The load on the cpu/gpu of your device should be close to the same per ship. Maybe you were charging it or holding your device differently? A keen (and correct) observation is that you can indeed earn more coins in an hour now. This is caused by the Phantom's higher dps and thus faster game sessions. We have decided to keep it this way because, in theory, you can also spend it faster The 'mega health' pick-up gives you 30% Ghost Energy (or 1 second of Ghost Mode). I currently prefer the Shield pick-up; the dps of the Phantom is pretty high, even more so in Overdrive, but I still love my Tesla Alpha Strikes too :] @FBI: that ipod 4g is really an outdated device, if you get the chance to upgrade it will be amazing for you Please consider the iPad Mini, I totally _love_ it. Much more than I thought I would!
Played with my headphones and definitely cannot hear any sound effect for the Overdrive laser. If it's there then it's low. This seems odd to me, since it is the main attack of the ship. EDIT: Ok, I'm going to see if I can get this paragraph to make sense, so bear with me... El, so, you know how the energy bar has to build up slightly before you are able to drop into Ghost mode, like when you first begin the game? Could a similar concept be applied to keeping the Overdrive beam? The way things are now, if Overdrive is active and you let go of the screen and then touch the screen immediately after you automatically lose the Overdrive. It is obviously regained, but it takes a solid two seconds to bounce back. Would it be possible to have Overdrive on, let go of the screen, then touch the screen again and still be able to return directly to Overdrive if this is done within a small window of time? This technically would mean that the energy bar would begin to deplete after this small 'buffer' of time would expire, instead of immediately. So, to clarify: 1) Finger touching screen, Overdrive active 2) Release finger from screen, Ghost mode comes on 3) Touch screen again within approximately one second 4) Overdrive beam is maintained, NOT lost If the player stays in Ghost mode for more than the allotted buffer, THEN the energy bar begins to deplete and you'd lose Overdrive if you touched the screen again at that point. None of this wouldn't affect Ghost mode, since you would still go right into it as usual once you let off the screen. This concept would allow the player to be able to adjust their finger position around the screen with a slight release of the finger, which I am finding to be very important yet not possible without being penalized by losing the beam. Sometimes while playing you simply have to lift your finger to gain a better perspective and you have to do it quickly. I feel that if I am able to lift my finger to make the appropriate move very quickly then I should be able to have my Overdrive intact. Another way to look at this is to compare it to the Trinity and how you can't disappear back to back to back and jump all over the screen. There is that slight delay in between, which is the buffer time. DOUBLE EDIT: The green health particles help to increase your bar when in normal mode but not in Ghost mode, from what I can tell. Is this true? Would it be possible to have it slow the descent of your bar while in Ghost mode?
No, but the increase is pretty small and the drain in Ghost Mode is pretty high, so you probably cannot see the bar slowing down with the naked eye I understand you want to reposition your finger without penalty but there is no way we can do that without having a negative impact on the gameplay. I completely understand your story and thank you for the elaborate post, but the answer remains the same @FBI: don't forget to mail me ([email protected]) I will fix your accounts
Yeah I figured. I enjoy writing the elaborate posts even though I realize the futility, which is a true testament to my love of your game. Definitely enjoying the ship as is with the usual Firi Flare, but I definitely can't put it any higher on my rankings above the Corsair, Trinity or even the Mirage, where I thought it might overtake it for spot #3. It feels... unfinished. A good thing in some ways, as it gives me more to look forward to with future updates that may make it even better.
Hmm I guessed you are right, seems like all is kinda back to normal now. Just played the Phantom and battery drained normally, no massive heat-ups apparently. Whatever happened last time round... Just scored 1.9 million for it, kinda proud of it. I think its 3rd in the world now , unless that 3rd that showed up in my country was 3rd in my country only but I don't think so because there was so many missing positions in the high score list for Phantom when I accessed my region's high scoreboard. I hope its really 3rd globally. Hmm...iPad Mini? Certainly never thought about it! Will consider it if I'm allowed one, if not the good old iTouch might fit my bill. I just want something small to play on the go.
Yeah - I'm 2nd in North America with the Phantom and 4.9 million... so I don't think it was the World board. Sorry, I really hate to burst your bubble on that one. I'm not saying that 1.9 million is bad by any means. I'm still having trouble hitting 1 million on a regular basis using the Phantom.... but I am getting better... and I'm sure everyone else is too... hehe... I did just realize another little mechanic - the end of Ghost mode burst. I'm still trying to time it right so that I can max my score with it - but it's also kinda tough because you never know what's coming next and if you might need that one or two seconds of Ghost Mode right off the bat or not. It doesn't REALLY boost your score - but the longer you're in ghost mode, the bigger the burst when you exit ghost mode turning bullets into those yellow gems... If you use ghost mode when you have like... 1 second worth, it'll only convert the bullets in your direct vicinity to gems, but if you've got more it can turn an entire screen full of bullets into them... it might not help much, but I'll take any extra little boost I can to get my score higher. =oP
Another post or two and we'll be at 100 for this thread. It's been 100 pages of awesome discussion about a true stallion of a shooter, both in iOS and anywhere else. I've read every page and I'm glad I've had the opportunity to interact with the Keymaster and the Gatekeeper at Firi Games, even though one of them still remains invisible. And a special thanks to El for telling me about TA way back in 2011, when I first annoyed him with questions about Phoenix SD. It was the beginning of a long line of me inappropriately trying to assert myself in the development of anything Phoenix. And the nightmare continues! I hope there's another 100 more. Keep up the good work, gentlemen.
Great post SS. Right now, Phoenix HD is promoted as my go-to game when i only have little time to play. Temple Run Oz is demoted. LOL.
Oh no, I'm still a long way... But yah I'm a rare player in the past due to other good games too but recently I stepped up a bit more on this game because of my enthusiasm from the upcoming Phantom. Maybe that high score of mine was regional (I live in Asia, SE Asia)? I only took a quick glance at my position (The immediate number that popped up on the map after I uploaded my score). What's that position relative to? Region? Country? Sorry, never used leaderboards before this...
Definitely SumoSplash As more ships arrive, I'm sure the discussion will pick up a hell lot like now with the Phantom. Though I suspect somewhat inactivity after quite a while of releasing a new ship, but definitely it won't be as dead as most threads heh. Btw, I think its 1000 posts now (Not 100 pages because its 50 for me due to my account settings)
Yeap. That's right. I was 3rd in my country. Now 4th. Surprised there are Phoenix HD hardcores in my country, didn't even see anyone playing it down here. Still it's an easy gold medal for me finally (Managed only silver for the rest of the ships given they existed for a long time already), even in the world leaderboards. There was already a freaking 8 million on the world leaderboards for the Phantom...wow...not sure if they cheated by tweaking the game files?
Thank you very much and I did? Nope, all legit (find my score under 'elmini' atm ) 100 pages very nice, thank you all for your enthousiasm!
This is still available. Use the 'share' icon underneath the score map to pull up the share menu. Make sure you have your twitter (and/or facebook) account setup in your device settings.
Hi everyone! New to using this forum but have been following it for a little while especially for the latest Phoenix HD update and some of you would probably recognise my name from leader boards already. Apologies in advance for noob postings or maybe even posting in the wrong place. Firstly, thanks very much again for Phoenix HD! Love playing my shmups and this is one of the most amazing and by far my most favourite game app on iPhone. My favourite ships so far are: 1: Phantom - Real cool fire power and puts my skills and tactical planning for it to the limit. A ship that really tests you in dodging like a lot of shmups out there! 2: Shogun - Love grazing/barely missing bullets like in Touhou. Also great fire power. 3: Mirage - Nice laser and and fast directional firing which I really like. 4: Corsair - Awesome ship overall and great lock on system for taking down turrets more easily. 5: Phoenix - Although weaker compared to the others, it's nice and easy to use. 6: Trinity - I somehow find this ship pretty weak in terms of fire power and I'm not too keen on the teleporting, usually landing on bullets that are just in front of where I want to go. But overall, it's a really unique ship. Now, my reply to what I read just last night, the post by FBI Light Rock about the 8 million score (that's me!), I did not cheat in any way to get that! Hate cheaters and hackers! Especially on Game Centre when I'm playing for score! This is one of the reasons why I turn to play Phoenix HD instead of the others out there, knowing that the leader boards there are mostly untampered with. And also, I do not know anything or have interests in hacking, how to jail-break, etc; just find those methods so unethical and dishonest, also I'm pretty noob and behind with tech stuff, being stuck with a brick Nokia phone while being a first year uni student until late last year a few weeks before Christmas... But anyways, I really love using the Phantom due to the basic reasons above, it takes down enemies so easily yet really puts your skills to the limit in dodging and strategising which is why I really like the one-hit kill mechanic so much; it's really similar to a lot of arcade shmups in way with this particular feature unlike the other ships where getting hit isn't so bad and allows the player to recover from it. The Phantom is brutal! And it was certainly no easy feat in getting that 8 million score, trust me; I played for around 1.5 hours straight before landing that one and my index finger was in pain, burning from the friction! I died from a wall of bullets coming from a Warlord armed with the worst possible combination of turrets, straight after using my stored power-up and all my Ghost Energy on an intensely armed Brute. My averages in score for Phantom now are around the 3-6 million marks. I'd be happy to record legit replays if I knew how to. By the way, to the post about Phantom using up a lot of battery power, yes I am experiencing that as well, initially I thought that my phone's battery was damaged by something. Also, has anyone been getting a lot of Harpies recently (the massive ship that's larger than the screen) or am I just lucky? I've been getting quite a few of them whenever playing with the Phantom, at least 1 every 5 or so legit games and up to 2 or 3 in one game compared to only ever encountering around 10 in all the many hours spent with the other ships. And another thing, is it even possible to disarm Warlord, Reaper and Brute? In all my time playing, I've only ever got it down to 1 turret before they just die from the weakest of attacks. Thanks!
Hey Atra776, welcome to the TouchArcade forums! And my apologies for accusing you for cheating...8 million sounds a real far fetch for me at early stages of the Phantom ship. I probably have to admit a certain sense of envy for you, so sorry sir! I have to also admit I ain't really cut out for shmup games, but Phoenix HD is really a good one to play so I thought why not let's play occasionally for the fun? I'm actually not a guy who favours competition online neither, so I don't quite play online nor submit scores online, but seems like submitting scores are getting a bit into my trend, so yeap, some of my scores are up there though not really great clinching just silver medals, and just went like wth for those crazy high scores. About the Harpy, yes, didn't experience it a lot because I die way too quick for the Phantom. Although I do realize the ships you encounter for the Phantom are usually easier than the rest, so probably no surprise for more of the pretty easy enemy type Harpy. Btw, Selachii, I'm wondering how my 1.9 million score under my name Infinity Ace is going? Is it still a gold?
Yes. Aren't you glad? We talked briefly over e-mail a couple years ago and then you told me about TA. And to anyone that is referring to their scores, I feel it would make the most sense to highlight which scores you achieved without using boosts and those achieved with using boosts. I know that loading up on a game by spending 5 or 6 thousand in the store beforehand can greatly impact just how well I achieve
Yes, if by Harpies you mean the large enemy with the two 'arms' that come along the side of the screen. I've been getting them more frequently, no doubt. I recently wrote a post about how much I like this enemy (which there is also a variation of it in Plasma Sky as the final boss in Conquest mode) and I wish there was another enemy similar to it to fight.
Thanks for the welcome FBI Light Rock! And that's okay! No offence taken! My friends also doubt my playing ability for other shmups whenever they watch, hehe! Don't worry, I was once like that too, you'll improve over time and pick up tricks and mechanics along the way; all it takes is practice and hard work. Maybe a good tip here to help, observing whether the bullets are directional (aimed at you) or non-directional (not aimed at you and designed to work with the directional to trap or just plainly overwhelm you). As for online shmup score playing with me, I've only been doing it with iPhone game apps so far; my Xbox 360 is a first gen model so not able to pick up wi-fi without other expensive accessories and I'm sometimes just plain lazy to submit scores on other forums, usually just playing and comparing what I get offline to others who do post. And same here, awing at ridiculous high scores! Especially for the guy who's ranked first with 17 million for Shogun in Australia who's also somewhere close by in my area! I'm only at 11 million! The Harpy's for me were appearing at unexpected times; in one game it was on the 10th wave just before the cyan area and then 2 waves later, another, then another in the red area I think it was. Harpy's everywhere~! They're really cool I must say, scared me the first time I ever saw/encountered it, not knowing what I was up against, but now really glad to see one; lots of points and HP! And I can agree to that point about easier ships being present, there's a lot of Marauders, Renegades, Jesters and Revenants on my end. And to SumoSplash, I can agree with the scoring thing. I initially thought went starting out that there should be separate leader boards for those who played without anything and for those who did using power-ups, and scores respective to the power-up combination, which could be more fair in a sense. For my 8 million run, I did purchase some; Extra Powerups and Point Defence Drone. The Extra Powerups did help a bit in short term recovery and for downing a few waves, but there were instances where it seemed like the purchase didn't help at all, going on and picking up only 3 power-ups until I passed the yellow area. Point Defence works well, especially for Brute bullets or those exploding ones but eventually it simply gets overwhelmed the longer you go on. No need for Vulcan Drone in my opinion since Phantom is so over-powered already, and NO Phoenix revives for me ever again for Phantom, made huge losses earlier on; there's always the chance for screw ups before you expect them, eheheheheheh... A plain vanilla run for me usually ends between 3-5 million, a few times at 6.
