Very Very hard.
Very Very Good.

I haven't seen this dvd of perfect play -- but included with the gamecube version -- I think it's under conquest mode or something... is an option to watch a demo of every level... (actually it's only the levels that you've made it to so far, but still) it's pretty incredible actually... It seems just about as close to perfect play as one could get (to me.) but it does look like it's done in slow motion etc. (which is still cool cause it's helpful to see what is going on... instead of being totally confused with high speed and all the bullets everywhere etc.)

Very cool game. I like that things are rendered in 3D -- but the game mainly relies on a 2D perspective. Why can't we see more games like this??? Head back to some of the classic game genres with all of today's technology???? Oh well.. .. =)

I think this game might be the first game to bring back bragging rights for beating the game because you need some serious skillz :D.

I'm afraid to check out the Internet Ranking, there are probably soem really good people out there :). Anyone make it on there yet?

i checked out the rankings.... damn... i'm not even close to making that list.

go buy the game..its an awesome shooter..the funcoland i preordered from only had 2 copies of the game which was kind of sad..but regardless, its definitely a good game..one of the harder shooters i've played in awhile..

Radiant Silvergun is a better shooter than Ikaruga (don't get me wrong, I love Ikaruga but RS is just *that* much better)

Hey lastblade, have you played Gekioh for PSX? it's really Shienryu! the translation is actually pretty good and it's only $10.

I like RS and Ikaruga equally. The chaining is more fun in Ikaruga IMO.

I couldn't find Gekioh for PSX here.... no one seems to be carrying new PSX games. I already have Shienryu for Saturn so I am not really missing it as much as I should.

And for some reason, I am not so enamored by Shienryu as most shooter fans (not sure why).

Eh, after playing Gekioh i'm not surprised. It's a dull shooter that doesn't really have anything special going for it. Really reminds me of Raiden. What other Saturn shooters have you played? so far i have:

Battle Garegga
Soukyugurentai
Batsugun
Dodonpachi
Gradius Deluxe
Salamander Deluxe

And of course the legendary Radiant Silvergun

In my opinion, Radiant Silvergun was slightly better.. and i do mean slightly. I've loved Ikaruga since it was in the arcade and then the Dreamcast and thought it did justice on the DC. I picked up the Gamecube version the other day and i was slightly disappointed when i saw that the Chapter descriptions weren't translated for the US. I've always wanted to figure out what it read. Other than that it's graphically an exact duplicate of the Naomi version.

I just wanted to let you guys know that I can beat the first 2 stages while dying only once! :).

i can do the first 2 on easy without dying, but when i bump it up to normal i can't come close... good job.

I cant even get past the first wave without dying most times. Sheesh.

i am given up on this game alreadyz (extremely very hard) :( but i think i am going back using gameshark code now :)

I think i be beating the game very soon (unlimite health or lives)

heheh, thanks, well I have to be honest though. I can't do it every time and have only been able to 2 times. I play the game intermittently but I cannot get past stage 4 for the life of me(even after bumping up the number of credits).

My max chain for the first level is 21, but I usually end up breaking the chain later when things get hectic or at the boss because i'm dodging 3 million bullets at the shield blast and going for the time bonus. Can usually clear the boss with 61-63 seconds on the timer if I use opposing polarities. which reminds me, a couple days ago my bro called me in the room once because Xplay was reviewing this game and they must have had the worst player I have ever seen playing the game. I've seen first time players that are way better than that, and i'm sure you guys are too (yes, even you Jtnguyen12 :)). I just had to point that out.

I smell a challenge.. *prepares to bust out the old radiant silvergun skillz*