Gaming Viewtiful Joe

[Semjaza]

I was going to ressurrect an older thread on this, but they haven't even been posted in since July... so here's a new one.

I assume most people are familiar with the game at this point. It's been getting really great reviews on average so far. It's basically an old school action beat-em-up game, with some odd twists.

I've only played the demo at this point... but I've been told that the demo doesn't even put the same areas in the order the real game does. The real game is apparently much more difficult as well.

I was looking forward to getting it today, but when I called Gamestop they told me it was coming in tomorrow... Oh well. I have the money at least.

Anyone else picking this up?

[Guest BoSelecta]

From what i have heard and seen it sounds a lot like Dynamite Headdy on the megadrive except more complexed and not as random lol those were the days . Anyway i am definatly getting it when it comes out in the UK it looks so good.

[Shinmaru]

Heh, you know that I'm in limbo on this one. I really, really, really want this game but I'm operating on limited funds, heh (unless my dad suddenly decides out of nowhere to pick up the game, which would be awesome). I've got about $65 on me right now and I've heard that VJ is available for $39.99, so that's weighing in on the decision, as well.

But, to anyone who wants the game, I would recommend at least trying it out based on what I've seen, played and heard. The game has been getting great reviews and the demo showed a lot of promise. The fighting got a tiny bit repetitive...that is, until you get introduced to the super powers. That's when the game's fighting system takes the leap into super kickass. And the graphics...need I even say anything? If you've seen the game you know it looks awesome. The controls are very well done and easy to use; just what I like to see.

Heh, so many good games are out right now. It's a great time to be a gamer :D

[Charles]

I'm also getting it tomorrow. I haven't reserved it, but I don't think that will matter.

I've glanced over the reviews, but they haven't been too important to me. I immediately knew I would get this game after I played the demo. I assumed it had little in common with how the actual game was laid out (because much of the progression was awkward) but it played wonderfully and had a lot of personality.

I'm sure it won't be as good as the newest Evil Dead game, but I'm willing to give it a chance! You can bet I'll post my impressions after I play it. If it's especially good, I'll break out my old HenshinAG0G0Baby handle.

[The Vampire: Ed]

When I first seen early screen shots of Viewtiful Joe I thought it looked like a Game Boy Advanced game, and the fact that the pictures were fairly small didn't help at all. I was put off by that, by the thought that it was supposed to be a Game Cube game, but in the pictures appeared more like a GBA game. I really didn't think much of the game, nor did I believe it was going to be all that great.

But I can fully admit now that I was wrong. After playing the demo I though it was a terrific game, and it reminded me a lot of one of my old Genesis favorites Comix Zone. I wished they would make a sequel to that, and I still do. But this is definitely as close as I'm going to get to that little dream. I love the way the game looks, it's like a huge pop up comic book. I also like the abilities they gave the player, slowing time and such. It's cool because you can reflect bullets, and dodge attacks Matrix style. It is definitely going to be a great game, and probably the most memorable cel shaded game in my opinion. I look forward to playing the final version.

[Semjaza]

Just got it. Even the logo animation for the team that made the game is awesome.

You can pick between Kids and Adults mode. I picked Adults... I thought it was pretty funny, because the little icon for it lights up like a neon sign at some strip club.

I've been playing through the first area, which is more or less like in the demo... except a bit more difficult and with the opening cut scenes. The helicopter boss makes the one in the demo seem so simple in comparison heh.

Awesome stuff so far. I'm also happy it runs in progressive scan.

[I, Colossus]

Bah...my fingers are killing me. First game to kill my fingers since I rented Ikaruga. My left hand, pointer finger is going to fall off, the rest of them aren't at their best condition either. So far it's been amazing, of course I can't beat that helicopter, but I'll get it eventually. A question to the people who have beaten it (i.e. Turkey). How many levels are there?

The controls are perfect, this is one of the only fast games where the controls can keep up with the action. The GFX are Viewtiful. I only have two gripes really, the save points, which are virtually non-existent and the fact I keep dying for pretty much no reason. No missles/bullets/people are with me and I'll die (on the Helipcopter). I'm usually a good distance from the propperlers too.

[Semjaza]

I just beat the first area... You're able to save afterwards thank god, but you can also buy stuff using all the Viewtiful icons you manage to get. I finished with around 25,000 or something, I think. You can buy new moves or items or raise your life or health guages. Nice stuff.

Edit - Beat the first episode, yay.

[Turkey]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]I just beat the first area... You're able to save afterwards thank god,[/B][/QUOTE]

You think that's hard? Wait till you reach the latter difficulties. There are some new enemies that will really annoy you, and the weakest hits can take 4 hearts from your bar. However, finishing Adults will give you something to make that difficulty a lot easier...;)

After having taken a 2 month break from it, now I started on V-Rated (after Adults), and I'm remembering why I bought it. The fighting is incredibly deep, and I've barely surviven Episode 1 (after 8 continues)...
Anyone know of any notable differences between the JPN and US version?

[Semjaza]

Well I don't think it's terribly hard... but I certainly don't want to do that damn helicopter all over again heh.

I've not played the Japanese version, so I couldn't answer your question. From the sounds of it, there's nothing different other than text translation... since I think the voices were all in English anyway, right?

I'm surprised by the voice acting. It's not as terrible as I expected. I think it's pretty fitting, although I really couldn't understand half of what Charles the Third (the bat) said. The story is pretty funny so far.

"Awaken your heroness!!" lol

[Charles]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]Well I don't think it's terribly hard... but I certainly don't want to do that damn helicopter all over again heh.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Ha, I wonder if you've completed level two yet then. :toothy:

Well, everyone, I'm also playing on "Adult" mode. And I'm glad. It's a very nice challenge. One of my friends tried "Kids" difficulty or whatever it's called, and not only is Joe's health bar more than twice the size--his viewtiful meter depletes at a much slower pace. I can't awaken heroness like that.

Overall, I can't find much to complain about other than Charles the Third being almost completely incoherent and fighting too many repeating mid-bosses. At first, I was frustrated in the second level and wished that the option to save presented itself more frequently, but at this point I've decided I like it just how it is. Once I finally did reach a save point, I was in a viewtiful zen-like state.

I find that the game really picks up once you unlock the zoom-in ability. The possibilities for combos are endless.

[ZeroBlade]

Wow, this game sounds really good... I must check it out when I have the cash and time to play games other than FFXI and Socom 2. (Must...play.... more!) If it turns out good, I'll be happy to be able to add another good game to my already lacking GameCube library.

[Charles]

Hey, it's kind of a travesty that this thread has sank so early on. It's yet to reach two pages yet! I refuse to let it fade into oblivion yet. heh

This game is just too good for that. ^_^;;

I've just defeated Alastor. His voice acting has been the best as far as villains are concerned. The others were barely understandable.

[spoiler] I just loved this encounter. It was pretty humorous seeing him fall into the typical cliche revealing the evil plot to the hero beforehand and by reading it from a script no less. lol

It was also neat seeing Joe get the inspiration for his name.[/spoiler]

So, here I am in episode six with all the abilities now unlocked (because of how many times I've died). Which is quite a good feeling. It's as if I've truly earned everything I have.

"Viewtiful Forever" is especially cool. It's a very useful maneuver. As described in the pre-segment menu, it's a pose you strike upon dodging an attack in slow motion whilst zooming in. It came into use quite frequently when I had to deal with the tougher soldier bots in episode five. So, I highly recommend learning that ability if you haven't already.

All I can say other than that is that I'm loving how well this game captures an old school feel while incorporating a welcomed dose of originality at the same time.

But, has anyone else noticed that beginning in the fifth episode the game begins to wear down a bit? I'll admit that this portion of the quest made good utilization of Joe's abilities through interesting puzzles. Capcom did quite a good job in that area. Yet, I'm afraid the amount of mid-bosses I had to repeatedly fight was staggering. I fought the same aircraft and tank at least a handful of times. Admittedly, it's forgivable since it's almost like a throwback to the classics, but "eh."

My main problem is that they operate on such a simple pattern that they're not exactly fun enough to pummel so many times. lol

[spoiler]The runaway train segment definitely made up for it though. ~_^[/spoiler]

Other than that, the sixth episode has me [spoiler] combating the game's previous bosses yet again.[/spoiler] Which is also a throwback I suppose. It reminds me of Mega Man in a sense.

So, how has everyone else progressed?

[Pex]

Hey did anyone manage to get the hidden characters yet, there is actually three unlockable characters. There's Captain Blue, Silvia, and there isn't word on the third character yet. There is also a statement that says that if you can the ultimate rank for every level you earn some unknown unlockable that is supposed to be good. Lastly there are also two extra added difficulties earned later on, V-Rated and Ultra V-Rated. Just thought maybe you guys would like to know these little unlockables that will keep you playing even if your wrist is starting to fall off. ^_^

[Semjaza]

If you get the rainbow V ranking on everything, you get an option for unlimited VFX. As far as I know, all the secrets are known, if you look around.

[Charles]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Pex [/i]
[B]Hey did anyone manage to get the hidden characters yet, there is actually three unlockable characters. There's Captain Blue, Silvia, and there isn't word on the third character yet. [/B][/QUOTE]

[spoiler]Actually, the other hidden character is Alastor.

Instead of transforming into a hero he transforms into the devil. At least according to the strategy guide. I can't imagine that though. I would figure he would appear as how you fight him when he transforms.[/spoiler]

[Pex]

Hmm...that sounds interesting I wonder how his alternate story would play thorughout the game, because each hidden charcter actually has a slightly different story from the original.

[I, Colossus]

[color=#006699]Well, a little while after my last post, my father "cleaned" my room, and I was without a memory card for about a week or so. Heh, I did get a lot of practice on the helicopters though. ^_^

But today, I found my memory card, he put it in my dresser...the insane old man. So I just started over and I'm on episode 3, the flying part is really annoying. I've only tried once so far, but I can't get the hang of it. But, other than that I'm in love with this game. I'll probably have beaten a lot more of the game by the end of tonight. :p I loved Iron Ogre - Hulk Davidson's character, especially the voice.

*sings "Davidson is in the house" and walks off*[/color]

[Dragonballzman]

From what I've seen, it looks amazing. I'll have £40 by monday, but I'm stuck between F-Zero and Viewtiful Joe...My friends all say F-Zero 'coz it has multiplayer, but this looks really interesting...;_;

I want to rent them, but if I do, I won't have enough to buy either of them for another week or two...

Help, anybody? ^^;; I think the main problem is "How long will Viewtiful Joe last?".

[Shinobi]

Ahrgh! *envy*
This game looks amazing, beautiful...it is just so brillaint.
I am so jelous becuase i only have a PS2, this game has almost drove me to splash out and actually buy a GC! My friend has it and he was telling me all about this game (which i already knew about becuase of Sem's Fanlisting).

I hope this comes out on PS2 because i read on quite a few websites that the head of Capcom is actually dissapointed at the sales of this game and wants as many to play it as possible. So he is thinking of making it in PS2 format also! I sincerly hope this does happen becuase it would be a sad time to miss out in the gameplay of this game. However my friend (who is far too genrious) said when he completes the game he will give me his GC and VJ to play!!!

So anyway, this game looks great, i just hope i can play it soon :(. Oh yeah and i can't play it at my friends house becase he lives so far away :bawl:.

[MissWem]

well it's day two and after watching for many hours my brother is up to episode six...and well...it is really really annoyingly hard, even though I'm not playing.

Anyway, I love this game, (even though I know I won't play it and I may never try it) it's just so cool to watch and the graphics...levels...gameplay...everything about it is so unique.

Definitely a game worth having if you don't mind a high difficulty.