Last Hope (video game)

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This article is about the Neo Geo shooter. For the Xbox 360 RPG, see Star Ocean: The Last Hope.
Last Hope
Developer(s)NG:Dev.Team
Publisher(s)NG:Dev Team (Neo Geo)
RedSpotGames (DC)
Designer(s)Timm Hellwig
René Hellwig
Composer(s)Rafael Dyll
Platform(s)Neo Geo
Neo Geo CD
Dreamcast
ReleaseNeo Geo
July 10, 2006
Pink Bullets Neo-Geo
February 21, 2011
Dreamcast
January 31, 2007
Pink Bullets Dreamcast
September 4, 2009
Neo-Geo CD
November 19, 2007
Genre(s)Shoot 'em up
Mode(s)Single player

Last Hope is a single-player side-scrolling shoot 'em up video game for the Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, and Dreamcast systems. It was developed by German indie developer NG:Dev.Team in 2006.[1] While the Neo Geo version was self-published, the Dreamcast version was released by redspotgames in January 2007, as an unlicensed title.[2] In 2009 The Dreamcast version received a reprint in the form of a director's cut called Last Hope Pink Bullets. This edition features improved on screen visibility in comparison to its 1st print due to pink bullets etc. That and various other features make the game easier to allow a more accessible gameplay experience with emphasis on scoring.[3]

Story

An evil empire from another galaxy is heading towards Earth. Barely 24 hours beforehand, they had penetrated the last line of defense in Earth's galaxy, the Arsion Laser Belt. Millions of innocent people perished in outer space colonies. 70% of earth's fleet was destroyed during first contact. Intelligence reports six days until their arrival. Conventional weapons cannot stop them. The last hope is in your hands: The Z-42 Warpstar. Warp into their territories and destroy their leader before they reach Earth.[4]

Features

  • Free 360° rotary protection unit for shooting and dodging enemy fire
  • Six stages with checkpoints
  • Four difficulty levels
  • Hand-drawn backgrounds
  • Fully animated CGI enemies
  • Both CD versions feature a high quality CD Digital Audio soundtrack
  • Region-free
  • Constant 60 frame/s with up to 4 parallax layers
  • Lighting and transparency FX
  • Smooth plasma FX
  • Dreamcast version is a pixel-perfect port, with 240p scanlines in progressive mode
  • Dreamcast VGA, NTSC and PAL systems on 60 Hz are supported

Pink Bullets revisions

  • Instant respawn
  • Permanent rotary protection unit
  • Higher ship speed from beginning
  • Reduced difficulty
  • Changes in background and bullet colors for higher visibility

Release

July 10, 2006 NGDT Produced 60 Units of the game for NeoGeo and sold it directly via their website.[5] January 30, 2007 RedSpotGames published 2500 Units of the game (500 copies were reserved for sale with the limited edition) [6] May 3, 2007 The limited edition of Last Hope was released with 500 Vinyl Style Compact discs containing the soundtrack.[7] November 19, 2007 NGDT Produced 500 units for NeoGeoCD [8] September 4, 2009 NGDT Produced 1000 Units of Last Hope Pink Bullets which were distributed Internationally by RedSpotGames.[9][10]

As a response to criticism regarding the game's difficulty, the developer released an updated version titled Last Hope: Pink Bullets for the Dreamcast on September 19, 2009. This edition features improved on screen visibility in comparison to its 1st print due to pink bullets etc. That and various other features make the game easier to allow a more accessible gameplay experience with emphasis on scoring.[11]

Pricing

Only 60 copies of the Neo Geo AES version were produced, making this is an extremely rare and collectible title. Since that, and the high cost of producing the cartridges, the game was sold for €550 (around $730). It was only available from the developers.

In contrast, the Dreamcast version sells for $40, and the "Limited Edition" with bundled soundtrack CD was sold for $80. Van Basilco and Play-Asia were the only online stores approved to sell Last Hope for the Dreamcast. The Limited Edition was limited to only 500 units and is already a highly sought after item. It sold out 5 days after the release day and currently prices up to $259.

Currently Last Hope Pink Bullets is retailing for $25 via NGDev Direct[12]

Reception

Comparisons were drawn to "old school" shooters like R-Type and Gradius, but especially of Pulstar, with its "tactical" gameplay and pre-rendered backgrounds and sprites.

The game has been criticized[13] for featuring very hard to distinguish enemy-bullets which are almost the same color as explosions/debris.

Some reviewers have commended Last Hope as technically impressive for Neo Geo standards, while others focus criticism on gameplay issues.[14][15][16]

The NeoGeo CD version of this game features higher visibility due to pink colored bullets, which are better to distinguish between explosions/debris. In response to the criticism Last Hope Pink Bullets was released in 2009 for Dreamcast. The ratings range from 54% (MAN!AC, Germany) to 80% (GamesTM, UK) or second best score "good" (PC Action, Germany)

About the developers

File:NG.DEV.TEAM.jpg
NG:Dev.Team logo

NG:Dev.Team was established in 2001 with their debut game Last Hope being released in 2005 for Neo Geo. It was ported to Dreamcast in 2008 and published by RedSpotGames. In 2010, the developer released Fast-Striker for Neo-Geo and Dreamcast. It was ported to iPhone in 2011. In 2012, Gun Lord was released for Neo-Geo and Dreamcast. In 2013, NEO XYX was released for Neo Geo and ported to Dreamcast the following year. 2014 saw the release of Razion exclusively for Neo-Geo.

NG Dev Team are currently developing Kraut Busters, a run n gun game inspired by Metal Slug.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://blog.ngdevteam.com/
  2. ^ http://www.redspotgames.com/lasthope/
  3. ^ http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-x-49-en-70-3f36.html
  4. ^ http://www.lasthope.ngdevteam.com/
  5. ^ http://www.ngdevdirect.com/
  6. ^ http://www.ngdevteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=29
  7. ^ Search for May 3rd http://blog.ngdevteam.com/
  8. ^ http://www.ngdevteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=29
  9. ^ http://dcemulation.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=100277
  10. ^ http://redspotgames.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=14
  11. ^ http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-x-49-en-70-3f36.html
  12. ^ http://www.ngdevdirect.com/product_info.php?products_id=30
  13. ^ shmups.system11.org :: View topic - New Neo-Geo shmup - Last Hope [also for DC]
  14. ^ DCS | Main / LastHope-DCS-Review browse
  15. ^ DCS | Main / LastHope-Daddelkingz-Review browse
  16. ^ Neo-Geo Forums - View Single Post - 'Last Hope' Central thread

External links

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