my local Frye's just got a shipment of over a 100 (!), and I am having a blast. I havent played RS yet, because I won't spend that much money on a game, but if it;s half as good as Ikaruga, then I'm in.

[Cafeman]

Can I compliment you on your avatar again, Cafeman?

"D.B.U.T.T! Don't Break Up The Team!"

Ha! I love Double-H !! He really cracked me up playing Beyond Good & Evil.

[kingpong]

I can't comment on which is better. I'm insulted at being asked to pay $200 or so for a shooter, so I haven't played RS.

Funny thing is that I consider the opposite to be the case price-wise. I got my Radiant Silvergun for under $9 at Electronics Boutique years ago when they were clearing out Saturn imports. Getting Ikaruga for the GC meant I had to go out and buy a GC effectively just for the purpose of playing Ikaruga since there isn't yet another game worth owning for the system (I'll buy Unity maybe, but beyond that...). Since I already had modded my Saturn to play imports, playing RS cost around $10, while GC Ikaruga cost around $150.

RS is a vastly superior game BTW. The color switching mechanic of Ikaruga takes the worst part of Silhouette Mirage and uses it to hose up a shooter.

[SoulBlazer]

Well, I'm not really a shooter fan -- the only ones I've enjoyed and owned over the years were the 194X series and the Gradius series. I got Ikargua cause it was cheap and the reviews were very promising.

I DO have Gradius V on pre-order, though. :D Hope it's a good one!