Favorite Cave shoters. rank 'em.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:26 am

After I get one more high score in later tonight, I will be taking a break from Mushihime-sama and playing DOJ and Progear once again. This has caused me to think about which Cave shoters I enjoy the most and why. I own 5 cave shooters to date (DP, DDP, DOJ, Progear and Mushi) so i will rank my current top two.

Mine:

1.Storm of Progear

Initial novelty of a horizontal manic shooter aside, the deep jewel scoring system, intense yet intuitive bullet patterns and Jun's beautiful steampunk/laputa style art seals the deal. Even when the game is at its meanest, I still feel like I can learn the patterns.

2.Mushihime-sama. This one just barely edges out the sadistic masterpiece that is DOJ. Its deceptively simple yet addictively old school "shoot-'n-collect the medals" system is IMHO more enjoyable than DOJ's perfection inducing chain system. Being able to time multiple enemy explosions for greater medal rewards and partially nullify some bullet clouds also lends to the game's replay value greatly.

GaijinPunch · Post by **GaijinPunch** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:32 am

Tough one. Not that any of them are bad, BUT...

I guess mine would be

1: ESPGaluda
2: Guwange

ESPGaluda II is great as well, but I have to give it at least a year before I can rank it against the other ones. I really like the kakusei scoring system - a lot. There's a feeling I get when I get a bunch of gold that I don't get w/ other scoring systems. That, and it's the first techno-esque soundtrack that hasn't made me vomit. It was my first Cave 1CC (and pretty much first shooters 1CC since I was a kid) so it has a special place in my heart. In fact, it was pretty much the first shooter that really got me to appreciate the indepth scoring... something I hadn't done in a while.

Guwange has a scoring system I like, but I really dislike straight chaining. The whole shikigami thing adds enough twist for me to let it go, and enjoy everything else about this beautiful game. For the most part, it's the (wa-fuu) style that I really love. The kimonos, Japanese monsters, and the shamisen & koto-based music is something you just don't find in other games. Joker Jun's character designs don't hurt either.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:37 am

I definitely feel confident enough I could 1CC Mushihime-sama in either maniac or of course, original. I do not get quite the same amount of confidence from DOJ.

But I played Batsugun as my only shooter for at least 2 months until 1 credited. I can do it again.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:47 am

My Top 3 are:

1. Guwange
The spirit system is incredibly fun to use, and the ability to slow bullets makes it very accessible. Also, it is stylistically the most appealing to me. Absolutely stunning designs, plus I always love a ghost/horror setting.

2. Dodonpachi Daioujou
Easy to learn, hell to master. I actually don't play this that much, but I have immense respect for its relentlessness and unforgivingness. I played Dodonpachi for a long time, but come to the conclusion it's time to move on. DOJ is a game I could never even hope to master.

3. Espgaluda
Very easy to pick up and using the Kakusei is so much fun. I actually only got the game recently on PS2, but already fell in love with it.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:52 am

Ranked in order of not being annoyed by slow bullets, crappy score systems and drab, overrated background graphics. OK:

1. DDP DOJ
2. Dangun Feveron

Post by **Icarus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:56 am

1. Ibara
Because it's not a traditional Cave game. And it's f***ing awesome.

2. Guwange
Amazing graphic styling, ambient music, and an incredibly deep, yet immensely difficult to master gameplay system.

3. Espgaluda
Nothing like cancelling a screen full of bullets into a mass of gold items. Probably the easiest of all Cave games to get into, and again, incredibly deep.

Ramus · Post by **Ramus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:23 am

1. Ibara - Music, graphics, gameplay... all incredible.
2. ESPgaluda - Original system, easy and fun for when you feel like kicking back.
3. Dangun Feveron - C'mon, it's a disco shmup. Now that's style!
4. Do Donpachi Dai Ou Jou - This is the closest I've been to experiencing a prison rape in the shower by 10-15 large men. Fun, hard, and pretty.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:33 am

I have yet to play Ketsui, Ibara, and Galuda 2, but out of those I have played I'd still have to say that the original DoDonPachi is my favorite...I really do consider it a standard-setter for "manic" shmups. The presentation is good, control is precise, the explosions are big and loud, the bullets are easy to see, and the game is challenging while still very accessible and forgiving, featuring several different ways to increase your score which you can ease your way into as you become more experienced. Call my choice cliche, but it's still my favorite.

As for second place...maybe ESP Ra.de, although Galuda gives it a run for its money...or maybe even something else, it's tough to say.

Ramus · Post by **Ramus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:41 am

Yeah, it's pretty hard to rank cave shmups amongst themselves because almost all of them are exceptionally good. I can't wait to see what origianl idea they come out with next. I think Galuda was probably their last great idea. Mushihime is good, but it's not a spectacular new kind of shmup. The medal system in Galuda is something I've never seen before. Ibara is kind of like the raizing shmups, so it's not too original either. Then theirs Galuda II. I haven't played it yet, but it looks pretty much like just more Galuda. I wonder what's next?

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:49 am

Yeah, that's what I'm a bit worried about. Apparently they want to make a sequel to Ibara as well, so I wonder when we will see something fundamentally new and different from them. The period from 99 to 03 was amazing, but the more recent releases from Cave, while still great, haven't been quite as exciting.

Ramus · Post by **Ramus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:55 am

I got an email from ECL saying that Ibara: black label was coming in feburary. Anyone else get that email? Anyways, they seem to be rehashing the same games over and over.

Post by **Icarus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:05 am

Besides the fact that Ibara plays like Garegga, the other reason I like it is because it's so different to everything else Cave have put out. I've said it before in past threads, that I hope that Ibara signals the start of a little change in direction for Cave. Even though it was a homage, it was a breath of fresh air.

The reson why '99 - '03 was their most exciting is because they were still operating in "independent game developer" mode. Once their mentality shifted to "big business" mode, it became more important to make money to continue developing than to put out new ideas. (Most evident in their marketing for Mushi and Ibara, sequels released and in development, as well as the rather corporate feel of their website. I bet Mushi 2 is announced after Ibara 2. ^_-)

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:10 am

Lately I have been thinking it would be amazing if Cave made a manic comical shmup.

Ramus · Post by **Ramus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:11 am

Sorry for the off-topic shout out, but I miss your last avatar, Icarus.

Ramus · Post by **Ramus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:12 am

Dylan1CC wrote:Lately I have been thinking it would be amazing if Cave made a manic comical shmup.

Comical? Like Gunbird kind of comical?

Post by **Icarus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:15 am

Ramus wrote:Sorry for the off-topic shout out, but I miss your last avatar, Icarus.

Which one? The one of Yukari from Azumanga Daioh (the manga version) looking half-asleep/bored? ^_^

Wanted a change ^_^ I wanted the sprite of a Boo from Yoshi's Island in its hiding pose, but settled on the art of the character instead. Yukari might return in the near future, though, as I quite like that one ^_-

Ramus · Post by **Ramus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:20 am

yeah, that one.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:30 am

Ramus wrote:
Dylan1CC wrote:Lately I have been thinking it would be amazing if Cave made a manic comical shmup.
Comical? Like Gunbird kind of comical?

Even more so, think Star Parodia style theme/characters but with real difficulty (

) and epic bullet storms.

Ramus · Post by **Ramus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:33 am

That's a really great idea. If only they would listen. Something dark would be nice. Maybe something with vampires or something. I dunno, just a thought. Lets try to get this thread back on track. I feel bad for it going off topic.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:10 am

Nah, it's all good.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:43 am

Ibara will probably be best, I'm a big Raizing fan.

Dangun, definitely. Butt simple but fun scoring system.

Espgaluda I haven't played much of, but it's great already.

TalkingOctopus · Post by **TalkingOctopus** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:54 am

1) Dodonpachi -- This is the game that made me interested in shmups. I suppose the first few stages are rather easy and boring, but I always have a lot of fun playing the later ones.

2) Espgaluda -- I really like the mechanics of this one.

Dylan1CC · Post by **Dylan1CC** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:02 am

I still have fondness for my Saturn DDP, chunk-o-'splosions 'n all. sniff

I need to play Donpachi again, someone else here who posts frequently said it reminds him more of a straight up Toaplan game.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:06 am

Dylan1CC wrote:I need to play Donpachi again, someone else here who posts frequently said it reminds him more of a straight up Toaplan game.

Very true. Play Dogyuun, Batsugun, Donpachi and Dodonpachi in that order, and it'll seem like a natural progression to you.

Shalashaska · Post by **Shalashaska** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:57 am

My favorite would have to be Dodonpachi as well. It was my first Cave 1CC so I'm sort of biased towards it but I just love the game. Not too hard, not too easy, it's juuuuust right.

I also really like DOJ, but in moderation.

Following those two would be Galuda, Mushi, and Guwange. I've never played Ketsui (I'd really like to though) but I think it'd probably end up in my top 5. It just seems my style.

SuperPang · Post by **SuperPang** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:02 am

I have them all and although I couldn't possibly put them in order my favourites are Progear, Ketsui, Guwange and Espgaluda. I also have great respect for Dodonpachi as well as it kinda took Cave to a new level and still plays great. The console versions don't do it justice.

Plasmo · Post by **Plasmo** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:56 am

1.Ibara
2.Ketsui
3.DOJ

Thunder Force · Post by **Thunder Force** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:13 pm

Dangun Feveron and Donpachi are my top Cave picks, I expect Ibara to join them soon.

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:55 pm

i havent played ibara yet, tho i suspect i would rank it pretty high.. my top from the ones i have played yet looks like this:

1 ketsui -fantastic game, absoluteley amazing in every aspect, best music yet in a cave game
2 esprade - great finish and just fun to play, shame about the boss exploits tho.
3 progear - just brilliant in every aspect, great useof the CPS2 hardware
4 DDP DOJ - i fucking love to hate this game, unfair scoring but oh so fun..
5 Guwange - really havent played this that much but i love the style of the game, amazing visuals and sounds, strange scoring mechanism and pretty forgiveable chain system are +++
6 espgaluda - a good game that i just doesnt click right with me, too gay and flamboyantly japanese for my taste.
7 mushimesama - great game but the music SUCKS and i hate the hitbox-mania in this game
8 Donpachi - oldschoolnewschool, i love it
9 dodonpachi - the classic, great untill DOJ came and made it obsolete
10 dangun feveron - what a piece of shit, music rocks but everything else is horrible.

agony · Post by **agony** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:58 pm

1. ESPGaluda
2. Mushihimesama
3. ESP.Ra.De.
4. Progear
5. IBARA (not played yet, but soon :>)