Customer Reviews

Ultimate Shooting Collection

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

 

 

Overall, a sub-par port of three fantastic shoot-em-ups.

Firstly, understand that by shoot-em-up, I refer to a Galaxian/Space Invaders/etc. style game, featuring a ship that shoots seemingly-endless waves, oriented vertically (good guy on bottom, most bad guys spawning from the top). Understand this going in--this isn't a first-person shooter, a-la Half Life, or a Light-Gun shooter, a-la Virtua Cop.

The three games featured are Chaos Field, Karous, and Radirgy, all vertical shoot-em-ups created by Milestone (of Mushime fame) that originally debuted on Dreamcast and featured arcade-style 2-3 button control. This feel is maintained on the Wii, requiring either use of the Wiimote+Nunchuk, a Classic Controller, or a Gamecube-compatible controller.

Karous and Radirgy are both kind of cut from the same mold--both feature similarly-styled graphics (cel-shaded, anime-ish). Karous, the more "mature" looking and less cartoony of the two, features 3 weapons--a shield, activated on its own when not attacking; a sword, which has a very short range but does very hefty damage, and a projectile, which is your standard shoots-up-and-spreads main weapon. There's also a DFS bomb, accumulated by doing damage to both enemies and bullets. When activated, the player becomes invincible and can "eat" all on-screen bullets, resulting in high-scoring and fast re-acquisition of DFS bomb status. The main goal is to use DFS bombs when the screen is most filled with bombs/enemies, so you re-power your bomb as quickly as possible--this 'bomb chaining' is the only effective way to get through the later levels, as the screen is painted with bullets. Attacking with a given weapon levels it up, which in turn makes it stronger, necessitating use of the shield as a weapon to increase its level--the system is very complimentary and well-balanced, and encourages balanced weapon use and constant bombing.

Radirgy shares a lot in common with Karous' gameplay. The leveling mechanic of the previous game is gone, with the sword maintaining a constant strength, and the main projectile shot (which is selectable at the start of the game) gaining power as pick-ups are obtained. It also employs a similar bombing mechanic as the previous game, allowing for similar bomb-chaining when the screen is loaded with baddies/bullets. In this game, however, bombing levels up a combo-guage at the top of the screen, which in turn multiples your score as you do damage (the more filled, the closer your multiplier gets to 16x). The game also tells you that the shield, when used well, can add to the green combo bar, but I didn't seem to fill it up much unless I was bombing well. The game is significantly more challenging on its hardest difficulty setting than Karous, but is very fun. For whatever reason, I enjoyed Karous slightly better.

Finally, more its own animal is Chaos field, which saw a slightly modified/expanded release on Gamecube in 2006 (2005?) entitled Chaos Field: Expanded. This game has 3 selectable ships, each with different strengths and weaknesses: Mixed Blue is basically the ship from the other two games (upward-blue spread shot, average), while Flawed Red has lock-on laser shot and Fake Yellow shoots a strong, short-range shot. Each has a different shield ability and lock-on laser target area, and the entire game is a boss rush (5 stages, 3 bosses apiece). Almost all bullets can be attacked with the sword, and the gimmick is that by pressing the Switch button, one can heighten both one's own firepower and that of the enemies (you go into the 'Chaos field', hence the title). This Switch clears the screen of bullets for a second, which is vital when the screen is covered. Switching back to the 'order field' similarly clears the screen of bullets, and aside from a few seconds of recharge time, Switch can be used at will. While the Gamecube release was fantastic, this is by far the worst sufferer of the porting job to the Wii--there is slowdown every time the lock-on lasers are used, and the difficulty selection appears broken/ineffective. Overall, this game suffers from slowdown and issues making it less enjoyable than the other two.

Keep in mind, this whole games porting job seems a bit sub-par. The regular screen format is slightly off, releasing in clipping off the top and bottom of the screen and an inability to read the text/lifebars well, or even at all. The game does emlpoy what's referred to in the community as "Tate" mode, or the screen rotated 90 degrees, allowing the vertical-format of the game to take atvantage of a 16:9 screen, which can then itself be set up at 90 degrees so the game plays all hi-res and fantastic. Using this mode doesn't rotate the control, however, so the only use for the mode is to play the game as a horizontal shooter, which seems weird given the shape of the enmies...it just doesn't play right. Apparently there is a code you can enter to rotate the control to compliment the screen, but that shouldn't be hidden. All of the menus are set up badly. The game doesn't even autosave; the only way to maintain the earned number of credits (you gain continues as you play more) is to enter the option menu, reset one of the options (difficulty, number of lives, etc.) and then exit the options menu. The interaction is clumsy, with each game having a Quit option that simply backs the screen up, and a Return to Title option above it which lets you return to the Game-selection tool.

The games themselves are a lot of fun, with Radirgy and Karous alone warranting the purchase price (especially on Amazon--it's cheaper than retail, and is the only place where this is so) and Chaos Field still being fun despite its graphical shortcomings. Any fan of classic-style arcade shooters would do well to pick this up, if for nothing else, to support this gaming preference's future on this side of the Ocean.

I've had my Wii for a few weeks now, and have worked up a good collection of games. Honestly, this is one of my most played games. It's so easy to just jump into for a few minutes, and doesnt require so much of a time commitment as other games do. The graphics are fantastic, using the same style as "Paper Mario" (cell-shaded I think its called?) Not only that, but you get three great games! Great news for a person like me who loves games like Gigawing, Radiant Silvergun, and the Raiden series.
One thing I want to touch upon that I havent seen other reviewers mention is the awesome soundtrack. First of all, I love Drum and bass music, and thats what all three games are laced with. This is truly one of the few video games that has an awesome sountrack without using licensed songs. The sound quality for these tracks are great as well. I think they are using DVD format music on this disc, as the low bass and the highs sound better on my sound system than a lot of CDs that I own.

One point that some people seem to not like is the fact that much of this game isnt translated from Japanese.. There is a LOT of Japanese text in this game, but I like it as it gives the game a hard-core otaku feeling. These are the types of games I often see displayed in shop windows when walking through Akihabara in Tokyo. However I don't feel that this is a problem, as all of the games only use 3 buttons (long range attack, short range, and some sort of bomb) and ITS A SHOOTER PEOPLE! What more do you need to understand? Dodge bullets, shoot the enemy ships, and make it as far as you can.

Anyhow, point being I give this game (games!) very high marks for the graphics, sound, and replay value. Sure they're not as deep as the latest Zelda adventure, but drink a few Red Bulls and they're great for 20-30 minutes of mania inducing bullet-hell. I hope to see more games like this released on the Wii in the future.

1st off, the 2-star reviewer for this game could not possibly know less about what this package is. It has NOTHING to be with "old-school shooters from the 80's" or whatever that reviewer said. What it REALLY is, is 3 top-down shooters (a.k.a. vertical scrolling shooters, a.k.a. shmups, a.k.a. shoot-em-ups) by MILESTONE. It includes Chaos Field (which was released on Cube, and is the weakest of the three games by far), the brilliant Radio Allergy, which should please the hell out of any Jet Set Radio/JSRF fans out there still that also like shmups, and Karous, a darker themed, kind of greyscale shooter that is also brilliant. For real shooter fans, a pack like this is a godsend, as the later two could cost $60 and up each as imports (plus you have to have the right stuff to play 'em). The gameplay on Radio Allergy and Karous is EASILY better than Castle of Shikigami III (also good, and also on Wii) and you get all three games for about the same price. Also worth noting, the music in radio Allergy and Karous ranges between good and "I really wish I could get a soundtrack without paying import prices" great. Once again, I'll reference Jet Set Radio/JSRF, as the music in Radio Allergy (and much of the art-style) feels like it could have been in those seminal games. Karous has darker techno to go with it's darker theme, but it is still rather impressive.

So, to sum up, three Milestone developed shooters on 1 disc, 1 is solid, 2 are great, and the package is an awesome deal.

I am very happy that I ended up buying USC for the Wii. While I only bought it for the inclusion of Radio Allery. A few years back I pre-ordered RA for the GC, but it got canselled. The nunchuk/wiimote setup is very unique. I like RA as a game, but I think it unlimited continus would have made the game more enjoyable.

I originally purchased this game just to pick up Radio Allergy; the 'lost' Gamecube game that got cancelled before its US release.


The UGS has three games; Radio Allergy(aka Radilgy), Karous, and Chaos Field.

While Chaos Field did get a Gamecube release in the US, this is the first appearance for Karous and Radilgy. The highlight of the collection is definitely Radio Allergy. Radilgy has a quirky cel-shaded atmosphere very reminiscent of Jet Set Radio, and a silly plot to match. The gameplay itself is a little chaotic, but fun enough to keep things moving.

Radilgy is definitely a 'bullet hell' shooter, but you do get a life bar, so it's not quite as punishing. You also unlock more continues as you die, so unless you're a 1CC fanatic, you'll eventually finish it with ease.


Karous is the same type of game, but with a more somber atmosphere reminiscent of Neon Genesis Evangelion. It isn't as fun to play or experience as Radio Allergy, but it's worth a look.

Chaos Field is the one that stands out. The game has no stages, only bosses. Also, when each of the three possible ships goes into Chaos Field mode, they deal extra damage, but the bosses become tougher as well.

Arguably the most 'traditional' of the three, as Chaos Field has a more common shmup style to it. Not nearly as bullet-filled as Radio Allergy or Karous.

Another plus is that it has solid trance/electronic music BGM.


Considering how cheap the game is, you could do worse for a solid shmup experience.

Milestone doesn't make the best shoot 'em ups, but it does make some incredibly solid shooters that are well worth playing. In this collection, you'll be getting Radirgy, Karous, and Chaos Field. All 3 of these shooters go for $40-$80 a piece on the Dreamcast, so you're getting quite a value here. Karous is by far the best offering here, as it offers the best gameplay overall. Chaos Field is more of a boss rush, but offers some exceptional music and good visuals. Radirgy is the least exceptional of the bunch. In comparison to the other two titles, Radirgy feels slightly boring, and its 2D art isn't as attractive. Anyways, while none of the 3 games offered are even near the best the genre has to offer, Karous is well worth the entry price alone. A solid shooter collection for an incredibly affordable price.

If you're hunkering for a "Raiden Fighters" arcade style game, you're SOL if you don't own an Xbox360 or PS3 b/c this game is crap. I bought it pretty dirt cheap but there's a reason for it.

I haven't played it in awhile and probably don't plan to anytime soon. From what I recall, there are three games in one. Two of the three are terrible, with one of the modes average. The biggest problem I have with this game is that the graphics are so distored as well as the colors that it's hard to distinguish between what's a threat (missles trying to hit you) and what isn't (bonus weapons). It's just bizarre. So 1/2 the time, you'e squinting your eyes wondering what you're dodging.

I love challenges and am pretty damn good at Raiden Fighters and can dodge "em" with the best. But when you can't see didly squat, it really kills the entire gaming experience.

Chaos Field, Radilgy, and Karous..... All 3 of these impossible to find import shooters are presented to us on ONE disc.

Simply stated, if you love shooters, or ever did, you NEED this game now. You will not come across these titles very easily, and if you do, you'll need a converter or an import system.

Support of this genre is crucial to keeping it alive. Waiting will only convince companies that there is no money to be made in the shooting genre.

So, to sum up- Superior value, 3 incredible RARE games, and the knowledge that you're doing the right thing.

5 stars, and my absolute highest recommendation.

ps. if you are still thinking, I'll say it again: Chaos Field, Radilgy, and Karous. Thank you UFO.

This game was ok, however, it did not work with the rifle or gun attachments for the Wii. The action is stilted versus the actual movement of the player. Could be a Wii thing.

PLAY TO START WHEN IT'S OK BUT AFTER AN HOUR STARTS TO FEEL ABOUT THAT ONE OF THE SAME