Since the dawn of time newcomer request threads have consisted of people suggesting games that they may find appealing on a basis of being less aggressive and easier to connect with for a beginner - something that's not going to baby you, but also not beat you to a point of feeling hopeless about the whole thing. Espgaluda, Batsugun Sp., Slap Fight MD etc.
And now a word from the newcomer who opened this thread, whose post on the last page was completely ignored:
Anyway, when i said i wanted "Shmups for a noob" i didn't want an easy game, but as someone who doesn't know a lot of shmups, i wanted suggestions. I'm open to anything, really. I just don't want shmups that are TOO unforgiving.
Keep in mind this comes after I attempted to build a list following that exact criteria, and putting that exact criteria in the OP.
Games like CRS68K, Thunder Force III, Deathsmiles, Espgaluda, Lords of Thunder, Batrider Normal Course - all perfectly apt for the request.
But then shmups farm can't grasp this concept without some kind of ridiculous procrastinating: "A guide should have a breakdown/how to learn to play! There's no right way of doing things! Whatever you're comfortable with! Play Battle Garregga, it's fun in the beginning!"
Here's a reminder:
you guys make it sound like if a first timer plays garegga or ketsui and fails to 1cc, the game bites your dick off and kills your family
just try the best stuff from the big names and stick with what you like
the only real advice is playing stuff above what you feel comfortable with to improve faster if you want to improve rather than going for easy clears
a 'noob advice guide' should be like
-how to find the kind of shmups you enjoy (like a decision tree kind of thing)
-how to practice and how not to practice
-if you're not having fun, try something else or take a break
why can't a beginner just credit feed (but simultaneously try to improve) in Dodonpachi, Ketsui or another harder but popular game if they happen to like how it plays.
Just because the question sounds like they're asking for a list doesn't mean the answer should literally be a list. It can be an indication that they need to be told certain things. Why wait for them to ask?
Why anyone would recommend DFK over Donpachi is beyond me, not because one is better or worse, but for the same reasons you learn to drive using an older everyday car, not a Porsche.
If we are going the random game route, then I don’t think the question really is all that different than “what are your favorite shmups?” After all, even the most complicated and difficult games in the genre are still relatively easy to approach due to the general simplicity of the genre. 8 way directions and 2-4 buttons 99.9% of the time.
As for difficulty adjusting and credit feeding.. play however you want, there is absolutely no one “right way” to play the genre. I choose to play defaults and usually single credit runs, but there are difficulty settings for a reason and if you have more fun working your way up to defaults then go for it. Even the best players credit feed to learn later stages, so no harm in that practice either.
The mind boggles.
Someone who's not really into the genre isn't asking for a six page tutorial on how to 'ease' themselves in and warm to new strategies of approach - it's not Dungeons & Dragons - they just want you to give them some good starting material to have fun with.
Unfortunately shmups farm is incapable of accepting something as simplistic as a list that meets those expectations because you feel the need to waffle at length about how the genre has so many different nuances and methods of application. You want to write a novel? Feel free, the 'Post Topic' button is a click away. Some may use it, others will likely post a new topic asking for game suggestions for newcomers.
It's such a simple and obvious request it blows my mind shmups farm manages to get twisted out of shape every single time.