^^^ you are correct, sir! ^^^
Being a lifelong fan of Xevious, I take issue w/ the recent thrashing RadioFreeNintendo gave it as one of the coin rewards on Nintendo's Club site.
James Jones says mockingly "It's 80 YEARS OLD! C'MON!" Uh, guys, it's a CLASSIC. Jonathan Metz was likely comparing it to more recent games of its type & complaining about certain gameplay elements: "the pacing is just atrocious...no rhythm, no pattern..really bad...not very much fun to play."
First of all, YES- IT'S 30 YEARS OLD. Seen any of those games lately? Games have come a long way & those hosts should know better. Xevious isnt one of those unfair, bullet-hell twitchfests where you're lucky to last 30 seconds. It was designed as less of a quarter-muncher, allowing gamers to enjoy more than a few minutes playing. Metz implies it takes down time to load in the next enemy wave (doubtful). Also, one could consider the down time as a welcome (or even necessary) break in the action. It tailors enemy waves to players' skill- if you're good, the game adapts. & on home versions anyway, you can set the difficulty- you can casually watch the scenery beneath scroll by, or you can have the game throw everything it has at you & kick your ass- your choice.
Metz also mentions "levels go on forever...I did not complete the 1st level". (which is why I think he was comparing it to more contemporary shooters he's used to). There are no "levels" per se (although "areas" defined by forests on the ground)- you keep going & going. Many games were that way back then.
I just find it intriguing that someone as knowledgeable on gaming as Metz (at least to me he certainly comes off as such) doesnt know much of Xevious' history- at least do some research before shredding it. He prob. doesnt even know about the hidden flags or sol citadels. The DS NAMCO 50th Anniversary cart has interesting behind-the-scenes info for Xevious & other included games.
Edited by RJ, Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:31 PM.