EAB Games League Season 1 Round 6 - Pang

[Graham Humphrey]

Can someone finally burst VermillioN's bubble? (See what I did there?)

Pang

The rules for this competition are in this thread (http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=29731). Here's a quick run-down though:

- The round starts at 12:00am UK time on Monday, September 3, and finishes at 11:59pm UK time on Saturday, September 22.

- Scores can only be posted during the time of the round, any scores posted outside of this period won't count.

- You can play on a real Amiga or an emulator, WHDLoad or not, whatever you prefer.

- If you can, take screenshots or use a digital camera/mobile phone to provide proof of your score, however if you are unable to do this then you can upload your high-score file as confirmation. You should also write your score in your post.

- Anyone can enter at any time, and you can post as many scores as you want during the round. Of course, only your highest score will count towards the final standings.

- Between September 8 - 14 the voting will take place for the seventh round's game, a thread containing details will be created nearer the time.

- At the end of the round, the player with the highest score gets 12 points, 2nd place gets 10, 3rd 8, 4th 7, 5th 6, 6th 5, 7th 4, 8th 3, 9th 2 and 10th 1 (assuming that many people take part).

- No cheating! No using save states, cheat codes, trainers or anything like that, and no modifying scores in any way. This competition is just a bit of fun and hopefully no-one will sink that low. However, if you genuinely suspect someone has cheated in any way, please PM me and I'll look into it. If I find someone guilty of cheating, they will be banned from the league for the entire season.

READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU START

- Due to differences between the cracked versions and the original, the only versions eligible for this round are this ADF (http://www.planetemu.net/index.php?section=roms&dat=257&action=showrom&id=337271) from Planetemu (also in the Zone thanks to blade002) and the WHDLoad version (http://www.whdownload.com/games/Pack-P-2007-01-30/Pang_v2.01_0929.zip).

- Difficulty must be set to Normal, one player only and starting from stage one.

- Continues are not allowed, as stated in the rules.

I think that's it. If you have any questions, you can either post them in this thread or in the Rules thread. Thanks and have fun!

Final Scores:

1. DamienD - 2,238,300
2. VermillioN - 2,114,850
3. Codetapper - 2,020,800
4. CHook/OTT - 1,668,000
5. Graham Humphrey - 1,618,300
6. turrican3 - 1,538,400
7. adolescent - 867,700
8. blade002 - 717,150
9. mailman - 252,050
10. cane - 239,750

[adolescent]

Here's one for starters: 374,750.

[blade002]

Here is my first score :) That Ice in Leningrad is a bitch !!!.

370,100

Only 4,000 off Adolescent :(

[adolescent]

438,350

A little better, got past Leningrad and onto Paris. Not any harder but if you lose too many lives on the ice you're done.

[CHook/OTT]

Did have 7 lives then i came across the ice :banghead

418,050

[Graham Humphrey]

Okay guys, the top score there I got about two years ago so obviously doesn't count. The second score, however, I got this evening; not bad seeing as it's the first time I've really played it in two years...

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7493/pangscorehs0.png

795,750

[adolescent]

Quick question, how do I get it to save the score? (Probably something simple I'm missing right?)

[Graham Humphrey]

If you're playing the WHDLoad version then it saves automatically when you quit. If you're playing the floppy version, I'm not sure...

[blade002]

Quick question, how do I get it to save the score? (Probably something simple I'm missing right?)

My guess is to just enable the write protect tab on your floppy disk. Maybe it will save it then, not sure though when it comes to Pang?.

[adolescent]

Been playing the ADF supplied by blade. Doesn't look like it saves even with the write protect off. (No biggie really...)

BTW, got to Barcelona. I'm not going to post my score (yet), but it's pretty close to GAH's. :D

[Graham Humphrey]

And it's all gone quiet over here...

[mailman]

I have played this game for the first time in my life. So far I have made a score of 252,050

[adolescent]

My last score. If I never have to play Pang again it'll be too soon. :D

618,250

[turrican3]

this is mine 376300

[turrican3]

here it's a new one
449750

[CHook/OTT]

784,600

It's sooooo easy to accumulate 10 lives by stage 12 but stupid mistakes on the ice stages is where my game usually turns to shite.

Also whats the crack with the angel like thing that appears on level 5 and gives you 10000 points if you hit it? only seen it a couple of times and not worked out how it is "triggered" yet.

[mailman]

I can't pass thorugh Australia. Funny game but quite irritiating.

[Graham Humphrey]

Almost completed the game this morning, but came unstuck in Antarctica (if you struggle with Leningrad you won't like this)... what a nightmare that was.

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/2508/pangscore2ba2.png

1,470,550

[mailman]

Stage 50?! I can't make it to 15! :p

[turrican3]

a new one 633050

[CHook/OTT]

A temporary break from todays painting & decorating

1,497,200

I'm getting better

[Graham Humphrey]

Oh no, I'm going to have to play it again now...

[Biscuit]

Pang hates me. The posted ADF crashes about 7 seconds after starting a game. Everytime. Been messing with my settings, but no joy.

[adolescent]

Decided to give it one more shot. This was with my son bugging me, so on a day without interruptions I should have had 1,000,000+. :P

867,700

[CHook/OTT]

Pang hates me. The posted ADF crashes about 7 seconds after starting a game. Everytime. Been messing with my settings, but no joy.

I've upped the ADF i'm using on the XBOX to the zone if you want to give that a try

[adolescent]

Pang hates me. The posted ADF crashes about 7 seconds after starting a game. Everytime. Been messing with my settings, but no joy.

I'm using standard quick start 500 configuration. No problems here.

[CHook/OTT]

Oh no, I'm going to have to play it again now...

:) I'm determined to finish this bugger now, Gonna have to try and complete the MAME version after this is over

[mailman]

I managed to bump my score to 253,000. Still no luck reaching further than 14th level. I don't bother posting a screenshot ;)

[Biscuit]

I've upped the ADF i'm using on the XBOX to the zone if you want to give that a try
Thanks, but no luck.

It keeps crashing and going back to the title screen. Even had a guru meditation. One time it went straight to the highscore table to enter my name. I hadn't died once yet!

I'm using EUAE, standard A500 settings. I rarely have trouble with tried and tested adfs. All the Pang adfs have caused me trouble so far. This is just weird.

[turrican3]

once again 818850

[Graham Humphrey]

Hmm, you're getting good at this ;)

[DamienD]

403650 for me ;)

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/660/pangty0.th.png (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pangty0.png)

[adolescent]

Is there anyway to drop the vulcan gun to get the harpoon back? I've been stuck letting the time run out on a couple times on levels that have bubbles trapped behind breakable blocks.

[Graham Humphrey]

Not without collecting another weapon, no.

[DamienD]

879900 ;)

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/7781/panguu1.th.png (http://img454.imageshack.us/my.php?image=panguu1.png)

[blade002]

Got stuck i think in Barcelona because i had the laser pistol and i couldnt shoot through the blocks :banghead:crazy ... oh the shame :sad

717,150

[DamienD]

Getting better: 1265650 ;)

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3607/pangzf2.th.png (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pangzf2.png)

Also whats the crack with the angel like thing that appears on level 5 and gives you 10000 points if you hit it? only seen it a couple of times and not worked out how it is "triggered" yet.

This astronaut appears in a few Capcom games e.g. U.N. Squadron on the Battleship stage ;)

Not sure how you "trigger" him though :sad

He's appeared for me on Stage 5, 20 and 31 so far ;)

[adolescent]

Although I'm not doing as well as others, I'll share some hints (more opinion I guess) for the last week of competition.

1) Avoid the vulcan gun. No good can come from it. :rolleyes

2) Always grab the bonus fruit/hotdog/turkey leg/etc. Values quickly go up and over 20k by the time you get to into Europe. Not sure what they are by the time you get to the Americas but they're probably over 40k!?

3) Shoot the blocks, even if they're not in the way. Some have goodies (extra lives) in them when you hit the last one and they're worth points

4) Use the dynamite (especially when there aren't any obstructions, and/or you have a shield). Shooting the small bubbles in succession earns more points 200, 400, 800, 1600, 1600, etc.

5) Don't kill the crab. He doesn't bother you, pops bubbles, and isn't worth much. (IIRC, 50 points!?)

Any other hints from the masters?

[turrican3]

:great there is 1,538,400 :great

[Graham Humphrey]

Cracking score there - this is getting very competitive now...

[turrican3]

i have the time to play i'm sick for the moment, i must stay at home.

[CHook/OTT]

Well done turrican3 :great

This is going to be a close race to the finish now. Don't have a better score lined up to share yet as i haven't been able to beat my last one but there's a few more days left.

@Damien not seen the astronaut on levels 20 & 31 myself (there's another 20,000 points to be had)

And for playing hints i always hang around for the falling fruit as later on they are worth daft points but not worth it for the 1st few levels as you can earn more for the time bonus if you finish quick.

God knows how you earn the 5,000,000 extra life i would have thought the game is finished way before then unless it goes into some sort of loop?

GAME ON!!!

[Graham Humphrey]

I was thinking the same thing - as far as I remember the game doesn't loop so you've got no chance of getting 5 million.

[turrican3]

you go to the end before graham ?

[Graham Humphrey]

Yeah, I completed it on "easy" mode a couple of years back. I can't remember the game looping though my memory is a little hazy.

[CHook/OTT]

1,603,200

[DamienD]

1,528,400

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/7311/pangjx1.th.png (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pangjx1.png)

[Graham Humphrey]

Great. I really suck at this now, I can't get over 500,000 :lol

[CHook/OTT]

It winds me up very easily now and most of my games still end at leningrad :mad

oh! and i've had the astronaut at level 30 & 41 but still don't know what triggers them

[Graham Humphrey]

I got the astronaut at level 5 last night too. I would really like to know how you get them to appear...

[blade002]

Ive given up :)

[Graham Humphrey]

That's the spirit ;)

[Graham Humphrey]

Bah! So close... but I'm in the lead now so I don't care ;)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8601/pangscore3ns4.png

1,618,300

[DamienD]

Bah! So close... but I'm in the lead now so I don't care ;)
...not for long my friend ;)

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5914/pangre3.th.png (http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pangre3.png)

1,877,950

I was lucky and the astronaut appeared on stages 5, 20, 29, 31 and 41.

[DamienD]

Thought I'd have one more try at finishing the game before bed:

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3654/pangyb4.th.png (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pangyb4.png)

1,917,350

...just can't seem to get past the first Antarctica stage :sad

[Graham Humphrey]

Well done Damien - I won't take this lying down though ;)

Did the astronaut appear for you on your second go at all? I've only ever had it appear once and that was on one of my worst attempts.

[Codetapper]

Damn, just got 1,687,650 and I'm more than 200,000 behind! :(

[VermillioN]

Well I've been quiet becuase I've been depressed.. my a4000 died a few weeks ago..

The good news is I've picked up a new mainboard for it.. so to celebrate I'll start playing Pang tomorrow ;)

Good to see you playing some games for a change codetapper :)

[Graham Humphrey]

This has been very competitive so far :)

[Biscuit]

Yup. The spectators are enjoying this one. :great

[CHook/OTT]

That's the spirit ;)

:laughing Quality

I haven't given up yet damn it, But got pissed off with it last night so switched the PS2 on instead for a good old thrash on GTA SA

[DamienD]

Did the astronaut appear for you on your second go at all? I've only ever had it appear once and that was on one of my worst attempts.
Yeah, it appears for me usually 1 out of 3 times. Just wish I knew why though...

Some of you may be wondering why my score is more than most people who've reached higher stages than what I have ;)

adolescent's tips (http://eab.abime.net/showpost.php?p=357242&postcount=38) are very useful, but here's my top tip for getting maximum points. It's pretty obvious really but anyway:


Let's say you have 1 "large" bubble on the screen and you split this into 2 "medium" bubbles. I then split the 1st "medium" bubble and then the 2nd "medium" bubble so that you now have 4 "small" bubbles. I then split all 4 "small" bubbles into 8 "very small" bubbles. Finally shoot all small bubbles.

Even if there are 2 or more "large" bubbles on the screen I will try to take each down at the same level to maximise points.


The only problem with this technique is that it can get quite difficult dodging, I can't do this on all levels but try to as much as possible...

Hope this makes sense and helps ;)

[Graham Humphrey]

Yeah, I try to get the bomb pick-up whenever I can, as adolescent says, it's best when you have a shield so there's more room for error.

I will be having another crack at this, it's getting serious now ;)

[turrican3]

Well I've been quiet becuase I've been depressed.. my a4000 died a few weeks ago..

The good news is I've picked up a new mainboard for it.. so to celebrate I'll start playing Pang tomorrow ;)

Good to see you playing some games for a change codetapper :)

good to see you are back

[Codetapper]

Yahoo, just got 2,020,800 (on my real Amiga - I will have to get the high score file across to WinUAE to make a screengrab later)

While I agree about taking dynamite whenever you can, the best way to rack up a huge score is to collect the fruit on each level. Near the end it is worth 33,000 points and then 48,000 points each time! It's actually worth collecting the 48,000 points and then killing yourself so you can repeat the level and get another 48,000 points with your spare lives!

Note: Added screenshot, is there a way to make the high-score table display? I don't want to have to play through for another 1 million + score to get the table to appear! My score is at the bottom though...

[blade002]

is there a way to make the high-score table display? I don't want to have to play through for another 1 million + score to get the table to appear! My score is at the bottom though...

Its just a matter of starting the game again, and then hitting escape straight after it starts. In a short while it will display the highscores again.

Other than that, the highscore never appears to show it self again after you have seen it once, other than doing what i have said.

Kind of silly if you ask me :sad

[CHook/OTT]

The Antartica levels aren't nice at all

1,668,000

[Codetapper]

Its just a matter of starting the game again, and then hitting escape straight after it starts. In a short while it will display the highscores again.

Other than that, the highscore never appears to show it self again after you have seen it once, other than doing what i have said.

Kind of silly if you ask me :sad

When I do that, it just goes back to the front screen with the PANG letters forming from the balloons, then the instructions pages, the level demo, and then repeats :(

[blade002]

When I do that, it just goes back to the front screen with the PANG letters forming from the balloons, then the instructions pages, the level demo, and then repeats :(

Thats very odd !?? Are you playing the right version ?

[Codetapper]

WHDLoad version yep!

[Graham Humphrey]

I'm playing the WHDLoad version too, I'll check that out later on and see what happens...

...meanwhile, only a little over two days left of this round. Thanks to the people who knocked me off top spot, therefore forcing me to play it yet again :p

[CHook/OTT]

WHDLoad version yep!

Probably a stupid question but have you just left it to run and not pressed anything? The ADF will show the hiscore table but only once (pang logo, 1st instructions page then quick demo) then the hiscore table but thereafter just goes into a cycle minus the hiscores?

[Graham Humphrey]

That's what happens here - it does appear first time round, didn't leave it running after that though so can't say if it appears afterwards (this is on the WHDLoad version).

[cane]

Here is my humble score of 239,750

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7038/pangec2.th.png (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pangec2.png)

[VermillioN]

The easiest way to get the high score table back up is just get another crappy score and take a screenshot whilst entering your name..

This was the first time I played the complete version.. must have used an incomplete cracked version in my youth, the addition of enemies and fruit makes a nice difference ;)

It took a frustrating amount of time to get this score, I'm glad it's over hehe..
Oh and I found the leningrad stages more difficult than antartica!

2,114,850

[Graham Humphrey]

Top score there VermillioN... I must admit I think Leningrad is easy-peasy, but the last level of Antarctica always does me in...

[DamienD]

Finally managed to finish the game though disappointing that you don't get bonus points for doing so:

2,138,900

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3086/pangeb5.th.png (http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pangeb5.png)

...and my highest scrore:

2,238,300

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2949/pang02no1.th.png (http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pang02no1.png)

[Graham Humphrey]

Okay guys, time's up on this round. Score updates to follow soon...