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What is Omega Five?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Five

Omega Five is a horizontal scrolling shooter developed by Natsume and published by Hudson Soft for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade, originally planned to be released in November of 2007. It has since been delayed for unknown reasons and is now set for a January 2008 release.

Omega Five features a ninja-like character shooting enemies in a horizontally scrolling environment, with enemies emerging from the 3D background as well as screen edges, using both ranged and melee attacks. The game also features a pet that attacks enemies as well.

Xbox.com Information
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/o/omegafivexboxlivearcade/

Omega Five is a true next-gen, high-definition shooter, with the most awe-inspiring graphics around. Fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller as enemies come at you from all sides, even the background. Grab an extra controller, choose your merc, and engage in two-player local co-op play for more action.

* Unbelievable visuals: This side-scrolling shooter is set in a gorgeous 3-D environment.
* Challenging gameplay: If you're a hardcore player, try your hand at the ultra-challenging ++ Mode, where you're only allowed one hit!
* Local co-op: Grab an extra controller and demolish enemies with a friend by your side.
* Dangerous environments: Enemies come at you from all sides, even from the background.
* Merc variety: Fight as Ruby, Tempest, or other characters, each of whom has three unique main weapons and special attacks.
* Unlockable extras: Discover new characters, game modes, and options.
* Intuitive controls: The modern control scheme uses the right analog stick to aim and fire.

Release Date

PRESS RELEASE: Hudson Entertainment Dates Omega Five For Xbox Live Arcade
Press release supplied by Games Press 15:24 (GMT) 03/01/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REDWOOD SHORES, CA - January 3, 2008 - Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm of Hudson Soft, today announced that Omega Five for Xbox LIVE Arcade will be available to consumers on January 9, 2008 for 800 Microsoft Points. Published by Hudson and developed by Natsume, the game is an entirely new original IP featuring a side-scrolling shooter set in a gorgeous 3D environment.

Taking place in a far-flung future, Omega Five delivers hardcore action never seen before on the platform, while providing visually stunning graphics that pushes the limits for a digital download game. The game is set in multiple 3D environments and features incredible special effects and enormous battles, all in high definition. Omega Five is distinct in that players can choose from multiple humanoid characters, each with their own unique special attacks and upgradeable weapons, which they can shoot in 360 degrees. Omega Five also includes a local co-op function so a friend can join in on the aerial mayhem.

Hudson also released details on the final playable character. R.A.D. is another of Omega Five's unlockable warriors and is very similar to Ruby. Her skintight suit allows her to move much more quickly than Ruby, letting her weave through waves of enemy fire, though it also slows down her aiming.

. Weapon Type A: Vulcan Laser Cannon - R.A.D.'s initial weapon blasts enemies with rapid-fire laser beams. As the weapon is upgraded, the rate of fire increases, allowing her to unleash a non-stop barrage of laser fire.

. Weapon Type B: Reflecting Laser Beam - R.A.D.'s second weapon is a continuous laser beam that allows her to cut a swath of destruction through lesser enemies. Upgrades increase the power of the beam, splitting it in two, which also reflect off of certain surfaces. This lets R.A.D. attack enemies from around corners.

. Weapon Type C: Lightning Gun - Her final main weapon is a high-intensity lightning gun that roasts enemies. Upgrades increase the power, letting R.A.D. slice through enemies at will, as well as adding secondary lightning bolts that shoot out from the main beam at nearby enemies, doing incremental damage.

. Alternate Attack - R.A.D. has one alternate attack, which sends out satellite that can instantly destroy lesser enemies or anchor onto stronger enemies. After the satellite latches onto an enemy, it deals continuous damage, and R.A.D. is still able to fire in any direction. Additionally, while the satellite is floating around R.A.D., it can block enemy fire.

. Dimension Field - All characters can quickly teleport to another dimension for a brief time, allowing them to avoid enemy attacks, though at the expense of a small amount of life.

. Ultimate Burst - All characters can unleash an enormously destructive nuke-like attack, after having collected at least 100 p-chips (the pink triangles that appear after defeating enemies) to fill one p-jail (the golden triangles at the bottom left of the screen).

For assets, please visit: http://www.clevercomm.com/OmegaFiveAssets/

Additional assets from past releases, including screenshots and trailers, as well as information on other characters (Ruby, The Tempest, and Sensei), are also available.

For more information on Hudson Entertainment or Omega Five, please visit www.hudsonentertainment.com.

ESRB Rating: Everybody 10+ for Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes.

Trailers:
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/5543.html

Screenshots:

Previews:

1UP.com
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3162852

IGN XBOX 360
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/810/810786p1.html


ShackNews
http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=696

411 Mania
http://www.411mania.com/games/previews/64627/Omega-Five-(Xbox-Live-Arcade)-Preview.htm


Interviews:

GamerTagRadio
http://www.gamertagradio.com/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?p=38342

Gamasutra
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15904

GamerScoreBlog
http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archi...07/555673.aspx

Character Profiles:

Tempest
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/827/827832p1.html

Sensei
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/833/833493p1.html


Reviews:

TeamXbox
http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1453/Omega-Five/p1/
6.5, Decent

IGN XBOX 360
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/844/844356p1.html
7.4, Good

IGN XBOX 360 UK
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/844/844422p1.html
8.3, Impressive

1up.com
http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3165349

4.0, Poor (Warning: This reviewer it should be noted is a marshmallow of a gamer who probably can't play a Spongebob game without a FAQ, he is not to be trusted.)

 

[Jive Turkey]

I was beginning to wonder if this would ever come out.

 

[shintoki]

I enjoy the character model:lol Even includes a puppy

 

[Shard]

I was beginning to wonder if this would ever come out.

Indeed, though the sources say next week possibly.

 

[boco77]

Is this the jap release date or usa or europe?

 

[xbhaskarx]

The game also features a pet that attacks enemies as well.

So the dog in Fable 2 is not so original.

 

[Shard]

Is this the jap release date or usa or europe?

It is currently unknown as to which,, if any, territories will not be receiving the game.

 

[mr jones]

Damn. DAMN! Damn.

I want to get rid of the 360. I hate how I lose my ability to play full XBLA games when I'm not online.

But I want this game. I love shooters, and games like this, Mutant Storm and Geo Wars scratch an itch I have.

 

[Jonnyram]

There seems to be a lot of stuff planned for January release. Are we sure it's all gonna make it out on time?

 

[Evander]

Damn. DAMN! Damn.

I want to get rid of the 360. I hate how I lose my ability to play full XBLA games when I'm not online.

I agreethat tey really need to fix that whole thing, but you shouldn't have any problem playing thegame offline if you are on the same console that you originally bought that particular game on.

 

[Crab Milk Mickey]

Curse this thread. Now I was under the impression that they confirmed that Omega Five would be released this week...

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

I will probably buy this game right off the bat. It has been my most anticipated XBLA game since it was announced.

I can only hope it sells well enough to encourage companies to invest this kind of budget in all of their XBLA titles.

 

[Apharmd Battler]

No online co-op is reallyl weighing in heavily on my decison to pick this up. I mean WTF?! That a standard XBLA feature. With Metal Slug 3 around the corner with online co-op Omega 5 may be on my back burner....but it brings back some of those 16Bit shooter memories.....

<shakes fist at Natsume>

 

[FFChris]

I want to get rid of the 360. I hate how I lose my ability to play full XBLA games when I'm not online.

Huh? This doesn't happen on my machine.

The graphics look fantastic for a scrolling shooter, just the fact that you playing as a character rather than a spaceship seems a little strange to me. Then again, it is Japanese!

 

[SturokBGD]

Mmm... HD shmups.

 

[Shard]

Happy new year, gaming side GAF.

 

[KevinCow]

So you're a dude on a futuristic hoverboard, and you attack by throwing your dog at people? Awesome.

 

[Shard]

So you're a dude on a futuristic hoverboard, and you attack by throwing your dog at people? Awesome.

That is just one of of the characters of Omega Five.

 

[KevinCow]

That is just one of of the characters of Omega Five.

Are the other characters as awesome as that?

 

[Speevy]

Huh? This doesn't happen on my machine.

Then you haven't migrated to a new machine with your old hard drive.

 

[nextgeneration]

Thanks for creating this thread. Cannot wait! I hope it's good! *crosses fingers*

 

[sixteen-bit]

Shiba Inus are gaming's best dogs confirmed

 

[Shard]

Are the other characters as awesome as that?

Hard to say.

 

[IcebergSlim3000]

You know as much as Im waiting on this game I dont think I'll be able to buy it without online coop. That's a manadatory feature at this point in the game. Maybe somebody deep in the realm of MS knows this and will delay the game to add it. Or maybe its allready been added. Either way this feature will determine my sale.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

You know as much as Im waiting on this game I dont think I'll be able to buy it without online coop. That's a manadatory feature at this point in the game. Maybe somebody deep in the realm of MS knows this and will delay the game to add it. Or maybe its allready been added. Either way this feature will determine my sale.

They can always add it in a sequel.

 

[Crab Milk Mickey]

They can always add it in a patch.

Fixed.

There's really no excuse as to why they shouldn't include online co-op in this one.

 

[Community Forum]

Yay!

Nice to hear next Wednesday (Jan 9) has been confirmed, along with a price of 800 points!

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Unfortunate that there's no online coop.
I'll probably get it anyway.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Not a massive fan of Horizontals, but I'm pretty hyped for this.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Yay!

Nice to hear next Wednesday (Jan 9) has been confirmed, along with a price of 800 points!

Good shit. This will be my first XBL purchase.

 

[Shard]

Yay!

Nice to hear next Wednesday (Jan 9) has been confirmed, along with a price of 800 points!

Indeed: The official PR.

PRESS RELEASE: Hudson Entertainment Dates Omega Five For Xbox Live Arcade
Press release supplied by Games Press 15:24 (GMT) 03/01/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REDWOOD SHORES, CA - January 3, 2008 - Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm of Hudson Soft, today announced that Omega Five for Xbox LIVE Arcade will be available to consumers on January 9, 2008 for 800 Microsoft Points. Published by Hudson and developed by Natsume, the game is an entirely new original IP featuring a side-scrolling shooter set in a gorgeous 3D environment.

Taking place in a far-flung future, Omega Five delivers hardcore action never seen before on the platform, while providing visually stunning graphics that pushes the limits for a digital download game. The game is set in multiple 3D environments and features incredible special effects and enormous battles, all in high definition. Omega Five is distinct in that players can choose from multiple humanoid characters, each with their own unique special attacks and upgradeable weapons, which they can shoot in 360 degrees. Omega Five also includes a local co-op function so a friend can join in on the aerial mayhem.

Hudson also released details on the final playable character. R.A.D. is another of Omega Five's unlockable warriors and is very similar to Ruby. Her skintight suit allows her to move much more quickly than Ruby, letting her weave through waves of enemy fire, though it also slows down her aiming.

. Weapon Type A: Vulcan Laser Cannon - R.A.D.'s initial weapon blasts enemies with rapid-fire laser beams. As the weapon is upgraded, the rate of fire increases, allowing her to unleash a non-stop barrage of laser fire.

. Weapon Type B: Reflecting Laser Beam - R.A.D.'s second weapon is a continuous laser beam that allows her to cut a swath of destruction through lesser enemies. Upgrades increase the power of the beam, splitting it in two, which also reflect off of certain surfaces. This lets R.A.D. attack enemies from around corners.

. Weapon Type C: Lightning Gun - Her final main weapon is a high-intensity lightning gun that roasts enemies. Upgrades increase the power, letting R.A.D. slice through enemies at will, as well as adding secondary lightning bolts that shoot out from the main beam at nearby enemies, doing incremental damage.

. Alternate Attack - R.A.D. has one alternate attack, which sends out satellite that can instantly destroy lesser enemies or anchor onto stronger enemies. After the satellite latches onto an enemy, it deals continuous damage, and R.A.D. is still able to fire in any direction. Additionally, while the satellite is floating around R.A.D., it can block enemy fire.

. Dimension Field - All characters can quickly teleport to another dimension for a brief time, allowing them to avoid enemy attacks, though at the expense of a small amount of life.

. Ultimate Burst - All characters can unleash an enormously destructive nuke-like attack, after having collected at least 100 p-chips (the pink triangles that appear after defeating enemies) to fill one p-jail (the golden triangles at the bottom left of the screen).

For assets, please visit: http://www.clevercomm.com/OmegaFiveAssets/

Additional assets from past releases, including screenshots and trailers, as well as information on other characters (Ruby, The Tempest, and Sensei), are also available.

For more information on Hudson Entertainment or Omega Five, please visit www.hudsonentertainment.com.

ESRB Rating: Everybody 10+ for Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes.

 

[Like the hat?]

I would prefer a new Omega Boost

 

[Wario64]

Dammit I want Rez. Oh well, wrong thread to bitch

Anyway, looks cool enough, I might buy it

 

[Shard]

Dammit I want Rez. Oh well, wrong thread to bitch

Anyway, looks cool enough, I might buy it

Well, if everything goes accordingly, Rez HD should be here in a matter of weeks.

 

[aku:jiki]

Are the other characters as awesome as that?

Well, when you pick Ruby, the announcers shouts her name and it totally sounds like he's yelling "boobies!"

How's that?

There's really no excuse as to why they shouldn't include online co-op in this one.

My theory is that they felt it would only lessen the game experience. Like a really hardcore fighter, a single frame of lag could fuck up a hardcore shmup like this. And Natsume is making a hardcore gamer for a hardcore audience, an audience that prefers a perfect scoremongering experience to being able to fuck around with a buddy and have a couple of laughs. (There are other games for that.)

With that said, they could've thrown it in for whoever wanted to use it, but at the same time I understand why they chose to not waste dev time on it.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Well, when you pick Ruby, the announcers shouts her name and it totally sounds like he's yelling "boobies!"

How's that?

My theory is that they felt it would only lessen the game experience. Like a really hardcore fighter, a single frame of lag could fuck up a hardcore shmup like this. And Natsume is making a hardcore gamer for a hardcore audience, an audience that prefers a perfect scoremongering experience to being able to fuck around with a buddy and have a couple of laughs. (There are other games for that.)

With that said, they could've thrown it in for whoever wanted to use it, but at the same time I understand why they chose to not waste dev time on it.

But do you like it?

;D

 

[Crab Milk Mickey]

My theory is that they felt it would only lessen the game experience. Like a really hardcore fighter, a single frame of lag could fuck up a hardcore shmup like this. And Natsume is making a hardcore gamer for a hardcore audience, an audience that prefers a perfect scoremongering experience to being able to fuck around with a buddy and have a couple of laughs. (There are other games for that.)

With that said, they could've thrown it in for whoever wanted to use it, but at the same time I understand why they chose to not waste dev time on it.

Meh, that would be a poor excuse, really. Maybe they should've gone the way of Mad Tracks: delay it so they can actually deliver a good netcode if they really wanted to include online multiplayer (in this case: co-op). Something like this already happened with Street Fighter II and Sensible World of Soccer too, so why not? Especially now that there's hardly any real competition for it on XBLA currently.

With that said, I really hope they'd add online co-op through a patch some day, but I doubt that's ever going to happen... Still going to buy Omega Five though.

 

[Mr_Furious]

I was jumping into this thread to ask if a release date was confirmed. Nice to hear it's actually next week.

 

[Sinatar]

Well, when you pick Ruby, the announcers shouts her name and it totally sounds like he's yelling "boobies!"

How's that?

My theory is that they felt it would only lessen the game experience. Like a really hardcore fighter, a single frame of lag could fuck up a hardcore shmup like this. And Natsume is making a hardcore gamer for a hardcore audience, an audience that prefers a perfect scoremongering experience to being able to fuck around with a buddy and have a couple of laughs. (There are other games for that.)

Online didn't fuck up VF5 at all, despite everyone's concerns prior.

The lack of online coop is laziness, nothing more.

 

[aku:jiki]

The lack of online coop is laziness, nothing more.

Oh, come on. That's so fucking unfair. They're working hard to provide a kick-ass experience in a genre that's pretty much guaranteed commercial failure and they all know that there won't be a christmas bonus after this game bombs...and you want to call them lazy? Fuck that. I mean, ever hear of these things called "time" or "money?"

 

[Tain]

Complaining at Natsume for Omega Five's lack of co-op is like complaining at Irrational for Bioshock's lack of deathmatch. Come on. Comparing this to VF5 is ridiculous.

This just isn't a genre that lends itself to it. I can't name a single shooter I've played where coop did anything but provide a couple laughs over the course of ten minutes before never being touched again.

 

[Sinatar]

Complaining at Natsume for Omega Five's lack of co-op is like complaining at Irrational for Bioshock's lack of deathmatch.

What kind of crack are you smoking? Bioshock has no multiplayer to speak of. Omega Five HAS coop, but no online coop. Huge difference here.

 

[SapientWolf]

Complaining at Natsume for Omega Five's lack of co-op is like complaining at Irrational for Bioshock's lack of deathmatch. Come on. Comparing this to VF5 is ridiculous.

This just isn't a genre that lends itself to it. I can't name a single shooter I've played where coop did anything but provide a couple laughs over the course of ten minutes before never being touched again.

I can understand that argument if you play with your feet, but the genre was practically made for co-op. Raiden II, Ikaruga, and Darius Gaiden all had excellent co-op. Geometry Wars Galaxies carries on the co-op tradition and Schizoid is an XBLA shooter with some truly innovative co-op elements. Heavy Weapon wouldn't even be the same game without co-op.

The lack of co-op isn't gaming ruining but that doesn't mean that co-op is always a throw-away feature.

 

[aku:jiki]

This just isn't a genre that lends itself to it. I can't name a single shooter I've played where coop did anything but provide a couple laughs over the course of ten minutes before never being touched again.

Zero Gunner 2 did co-op pretty well. It was always clear and precise and confusing yourself with your buddy wasn't much of a problem. On the other hand, I'd rather cut my face with razors than play a Cave game in co-op again.

I can understand that argument if you play with your feet, but the genre was practically made for co-op.

No, it wasn't. It was made for hard-fucking-core competition. Bone-breaking, bruises on your wrists and aches in your fingers competition. It's about working hard to be the best.

Co-op is something they tossed in because the world is filled with pansies who'd rather have a quick fix than put in some hard work in their lives, and gamedevs need to make money too. I don't care if I'm being an elitist prick right now; it's just the god damn truth.

 

[Tain]

What kind of crack are you smoking? Bioshock has no multiplayer to speak of. Omega Five HAS coop, but no online coop. Huge difference here.

Can't lie, I didn't realize that. Still, the point stands that online co-op would be extra effort into a mode that doesn't need to be there for the primary audience/cause/whatever of this game, not unlike Bioshock's multi.

I can understand that argument if you play with your feet, but the genre was practically made for co-op. Raiden II, Ikaruga, and Darius Gaiden all had excellent co-op.

While what aku:jiki said is totally true, I can't stand it even outside of trying for high scores. I have no clue how you could enjoy trying to just survive to the end of any of these (quoted) games without going mad. And this is coming from someone who loved his time spent with Ikaruga and Darius Gaiden.

Zero Gunner 2 did co-op pretty well. It was always clear and precise and confusing yourself with your buddy wasn't much of a problem.

Zero Gunner 2 always seemed kind of like a wasteland to me, which probably helps. Not a whole lot of background movement going on and whatnot. Bullets seemed a little sparse, too, but I haven't even cleared the first loop or anything.

 

[SapientWolf]

No, it wasn't. It was made for hard-fucking-core competition. Bone-breaking, bruises on your wrists and aches in your fingers competition. It's about working hard to be the best.

The first shooter ever made had a two player mode. Even hardcore gamers get lonely...

And now I have this picture in my head of some ultra hardcore shooter fan, doing thumb pushups, yelling at people who try to join him at the arcade, and carrying around a joystick just in case space invaders come after him.

 

[Tain]

The first shooter ever made had a two player mode. Even hardcore gamers get lonely...

2-player does not equal cooperative. If more modern shooters had the take-turns model of multiplayer instead of the clusterfuck simultaneous mode that you typically see in this particular subgenre, I'd be happier.

 

[Shard]

OP updated with Xbox.com information, one-hit mode for you ultra hardcore shump players.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Reminds me of Gradius V for some reason.

 

[IcebergSlim3000]

I'm sorry buy lack of online co-op just completely killed my enthusiasm for this game. I was holding out hope that it would make it in but theres no mention of it in the official PR. What a shame.

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