Cotton 2 is better then u!

[superdeadite]

So after recently playing every version of Cotton 1 to death, I decided it was time to dust off the Saturn and play Cotton 2 for the first time in a few years. Game boots up, RAM cart not detected, rest, RAM not detected, again, and again. After 20 mins it finally found the damn cart (doesn't affect graphics but needed for full sound effects), and I remember just how fucking awesome Cotton 2 is.

But then the next day, RAM cart not detected. So I gave the cart slot the finger and bought me the ST-V cart and mobo (also came with Guardian Force  ). Now no RAM bullshit, no loading, just instant gaming bliss.  Having it in the cab with the proper stick helps a lot too, as I can whip out the command shots like nothing.

And holy shit Cotton 2 is even better then I remembered it being. Back then I used to credit feed, now I just go for the 1cc, and man this game is just wonderfully designed. The gameplay is fantastic, and the level layouts and enemies just complement it all perfectly. The difficulty rank is enough to keep it challenging, but doesn't interfere with the fun of simply playing it.

Made it past the half-way point of Stage 5 on 1cc today (default settings). And after you've managed to get a 200+ chain and 100+ combo on the same stage, it just feels so good.

So yeah, Cotton 2 is truly one of the greatest games on the Saturn/ST-V. Stop drooling over shit like RSG and play teh real deal! Cotton Boomerang is good too, but it's meant for experts of Cotton 2, I really don't recommend it until you can 1cc Cotton 2. Otherwise you will play it like a "standard shooter" like most people do and miss out on the fun. And hell Cotton 2 is much cheaper. PLAY THIS MASTERPIECE OR I WILL BAN YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Deleted]

I owned Cotton Boomerang and, for some reason, despite the great visuals, the game didn't fit well with me. I really ought to give it another try though. Sadly, I can't add much more to the conversation than that cos' it really was so many years since I played it (maybe 4 years, if not more).

I do recall both versions, particularly Boomerang, fetching for high prices back then, and I suspect they fetch for even more nowadays(?)

[dquick]

Yeah, the Cotton games aren't getting any cheaper. I got them a few years back, and they go for more now.

[superdeadite]

Oct 28, 2013 6:54:27 GMT @zippy said:

I owned Cotton Boomerang and, for some reason, despite the great visuals, the game didn't fit well with me. I really ought to give it another try though. Sadly, I can't add much more to the conversation than that cos' it really was so many years since I played it (maybe 4 years, if not more).

I do recall both versions, particularly Boomerang, fetching for high prices back then, and I suspect they fetch for even more nowadays(?)

If you started with Boomerang you probably didn't understand how to play it. Mashing the fire button is the wrong way to go.

[mancity]

I had Cotton 2, but wished id have got Cotton Boomerang as I didn't care for the combo's (which I believe arent in Boomerang).

[tn0w]

I'm with you there! I recently got cotton2 and although I'm still feeding it credits , I absolutely love how the game is designed with those gorgeous 2D levels, Lovely parallax scrolling and awesome huge bosses!!
I still have to fiddle out the chaining technique but I haven't played it that much so that won't be a big problem I guess.

The looks of the game got me interested in the first place, and after trying it in ssf I was sold. I'm a sucker when it comes to 2d games, So yeah, a no brainer, at least for me.

[Deleted]

I'd like to give it another go, but it's not at the top of my list. But if I see a copy in Akiba for a reasonable price, I'll check it out. Worst comes to worst I'd sell it on ebay if it doesn't click with me.

[superdeadite]

Oct 28, 2013 8:01:06 GMT mancity said:

I had Cotton 2, but wished id have got Cotton Boomerang as I didn't care for the combo's (which I believe arent in Boomerang).

Combo's are still in Boomerang, but since you don't have a healthbar, a lot of people don't bother with them, though this is a mistake, as comboing raises both points and chain damage. A good combo that starts up a chain will become insanely powerful, you can seal the mini-bosses with one hit if power is built up enough. Boomerang is meant to be played exactly like 2, just a harder more bullet heavy feel as Japanese Cotton 2 players had simply destroyed the 2 and wanted a bigger challenge.

[NeoGeoNinja]

I'm not particularly into cute titles tbh, however, I do like the Cotton games on Saturn. Personally, I preferred the single character set up of 2 > Boomerang. However, one thing they included in Boomerang which I thought was a good idea, was that you can set the special commands as shortcuts to buttons of your choice, which as deadite has said, ARE essential to the core gameplay elements of the game. I liked this as I couldn't always be arsed pulling off the QC commands every 5 seconds, if I'm honest. This was really useful for those who aren't particularly efficient at SF style moves too.

So, although Boomerang may well have been made to be a harder title overall, I liked that they offered an easy option for QC shortcuts on the pad

[Yart]

Oct 28, 2013 10:56:17 GMT @zippy said:

I'd like to give it another go, but it's not at the top of my list. But if I see a copy in Akiba for a reasonable price, I'll check it out. Worst comes to worst I'd sell it to Yart if it doesn't click with me.

Fixed.


Yea Cotton is pretty cool. I last played it many years ago though... didn't even know there was a move input feature!

Wouldn't mind giving it a try again.

I had to laugh at the part where superdeadite just got fed up with the cartridge port on the Saturn and went and bought the ST-V cart lol. Guardian Force is an awesome game too!

[superdeadite]

Oct 28, 2013 13:19:50 GMT NeoGeoNinja said:

I'm not particularly into cute titles tbh, however, I do like the Cotton games on Saturn. Personally, I preferred the single character set up of 2 > Boomerang. However, one thing they included in Boomerang which I thought was a good idea, was that you can set the special commands as shortcuts to buttons of your choice, which as deadite has said, ARE essential to the core gameplay elements of the game. I liked this as I couldn't always be arsed pulling off the QC commands every 5 seconds, if I'm honest. This was really useful for those who aren't particularly efficient at SF style moves too.

So, although Boomerang may well have been made to be a harder title overall, I liked that they offered an easy option for QC shortcuts on the pad

Cotton 2 also has the ability to map the command attacks to buttons, but it's part of the unlockable options. The game even has a sound test feature, but you have to be quite good in order to earn it. There is a cheat code that unlocks it from the start if I remember correctly though. In Boomerang you get the full control options from the start. Now that I have the ST-V cart and can play it in my cab, I have none of these options, but honestly it's not an issue, as the commands are very smooth with a proper stick, and when you are good at chaining you don't have to spam them so much.

You know what's kind of sad? Astra SuperStars is now cheaper on ST-V then the Saturn port. So you can have the no loading, no RAM cart bullshit version for less. LOL at "collectors."

[sega94486]

Does anyone know what the move list for cotton 2 is and any tips on how to play it exp. how to combo chain?

[superdeadite]

This page is still up and still the best for info.

home.netvigator.com/~tarot/Games/Cotton0.html

[sega94486]

Apr 26, 2014 13:10:57 GMT superdeadite said:

This page is still up and still the best for info.

home.netvigator.com/~tarot/Games/Cotton0.html

Thanks 

[zyrobs]

I think you can punch out bullets in Cotton 2 as well, but its a command, something like hcb punch or hcf punch.

Or maybe that's the command for the simultaneous grab+seal, I don't remember anymore.

Also in Cotton Boomerang you can kill the second to last boss (the huge knight) without getting hit if you fly up into his face and mash the Punch button, works better if you have it set to autofire in the options.