shmups.system11.org

I remember there being a PC shmup (probably doujin) that was apparently inspired after Darius, but the bosses were modeled after some kind of exotic sea life. I don't remember what specifically, but think of stuff like trilobites/isopods, maybe.

Pretty sure someone created a thread about it here years ago, but I can't find it anymore. And using Search for "Darius" returns over 500 results. Quite hard to find it again like that.

I just got Esp Ra De for the Switch and I'm pretty damn new to Cave games. What do I need to do to maximize my score and multiplier? Right now, I'm just holding shot and power shot at the same time, dodging bullets, and collecting power-ups. I'm assuming there is more to it than that.

The multiplier comes from killing an enemy with shot while the enemy is in contact with powershot explosions, +1 multiplier per explosion. It also multiplies the number of items that appear. When the item counter in the top corner is maximum (flashing) you can chain the multiplier between enemies without having to powershot them individually; the chain timer is short, but you can sustain it by picking up lots of items. (Technically you can always chain, it's just not very useful without max items because it'll only multiply the base enemy value and not affect the items)

So powershot enemy -> immediately finish off enemy with normal shot -> grab items -> if you have maximum items try to quickly kill more things for the chain, otherwise focus on setting up for the next.

Mostly this comes down to knowing how much health enemies have. One trick to make it easier is to memorize when enemies are going to enter the screen and full powershot them when they're right at the top. The explosions will stick, but the enemy will be invulnerable until it moves down a bit, so if you time it right this is a guaranteed x16 even on weak ones.

There are other things to the game, but surviving and getting used to the basic combo should be the main concern. A no miss run will get at least 9 million from the game clear bonus alone.

Edit:



Cambria Sword? It's an interesting experience, albeit really really long.

Yes! That's what I was looking for. Thank you.

Ok what is the font in SDOJ for the menus and stuff? I'm seeing that one in every mid budget sci fi game from Japan these days and SDOJ was the first I saw it.
I kinda could use it actually.

I have about 2400 yen left over on the PSN Japanese store after getting ESP Ra.De. and Sorcer Striker. Any recommendations on what I can use the rest on?

Take a look through the Hamster Arcade Archives stuff and see if there's anything you're into. You should be able to pick up 2 or 3 really good titles with that much, more if they're on sale. Plenty of great stuff on there - Blazing Star & Pulstar, Gradius I-III, Salamander+Life Force, X-Multiply, P-47, etc. etc.

Another option you can't go wrong with is R-Type Dimensions EX, which is R-Type I & II with HD remakes that are actually really well done.

And finally, good old Ikaruga is on there if you don't have it yet, pretty much a must-own.

Anything? JP exclusive? or international titles that are cheaper there?

https://en.fontworks.co.jp/fontsearch/cometstd-b/

It's a very popular font all around, I see it in a lot of places.

Either or I suppose. Doesn't appear to be any JP exclusive shmups other than the M2 ones. Getting rid of extra yen was easier in the PS3 me thinks.

Pissing around with the defaults on Ketsui Deathtiny, I set Custom mode to be all standard except with extends set to every 10million (great for practice). Switching to Arcade mode, and suddenly I'm scoring loads higher, especially on the end of level bonus screen. Flipping back to extends every 10million, I hardly get anything.

Is this a 'thing' built in, where scoring on the every extend dip setting is more difficult? Or am I arbitrarily scoring harder on defaults? It's scrambling my brain!

What determines the order of the stages in NINJA COMMANDO on the Neo Geo?

Does anyone know where I can view those sepia artworks that flash between each stage clear in ESP Ra De? They're just gorgeous. I love seeing them when I play it and it's criminal that they're seen so briefly. There a gallery somewhere of the game?

I can’t for the life of me find Sorcer Striker on the Japanese PSN store... anyone help?
Japanese PSN noob here.

Mostly curious about how/why the search function doesn’t seem to work... is there a trick or do I have to find the games in the store simply by browsing through all titles?


Thanks

Here you go. Found by CTRL+Ving 魔法大作戦 ("Mahou Daisakusen") into the search box - not very elegant, but that's how I usually find stuff.

Well thank you. I guess I’ll have to do my searching/purchasing from the web store instead of the console.

What was that one ollllld PC game where you and all the enemies are just crystals and you blew them apart? It's really obscure and very rare. Was called like Illuminator or something to that effect I think. Abstract backgrounds.

Illumination laser on the X68000?

Can anyone say what the “gy special” and “gy” switch options are for in Fire Arrow Plus?
Great game by the way...