Topic: Blaster Master: Overdrive

[noname2200]

To echo NWR_DrewMG, I'm between Jonny and Broodwars' opinions, although I lean much more towards Johnny's position. It's a great game, easily worth the $10 price of admission, and it updates a great classic. I do have a few issues though: the tank should jump higher, the grappling hook should be easier to use (it's a pain to switch to/from it all the time), and the backgrounds are curiously "bleh." Now the only reason I know that Area 1 is "the Ruins" is because the game tells me, whereas the original's backgrounds and art design made it clear that Area X is Theme Y.
 
Other than that, good show.
 

Wait--you can STRAFE? How?!

To add to NWR_DrewMG's answer, you can also "strafe" with the tank by holding the B button: you'll move backwards (at a slightly slower pace) while facing the same direction. It hasn't proven as useful with the tank as on foot, but it's a nice novelty.
 

[Jonnyboy117]

I just played through Area 5. You should be glad to hear that it looks completely different than all the earlier areas, both in and out of the tank. It's also really, really hard. But I found the boss to be a lot easier than the previous one. Hint: just use the grenade.

[Halbred]

Wow, okay. That should make the scorpion boss...easier? Hopefully?

It's bad enough that I'm switching weapons with the A button. Holding down B sounds sucky, but I'll be trying it later tonight...

To be sure, I do like the game. It's very colorful and action-oriented. But yeah, I really wish there was CC support.

[noname2200]

I just played through Area 5. You should be glad to hear that it looks completely different than all the earlier areas, both in and out of the tank. It's also really, really hard. But I found the boss to be a lot easier than the previous one. Hint: just use the grenade.

Good to know. Thanks!

[UltimatePartyBear]

In other games that use the B button like this, I've found putting the remote in the wheel helps.  It makes the whole thing more comfortable to hold, too, in my opinion.

[Mop it up]

Favourite part so far: beating the Area 3 boss and acquiring the drill! It's so fun to use, zipping around and smashing into enemies. It's a little TOO entertaining...

To add to NWR_DrewMG's answer, you can also "strafe" with the tank by holding the B button: you'll move backwards (at a slightly slower pace) while facing the same direction. It hasn't proven as useful with the tank as on foot, but it's a nice novelty.

There's a bit more to it than that. Holding down the "B" button also allows the tank cannon to remain pointing in the direction it is facing, which allows you to shoot diagonally without moving forward.

This game really has some questionable design choices though. If a game requires more than two buttons and the D-pad, it needs support for other controller options!

I just played through Area 5. You should be glad to hear that it looks completely different than all the earlier areas, both in and out of the tank.

It still looks like caves to me.

[Jonnyboy117]

Caves full of glowing lava!

[Mop it up]

It was definitely more interesting than every other area so far, but the original game had much more visual variety.

[Rize]

When I got to Area 5 my eyes rejoiced.  For about 5 minutes.  I guess the game was worth 10 bucks, but I have a lot of complaints if anyone is interested: 
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=30579.msg585860#msg585860

Btw, I beat the game...  At the end, it seems to imply that I have more to do, but no additional menu options open.  Maybe it wants me to find the last upgrades I was missing and then beat it again for some kind of special ending or bonus or something:   EDIT:  AAAh   now I get it.  There's nothing more to do after all...

[Mop it up]

I agree with most of your points Rize, so I don't really have anything to add to that. Well, except that I feel the boss fights kind of drag on and become dull. I'm not as ecstatic about it as I was after my first impression.

Did anyone else notice that the little man slowly takes damage whenever outside of the tank? What's the deal with that?

[Rize]

Huh?  I didn't notice that.  I guess it's uh... radioactive out there.  Or something.

Why does every Blaster Master game but the first one have to be not very good?

[Halbred]

Blew through to the fourth levels last night. The second boss was awesome. The third boss was...the first boss again, but harder. Lame.

[Rize]

Just like in the first game.  Two of the bosses were repeats in the original as well so I guess they felt justified.

[Mop it up]

Why does every Blaster Master game but the first one have to be not very good?

Were the others created by the same team of people? It seems somewhere along the way, the original artist's vision has been lost. This can happen.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Do you guys think Blaster Master NEEDS classic controller support?

Vic Ireland started a poll over at NeoGAF about it
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387861

I'm still working to get Blaster Master Overdrive patched (free download if you already have it) to include Classic Controller support, but I need YOU to sign the poll here if you think the game needs it (duh, but humor me and let's make this happen).

If you'd like to talk about how you enjoyed the game *except* for the missing CC support, that might be useful as well.

Still no guarantees, but I *am* working on making this happen, and even if it doesn't work out, a good show of support for the controller will help with future releases.  Sign and tell your friends who have Wiis and have or want Blaster Master Overdrive to sign, too!

Thanks!

[GoldenPhoenix]

I feel the game is a solid sequel to the first. Don't quite understand the hate.

[Mop it up]

I'd prefer Nunchuk support. Not everyone has a Classic Controller, but everyone has a Nunchuk.

[broodwars]

Well, I needed a break from playing Phoenix Wright: Justice for All, so I went back to playing this and made it through the Area 3 boss (barely, with just a sliver of health left on my 3rd attempt).  Wow, 3 areas in and they're already recycling bosses.  Hooray for laziness!  Every time I try to really like this game, something comes along that just wipes that out.  Something especially trying this time was when I first entered Area 3 and was looking for a save point.  The only cave that had one nearby was underwater past 2 of those piranha things, which are nearly impossible to avoid so I got hit once entering the cave.  Because I got hurt outside a cave, that was half my health wiped out and all that was in the cave were weapon power-ups and a bunch of tank guys.  I tried 3 times to leave the cave, but one of those piranha guys was blocking my way every single time and there wasn't enough room to get around him and I died.  I had to repeatedly exit and re-enter the cave probably half a dozen times to get enough enemies to spawn that dropped the health kits I needed to get back to my tank from the save point.  That is just B.S.  It was B.S. on the NES when the original Blaster Master did that, and it's even less acceptable here.  At least I actually got a save point (for a change) in the cave with the Area 3 boss monster, since it turned out I really needed it.

Making my way to Area 4, I see they've introduced a new enemy type: the giant satellite turret of Doom, which I apparently just can't hit but it has no problem just spraying the field with bullets.  Oh joy.  On that note, by the way, how nice of them to introduce a new enemy type in the caves (the stationary turret) that is apparently invulnerable to all attacks and sprays the area with bullets.

I really enjoy the exploration for health/energy power-ups and the various tank abilities, but this game is just frustrating and lazy IMO.

EDIT: Got to the Area 4 boss (the Bat) and died twice when he entered his 2nd phase.  **** this, this game isn't worth the effort.

[Mop it up]

I ran into that same issue with the save point in Area 3, Broodswars. That's when I noticed that the little man's health decreases simply by being outside of the tank, as there was a couple times when I almost made it back, and then it drained. This game has some archaic design choices that hold it back from becoming something great.

From there I created multiple saves in case I ran into something like that again.

[Halbred]

I'm flabbergasted as to how Jonny is able to look past all these very obvious, very damaging design flaws. I like the game okay, but it's really starting to get on my nerves in regard to several issues.

[Rize]

I'm flabbergasted as to how Jonny is able to look past all these very obvious, very damaging design flaws. I like the game okay, but it's really starting to get on my nerves in regard to several issues.

I played through the whole game.  I was able to tolerate the bad and enjoy the good, but apparently Jonny's love for the original game borders on psychotic   (which is reasonable by the way, but for me that makes this sequel all the more painful)   There are a ton of people on GameFAQs who also seem intentionally blind to any faults.

[Mop it up]

I don't think most people are blind to any faults. I'd think they are just playing it for enjoyment, and aren't looking at it with a critical eye like you folks are trained to do.

[Rize]

It's true.  I just hate to see potential squandered.  A Blaster Master sequel was funded and imo, not handled very well.

[Mop it up]

Does anyone know if this game was patched with support for the Classic Controller?
I just got one, and am considering playing some of my games again which would be more comfortable with it.

[broodwars]

Does anyone know if this game was patched with support for the Classic Controller?
I just got one, and am considering playing some of my games again which would be more comfortable with it.

The Pro or the original Classic Controller?  I hope you got the former, because it far outclasses the original model.  You can actually play Star Fox 64 on the thing without destroying your hands!