Gunforce 2

[Vetus]

Everyone knows Metal Slug, one of the most beloved and most famous videogames series ever. But how many of you know about Gunforce 2 (aka GeoStorm)? You don't? Neither did I until I read an article about Irem's history at Hardcore Gaming 101:

http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/ire....htm#gunforce2

As you can see, the creators of Metal Slug are also responsible for this unknown gem which was created before Metal Slug. And since the gameplay and graphics of both games are similar some fans refer to Gunforce 2 as Metal Slug Zero.

After I read this article I downloaded its rom for MAME and played it until I finished it. And boy, it was such an enjoyable run and gun game, one of the best I've ever played. And propably one of the most underrated arcade games I've ever seen (which it never got a console port).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UusCJkOEYb4

If you're fans of Metal Slug (which means most of you) I recommend you Gunforce 2.

[splith]

Sounds weird, because gunforce (original) is quite possibly the worst game ever released for the system. Even darkadder who ripped the music was ashamed that he had to play it to get the music!

[Blur2040]

This is ASSEMbler you're talking about...I'm betting may of us are aware of Gunforce.

I have played it in MAME, myself...and have had the opportunity to buy the PCB for $50 or so, but I never jumped on it. I always thought it was a cool game, if a bit ambitious (the slowdown, ack!). Anyone who hasn't played it, though, should definitely give it a look.

I'll have to give it another spin myself one of these days.

[ave]

I have played it in MAME, myself...and have had the opportunity to buy the PCB for $50 or so, but I never jumped on it.

Gun Force or Gun Force 2? Because that would have been an AA+ bargain for a GF2/Geostorm pcb! Not for GF1 though.

The first time I've played (or become aware of) Geostorm was in November 2009 when I played it at an arcade meet. A surprise gimmick... insanely detailed graphics, extreme variety and great replay value.
If it wasn't so expensive I'd already have one myself ^_^

I would call it IREM's requiem. A true masterpiece as the final product of a true master developer.

[GodofHardcore]

Gun force 2+ In the Hunt= Metal Slug

[feder]

GunForce 2 is a great game, but it's rather expensive.

[XerdoPwerko]

Just played it through the miracle of emulation and it is, indeed, quite fun.
It is very, very similar to the Metal Slug games, but it's much more forgiving in many aspects. Some bullets are very hard to see, though.

Yes, it is very recommendable. I liked it a lot.

[Vetus]

This is ASSEMbler you're talking about...I'm betting may of us are aware of Gunforce.

I won't deny it but when I asked Moboros (who is a very good friend of mine in real life) about this game (since we were recently talking about how great Metal Slug is) he didn't know it. :P So I opened this thread expecially for him and another friend of mine who recently played all Metal Slug games for the first time of his life and became a fan. :)

Since retro games revival scene is hot the latest years due to Virtual Console/XBOX Live/Playstation Network it would be a good opportunity for Irem to re-publish this gem for downloading. Heck, even Sin&Punishment which didn't sell so well on N64 became much more famous when it was released for Virtual Console to the point that Treasure released a great sequel for Wii.

[Blur2040]

Gun Force or Gun Force 2? Because that would have been an AA+ bargain for a GF2/Geostorm pcb! Not for GF1 though.

I'm pretty sure it was 2...Oh well...If I recall, it would have cost me another 20 to ship...and I was broke at the time. I think my logic was that I already had Metal Slug X and an MVS unit, so I could get my run/gun fill that way.

[GodofHardcore]

Does Irem even still exist?

[ave]

Yes, but they have ceased to produce arcade games after GunForce 2 in 1995.

Since then they have published several console games like S.O.S. - The Final Escape (aka Zettai Zetsumei Toshi) of which the second sequel has recently been released for the PSP in 2009. Other games worth mentioning are R-Type Dimensions (360) and Minna de Spelunker (PSN).
Apparently ever since some of their old staff left to form NAZCA (metal slug) it was not quite the same company any more.

[Tatsujin]

Metal Slug 0 was an awesome run 'n gunner :)

What a shame it was also IREMs first down :(

[XerdoPwerko]

Did you guys know Irem also made Moon Patrol?

Moon. Fucking. Patrol.

Fucking Awesome.

That being said, Irem's console work was also superb. I really, really like R-Type Final, and R-Type Delta, even if Delta is nail-bitingly, fuck-you-in-the-ass-with-a-broken-bottle difficult. Not as cruel as R-Type II, still.

[Vetus]

...even if Delta is nail-bitingly, fuck-you-in-the-ass-with-a-broken-bottle difficult.

You can say that again. Even if you play it in PSX emulator with auto-save it's still a pain in the ass. At least now I have managed to clear second stage :P (when I was playing it on PSX back then in 1999 I have never cleared second stage ).

[MottZilla]

Wow, I'd never heard about GF2. I looked it up and it really does seem to have alot of parallels with Metal Slug. Neat game. Too bad it seems it was never ported to anything like Saturn or another console.

[splith]

Too bad it seems it was never ported to anything like Saturn or another console.

Maybe that would have been good, but get a SNES emulator and download the original gunforce rom for that and try, I dare you to try and find such a bad convertion.

[MottZilla]

I'm not sure what you mean. I think I played GunForce on SNES and think I remember it being pretty terrible and so I never gave it much of a chance after that. But this GunForce 2 arcade game seems basically totally different.

[Tatsujin]

But this GunForce 2 arcade game seems basically totally different.

That's because it is totally different!

[ave]

I'm not sure what you mean. I think I played GunForce on SNES and think I remember it being pretty terrible and so I never gave it much of a chance after that. But this GunForce 2 arcade game seems basically totally different.

I think he was afraid the quality of the SFC/SNES port would maybe have predicted the accuracy of a possible GF2-port. Maybe it would have been just as awful because of bad programming and limited hardware resources.

Anyway, I doubt that would have been the case. After all the IREM M92-board In the Hunt has been successfully converted into a console game. A Gunforce 2-port that reaches the accuracy of In the Hunt (PSX) would have been pure sex.

[GaijinPunch]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it look like this on paper?
Megal Slug Precursor = Geo Storm = (Gun Force outside of Japan)
Gun Force = Gun Force 2 outside of Japan

Gun Force 2 Flyer
A bigt of info on it in here.