Shmup Ticker: What are you playing RIGHT NOW?

[bauer]

Dipping into Battle Traverse at the moment.

I have a lot of things I might criticize, but its qualities outshine all doubt.

[Kollision]

Inching closer to the Gradius IV loop.
Rank is a bitch.

[ReSe2k]

I had the crazy idea to start learning Ibara.
Can't even do the bombing stuff on stage 1 without dying

[Gamer707b]

Just 1cced Gaiares today. I beat it a couple days ago with 2 credits but decided to try the 1 credit. My 3rd 1cc. While I'm not a hardcore guy, I do love playing for fun and for survival. My question to some of you is, now that I have cleared a few games , does it become a bit easier to complete other shmups? Or is it always going to be like starting over? Does the improved skill generally translate to other shmups as well?

[Shepardus]

My question to some of you is, now that I have cleared a few games , does it become a bit easier to complete other shmups? Or is it always going to be like starting over? Does the improved skill generally translate to other shmups as well?

It's not like you magically get better the moment you clear a game like some sort of RPG-style level-up, but yes, practicing and familiarizing yourself with one thing can help with similar things. This isn't something that applies just to shmups.

[Gamer707b]

My question to some of you is, now that I have cleared a few games , does it become a bit easier to complete other shmups? Or is it always going to be like starting over? Does the improved skill generally translate to other shmups as well?

It's not like you magically get better the moment you clear a game like some sort of RPG-style level-up, but yes, practicing and familiarizing yourself with one thing can help with similar things. This isn't something that applies just to shmups.

,

No offense, but that was a real vague answer. You said nothing. I could have given you the same answer. That's like you asking me how to buy a big house and I tell you" yea , you gotta save your money to get it". I'm asking for shmup specifics. Thanks anyway.

[Shepardus]

You asked me "does it become a bit easier to complete other shmups?", which is a yes/no question (and the answer is yes). Exactly what skills are transferable depends on the game, of course, but similar games like, say, Raiden and Fire Shark, are going to have more transferable skills since if you're familiar with one then the other's challenges can be dealt with in similar ways and you won't need to relearn those from scratch. Generally high-level tactics don't transfer over as well since they tend to be very specific to each game (especially when it comes to scoring), but you can probably make use of general concepts that apply to multiple games, such as different ways of regulating enemies and chain in Dodonpachi/Dodonpachi Daioujou and ways to position your options in Gradius games. The more variety you play the more you'll get a sense of what's common between games and what's different.

[Gamer707b]

You asked me "does it become a bit easier to complete other shmups?", which is a yes/no question (and the answer is yes). Exactly what skills are transferable depends on the game, of course, but similar games like, say, Raiden and Fire Shark, are going to have more transferable skills since if you're familiar with one then the other's challenges can be dealt with in similar ways and you won't need to relearn those from scratch. Generally high-level tactics don't transfer over as well since they tend to be very specific to each game (especially when it comes to scoring), but you can probably make use of general concepts that apply to multiple games, such as different ways of regulating enemies and chain in Dodonpachi/Dodonpachi Daioujou and ways to position your options in Gradius games. The more variety you play the more you'll get a sense of what's common between games and what's different.

Thank you for the answer. This answer is a lot more informing.

[Stevens]

Had to dump Cyvern. Fun game, but lack of a reliable rapid/three button option makes it unplayable for me. I tried rapid through Mame, but the message appears at the bottom every time which blocks the screen and led to many deaths. Oh well.

Back to Dogyuun and the three run n' guns. Making some good progress in all.

[durias]

Blazing Star on Nintendo Switch

[Bananamatic]

tekkaman blade

[Squire Grooktook]

Gave HishouAyu (particularly Ayu! Ayu! Ayu! mode) a try after seeing Jaimers video.

Fun little game! Nice fast movement, and some fun boss patterns that make you make use of it (as opposed to say, Mushimesama 1 Original where you tap dodge everything).

Doesn't feel particularly deep or challenging. There's room for scoring route optimization, and a few cancelling tricks are fun (particularly the rapid cancelling rush near the end of stage 2), but doesn't strike me as having the kind of risk/reward balance to keep me chipping at the score ceiling. Not at all a hard 1cc (even on Ayu! mode), though it can trip you up if you don't pay attention.

Feels more like Elemental Master to me: Fun, breezy, fast paced little game that's nice to light heartedly pick up and blaze through every now and then. I can see myself returning to this one for some quick casual fun periodically, even if I don't think it's on the same level as most of my personal favorites.

[reckon luck]

Picked up Capcom Arcade Cabinet in last week's 360 sale, so throw Side Arms & co. on the recent acquisitions pile next to Blazing Star (Android).

[davyK]

DDP SaiDaiOuJou on 360.

It's tough but I'm loving it. I think I prefer it to DFK/Res. as it's a bit more old school with less cancelling and more dodging. And for once the novice mode isn't a boring walkover (for me at any rate.)

[BIL]

Returning to my FC shooter reject ROM folder, re-evaluating stuff I passed up acquiring in recent years. I've got enough but I'm always up for more. :9 However this lot doesn't fare too well!

Over Horizon Quality engine and interesting mechanics in dire need of pace. Soporifically slow to get going - needed the first three stages chopped out, minimum. If you can tolerate the My First Hori preamble it eventually delivers some nice stage design involving said Option and bidirectional firing mechanics, but it's a big ask with so many equally sturdy FC horis offering instant engagement. I'd just play Salamander tbh.

Parodius Da! I love Umechan Team's Gradius II, so I'm no stranger to FC Konami ports chugging a little under max firepower. Something's different here, though... the game staggers at seemingly a fraction of the intensity. Gives a tatty, irritating feel very unlike the classic STG catharsis of sensory overload and explosive release. Arc Hound/Contra Force syndrome? Even the GB port feels silky-smooth in comparison. I'd play that instead.

Abarenbou Tengu Apocalyptic intensity and pace in dire need of a quality engine. Or at least better bad controls. This is easily one of the more novel FC shooters, with its rampant terrain devastation and onslaught of fiery abuse from player and enemies alike. Unfortunately the controls overshoot Battle Formula's hint of inertia (befitting of an automobile or a giant floating head) and land somewhere in the euroshump weeds (befitting of an oil tanker). Through sheer commitment, what might appall yet intrigues - it embraces the bad controls ethos, with difficulty setting even determining the level of pilot assistance. Voting this most likely to someday end up on shelf, for now!

[Stevens]

Been earning street cred going through some of Toaplan's library.

Started with Dogyuun. First loop definitely within reach but then that ole' Steven's ADD kicks in and I find myself playing Truxton 2. I like it a lot. Even if the start of stage five is the gaming equivalent of being punched in the face and genitals simultaneously. Repeatedly.

V-V will probably be next.

[el_rika]

So, i bested my PB today playing DoDonpachi in Retroarch on my Note 3 while on the bus, coming home

Not really a 1CC but i reached mid level 3 (cancelling bullets area) with a single life and no bombs. I used A-L and collected all bees. There were people bumping into me because of the brakes and one guy was watching the entire time...probably thinking....nice Pokemon game

So there's that, i am a God!


edit: is there an option in the psx version where i can train in any level i want? i think if i could do that i'd improve my skills in the game. Thanks.

[null1024]

R-Type [SMS].

damn, I need to play this more, I started to forget how much I enjoyed R-Type
Did really well earlier on and then died four times on Stage 4.

Sure, I could be playing a better version, but I dunno, I like the SMS version. It helps that it's really brilliant in a sea of really trash games on the machine.
I had popped in a dozen random SMS games I hadn't played before, and eventually got sick of trying to enjoy all that crap and so I fired up something I know is good.

[DMoney]

Pulstar and Viewpoint (Neo-Geo). I still haven't beat them.

[mrmccormo]

Ghost Blade HD (digital; PS4). Going for a 1cc Normal completion because it's a fairly easy game and seems like a good one to attempt my first 1cc.
I'm also semi-seriously playing through DoDonPachi (SAT), Thunderforce IV (GEN), and Mamorukun Curse (PS3) just to familiarize myself more with those games and set up for an eventual 1cc clear.

[Barba]

Ghost Blade HD (digital; PS4). Going for a 1cc Normal completion because it's a fairly easy game and seems like a good one to attempt my first 1cc.

Ghost Blade HD is a good appetizer.. even as a beginner, you can do a 1CC run with like 4-5 hours in or so. That keeps the motivation up to move to harder targets eventually.

[mrmccormo]

Ghost Blade HD is a good appetizer.. even as a beginner, you can do a 1CC run with like 4-5 hours in or so. That keeps the motivation up to move to harder targets eventually.

Thank you for the encouragement! Yeah, it's a pretty easy game. I 1cc'd up to stage 4 (out of 5) last night and landed on the Top 100 leaderboard so it can't be that hard.

Omitting the last few months, I'm brand-new to this kind of bullet hell shmup. Grew up playing Raiden II, Gradius, Layer Section, etc. but the arcades died in my area shortly after the Saturn/PS1/CPS2/ST-V generation. So, these sort of shmups are pretty new to me. I'll probably go back to that era and try to 1cc another easy-ish one like Thunderforce III or Thunder Spirits next.

[Pastor Cospefogo]

Recently I did setup my living room Panasonic 42" TV on vertical mode and started to play for real several shmups on MAME4DROID Ouya. Hori wireless arcade and scanlines. Loving every second of it.

Current plays:
— Vulgus
— Exed Exes
— Fighting Hawk
— Twin Hawk
— Flying Shark
— 1942

I try to play a bit of them every night, all nights!

C.

[BurlyHeart]

Hello

New to playing shmups properly (i.e. playing on default settings & without credit feeding). I'm playing Raiden IV Overkill and Under Defeat HD on the ps3. I doubt I can 1cc either, but I'll give it a shot. Can currently get to the third stage on each before dying. Long way to go!

[Marc]

Polybius. Fuck, it's hard.

[Gamer707b]

Ghost Blade HD is a good appetizer.. even as a beginner, you can do a 1CC run with like 4-5 hours in or so. That keeps the motivation up to move to harder targets eventually.

Thank you for the encouragement! Yeah, it's a pretty easy game. I 1cc'd up to stage 4 (out of 5) last night and landed on the Top 100 leaderboard so it can't be that hard.

Omitting the last few months, I'm brand-new to this kind of bullet hell shmup. Grew up playing Raiden II, Gradius, Layer Section, etc. but the arcades died in my area shortly after the Saturn/PS1/CPS2/ST-V generation. So, these sort of shmups are pretty new to me. I'll probably go back to that era and try to 1cc another easy-ish one like Thunderforce III or Thunder Spirits next.

Thunder Force 3 is an excellent choice. I myself am okay at shooters , so TF3 is perfect for people like us. Also if you can play Space Megaforce/Super Aleste , play it. Another good newb friendly game.

[Marc]

Ghost Blade seems OK in a DDP tribute way, but there i's too much shit on screen, and pink bullets on pink and purple backdrops is not cool.

[stryc9]

Since my CRT were my Mega Drive is set up is out of action (don't ask), I hooked up a stick to my J360 and went back to some stuff I got ages ago but never really dug into properly.

Caladrius is one of them. Clearly I slept on this one. Didn't really click on release, but it is now - scoring is really fun and tied directly to varying your three magic shot types, love it. The bosses are kicking my arse!

Bullet Soul Infinite Burst got some time as well, but I'm going to go against popular opinion here and say I prefer the original system (or Normal Mode as it's called in BS:IB).

[Stevens]

Still wading through Toaplan's library.

- Dogyuun - Awesome. Can't think of a single issue I have with it. Weapons could been a bit more varied?

- Truxton 2 - So much potential here, but the stage length makes it a chore to play. It would have benefited from breaking the stages up into more stages and shaving off about 15 minutes of play time.

- V-V - This is getting the most play time currently. Wish the sound effects were a bit meatier, but enemy placement and design, length, power up system, and difficulty are on point. Tight effort.

Really looking forward to Pieslice's Crisis Wing.

[APB]

- Dogyuun - Awesome. Can't think of a single issue I have with it. Weapons could been a bit more varied?

The one thing I dislike about it is the waypoint system, when you respawn there instead of instantly where you died.