Twin Shot 2: Good and Evil

I've always been a fan of Nitrome games, ever since way back, but with their partnership with Mochi Media, it feels like they are sort of 'selling out' with the introduction of Mochi Coins. I'm afraid of what Nitrome might become in the future, something other than the honest game developing company they have been for so long.
Hopefully, however, I'm just being cynical, and possibly a bit angry at Nitrome because I just can't beat the later levels in this game!

@Jake: You're not alone in your concerns with the Mochi Media partnership.

I'd say this was about on-par for a Nitrome game: fun and almost easy up to the 'Nitrome-wall' at which time it becomes so frustrating you're ready to rage-quit. Still fun for the time invested though, despite the normal difficulty curve shortfall.

I'm a Nitrome fan also, but this game really didn't shine for me. Not only was it easy (I beat the first 32 levels in under 20 minutes) but it was repetitive. I had to face the same challenges, such as killing the flower creatures while on a moving platform, several times, and I felt that there were no new concepts introduced in the last twenty levels. Furthermore, the gameplay was fairly linear and uncreative, unlike other Nitrome games like Parasite or Castle Corp. All in all, I think Nitrome could do better.

This game did have it's good points, though. The later levels were challenging, and, despite their dullness in some areas, provided entertainment. One novel concept, riding on the clouds, was also very enjoyable. And, like every other Nitrome game, the graphics and animations were outstanding. Still, these pros did not outweigh the cons, so I decided not to buy the extra level pack.

How do you beat level 29?

Walkthrough please.

I feel a little more comfortable that Nitrome said in their blog that they would only do the MochiCoins thing for a few games. From what it sounds like, it seems the micro-transaction will only be used every once in a while. Personally, I'm not too worried.

By the way, I love the game. I already loved the first one, so it would be almost impossible for me not to like this game.

the concept of having to pay for a browser based flash game is wrong on so many levels (never mind the fact that we have to watch those stupid adds before every game, and in some cases even in between levels). I've never been a big fan of nitromes games, and this is just the nail in the coffin.

@tenkuchima What are some of the reasons that paying for extra content is so bad? Is it the limitations of the flash format you are worried about? Are you against expansions to pc games and console games as well? Just because its on flash does not mean that it was free for them to make.

Has anyone actual bought the evil levels?

Leave the nitrome guys alone! They just want to be able to earn a living ffs.

@tenkuchima Nitrome don't put ads between the levels of their games? Also if you buy any content it actually turns off mochi ads at the begining of the game!

You don't want ads and you don't want micro transacions. How exactly do you expect developers to make money to make the games you play?

Oh, the secret character is so OBVIOUS now.
Who knew that the cameo in THAT game would switch around and make the other a cameo in THIS game?

I have to agree with Iain and JIGuest. Without the support of their gamers, the developers won't be able to make a living and stay independent. I love this game, and I think the evil level pack and the "cheats'n'treats" are worth $5.

Ha ha ha. Even without playing "Cheats n' Treats" I know who the secret character is:

Great game.

Re: Payments: I agree, it's quite fair that they should earn money for their good work. Naturally, however, as a trend it's worrying because we're used to free and easy-access content. Having to not just pay but set up payment methods is just one more thing to do, and research shows that consumers are on average not willing to go the extra mile for extra content. Essentially, we're lazy and greedy.

how do you beat level 46?, where there are 3 different sections of bad guys, i hit all of them when i jump up.

Its weird to see how some people are afraid that payed content is somehow reducing the free stuff they can enjoy. Nothing is taken away if you dont want to buy anything. You can still play whole game for absolutely nothing.

However, if you like the game, you can get more. How can more stuff to play with be "wrong on so many levels"? How is offering more to your players reducing "honesty" of developer?

None of these extra features would of been in the game without option to pay for them. Creating games takes time and money, developers do not live for free on fluffy clouds eating free milk and honey, they have bills to pay and families to feed. Most people just dont have the luxury to spend months working on something and then simply give it away for free. Without money they eventually starve to death.

Yes, the developers need to make money, and sure, offering extra content at a price is one way to do so. But that runs the risk of alienating your already existing fanbase. I'm not a huge Nitrome fan, but I usually give their games a chance. This one I'm not even going to touch. There are other ways to do things. Project Wonderful comes to mind, it's unobtrusive and fair to everyone involved.

First up,I agree with tonypa, especially in this case. Nitrome aren't giving you a taster, they're not even offering you more levels once you've completed them. They're giving you a fully working game, then offering you some more if you love it. I see no problem with this.

MochiAds are annoying, but tolerable as long as they're only at the start of the game. If I was getting ads once a level, it'd really annoy me.

On to the actual game. It's quite good, with occasional bits of really clever level design. Nitrome make a remarkable number of quite good games, but few astoundingly good ones. I feel that if they made a few less, and put a little more love and focus into the games they did make, their obvious talents in innovative gameplay and level design would shine far brighter than they do.

level 43!?!? anyone please, i can't get to the green mucus spewing guy in the top right!!

@Paul:

@ kk

Great game and the payments don't upset me. If you don't pay, you still have the game and 50 levels ( like the first twin shot ).

I have mixed feelings regarding the whole "payments" thing. I understand it, it makes sense, and if I were a developer as talented as the ones at Nitrome, I'd probably do the same thing. And yet I still get a feeling of sadness every time I play this game and see more awesome Nitrome content that I could be playing, if not for the little "Buy!" icon over the top of it.Of course, as people have said, the payments are only for bonus content, so I really don't have any issue with that.

As far as the game itself goes, this is another Nitrome game that would only truly captivate me in multiplayer mode. I was only semi-entertained while playing the first few levels alone, but I can see how the game could be a lot more fun with a second person involved. I played all the way through TS1 with my brother, so maybe he'll be up for another round in the sequel.

Help on level 19??

Oh help... I have absolutely no idea how I'm supposed to defeat the boss. I can't even get near him with my arrows. I've tried shooting him when he chases after me on the ground, but I can't catch up to him.

@tempest

Level 49 is sooooo hard! Please make a walkthrough or spoiler!

I need help! I can't pass Stage 48! What's the deal with the weird purple face things? I shoot them and there face falls off but then they don't die even when I shoot the face! What should I do!?
Please help!
--
Goober

didn't ANYONE here buy the evil level pack? PLEASE respond if you did!!!!!

I didn't really like the first Twin Shot game, so this was no different. Despite my dislike for the previous game, I gave it a try. The first few levels aren't that different, and I can't really be bothered to try the other levels. It's too slide-y and annoying with the arrows and ugh.

And I fully understand the payment thing, but it does worry me. What if they stop making free games? Sure, they're wonderful games and sure, I'd want to be paid for them. But... Nitrome makes free games. Not ones that require payment.

If they do make that change (from free to paid games), it won't be in the near future. But it's still worrying. For now, it's only bonus content, though. Let's hope it stays that way.

But back to the game: It could've been better. Plus it's just not my type of game.

Correction: Nitrome does not make free games, they are paid for most of their game development efforts, as well they should be.

Sponsors pick up the tab for you. This is so that people will (hopefully) go play the game at the sponsor's site (Miniclip, MTV Arcade) where players are greeted with advertisements that help recoup the money spent on the games they have sponsored.

The Flash games industry is changing. It is switching from a purely advertising/sponsorship model to one where the cost of development is offset through microtransactions.

While I don't believe free Flash games will ever go away entirely, what I'm sure of is that you will be seeing more and more games ask for money in return for additional levels and bonus features.

What worries me is not that there won't be any more free games to play, but whether the microtransactions will be implemented in a way that still leaves the perception that most of the game is still free to play.

Nitrome seems to have struck a nice balance with Twin Shot 2, their first microtransaction implementation, and I do hope they make enough money to have recouped their development efforts and made that effort profitable.

In what games can you complete tasks to earn coins?

The game has been updated! There are now free new skins to change your characters into! Demon, Shadow, Statue, Ghost and Tiger!

Ah. So I see Nitrome has finally gone over to the Dark Side. At least there's the same amount of free levels as ever.

I can not get past level 20! How do you kill all of those flying blue guys? HELP PLEASE!!!

How do you beat the purple tooth dudes? When you knock their face out? I can not beat level 32 on Good.

I was thrilled to see that twinshot now has a sequel! As for the game itself, it's much like the original, but with a few extras. The new monsters are pretty cute and add a more whimsical touch to the game atmosphere.

The mochicoin issue is a bit confusing to me. If there was one thing I like about nitrome, it was that the site was relatively simple and casual, now with the credit paying and mochicoins it is sort of puzzling my tech unsavvy brain :P. Plus I don't like all the bulk the mochicoin ads add to the beginning of the game. It's not a huge deal, just a small annoyance.

I do have one question. I know you can pay using paypal, etc, for the bonus levels and such, I also understand you can earn mochicoins by playing games. Which games specifically? I went on the mochimedia site and unfortunately could not find much info besides how to pay using your credit card. I don't like dealing with money over the internet, so I would be grateful for some info.

Hmm I would think beating the game would give some sort of coin rewards, like XBox. Nope.

I bought the Evil Pack, so far I'm on level 68. Not like it was ridiculously expensive or anything.

I can't believe some people begrudge Nitrome $5 so that they can continue their wonderful work. Not all of their games are great, but the vast majority are really very good, so I have no problem with handing over some money to see them continue great game development (especially if it means they'll finally open their shop *cough* *hint*).

In response to people who say it's too time-consuming and hassling to create an account:

1. It's not hard to do.
2. It couldn't be easier or quicker.
3. There are a number of incentives to join.

From what I recall, all it asks for when you sign up is your name and email address, not pages of forms. Sure, once you have your registration email, you get a few more but you get 400 free coins for doing it!

And if you can't be bothered to faff around with credit cards and PayPal, you can simply pay by entering your phone number which takes seconds (this is a slight problem for me at the minute since I've lost my phone, but nevertheless... ).

If you really begrudge the money, you can complete offers to get coins; many of these offers are (watch out for the buzz word) free.

Also, if you sign up, there are a number of benefits outside of buyable content, like the new skins they introduced this week; they're completely free, and also things like being able to play your game from anywhere.

I don't believe that Nitrome will ever let it get to the point where you have to pay to get the most out of their games, as opposed to additional content; they've managed so far from advertising and commissions, and they're certainly not making any fewer games, so they have no reason to go down that route.

So I will definitely purchase the additional stuff.

Anyhoo, the game. It's very good, but so far, it just seems a bit like a level expansion to Twin Shot. There's just enough new stuff to keep me playing, but there could be more. Fabulous design and music as always. Good stuff.

I beat the evil levels as well by paying. I just did the super offers stuff and I didn't have to pay a penny. I am now saving up for the Cheats and Treats but my coins aren't being sent through when I register for the stuff! RIGGED! Anyway, if they do this for DV 2, I will be very disapointed. :(

Is there any offers that don't require a cellphone or giving out your zip code? I'd rather not have wierd people sending me free stuff.

Well, I tried the game out and it was pretty cute and after a bit I got really addicted to it... But a lot of them are a bit too hard, it takes a while to understand how to get there. I mean, they expect you to know you can jump through some specific blocks, and those little black blob dudes are really...annoying, they just get onto the clouds and it's just...sigh. Besides, some parts take forever, and it wastes too much time. I guess I would rate it 3 stars...

I am failing miserably at level 46. Help?

Very good nitrome. Now can you make Off the rails 2? please?

A new game has been released (finally)! It's called "Rockitty". Go play it!

LEVEL 46 help PLEEEASE!!!!

for level 46

@Vulkax:

Help!! I can't pass level 50! What's going on? What am I supposed to do with the huge cloud? T.T