This game totally nails the presentation in terms of sound and graphics, and I still come back to it occasionally because of that. Game play-wise though, does anyone feel that the border down combined with the checkpoint system takes a fairly standard shooter and makes it way harder than it needs to be? I can enjoy a game like Ikaruga, because even though it's harder than this game, the classic credits and stock life system makes it a much more accessible shooter. I can feel like I'm doing okay in Border Down, but then one stray bullet will kill my flow and restart the level. I'm just saying there's nothing wrong with a tough shmup, but a few simple design choices or additional options could make it enjoyable for everyone.
I hope G.Rev does a HD update of this game, as with Under Defeat. Too many expensive shooters on my to buy list anyway. By the way, Ser, I'm feeling that Dream's Critical Edge track more than anything else you've created. It speaks to me somehow. When I'll develop my STG influenced game, I know who to reach out to for music!
Would you believe that Dream's Critical Edge was actually something that I "heard" in a dream? I sometimes dream of work, and that happened... I may have a hyperactive imagination =P
I still have my copy from back in the day. The game has a Taito/Darius flavor, but it was the closest Sega fans got to a Thunder Force game between the 10 year (and arguably not a worthwhile) wait for TF6 Only thing I didn't like was the art design. Going from this to Gradius V, which GRev also worked on, you can see the disparity in art direction, despite being one of the nicest-looking DC games in the library
i really glad to come across this channel felt like i was the only one who covered/liked this type of stuff I really must get stuck in with my doujin games so many great shooters out there
The doujin scene is probably the brightest future for the STG, in all honesty. Hope you enjoy the upcoming episodes, which will feature even more indie titles!
i was really surprised with crimzon clover i did a video of the game before it went on steam i thought noway it would come to the west but it did i hope his next game garukilla gets a steam release. Oh will you be doing any of the psyvariar games they are some of my fav shooters
Psyvariar 2 was a game that had a possibiltiy of being covered before, but I did a poll and Twinkle Star Sprites ended up winning, haha If the dollar improves soon, it'll be one of the first ones I geton Dreamcast going forward!
oh it came out for ps2 to i actually preferred that one came with a appreciate dvd and it had a button for the roll buzz mechanice made things a lot easier
I remember preordering this 17 years ago! Just started seriously playing it this week. Why did Inwait so long? Good review and one of the best DC games ever.
Border Down is a great game. Just like Ikaruga, it's hard indeed but in a fair, challenging level. Unlike many other shmups which were unfairly hard just to eat as many coins from you ad possible.
Interesting mechanic for border down but a steep learning curve.Years ago i bought a copy used and it wasn't cheap either,for the standard edition at least.I'm surprised the game hasn't gotten a HD update yet.
I ended up finding the Limited Edition for $200.00 at PAX Prime when I went back in September 2014. It was actually the most expensive shooting game there. I'm also surprised at a lack of an HD remake too, especially given all of the rumors up through 2013.
I think the reason G Rev hasn't done an HD port yet is because they said if they were expected to do a full 16 by 9 mode like they did in Under Defeat HD it would cost to much and I think Under Defeat was just a more approachable game to most but if they ever do a HD port I would settle for the 4 by 3 ratio but add 2 player support and I think the game will do well but in any case glade I have my copy for the Dreamcast!
This game is excellent and I enjoy the review, but that challenge is a 5! This game is very challenging and getting through certain sections requires extreme amounts of both anticipation and execution.
I'd agree if the difficulty was constant, but between the three borders getting progressively more heavy handed as the player loses lives and the jarring shift in location as it happens, we felt the challenge was a bit spiteful. Harder doesn't neccesarily mean better when it comes to rating a title's challenge; approachability is also a huge factor, and while Border Down is absolutely difficult, it's likely that comparitively few will stick with it as a result.
So we're looking at one of the most expensive dreamcast games ever made. Believe it or not, I'm actually pretty familiar with this game, not necessarily because of how it plays but more about how expensive it is because when I took a road trip to seattle one of my friends actually wanted this game really bad but unfortunately it was too expensive, but its good to know that even despite its high price there is one hell of a game behind it. Nothing is worse than buying an expensive game that doesn't live up to anywhere close to the price it demands. So close to getting a 5 out of 5.
Yes and Psyvariar 2 was part of a poll amongst others including Zero Gunner and Cannon spike to see what would be reviewed in this very block; Twinkle Star Sprites won.
When the Canadian Dollar gets stronger, We'll be snapping up the rest of the dreamcast greats including Zero Gunner 2, Psyvariar 2 and Trizeal as well as Ikaruga, Exelica and Under Defeat for revisits.
@ser flash Buying those games from ebay is not going to put any money in the developers pockets so my advice is to download the game img and burn to disc. At least the games will get exposure on your channel which may steer consumers to new dc games which are amazingly still produced. Ps one bit of advice, narrate much slower, you sound like a radio advert!. Apart from that, good work.
There were heavy rumors, but nothing official has ever been announced. We really wanted it to happen too! Of course, Radiant Silvergun made the jump to 360 when we reviewed the saturn version.... maybe this will follow the pattern!
***** Maybe, but would be nice, last I checked, G.rev hasn't been on their social media FB page as of 2013, dunno if they're still around, but who knows.
Aww yeah, finally Border Down! Looking Good! Though I kinda cringed when you guys pronounced G.rev as Grev as to opposed saying [Gee-Rev], but nevermind that, review was good, but yeah, the price, whoo, that's gonna cost a pretty penny! X3
I can't win either way. I used to say Gee Rev until people called me out. As a result, I looked into the Japanese Katakana and it is actally "grev" as one word (gurevu).
I agree, the difficulty is super sharp. However, this also means that its staying power - for the patient, anyway - is immense. This would make an excellent desert island game.
![Bullet Heaven #185 - Super Hydorah [PC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HujyntCQdng/mqdefault.jpg)
![Bullet Heaven #185 - Super Hydorah [PC]](/img/tr.png)
![Bullet Heaven HD60 #113 - Soukyugurentai [Saturn]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/r-X9hFV6ZRM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Bullet Heaven HD60 #119 - Bangai-O [Dreamcast]](/img/1.gif)
This game totally nails the presentation in terms of sound and graphics, and I still come back to it occasionally because of that. Game play-wise though, does anyone feel that the border down combined with the checkpoint system takes a fairly standard shooter and makes it way harder than it needs to be? I can enjoy a game like Ikaruga, because even though it's harder than this game, the classic credits and stock life system makes it a much more accessible shooter. I can feel like I'm doing okay in Border Down, but then one stray bullet will kill my flow and restart the level. I'm just saying there's nothing wrong with a tough shmup, but a few simple design choices or additional options could make it enjoyable for everyone.
I hope G.Rev does a HD update of this game, as with Under Defeat. Too many expensive shooters on my to buy list anyway. By the way, Ser, I'm feeling that Dream's Critical Edge track more than anything else you've created. It speaks to me somehow. When I'll develop my STG influenced game, I know who to reach out to for music!
Would you believe that Dream's Critical Edge was actually something that I "heard" in a dream? I sometimes dream of work, and that happened... I may have a hyperactive imagination =P
Great stuff. Really dig the 80s programmed bass and synth line.
Much appreciated review! Great introduction for me, curious in exploring this game now.
I still have my copy from back in the day. The game has a Taito/Darius flavor, but it was the closest Sega fans got to a Thunder Force game between the 10 year (and arguably not a worthwhile) wait for TF6
Only thing I didn't like was the art design. Going from this to Gradius V, which GRev also worked on, you can see the disparity in art direction, despite being one of the nicest-looking DC games in the library
i really glad to come across this channel felt like i was the only one who covered/liked this type of stuff
I really must get stuck in with my doujin games so many great shooters out there
The doujin scene is probably the brightest future for the STG, in all honesty. Hope you enjoy the upcoming episodes, which will feature even more indie titles!
i was really surprised with crimzon clover i did a video of the game before it went on steam i thought noway it would come to the west but it did i hope his next game garukilla gets a steam release. Oh will you be doing any of the psyvariar games they are some of my fav shooters
Psyvariar 2 was a game that had a possibiltiy of being covered before, but I did a poll and Twinkle Star Sprites ended up winning, haha
If the dollar improves soon, it'll be one of the first ones I geton Dreamcast going forward!
oh it came out for ps2 to i actually preferred that one came with a appreciate dvd and it had a button for the roll buzz mechanice made things a lot easier
Ever thought about compiling all the episodes in volumes for release on DVD or BluRay, I would be all over that!
I remember preordering this 17 years ago! Just started seriously playing it this week. Why did Inwait so long? Good review and one of the best DC games ever.
And one of the hardest.
Border Down's a great game. Played it on my DC.
Gotta agree, this was a pretty fantastic one. Super hard though!
among the late DC shmups releases, I think this is THE ONE to own. I need to find a descent offer tho xD
I think G•Rev's own Under Defeat is a bigger, better must-own, honestly.
Especially with its much more approachable prices these days!
@@StudioMudprints isn't the 360 version superior tho?
Border Down is a great game. Just like Ikaruga, it's hard indeed but in a fair, challenging level. Unlike many other shmups which were unfairly hard just to eat as many coins from you ad possible.
Interesting mechanic for border down but a steep learning curve.Years ago i bought a copy used and it wasn't cheap either,for the standard edition at least.I'm surprised the game hasn't gotten a HD update yet.
I ended up finding the Limited Edition for $200.00 at PAX Prime when I went back in September 2014. It was actually the most expensive shooting game there.
I'm also surprised at a lack of an HD remake too, especially given all of the rumors up through 2013.
I think the reason G Rev hasn't done an HD port yet is because they said if they were expected to do a full 16 by 9 mode like they did in Under Defeat HD it would cost to much and I think Under Defeat was just a more approachable game to most but if they ever do a HD port I would settle for the 4 by 3 ratio but add 2 player support and I think the game will do well but in any case glade I have my copy for the Dreamcast!
We got the special edition at PAX Prime, and it was a steal... at $200. I know I made at least someone who hesitated a little bitter that day!
I got my copy of Border Down along with Zero Gunner 2 for $280.00 expensive but best deal I was going to get!
Very much on the money with this review. This game kicks my ass but I keep going back for more:)
This game is excellent and I enjoy the review, but that challenge is a 5! This game is very challenging and getting through certain sections requires extreme amounts of both anticipation and execution.
I'd agree if the difficulty was constant, but between the three borders getting progressively more heavy handed as the player loses lives and the jarring shift in location as it happens, we felt the challenge was a bit spiteful. Harder doesn't neccesarily mean better when it comes to rating a title's challenge; approachability is also a huge factor, and while Border Down is absolutely difficult, it's likely that comparitively few will stick with it as a result.
So we're looking at one of the most expensive dreamcast games ever made. Believe it or not, I'm actually pretty familiar with this game, not necessarily because of how it plays but more about how expensive it is because when I took a road trip to seattle one of my friends actually wanted this game really bad but unfortunately it was too expensive, but its good to know that even despite its high price there is one hell of a game behind it. Nothing is worse than buying an expensive game that doesn't live up to anywhere close to the price it demands. So close to getting a 5 out of 5.
I want this game on Switch.
A G.Rev Collection could be amazing. Throw in Strania, Under Defeat and Mamorukun Curse? Instant success.
I just wonder, have you guys heard of the Psyvariar games?
Yes and Psyvariar 2 was part of a poll amongst others including Zero Gunner and Cannon spike to see what would be reviewed in this very block; Twinkle Star Sprites won.
Ah.
When the Canadian Dollar gets stronger, We'll be snapping up the rest of the dreamcast greats including Zero Gunner 2, Psyvariar 2 and Trizeal as well as Ikaruga, Exelica and Under Defeat for revisits.
***** Sounds good. And I hope you will be able to cover all my favorites in due time.
@ser flash Buying those games from ebay is not going to put any money in the developers pockets so my advice is to download the game img and burn to disc. At least the games will get exposure on your channel which may steer consumers to new dc games which are amazingly still produced. Ps one bit of advice, narrate much slower, you sound like a radio advert!. Apart from that, good work.
I thought this game will be released on ps360 too, as Under Defeat.
There were heavy rumors, but nothing official has ever been announced. We really wanted it to happen too! Of course, Radiant Silvergun made the jump to 360 when we reviewed the saturn version.... maybe this will follow the pattern!
***** Maybe, but would be nice, last I checked, G.rev hasn't been on their social media FB page as of 2013, dunno if they're still around, but who knows.
Aww yeah, finally Border Down! Looking Good! Though I kinda cringed when you guys pronounced G.rev as Grev as to opposed saying [Gee-Rev], but nevermind that, review was good, but yeah, the price, whoo, that's gonna cost a pretty penny! X3
I can't win either way. I used to say Gee Rev until people called me out. As a result, I looked into the Japanese Katakana and it is actally "grev" as one word (gurevu).
Oh, well, so its actually how its worded, ah...>_>
Well, at least it isn't hammy that saying its full name "G.Revolution".
Fun game but the difficulty + lack of lives (not including bordering down) made me put this one down.
I agree, the difficulty is super sharp. However, this also means that its staying power - for the patient, anyway - is immense. This would make an excellent desert island game.