Why Cerberus α is harder than Phoenix γ

Channel:

Braden Best

Subscribers:

326

Published on November 22, 2022 5:58:06 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q7edJ4hi0s

Game:

Mischief Makers (1997)

Duration: 4:08

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1

This video shows why I consider Cerberus Alpha to be much harder than Phoenix Gamma.

While Merco is harder to beat casually (initially), he is also much more predictable than Lunar. It is possible to learn Merco's patterns and counter them with consistent strategies. In fact, it's even possible to grab the bird head for the second and third time without waiting for the lasers. But you also have to be fast, pre-emptive and accurate with the grabs or else you risk getting a face full of lasers and an instant death. I had a rough time no-hitting Phoenix Gamma in the playthrough but he's really not that hard. I more or less just had to re-learn how to fight him.

Cerberus Alpha is much harder and it's because of the second phase. You have to get behind him and throw him three times to advance to phase 3, which means you have to get him to commit to a full kick 3 times. The problem is that he might, without any telegraph, cancel the kick and do a number of other close-range attacks that will hurt you, which will ruin the whole fight if you're going for the gold. To me it seems like it's just a matter of getting lucky. Now, it is possible to skip phases 2 and 3 by getting him locked into phase 1, but I haven't successfully pulled this strat off. The trick is to count damage and hit him with a well-timed rocket right after he jumps over you. According to Reppler, if he doesn't start shooting at you with his gun after landing, you know you got the phase lock. You can then just barrage him with rockets and he'll die without ever entering phase 2. This is the strat the speedruns use.

For Migen Brawl, you can save time by meeting the fists in the air and boosting off into the corner between punches so Junior doesn't spit as much fire.

For Sasquatch Beta, boost inward before boosting up and down to save time on Tarus walking back to the mecha. Phase 2 takes exactly four hits, so on the fourth hit, don't boost in because he won't be walking back to the mecha any more.

There is also a phase lock for Toadly Raw, though I'm not exactly sure how to trigger it. For me, it happened when I relentlessly shake-shake'd him.

For Lunar!! (the boss fight), just grab him and throw him diagonally downward lol

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