SOFT RANT MODE ON

Yet again I’m in a state of mind where I know how to play a game to the end, although I don’t seem to be able to work my way in a single credit. Blame it on difficulty, blame it on rank, but most of all blame it on me for believing I’m already ripe for the 1CC when in fact I’m still in need of practice. Never was that message from the announcer in Gradius II more true than it is in my gaming routine right now.

With the upcoming cross-platform release of Under Defeat upon us I thought it would be nice to clear the Dreamcast game before seeing its new HD incarnation in current gen consoles. I dipped my toes for a few days and finally engaged in learning the necessary chops some three weeks ago. The game has proven to be a soul crusher, and with my gaming time reduced it seems even more cruel in its hatred towards pretentious players. It’s teaching me the meaning of humility.

Being under a constant state of defeat should be bad for me. Nevertheless the game is so good that this becomes irrelevant. It’s a work of intense beauty with a vicious challenge that protrudes above the wonderful aesthetics, a late nod to the old school way of shmupping. It makes you feel powerful even when you lose, like when you nail 100% on that snowy 4th stage regardless of how awfully you performed on the 3rd stage.

Now let me go practice.

SOFT RANT MODE OFF