new to shmups, looking for some recs

[harrytasker]

So yeah, the last time I played a shmup was about 15 years ago with 1942 at Pizza Hut. I've always wanted to try the genre (especially after getting my new arcade stick for fighters) but never knew where to start. I'd love some steam recs if anyone has some.

[Jeneki]

Since you mentioned wanting to use your fighting stick, what platform is that for (console, pc, etc)? Also what region are you in (Europe, North America, etc)?

[MaXXX]

On Steam theres:
Crimzon Clover
Ikaruga
Mushihimesama
Deathsmiles
Dodonpachi Ressurection
Eschatos
Mecha Ritz
Raiden IV
Blue Revolver
DariusBurst

And if you want to download Mame a few good classics are:
Gradius
R Type
Strikers 1945
Battle Garegga
Dodonpachi
Mars Matrix

[harrytasker]

Since you mentioned wanting to use your fighting stick, what platform is that for (console, pc, etc)? Also what region are you in (Europe, North America, etc)?

PC NA

[clippa]

Blue Wish Resurrection plus is a very beginner friendly shmup and cost all of nothing.

Mushihimesama novice mode is said to be a very good "in" for new players.

Deathsmiles is great fun and very easy, especially if you choose rank 1 for each stage.

Eschatos has a very forgiving shield mechanic.

Bullet Heaven 2 has very slow touhou bullet speed and loads of difficulty options so you can slowly crank things up as you get better, there are even mutators you can use to make things easier/harder.

Download joytokey if you don't have it already, you'll need it for BWR and bullet heaven 2.

The next steam sale starts on December 22nd by all accounts so I'd hold off until then if you want to save some money.

[Jeneki]

Awesome, thanks.

Adding to MaXXX list, here's some I have on Steam and enjoyed:

Alltynex Second
Armed Seven
Astebreed
Danmaku Unlimited 2
DeltaZeal
Ether Vapor
eXceed 2nd and 3rd
Exzeal
Jamestown
Kamui
Reflex
Satazius
Strania
Super Galaxy Squadron
Trizeal
Wolflame
Zenohell

[OmegaFlareX]

Set up MAME, start with the classics.

Space Invaders
Galaga
Xevious
1942 (as you already know)
Gradius
Salamander
Darius
Fantasy Zone
Flying Shark
R-Type
Twin Cobra
Raiden

As far as Steam goes, I also recommend Mushihimesama, Crimzon Clover, and Raiden IV. All have novice modes and/or adjustable difficulty to get you started.

[Pixel_Outlaw]

There is some difference between the golden oldies and the more flashy modern bullet hells.
Oddly enough, once you get over the initial fear of flying THROUGH shot bursts rather than impulsively weaselling to the corner, the bullet hells are more approachable.
The older games are more unforgiving because you have to place on screen limited shots more carefully while dodging relatively fast aimed shots.

I think it kind of requires a different attitude depending on what you're playing too.
You'll have more fun with older games if you accept the memorization element as part of the game.
The newer games you'll get enjoyment out of chaining systems and shot bursts as an artform. (man that sounds cheesy)

Best of luck!
You may find you prefer a different kind of stick for shmups too.
I use a Sanwa knockoff for both but people say good things about Seimitsu...
I'm sure some weirdo probably uses a flight stick just for the lulz.

[harrytasker]

There is some difference between the golden oldies and the more flashy modern bullet hells.
Oddly enough, once you get over the initial fear of flying THROUGH shot bursts rather than impulsively weaselling to the corner, the bullet hells are more approachable.
The older games are more unforgiving because you have to place on screen limited shots more carefully while dodging relatively fast aimed shots.

I think it kind of requires a different attitude depending on what you're playing too.
You'll have more fun with older games if you accept the memorization element as part of the game.
The newer games you'll get enjoyment out of chaining systems and shot bursts as an artform. (man that sounds cheesy)

Best of luck!
You may find you prefer a different kind of stick for shmups too.
I use a Sanwa knockoff for both but people say good things about Seimitsu...
I'm sure some weirdo probably uses a flight stick just for the lulz.

For a stick I have a RAPV with Sanwa buttons, its great

And yeah, thanks for all the recs guys. Very appreciated.

[Nameschonvergeben]

the Touhou games are pretty good unless you mostly care for aesthetics

[Shepardus]

On Steam, there's Crimzon Clover: World Ignition, Mecha Ritz: Steel Rondo, REVOLVER360 RE:ACTOR, Astebreed, and the Tales of Alltynex trilogy (Kamui, RefleX, Alltynex Second). I also recommend Cho Ren Sha 68K, Blue Wish Resurrection Plus, and Kenta Cho's games (rRootage, Parsec47, Tumiki Fighters, and others you can find on his site) as great freeware PC shmups, and Sexy Parodius, Armed Police Batrider, and the original Dodonpachi if you're open to emulation or if you have the consoles (or even the arcade PCB) for them. The Touhou games are also good - I like 12.8 (Fairy Wars) personally but 7 (Perfect Cherry Blossom), 8 (Imperishable Night), and 14 (Double Dealing Character) are probably friendlier starting points.

[Special World]

Here are some of my recs:

https://catstronaut.wordpress.com/2015/ ... -shooters/

In particular, Cho Ren Sha 68K is fantastic and free and Eschatos on PC won't break the bank and is pretty much the greatest shooter ever.

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

Download joytokey if you don't have it already, you'll need it for BWR and bullet heaven 2.

Isn't XPadder flat-out better due to introducing less input lag?

[Some-Mist]

knoxxx

mimicking ikaruga, mushihimesama (work on a novice mode clear to avoid frustration), mecha ritz, and crimzon clover. newer style was easier for me to get into than the classics which now I've spent time to revisit those as I'm trying to appreciate the older design.

probably not the case for everyone, but I'm one of those people who joined the forums after getting hooked to ikaruga and psyvariar 2: the will to fabricate.

[clippa]

Download joytokey if you don't have it already, you'll need it for BWR and bullet heaven 2.

Isn't XPadder flat-out better due to introducing less input lag?

I thought they were much of a muchness and joytokey is free so I always recommend that one. Has anyone ever tested them both and posted numbers?

[MaXXX]

Honestly I'd recommend just jumping in the deep end, the Novice modes are insultingly easy and won't prepare you for the regular modes. The DDPR Novice mode isn't so bad because reaching and clearing the 2nd loops in it would provide a bit of challenge, but the ones in Crimzon Clover and Mushi are babby tier

[Some-Mist]

but the ones in Crimzon Clover and Mushi are babby tier

from what I remember, mushihi novice ultra was a harder clear than original once you get to stage 4/5.

[Special World]

Yeah, Futari novice ultra is actually pretty rad. Only novice mode I liked really. Great for getting new players into the game; there's the visual spectacle without the steep challenge.

[Shepardus]

If you want selectable difficulty, the Touhou games have much better-designed Easy/Normal difficulties than any "Novice" mode I've played.

[Special World]

I would say that Eschatos has pitch-perfect difficulty as well. When I was playing it more seriously I was in awe of the learning curve. Easy flows into normal flows into hard just wonderfully.

[MaXXX]

but the ones in Crimzon Clover and Mushi are babby tier

from what I remember, mushihi novice ultra was a harder clear than original once you get to stage 4/5.

Yeah I forgot about Novice Ultra

[Perikles]

A few more recommendations for accessible, classic arcade games:

1943 Kai
Chuka Taisen/Cloud Master
Dragon Breed
Exzisus
Fire Barrel
Gekirindan
Insector X
Section Z
Sky Smasher
Slap Fight
Thunder Cross I & II
Thunder Force AC
Vimana

Chuka Taisen and Insector X might be too dry even for beginners, but it can't hurt to mention them. As far as quality is concerned, I would definitely advise to try out both Thunder Cross games if you happen to like horizontals from that era as well as 1943 Kai, Fire Barrel, Slap Fight and Vimana for archetypical verts of the same tailoring. Dragon Breed might take some time getting used to, but it's a really unique game with a low execution barrier and a fantastic presentation, certainly worth a peek.