Difference between revisions of "Deathsmiles"

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{{clear}}
 
{{clear}}
  
−
== Branching Paths Through The Game ==
+
== Versions ==
  
−
There are 4 paths possible through the game's Rank system: 2 avoiding the Gorge stage, and 2 including the Gorge (aka 'EX') stage.
+
=== Original ===
  
−
The 6 'Chapter and Verse' (C/V) stages have a selectable Rank of between R1 (easiest) and R3 (hardest), and your choices in these stages influence the difficulty of the Castle and Gorge stages.
+
The original arcade release, commonly referred to as Vanilla.
  
−
Choosing 5 stages at R3 (N.B. the Non-EX Castle counts as R3 for this purpose) will cause your 5th R3 stage to introduce suicide bullets when enemies are defeated. This is known as Death Mode, and has its own rank levels depending on your path. Choosing the Gorge always adds +1 to your existing Death Mode rank from the C/V stages, so the Gorge ALWAYS has suicide bullets. *If* you choose to visit the Gorge, the Castle always adds +1 to the Gorge Death Mode rank!
+
=== Mega Black Label ===
 +
 
 +
An updated re-release of the game with new features, including:
 +
 
 +
*New playable character, Sakura
 +
*New extra stage, Ice Palace
 +
*Power-up mode can be activated when the item counter is at 500
 +
*Overall item counter is displayed more clearly
 +
*Level 999 difficulty and a new [[Help:Glossary#True_Last_Boss|True Last Boss]]
 +
To access the True Last Boss, Bloody Jitterbug, you must complete all 6 Chapter/Verse stages on Level 999, both extra stages, and the final stage (up to Tyrannosatan) without continuing.
 +
 
 +
=== Ver. 1,1 ===
 +
 
 +
An arrange mode available in the console releases. It can be played with or without MBL's new additions.
 +
 
 +
*You can now more directly control your familiar's movement
 +
*All enemies release [[Help:Glossary#Revenge_Bullets|revenge bullets]] at all times
 +
*Revenge bullets absorbed by your familiar become score items
 +
*Power-up mode can be activated when the item counter is at 100
 +
*Score multiplier can reach 10 times above its normal limit
 +
 
 +
<ref> [https://steamcommunity.com/app/314180/discussions/0/412448792371247322/ Steam forum post by Clippa] </ref>
 +
 
 +
== Unlockables ==
 +
 
 +
These codes are only applicable to the vanilla arcade release. The console releases, as well as Mega Black Label, have everything unlocked from the beginning.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Unlock Follett:'''
 +
 
 +
2P: Hold A + B + C
 +
 
 +
1P: ↑, ↑, ↑, ↑, B,B,A,A, ←, ←, →, →, C, C, C, ↓, C
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Unlock Rosa:'''
 +
 
 +
2P: Hold A + B + C
 +
 
 +
1P: C,B,A,C,B,↑,A,→,C,←,B,↓,C,B,A,A,A
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Unlock Gorge (Extra) Stage:'''
 +
 
 +
2P: Hold A + B +C
 +
 
 +
1P: C,C,C,A,↑,←,→,↓,B,C,C,C,↓,↓,A,B,C,B,A
 +
 
 +
<ref name="guide"> [https://cave-stg.com/forum/index.php?topic=281.0 Deathsmiles Strategy Guide translation by EOJ and GaijinPunch] </ref>
 +
 
 +
== Gameplay Overview ==
 +
 
 +
Your character can shoot left and right as well as bomb, and has a familiar ([[Help:Glossary#Option|option]]) that will follow behind her. Each familiar has their own attack, and the familiar can also be used to absorb [[Help:Glossary#Revenge_Bullets|revenge bullets]], which is crucial for survival in Death Mode and MBL's Level 999.
 +
 
 +
Deathsmiles uses a different life system than is typically found in other shmups. Instead of dying and respawning, you have a life meter which depletes when taking damage. The game makes a separation between bullet damage, which loses 1 bar, and contact damage, which only loses half a bar. Taking damage from any source with half a bar will only do half a bar of damage. Two extends are available from scoring, which both increase your life meter by 1 bar.
 +
 
 +
=== Controls ===
 +
[[File:Joystick Three Button.png|frameless|none]]
 +
* '''A (Press):''' Left shot
 +
* '''A (Hold):''' Left laser
 +
* '''B (Press):''' Right shot
 +
* '''B (Press):''' Right laser
 +
* '''A + B (Hold):''' Lock-on shot, activates power-up mode when the item counter is at 1000
 +
* '''C:''' Bomb
 +
 
 +
Power-up mode increases speed and damage dealt, grants invincibility to contact damage, and erases all bullets on screen on activation.
 +
 
 +
Bombs grant temporary invincibility and erase all bullets on screen for their duration.
 +
 
 +
=== Characters ===
 +
 
 +
==== Casper ====
 +
 
 +
[[File:Casper.jpg|140px|]]
 +
 
 +
==== Windia ====
 +
 
 +
[[File:Windia.jpg|140px|]]
 +
 
 +
==== Follett ====
 +
 
 +
[[File:Follett.jpg|140px|]]
 +
 
 +
==== Rosa ====
 +
 
 +
[[File:Rosa.jpg|140px|]]
 +
 
 +
Generally considered the strongest character, with a somewhat slow speed but very high damage.
 +
 
 +
'''Familiar:''' Locks during shot, follows during laser. Its laser attack does high damage and is homing.
 +
 
 +
==== Sakura ====
 +
 
 +
[[File:Sakura.jpg|140px|]]
 +
 
 +
Exclusive to Mega Black Label.
 +
 
 +
'''Familiar:''' Follows during shot, locks during laser. When following, it will move and shoot behind her, allowing you to shoot in both directions or concentrate fire when locked. She also has two familiars rather than one, which gives her much greater protection from [[Help:Glossary#Revenge_Bullets|revenge bullets]].
 +
 
 +
=== Stages ===
 +
 
 +
Deathsmiles consists of 8 stages (9 in Mega Black Label).
 +
 
 +
The initial 6 stages are the Chapter & Verse stages. They are divided into the lower row (X-1, Verse 1) and upper row (X-2, Verse 2). You will start by choosing a lower row stage, and then an upper row stage. This consists of a Chapter. After your first Chapter, you move to Chapter 2, which is the next two stages you play, and finally Chapter 3. The chapter in which you play a stage mainly affects which items will appear in it, such as bombs or life-ups.
 +
 
 +
In the C/V stages, you can select your rank (difficulty) from Level 1 to Level 3 (easiest to hardest). Level 1 and Level 2 can only be selected once per row of stages, meaning you must play at least two stages at Level 3. The console version removes this restriction.
 +
 
 +
If you play at least five stages at Level 3, Death Mode will be activated, which introduces [[Help:Glossary#Revenge_Bullets|revenge bullets]] into the game and has its own [[Help:Glossary#Rank|rank system]].
 +
 
 +
Mega Black Label also introduces Level 999, which is extremely difficult, and must be completed in all 6 C/V stages as part of the conditions to challenge the True Last Boss of MBL.
 +
 
 +
==== A-1: Port Town ====
 +
 
 +
==== B-1: Forest of the Lost ====
 +
 
 +
==== C-1: Lake Shore ====
 +
 
 +
==== A-2: Graveyard ====
 +
 
 +
==== B-2: Swamp Wastes ====
 +
 
 +
==== C-2: Volcano ====
 +
 
 +
==== Extra/4-A: Gorge ====
 +
 
 +
Extra stage. Can be skipped if desired.
 +
 
 +
==== Extra/4-B: Ice Palace ====
 +
 
 +
New extra stage exclusive to Mega Black Label. Both extra stages must also be played as part of MBL's True Last Boss conditions.
 +
 
 +
==== Final: Hades' Castle ====
 +
 
 +
=== Items ===
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Item || Description
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:DSskull.jpg|center]] || '''Skull''' <br> Worth 100 points. Adds 1 to the item counter.
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:DSheart.jpg|center]] || '''Heart''' <br> Worth 800 points. Adds 5 to the item counter. Splits into two Skulls upon hitting the ground.
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:DScrown.jpg|center]] || '''Crown'''<br> Worth 2,000 points. Adds 10 to the item counter. Splits into two Hearts upon hitting the ground.
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:DSsmalllife.jpg|center]] || '''Small Life-up'''<br> Restores half a life bar. Worth 100,000 points.
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:DSmediumlife.jpg|center]] || '''Medium Life-up''' <br> Restores 1 life bar. Worth 200,000 points.
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:DSlargelife.jpg|center]] || '''Large Life-up''' <br> Restores 2 life bars. Worth 500,000 points.
 +
|-
 +
| [[File:DSmagic.jpg|center]] || '''Magic''' <br> Adds 1 bomb. If you are carrying 6 bombs, it awards 300,000 points instead.
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Item/Stage Table ====
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
|-
 +
! Stage
 +
! Location
 +
! colspan="2" | Chapter 2
 +
! colspan="2" | Chapter 3
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
|
 +
| Level 2
 +
| Level 3
 +
| Level 2
 +
| Level 3
 +
|-
 +
| A-1
 +
| Small Cyclops
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
| Small Life-up x2
 +
(Death Mode only)
 +
|-
 +
| B-1
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
|-
 +
| C-1
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
| x
 +
|-
 +
| A-2
 +
| Small Cyclops
 +
| x
 +
| Small Life-up
 +
| x
 +
| Bomb
 +
|-
 +
| B-2
 +
| Old Car
 +
| Small Life-up
 +
| Bomb
 +
| Small Life-up
 +
| Bomb
 +
|-
 +
| C-2
 +
| Small Cyclops
 +
| x
 +
| Small Life-up
 +
| x
 +
| Medium Life-up
 +
|-
 +
| Extra
 +
| Beast Dog (midboss)
 +
| colspan="4" | Bomb
 +
|-
 +
| Final
 +
| Jitterbug (boss)
 +
| colspan="4" | Large Life-up (must no-bomb Jitterbug)
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
<ref name="guide"> [https://cave-stg.com/forum/index.php?topic=281.0 Deathsmiles Strategy Guide translation by EOJ and GaijinPunch] </ref>
 +
 
 +
== Death Mode ==
 +
 
 +
=== Vanilla ===
 +
 
 +
There are 4 paths possible through the game's Rank system: 2 avoiding the Extra stage, and 2 including the Extra stage.
  
 
The paths are as follows:
 
The paths are as follows:
  
−
'''NON-EX'''
+
'''Without Extra'''
  
−
1) <4 C/V stages at R3 means Death Mode will not be activated at all, and the Castle will therefore have no suicide bullets.
+
1) <4 C/V stages at L3 means Death Mode will not be activated at all, and the Castle will therefore have no revenge bullets.
  
−
2) >=4 C/V stages at R3 means you will activate Death Mode L1 in the 5th R3 stage. The castle will therefore definitely have Death Mode L1 suicide bullets
+
2) >=4 C/V stages at L3 means you will activate Death Mode L1 in the 5th R3 stage. The castle will therefore definitely have Death Mode L1 revenge bullets
  
 +
'''With Extra'''
 +
 +
3) <5 C/V stages at L3 means Death Mode will not be activated in the C/V stages. Your existing Death Mode rank is therefore = 0, Gorge adds +1 so will be at Death Mode 1. Castle adds +1 again, to reach Death Mode 2.
  
−
'''EX'''
+
4) >=5 C/V Stages at L3 means you will reach Death Mode 1 in the C/V Stages. Gorge adds +1 so will be at Death Mode 2. Castle adds +1 again, to reach Death Mode 3, the highest rank in the game.
−
 
−
3) <5 C/V stages at R3 means Death Mode will not be activated in the C/V stages. Your existing Death Mode rank is therefore = 0, Gorge adds +1 so will be at Death Mode 1. Castle adds +1 again, to reach Death Mode 2.
 
  
−
4) >=5 C/V Stages at R3 means you will reach Death Mode 1 in the C/V Stages. Gorge adds +1 so will be at Death Mode 2. Castle adds +1 again, to reach Death Mode 3, the highest rank in the game.
+
=== Mega Black Label ===
  
  
Line 53: Line 283:
 
== Console Release Notes ==
 
== Console Release Notes ==
  
−
'''Xbox 360/Steam'''
+
'''Xbox 360/Steam 2016'''
  
 
* Physical Release? - Yes
 
* Physical Release? - Yes
Line 76: Line 306:
 
* Replay Options:
 
* Replay Options:
 
  - Can slow playback to 1/16 speed.
 
  - Can slow playback to 1/16 speed.
 +
 +
'''Deathsmiles I & II (Steam, PS4, XB1, Switch 2021)'''
 +
* To be added
 +
 +
== References ==
 +
 +
[[Category:Items]]
  
 
[[Category:Deathsmiles]][[Category:Horizontal orientation]]
 
[[Category:Deathsmiles]][[Category:Horizontal orientation]]

Latest revision as of 18:32, 2 June 2026

Deathsmiles Logo.png
Deathsmiles
Deathsmiles Title.png

Title Screen

Developer: CAVE
Music: Manabu Namiki
Noriyuki Kamikura
Miki Ito
Dota Ando
Yasuko Yamada
Takayuki Hirose
Natsuko Naitou
Ryoji Uezu
Daisuke Matsumoto
Yukihiro Masaki
Program: Takashi Ichimura
Yuji Inoue
Tsuneki Ikeda
Art: Atsushi Aburano
Toshiyuki Kuroiwa
Designer: Hiroyuki Tanaka
Akira Wakabayashi
Release date: Arcade: October 9, 2007
Xbox 360: April 23, 2009 (JP)
June 29, 2010 (NA)
February 28, 2011 (EU)
March 10, 2011 (AU)
Windows: March 10, 2016
PS4, Xbox One, Switch: December 15, 2021
December 16, 2021 (JP)
Previous game: Muchi Muchi Pork!
Next game: Mushihimesama Futari Black Label

Deathsmiles is a horizontally scrolling shooter developed by Cave. It is notable for its manually selectable difficulty ranks for each stage, which create branching paths in the game's difficulty.

Later, a special version of the game called Deathsmiles Mega Black Label was released.

For replay videos, visit the Video Index.

Versions

Original

The original arcade release, commonly referred to as Vanilla.

Mega Black Label

An updated re-release of the game with new features, including:

  • New playable character, Sakura
  • New extra stage, Ice Palace
  • Power-up mode can be activated when the item counter is at 500
  • Overall item counter is displayed more clearly
  • Level 999 difficulty and a new True Last Boss

To access the True Last Boss, Bloody Jitterbug, you must complete all 6 Chapter/Verse stages on Level 999, both extra stages, and the final stage (up to Tyrannosatan) without continuing.

Ver. 1,1

An arrange mode available in the console releases. It can be played with or without MBL's new additions.

  • You can now more directly control your familiar's movement
  • All enemies release revenge bullets at all times
  • Revenge bullets absorbed by your familiar become score items
  • Power-up mode can be activated when the item counter is at 100
  • Score multiplier can reach 10 times above its normal limit

[1]

Unlockables

These codes are only applicable to the vanilla arcade release. The console releases, as well as Mega Black Label, have everything unlocked from the beginning.


Unlock Follett:

2P: Hold A + B + C

1P: ↑, ↑, ↑, ↑, B,B,A,A, ←, ←, →, →, C, C, C, ↓, C


Unlock Rosa:

2P: Hold A + B + C

1P: C,B,A,C,B,↑,A,→,C,←,B,↓,C,B,A,A,A


Unlock Gorge (Extra) Stage:

2P: Hold A + B +C

1P: C,C,C,A,↑,←,→,↓,B,C,C,C,↓,↓,A,B,C,B,A

[2]

Gameplay Overview

Your character can shoot left and right as well as bomb, and has a familiar (option) that will follow behind her. Each familiar has their own attack, and the familiar can also be used to absorb revenge bullets, which is crucial for survival in Death Mode and MBL's Level 999.

Deathsmiles uses a different life system than is typically found in other shmups. Instead of dying and respawning, you have a life meter which depletes when taking damage. The game makes a separation between bullet damage, which loses 1 bar, and contact damage, which only loses half a bar. Taking damage from any source with half a bar will only do half a bar of damage. Two extends are available from scoring, which both increase your life meter by 1 bar.

Controls

Joystick Three Button.png
  • A (Press): Left shot
  • A (Hold): Left laser
  • B (Press): Right shot
  • B (Press): Right laser
  • A + B (Hold): Lock-on shot, activates power-up mode when the item counter is at 1000
  • C: Bomb

Power-up mode increases speed and damage dealt, grants invincibility to contact damage, and erases all bullets on screen on activation.

Bombs grant temporary invincibility and erase all bullets on screen for their duration.

Characters

Casper

Casper.jpg

Windia

Windia.jpg

Follett

Follett.jpg

Rosa

Rosa.jpg

Generally considered the strongest character, with a somewhat slow speed but very high damage.

Familiar: Locks during shot, follows during laser. Its laser attack does high damage and is homing.

Sakura

Sakura.jpg

Exclusive to Mega Black Label.

Familiar: Follows during shot, locks during laser. When following, it will move and shoot behind her, allowing you to shoot in both directions or concentrate fire when locked. She also has two familiars rather than one, which gives her much greater protection from revenge bullets.

Stages

Deathsmiles consists of 8 stages (9 in Mega Black Label).

The initial 6 stages are the Chapter & Verse stages. They are divided into the lower row (X-1, Verse 1) and upper row (X-2, Verse 2). You will start by choosing a lower row stage, and then an upper row stage. This consists of a Chapter. After your first Chapter, you move to Chapter 2, which is the next two stages you play, and finally Chapter 3. The chapter in which you play a stage mainly affects which items will appear in it, such as bombs or life-ups.

In the C/V stages, you can select your rank (difficulty) from Level 1 to Level 3 (easiest to hardest). Level 1 and Level 2 can only be selected once per row of stages, meaning you must play at least two stages at Level 3. The console version removes this restriction.

If you play at least five stages at Level 3, Death Mode will be activated, which introduces revenge bullets into the game and has its own rank system.

Mega Black Label also introduces Level 999, which is extremely difficult, and must be completed in all 6 C/V stages as part of the conditions to challenge the True Last Boss of MBL.

A-1: Port Town

B-1: Forest of the Lost

C-1: Lake Shore

A-2: Graveyard

B-2: Swamp Wastes

C-2: Volcano

Extra/4-A: Gorge

Extra stage. Can be skipped if desired.

Extra/4-B: Ice Palace

New extra stage exclusive to Mega Black Label. Both extra stages must also be played as part of MBL's True Last Boss conditions.

Final: Hades' Castle

Items

Item Description
DSskull.jpg
 Skull
Worth 100 points. Adds 1 to the item counter.
DSheart.jpg
 Heart
Worth 800 points. Adds 5 to the item counter. Splits into two Skulls upon hitting the ground.
DScrown.jpg
 Crown
Worth 2,000 points. Adds 10 to the item counter. Splits into two Hearts upon hitting the ground.
DSsmalllife.jpg
 Small Life-up
Restores half a life bar. Worth 100,000 points.
DSmediumlife.jpg
 Medium Life-up
Restores 1 life bar. Worth 200,000 points.
DSlargelife.jpg
 Large Life-up
Restores 2 life bars. Worth 500,000 points.
DSmagic.jpg
 Magic
Adds 1 bomb. If you are carrying 6 bombs, it awards 300,000 points instead.

Item/Stage Table

Stage Location Chapter 2 Chapter 3
Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 3
A-1 Small Cyclops x x x Small Life-up x2

(Death Mode only)

B-1 x x x x x
C-1 x x x x x
A-2 Small Cyclops x Small Life-up x Bomb
B-2 Old Car Small Life-up Bomb Small Life-up Bomb
C-2 Small Cyclops x Small Life-up x Medium Life-up
Extra Beast Dog (midboss) Bomb
Final Jitterbug (boss) Large Life-up (must no-bomb Jitterbug)

[2]

Death Mode

Vanilla

There are 4 paths possible through the game's Rank system: 2 avoiding the Extra stage, and 2 including the Extra stage.

The paths are as follows:

Without Extra

1) <4 C/V stages at L3 means Death Mode will not be activated at all, and the Castle will therefore have no revenge bullets.

2) >=4 C/V stages at L3 means you will activate Death Mode L1 in the 5th R3 stage. The castle will therefore definitely have Death Mode L1 revenge bullets

With Extra

3) <5 C/V stages at L3 means Death Mode will not be activated in the C/V stages. Your existing Death Mode rank is therefore = 0, Gorge adds +1 so will be at Death Mode 1. Castle adds +1 again, to reach Death Mode 2.

4) >=5 C/V Stages at L3 means you will reach Death Mode 1 in the C/V Stages. Gorge adds +1 so will be at Death Mode 2. Castle adds +1 again, to reach Death Mode 3, the highest rank in the game.

Mega Black Label

Console Release Notes

Xbox 360/Steam 2016

  • Physical Release? - Yes
  • Region Locked? - Yes, but available in all 3 regions
  • Arranged Modes - Yes: Version 1.1, Mega Black Label, Mega Black Label Version 1.1
  • Online Leaderboards? - Yes
  • Tate Option? - N/A - Hori
  • Original Arcade Graphics - Yes in 'Arcade' mode (and Xbox 360 can be forced to output 4:3 ratio at 480p)
  • Internal Scanlines Generator: No :(
  • Graphical Filters: Smoothing On/Off
  • Training mode - Yes
  • Save Training mode config? - Yes
  • Training Mode Configuration:
- Save States - No
- Level Select - Yes
- Customise Resources - Yes, all.
- Save multiple sets of training configurations - No
- Boss Fight Select - No :(
- Mid Boss Fight Select - No
- Save Training Run Replays - No
  • Replay Mode - Yes (& can download high scoring replays from Leaderboards)
  • Replay Options:
- Can slow playback to 1/16 speed.

Deathsmiles I & II (Steam, PS4, XB1, Switch 2021)

  • To be added

References

  1. ↑ Steam forum post by Clippa
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Deathsmiles Strategy Guide translation by EOJ and GaijinPunch
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