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Initial D Extreme Stage (PS3)

Hey here's a good question: I've played the original arcade stage. I know it's seen many revisions since then. Now, have they fixed the broken handling yet?
 
I know this is stupid, but I've simply never given the anime, manga, or games a chance because I cannot stand that it's called Initial D and not Inertial D. Please forgive me my idiocies.
 
Liabe Brave said:
I know this is stupid, but I've simply never given the anime, manga, or games a chance because I cannot stand that it's called Initial D and not Inertial D. Please forgive me my idiocies.
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If it makes you feel any better, when they say the name during bookend segments, the announcers call it "IniSHALL DEE!!"
 
Liabe Brave said:
I know this is stupid, but I've simply never given the anime, manga, or games a chance because I cannot stand that it's called Initial D and not Inertial D. Please forgive me my idiocies.
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Is THAT what it is supposed to mean? That makes a HELL of a lot more sense.
 
DJ GT-S said:
Hey here's a good question: I've played the original arcade stage. I know it's seen many revisions since then. Now, have they fixed the broken handling yet?
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I have no idea what you mean by broken handling, but V4 is completely different from any of the previous iterations.
 
Lostconfused said:
I have no idea what you mean by broken handling, but V4 is completely different from any of the previous iterations.
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Well, "broken" to me means that I was in a stock ZZW30 MR2, smoking a GTR going uphill and picking up more and more speed the more I was drifting.

Since then I've refused to have anything to do with the game. It simply felt insulting.
 
DJ GT-S said:
Well, "broken" to me means that I was in a stock ZZW30 MR2, smoking a GTR going uphill and picking up more and more speed the more I was drifting.

Since then I've refused to have anything to do with the game. It simply felt insulting.
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Handling isn't the only thing that can determine whether or not that GT-R beats the MR2 (I assume you mean a MR-S? I don't know the MR-S chassis code) uphill; the engine performance (read: powerband and acceleration) and the driver play a huge part as well.

I'm going to assume you were playing against the CPU, so perhaps driver isn't as much of an issue in this case. Naturally the assumption would be the 300hp car would beat the 140hp car uphill, and you'd be right.

However, this is Initial D, not Forza or (god forbid!) Gran Turismo. It's a goofy, fun arcade game based off a goofy, fun comic. Fun arcade game that can't be taken seriously as anything remotely resembling a realistic racing game/simulator/etc.

I finally played it today (my school seems to have gotten it in over spring break). The game plays less like Initial Understeer and more like Initial Everything handles like a speedboat. You're still not really drifting, though there is a lot more countersteer involved than in the previous three games. But I suppose that's better than just plowing through every turn and calling it drifting.

The graphics are decent enough for what it is; cel-shaded with a surprising amount of jaggies. Isn't this running on Lindbergh? Looks like it is, and the 16:9 displays the cab uses leads me to believe as much. But it sure doesn't look like a Lindbergh game. Framerate looks smooth enough, though.

The handling of the vehicles really does leave something to be desired, honestly. I will concede that much. At the very least I'd expect the cars to have somewhat different handling characteristics, but it seems like you can pretty much just stay on the gas and power over into a "drift," even on the FF cars and cars with like 50hp. I'd rather have the FF cars be more prone to understeer and have crazy oversteer (if you do something really stupid to induce it; there's no ebrake in this game) than have them basically handle like the FR cars. I'm not asking for real-life accuracy here, but a slight variation in handling characteristics would be nice. At least the AWD cars seem like they just mash through everything, even the rain (for the most part).

The slight variation in handling characteristics that Initial D 4th Stage lacks is the reason I can overlook the overall silliness of Ridge Racer: you can actually tell the difference between cars setup to "grip" and cars setup to "drift." And this is not even taking into account the fact that you can play around with the handling characteristics in RR. Though this is becoming less noticeable in recent versions of the game with the increased emphasis on drifting and the nitrous boosts.

In summation, fun if you're a fan, useless otherwise. Don't expect it to be realistic cause it isn't, and I've no idea why anyone would expect it to even come close to being such. I can't really see myself playing it aside from my lunch break with buddies at school, though.
 
Liabe Brave said:
I know this is stupid, but I've simply never given the anime, manga, or games a chance because I cannot stand that it's called Initial D and not Inertial D. Please forgive me my idiocies.
Click to expand...

inertiald.jpg
 
kazuo said:
Handling isn't the only thing that can determine whether or not that GT-R beats the MR2 (I assume you mean a MR-S? I don't know the MR-S chassis code) uphill; the engine performance (read: powerband and acceleration) and the driver play a huge part as well.

I'm going to assume you were playing against the CPU, so perhaps driver isn't as much of an issue in this case. Naturally the assumption would be the 300hp car would beat the 140hp car uphill, and you'd be right.

However, this is Initial D, not Forza or (god forbid!) Gran Turismo. It's a goofy, fun arcade game based off a goofy, fun comic. Fun arcade game that can't be taken seriously as anything remotely resembling a realistic racing game/simulator/etc.

I finally played it today (my school seems to have gotten it in over spring break). The game plays less like Initial Understeer and more like Initial Everything handles like a speedboat. You're still not really drifting, though there is a lot more countersteer involved than in the previous three games. But I suppose that's better than just plowing through every turn and calling it drifting.

The graphics are decent enough for what it is; cel-shaded with a surprising amount of jaggies. Isn't this running on Lindbergh? Looks like it is, and the 16:9 displays the cab uses leads me to believe as much. But it sure doesn't look like a Lindbergh game. Framerate looks smooth enough, though.

The handling of the vehicles really does leave something to be desired, honestly. I will concede that much. At the very least I'd expect the cars to have somewhat different handling characteristics, but it seems like you can pretty much just stay on the gas and power over into a "drift," even on the FF cars and cars with like 50hp. I'd rather have the FF cars be more prone to understeer and have crazy oversteer (if you do something really stupid to induce it; there's no ebrake in this game) than have them basically handle like the FR cars. I'm not asking for real-life accuracy here, but a slight variation in handling characteristics would be nice. At least the AWD cars seem like they just mash through everything, even the rain (for the most part).

The slight variation in handling characteristics that Initial D 4th Stage lacks is the reason I can overlook the overall silliness of Ridge Racer: you can actually tell the difference between cars setup to "grip" and cars setup to "drift." And this is not even taking into account the fact that you can play around with the handling characteristics in RR. Though this is becoming less noticeable in recent versions of the game with the increased emphasis on drifting and the nitrous boosts.

In summation, fun if you're a fan, useless otherwise. Don't expect it to be realistic cause it isn't, and I've no idea why anyone would expect it to even come close to being such. I can't really see myself playing it aside from my lunch break with buddies at school, though.
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Well put...quoted for TRUTH!
 
Yeah its from the intro video...still nice to look at. And the excitement is starting to build with me. I REALLY hope the online play will work outside of Japan...
 
Got it today, the game doesn't feel "new" to me except new characters from further into the story.

The opening is CG.

I can only write what I think comparing to the older console Initial D games since I am not into arcade stage.

The game plays like the old ones from my one hour or so into it, the loading time is quite long, and it is more like a PS2 Initial D games rendered in higher resolution (for sure much cleaner looking). I think the conversation scenes are real-time rendered, you can customize your character with items, and you can gain items by winning races (I am not sure if losing get you anything).

Asian version does not have online, the Japanese version is supposed to have that.

Overall, I am not quite interested in this game although I will buy most Initial D games (but not really playing).
 
I used to be big into the arcade versions of the game. I started playing from Japanese V1 and peaked around the start of V3. Now I didn't have the time to make the trek out to the arcades and didn't really play V4.

I have a few questions to start...Can you let me know what songs the game has so far?
And if anything unlocks when you finish legend of the street...
I know the Asian version has no online, but can you still upload your time attack scores and download ghost files?

Thanks a bunch!
 
Well my order info has changed over at play asia...it's now saying "Preparing order"

I hope that it ships out tonight so that I can wake up to a tracking number:D
 
UncleScr00ge said:
Not pulling the trigger on the JPN version until someone from the US confirms that online play works from the states.
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Same... I hope we can get the DLC etc too.
 
UncleScr00ge said:
Not pulling the trigger on the JPN version until someone from the US confirms that online play works from the states.
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Should work, most Japanese online games work overseas, that's how I play Mingol5 with the Japanese.
 
Online has been CONFIRMED!!! for people from North America who are importing! :D

I'm quite impatient and I heard that Japanvideogames.com were getting their JPN versions on 6/30 I decided to order it from them with rush EMS shipping (While keeping my Play Asia order). Either way I have friends who are looking to buy it.

Anyways, I've been spending more time over at Initial D world and in the Extreme Stage thread there was a guy who picked up his copy locally from JVG. He's taken pictures of the gameplay and more importantly, ONLINE PLAY!!! You don't need to use a Japanese PSN account either. He's on a US PS3 and he's using a NA PSN account.

http://idforums.net/index.php?showtopic=33582&st=800

So start ordering your copies.

Add me to your PSN as well...

mattlikewhoa
 
Mattlikewhoa said:
I used to be big into the arcade versions of the game. I started playing from Japanese V1 and peaked around the start of V3. Now I didn't have the time to make the trek out to the arcades and didn't really play V4.

I have a few questions to start...Can you let me know what songs the game has so far?
And if anything unlocks when you finish legend of the street...
I know the Asian version has no online, but can you still upload your time attack scores and download ghost files?

Thanks a bunch!
Click to expand...

For the songs, I have to turn my speakers off when I first play it (because it is too late at night).

I don't think the Asian version has anything network related, and it seems they are discussing on the possibility of a supplement disc for the network part.
 
maskrider said:
For the songs, I have to turn my speakers off when I first play it (because it is too late at night).

I don't think the Asian version has anything network related, and it seems they are discussing on the possibility of a supplement disc for the network part.
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Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've got the complete song list so far...and it's a shame to hear that they cut EVERYTHING online related from the Asian version. Where did you hear that they were thinking about fixing that?

LiK said:
how do the graphics look in HD? i'm still not sure which version to get.
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Um...just like the arcade version? (It works but don't expect to be blown away. As to which version to get, I would has the Japanese since you can battle others online.

haunts said:
Ordered mine yesterday. :D
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Good man...which version?
 
Mattlikewhoa said:
Um...just like the arcade version? (It works but don't expect to be blown away. As to which version to get, I would has the Japanese since you can battle others online.
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sorry, i mean the framerate, jaggies, car models, etc. i never played the arcade version. don't really have any arcades left around me to check it out. i only have Initial D for the PSP.
 
Mattlikewhoa said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I've got the complete song list so far...and it's a shame to hear that they cut EVERYTHING online related from the Asian version. Where did you hear that they were thinking about fixing that?
Click to expand...

From people who knows quite a bit of stuffs in a very popular local gaming forum (Hongkong). The info is claimed to be from local distributor.
 
Mattlikewhoa said:
Good man...which version?
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I got the japanese ver., even though I dunno if I will play the online mode much but you never know!

LiK said:
sorry, i mean the framerate, jaggies, car models, etc. i never played the arcade version. don't really have any arcades left around me to check it out. i only have Initial D for the PSP.
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Did the PSP game come out in the USA?
 
LiK said:
sorry, i mean the framerate, jaggies, car models, etc. i never played the arcade version. don't really have any arcades left around me to check it out. i only have Initial D for the PSP.
Click to expand...

I'd take a look at some videos on youtube...The framerate is smooth, there are some jaggies, I don't know about the car models since I (and most of the people I see) play first person view. For the most part they look good.

If you liked the PSP version, then you'll LOVE this one. A big plus is that it doesn't use the card system anymore.

maskrider said:
From people who knows quite a bit of stuffs in a very popular local gaming forum (Hongkong). The info is claimed to be from local distributor.
Click to expand...

Oh okay, that's good to know...I hope it gets patched so that there will be more people playing online...
 
So is this the official thread? I updated the op even though I won't be getting it.
I'll put something better later.
 
haunts said:
I got the japanese ver., even though I dunno if I will play the online mode much but you never know!



Did the PSP game come out in the USA?
Click to expand...


It was confirmed. Check out the link I had posted above. And the PSP version NEVER came out in NA (much like most of the ID games)...
 
Mattlikewhoa said:
Oh okay, that's good to know...I hope it gets patched so that there will be more people playing online...
Click to expand...

But it costs money, may be halt the price of the released Asian version (Asian version is around HK$290 ~ US$37.2).

From the very few battles that I've played (only beaten 2 locations, Akina and Myougi), I haven't encountered any framerate problem, and I wouldn't expect any since the graphics is mostly higher resolution PS2 graphics.
 
kay said:
So is this the official thread? I updated the op even though I won't be getting it.
I'll put something better later.
Click to expand...

Cool, I'm sure no one else would have a problem making this the official thread...
 
Mattlikewhoa said:
I'd take a look at some videos on youtube...The framerate is smooth, there are some jaggies, I don't know about the car models since I (and most of the people I see) play first person view. For the most part they look good.

If you liked the PSP version, then you'll LOVE this one. A big plus is that it doesn't use the card system anymore.
Click to expand...

cool, i saw some on youtube but the quality is hard to discern consdiering yuotube's crappy quality. good thing the framerate is smooth, i'll need to check it out soon.
 
Mattlikewhoa said:
It was confirmed. Check out the link I had posted above. And the PSP version NEVER came out in NA (much like most of the ID games)...
Click to expand...


PSP aint reigon free is it?
 
MarkMan said:
Importing JPN version asap! Thanks for the heads up.
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Yeah man...NP :D

rkenshin said:
I got the Asian version for $50 (shipping included) at YesAsia..

Don't think an online mode is worth an extra $25
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Wait what? That's the best part about playing it! That's cool though, at least you'll still enjoy the game...
 
Looks like I'll be picking this up at lunch over at Japan Video Games down the street. I'll add everyone's PSN in this thread when I get back home.

My PSN is gevurah22. See y'all on the mountains! :D
 
Ive played Ver. 3 in the arcade a handful of times... not really any good at it, esp compared to the asian dudes with DBZ hair in my arcade... :lol how does the driving work exactly? how do you drift well? any tips or w/e I should keep in mind before playing this?
 
donkey show said:
Looks like I'll be picking this up at lunch over at Japan Video Games down the street. I'll add everyone's PSN in this thread when I get back home.

My PSN is gevurah22. See y'all on the mountains! :D
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Can you check if they'll be having a booth at Anime Expo again? I'm going to be up there this week and I'd rather just buy it there than having to wait for it to ship. Let me know if you find out ;) Pricing too!
 
donkey show said:
Looks like I'll be picking this up at lunch over at Japan Video Games down the street. I'll add everyone's PSN in this thread when I get back home.

My PSN is gevurah22. See y'all on the mountains! :D
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You lucky SOB....:lol

Mine copy is being held captive by USPS....

haunts said:
Ive played Ver. 3 in the arcade a handful of times... not really any good at it, esp compared to the asian dudes with DBZ hair in my arcade... :lol how does the driving work exactly? how do you drift well? any tips or w/e I should keep in mind before playing this?
Click to expand...

To be honest, it comes down to experience. The more you play and watch others play, the better you'll become. Try watching some time attack and battle videos online to see how players react to various tracks, and racing lines people use.
 
Is this G25 compatible? It was fun playing with the FFB in the arcade... i wonder how much it feels like that on the G25.
 
Updated OP! Borrowed some things, be sure to say if some things are wrong or if I should add something.
 
Hey, thanks for doing that kay...

And people, check your play asia pre orders. Mine says it has shipped! I'm using FedEX so I should have it for the weekend.
 
I'm likely picking this up today. Can't resist Sega arcade racers. PSN tag is "Lyte Edge", but I am in J-land and probably won't get to play with most people outside of Asia. :/
 
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