Customer Reviews

Giga Wing 2

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of the dozens of games I have for DC, often I just choose to play some Giga Wing 2 after work. True appreciation of the game is undoubtedly reserved for shooter fans, though. The 3D, high-res graphics can be very impressive even for casual gamers, but the impetus to play and replay for better scores is not something for everyone.

There are LOTS of things to unlock, from over 80 pieces of very nice artwork to two "Secret Options" which require a very high cumulative score (saved to VMU after each session) to open up.

Technically, it is also under-rated even by some shooter fans. For instance, the "Vulcanon" effect--in which a certain high number of bonus medals (released from expiring enemies) on screen at once transforms into even higher scoring medals--discourages "kill and cover" medal collection. You have to sit back and brave more enemy fire BEFORE starting collecting your hard-earned bonus medals, or you'll lose the "Vulcanon" effect.

As a shooter fan, this comes in second on Dreamcast only to the import-only Zero Gunner 2, and ties the excellent, less-flashy but more-technical Mars Matrix.

I'm a big 2D shooter fan, and I have to say that this is one of the funnest shooters I've ever played. It's also very beautiful. The graphics are really wonderful to look at. Also, the rechargable shield system the player's ship uses makes the game that much more interesting. Now, the bad news: this game is really short, and because of the infinite continues you get it's really easy as well. When I say short I mean you can finish this game inside of 15 or 20 minutes. It's fun while it lasts, though, and has surprising replay value. The graphics, gameplay, and music keep me coming back. If this game had more levels I'd give it five stars easily. Still, short game or not, I'm glad to have Gigawing 2 in my collection.

There's been several shooters converted to Dreamcast the past several months. Giga Wing 2 is perhaps the best looking, best music (though weak volume) but shortest of them all in terms of longevity.

Graphics - 5: The use of color is expansive. The graphics background is cinematic. Best looking shooter on Dreamcast. The bosses are just huge and merciless. The graphics are so good, this should probably have an epilepsy warning. Wait until you drop the special bomb - very colorful and each player has a unique one.

Sound/Music - 4: The music even includes a piece of soothing vocal piece in one level. The music sounds like a professional orchestra composed it. Only problem is that it's not loud enough.

Gameplay - 5: So many options for a shooter. You can increase weapon levels many times. Special bombs are spectacular. You can choose between a deflector shield or laser deflector shield to deflect enemy shots back at them. Analog movement of the ship. So many objects on screen at once. There is slowdown but I actually like it when there's too many bullets on screen-helps to maneuver. Great gameplay for an overhead shooter!

Longevity - 2.5: Unless there's a hidden level somewhere, this game is toooooo short!. Only four stages plus three final boss levels. I completed the game in less than 30 minutes after opening the package. There must be a way to eliminate the "unlimited continues". CAPCOM should've limited the continues. Good news is that I keep coming back to play and experience the spectacular graphics and sound.

Otherwise, if you like shooters, this game is another "must buy". It's spectacular graphics, gameplay and music far outweigh its short longevity. ... it's a good value for shooter fans. Ps. CAPCOM give us more shooters like these, but stop the "unlimited continues"!

Not a whole lot of difference between this game and its predecessor, except for the price. Once again you pick a plane (slightly larger variety this time), blast off full speed ahead, and wade your way through tons of enemies and incalculable projectiles by triggering your reflect force incessantly and dropping bombs while that reflect guage replenishes itself. So what if you get killed in 30 seconds? Unlimited continues make beating the game a snap. Fans of truly old-school 2-D shooters will probably be turned off by the emphasis on using your bombs and your reflect force to do away with the absurd amount of gunfire on the screen instead of skillfully weaving your way in and out of the bursts while blasting away with weapons that demand some degree of accuracy.

But, once again, it can be a reasonably fun experience as long as you don't go in expecting some masterpiece like Square's EINHADER. Aside from the overwhelming odds you face in terms of adversaries capable of covering 99% of the screen with projectiles that spell instant death if you touch them, there's nothing remarkable about this game. If you feel you must own one Giga Wing or the other, I can't really think of a valid reason to go with the first instead of the second...this sequel is cheaper, easier to find, and boasts a little more variety and longevity.

Sorry for the simple review but, well...it's a simple game.

If you check out reviews for Capcom's GigaWing 2 on the web or in magazines, some of the scores have been pretty harsh. However, I think the game is a fine accomplishment that, despite some shortcomings, is definitely worthy of a purchase.

The main reason for this is the game's overall presentation. Capcom has utilized the Dreamcast-friendly Naomi board to full glory, and everything is rendered in gorgeous 3D, resulting in outstanding visuals for a vertical shooter. The ship designs (planes, rather) are fantastic, using an almost retro-futuristic theme. Most planes, yours (you have five to choose from at the game's start) and the enemy's, are propeller-driven. The soundtrack is wonderful, using an orchestral score instead of tired techno. These changes from typical shooter molds are most welcome, and are almost worth the price of the game themselves.

Gameplay in GW2 is a shallower version of Mars Matrix (a superlative DC shooter also by Capcom). Your craft is outfitted with a Reflect Barrier, (which reflects enemy fire when activated), smart bombs, and an upgradeable main cannon. The pyrotechnics involved with these weapons are wonderful creations of color, brilliant explosions of destruction, and each plane's attacks are different. You progress through bullet-laden levels, destroying everything, then encounter a boss: typical shooter stuff. Problem is, GW2 is too short AND you have unlimited continues, which waters down the challenge considerably. Too bad there's no Mars Matrix-ish Shop Mode here! There is an art gallery to unlock, as well as the five planes from the first GigaWing, but once those are opened, there's little to challenge you. There is a 4-player mode, but the slowdown gets so bad the game's barely playable -- unfortunate!

Despite these flaws, GigaWing 2 has a grandiose feel to it that is compelling. You'll get immersed in the futuristic setting which is magnified by the design and graphics. Unfortunately, under the glossy surface there isn't a lot of meat. It's certainly worth the [money], and I don't feel it deserves the bad press it's gotten. Plus it'll probably be Capcom's last Dreamcast shooter. If the gameplay had matched the audio-visuals, GW2 would have been a classic.