Shmup suggestions

bbbhltz@beehaw.org to Gaming@beehaw.org – 1 points –

Recently I've been looking into expanding the number of shmups in my library.

Which games should I prioritise getting? Any that I should avoid?

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Warning Forever, but not sure if you can play that on switch

Doesn't appear that it is... But I'll look it up anyway.

@bbbhltz, depending on what you’re craving.

Here’s a list of horizontal ones…

Defender-like:
• Aqua Kitty UDX – cute, fun
• Black Bird – dark-cute

R-Type-like:
• R-Type Dimensions EX (and the others)
• Rigid Force Redux – ❤️

Classics:
• Blazing Star
• Thunder Force IV
• Cotton Fantasy

Other hori:
• Azure Reflections – Touhou fan game
• Sine Mora – time-mechanic ❤️ , not for everyone though
• Astebreed – switches orientation flawlessly ❤️
• ProtoCorgi – cute, hard
• Rolling Gunner – ❤️

@bbbhltz, on the vertical side…

Oldskool:
• Batsugun
• Dragon Blaze ❤️
• Gunbird 2
• Anger Force – kinda
• Missile Dancer
• Moon Dancer – ❤️
• SophStar – ❤️

Danmaku:
• Crimzon Clover
• Caladrius Blaze
• Espgaluda II
• Mushihimesama – ❤️
• Danmaku Unlimited 3 – bullet grazing ❤️

with a twist:
• Pawarumi – rock-paper-scissors mechanic ❤️
• Dimension Drive – teleport
• Sisters Royale – ❤️
• Eschatos – ❤️
• Shoot 1UP – multi-ship
• Cosmo Gang the Video – Galaga-like
• (Downwell)

@bbbhltz and neither hori nor vert really…

• Zero Gunner 2 – proto-twin-stick arcade
• Galak-Z: the Void – strategic zero-G twin-stick, rogue-like-elements ❤️ (not to be confused with Galak-Z: Variant S, which is to be avoided)
• Assault Android Cactus – one of **the** best twin-sticks ever ❤️
• Jet Lancer – like Luferausers, maybe better ❤️
• Nitro Ball – classic proto-twin-stick arcade

Someone is selling Mushihimesama on my local marketplace. I know it is no longer in production or on the Switch estore. Is €55 worth it for this game? It is used of course.

Update: I see that it can be purchased new for 43 on different sites, so I suppose not...

@bbbhltz , it is my favourite CAVE game so far.

That said, personally I am not willing to pay that much for a STG (sorry). But I know others would and do pay even more for a PCB of it.

It is a very quality game and has several modes. If that is worth it for you, it's up to you.

Several other Cave games (and Crimzon Clover, which is not by Cave, but like a spiritual successor) have similar modes, so perhaps try one of those first.

I was thinking of getting it, trying it, and holding onto it to resell. But, someone might be able to talk the seller down. Judging by the other items they are selling, not just games, it looks like this person caught the "import stuff from abroad" bug and it now unloading loads of merch at rather high and prices. I'm not going to barter though since it is available on play-asia for less.

@bbbhltz so, what did you get in the end and what are your thoughts so far?

I'm tracking sales on dekudeals for the moment but I did get copies of Raiden IV (which is definitely something I enjoy), Ando Dunos II ( still can't beat the boss rush to unlock the last levels) and GreyLancer.

I'll probably pick up Strikers 1945 II this week since it is on sale.

I'm just patiently waiting and also considering grabbing some physical copies of games that I've seen for sale on local marketplaces (Sophstar and Mushihimesama).

@bbbhltz , some sweet choices. Glad to hear you're enjoying yourself 😸

I just grabbed Andro Dunos 2 digitally as well. It was just too good of a deal.

@bbbhltz, that’s always an option, yes. I did that with a few other games. I remember Teslagrad not being my jam.

I only have Sine Mora and Pawarumi physically from STGs and am fondly keeping both :)

Crimzon Clover's really fun. It's similar to Dodonpachi. Another good one is Ikaruga. It has an interesting mechanic we're you switch colors to absorb bullets.

Avoid Sine Mora and other "euroshmups", they just suck to play.

Haven't heard the term "euroshmup" before. Also haven't seen Sine Mora on any lists that I've been looking at either.

@bbbhltz @_Lory98_ ,

Sine Mora is not for everyone, but those who like it (like I do) _really_ like it. The gameplay revolves around the time mechanic and so does the really messed up story. The audio-visual presentation is great too.

There are several people who do not like it though, as it is a bit outside the box and is quite story-heavy.

I think this review explains it very well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvqWh88I4HM

Touhou series? Some of them are pretty good. The music are also superb.

Well that depends what you have.

Ikaruga for starters

This is at the top of my list, so it will come sooner or later!

I don't have anything substantial except fond memories or R-Type and Raiden, and a copy of Raiden IV that I tend to play on loop when I have days off.