This section is out of date. Will update once Vanguard Princess Prime or the English release is out, whichever comes first.
Vanguard Princess (1.07c)
Vanguard Princess (Vanpri) is a doujin 2D fighting game produced by supposed ex-Capcom employee, Sugeno Tomoaki, boasting gorgeous high-res hand drawn sprites and surprisingly solid gameplay for a Fighter Maker 2nd generated game. And, it’s FREE! ～(￣∇￣～)
Prologue
Those who wish to preserve the present, those who wish to abolish
it- Within the world is opposition and conflict; ruined, that future is
nearing…
In the intensifying war, a passenger plane is mistakenly shot down.
One by one, casualties are confirmed, but… One standing person, an
uninjured little girl, comes out alive.
Before long, she was a lovely, fully-grown woman. Although, with the passing of time, mysterious abilities began to awaken.
At first, she was moved to private research facilities. These were
halted by the eye of the Government, however. Analysis was initiated
for military purposes.
The power that but bent Cosmic Law, people call “Planar Manipulation Sorcery”.
In combat, eyes opened to the soaring military prowess in wake of
this woman- At the demand for such a solidified military presence…
Boundlessly severe and cruel human testing developed.
Perhaps, in the initial event, her magical power surged out of control, unintentionally causing the “Astral Impact”.
The awe-inspiring magical shockwave extensively, as well as in mass,
bestowed the blessing of Planar Manipulation Sorcery in young girls.
Soon, the forms of girls harnessing magical power became visible in
large quantities. Because of that beautiful fighting figure, they were
called, “Vanguard Princesses”, inspiring the elite soldiers.
One year after, around the time the war also faced its end following
the Astral Impact, a thought to be missing little girl reincarnated as
“Executive Overseer” to the destruction of mankind.
And so, the created-to-lead Vanguard Princesses’s battle engulfed the world…
Translation of above in English here.
Installation
Download here.
As several people have problems running this game, here are some tips you can try getting it to work.
- select Japanese as default language for non-Unicode programs. On Windows go to control panel>languages tab>check the box for installing East Asian languages, and select apply. Windows will require an installation CD or alternate for the appropriate files to install.
- move the main folder into the root of your C: drive
- rename ヴァンガードプリンセス.exe to something else (Vanguard Princess.exe)
- rename ヴァンガードプリンセス.kgt to something else (Vanguard Princess.kgt)
- run App Locale or NTLEA with it. If using NTLEA follow these settings.
- switch Windows versions: right click ヴァンガードプリンセス.exe>compatibility tab>check the box>try any of the four versions
Requirements:
- OS： MS-Windows 98/Me/2000/XP Japanese Edition
- CPU： Pentium Ⅲ 400MHz
- Memory： 128MB
- HDD： 400MB, at least DirectX 7
Netplay (Lunaport R49b)
Download the unofficial netplay, Lunaport, here. For previous versions check out the official site (thanks for the work anon). Extract, and insert the lunaport folder into ヴァンガードプリンセス folder, then copy everything inside the lunaport folder and insert into the ヴァンガードプリンセス folder as well. Lunaport works similar (actually better) than the Caster netplay. Upon opening it you will be greeted with a black window and a series of options.
1 - Host a game 2 - Connect to a host. Input their IP address and enter. 3 - Host a game on lobby. 4 - List lobby games. 5 - Play a local game with random stages in vs mode. 6 - Toggle on/off replays. 7 - Watch replays. 8 - Toggle off/on spectators. 9 - Spectate. 10 - Display the same menu. 0 - Exit
Characters
- Yui Kutuna
- Haruka Kutuna
- Lilith
- Luna Himeki
- Kurumi Mirumati
- Saki Mitoyona
- Kaede Hioh
- Natalia Glinka
- Eri Hasuma
- Ayane Ikuse
- Hilda Rize (Boss)
Supports
- Kanae
- Shiera
- Eko
- Juliet
- Hilda (Secret)
Stages
- Rubble
- School
- Pool
- Hill
- Night
- Shrine
- Last
Numpad Notation
This game most easily follows numpad notation which is also used for several other fighters like Guilty Gear and Melty Blood. It takes directions and corresponds them with numbers as seen on the keyboard numpad.
7 8 9
4 5 6
1 2 3
For example, this would make 4 stand for backwards, 9 would stand for up+forward, 5 would be neutral, etc. Confusing at first but learn it and you’ll love it.
System
There are six buttons used in this game: A, B, C, D, E, and F, though only A through D are necessary in play. To map controls, click options and select your desired input device. A is to confirm and ESC is to return/pause. When you pause, press A+B+C simultaneously to return to title screen.
Practice Mode
In a VS match, have both characters press F once to initiate Practice mode where characters will heal after taking damage. Input 4+6 (only possible on keyboard) to reduce super meter and calcium gauge (for testing meter combos). Pressing F again with Player 1 maxes out super and support meters. Pressing F again with Player 2 cancels out of Practice Mode.
Basic Commands
- A – Weak Attack
- B – Medium Attack
- C – Strong Attack
- D – Support Action
- E – Shortcut for A+B and B+C
- F – Both players press to enter Practice Mode
- A+B or 2A+B – Reflect, a temporary defensive technique that cancels out one hit. More info below
- 7 or 8 or 9 – Jump, in desired direction
- 66 – Forward Step/Run
- 44 – Back step
Other Commands
- Specials – Any move that requires a special input command to perform.
- Liberty Art (Supers) – Requires full super gauge and usually done by a command and B+C (or E).
- Throw (6C or 4C near an opponent) – Unblockable attack that has to be done near a grounded opponent (Natalia may air throw).
- Throw Overtake (Tech) (6C or 4C before or during a throw attempt) – Breaks from the other’s throw.
- Reflect (Parry) (A+B or E) – Momentarily creates a shield that nullifies one oncoming hit, has counter hit recovery frames. Can reflect neutral (5E), low (2E), or in the air (j.E).
- Proxy Guard (4D) – Loli will shield incoming enemy projectiles and support attacks. Successful Proxy Guards will take some of your enemies support meter.
- Air Tech (A or B or C during juggle state) – Recovering from a combo. Your character will flash green if you could have teched but did not.
HUD
- Life Bar – Once it empties out that player loses.
- Calcium Icon – The more you block the more red it gets. It will flash when near a Calcium Break (Guard Crash). Recovers over time.
- Stun Icon – The more clean hits you take the more red it gets. It will flash red when near stun. Recovers overtime.
- Special Meter – When full you may use Liberty Arts. Increases from dealing and receiving damage.
- Support Meter – Required to use support attacks. Recharge rate is character specific.
- Grasp Icon – If flashing, you may not grab an opponent.
- Win Counter – Marks how many rounds you’ve won.
- Match Mode – VS or Practice.
- Timer – Shows how much time is remaining.
Other Mechanics
- Chip Damage – Specials and Liberty Arts deal a small amount of damage when blocked which in this game can still KO.
- Counter Hit – Getting hit during the recovery frames of an attack or reflect will result in a counter hit which usually launches or trips the opponent.
- Calcium Break – Guard break. Calcium meter (though semi-hidden) recovers over time but if you receive a Calcium Break you’ll be temporarily stunned and any following hit will count as a counter hit.
- Stun/Dizzy – Taking too many clean hits will result in a dizzy state where you may not make any actions. Rapidly input directions to reduce the amount of time stunned.
- Support Actions – There are four assist attacks and proxy guard per support lolis; 5D, 6D, 3D, 2D, and 4D. All of which take 1-3 levels of support meter (except which only temporarily stops it from increasing). However all you need is at least 2 levels of support meter to use any attack, and only 1 level to use level 2 support attacks. Doing so of course removes all your support meter.
- Support Penalty – Getting hit during the animation of a support attack will deplete your entire support meter and temporarily disable your support assist.