Introducing the Run N' Gun Skill Rating

[KUMA]

Hi all, I know many of you like Run N' Gun games, so I made this "skill rating." It is similar to I Wanna Be The Guy Skill Ratings and more recent ones on the Celeste discord.

Essentially, you complete challenges in different tiers for certain games and earn clears. Enough clears in a tier earns you roles. You can join to flex your skill, be challenged, or just have fun.
If this sounds interesting, you can join the Discord or check out the list of challenges. I hope you enjoy this challenge.

[BIL]

Out of curiosity, why is Metal Slug 3's US version specified? I've one-lifed both US and JP but can't recall anything differing, other than the game language.

Looks like a solid lineup, I'll check back in more detail later! Good to see Gimmick on there, state of the art.

[KUMA]

I'm not sure why I put that. I mainly put US for most of the games because the US versions tend to be harder, with some expectations. You can do the Metal Slug 3 challenge on any region release.

[BIL]

Cool, submitted entry with the replay link. I think I have a few more of those on my channel, will take a look tomorrow.

[KUMA]

Actually, for the challenge, you have to record runs FOR the challenge. So runs before today are not accepted. Sorry about this.

[BIL]

Oh right - thought that was a bit easy. I might give MS3 a go, still have to get my alt. route aka The Another Story Of Metal Slug 3 up, Division 7 here I come.

[CIT]

Looks like I already completed the gold challenge.

Curious why you rated the SNES Pocky & Rocky Games as so difficult, I cleared both of them and they are not that hard.

There is no US Version of Alien Soldier btw.

Also not sure what these Castlevanias are doing in a list of run & gun games.

[KUMA]

On the hardest difficulties, they can be extremely punishing. I guess for a shooter veteran, they aren't so bad, but for first time players it can be very hard.

And Castlevania games are technically "run n' whip" games, though this is really the "action shooting" skill rating. It's just that people know the name "Run N' Gun" more.

[Sumez]

Is the bronze, gold, emerald, etc. categories intended to indicate a difficulty rating? Because if so, the games listed seem extremely randomly shuffled IMO.
I know there's no pleasing everyone, and everything is subjective, but some of them are all out of whack.

Or are each of them actually intended to be a mix of easier and harder games?

[jehu]

I like Gimmick as much as the next guy, but a run n' gun? I'm more genre confused now than I was 10 minutes ago.

[BIL]

Was always more of a Bounce On Beaver to me tbh

[KUMA]

Is the bronze, gold, emerald, etc. categories intended to indicate a difficulty rating? Because if so, the games listed seem extremely randomly shuffled IMO.
I know there's no pleasing everyone, and everything is subjective, but some of them are all out of whack.

Or are each of them actually intended to be a mix of easier and harder games?

The games are supposed to be a mix of easy and hard within each tier. That way, the tiers are accessible to everyone. Getting all of the challenges in a tier is where the real challenge is. If the games are super far out of whack, I would love to hear your take on where they should be.

I like Gimmick as much as the next guy, but a run n' gun? I'm more genre confused now than I was 10 minutes ago.

It's honestly on the edge of being considered a run n' gun game. For the purposes of this challenge, any game that is an "action shooting" game is a run n' gun game, which includes games where you aren't necessarily shooting (Castlevania, Gimmick!, Dynamite Headdy, etc.).

[Sanguis]

A run'n'gun is a game in which you can run and gun simultaneously.

The list of games you propose is a subset of the "2d sidecrollers", and I think the inclusion of some games, and the exclusion of some others, might cause some surprise. But anyway, thanks for proposing the list. If you're open to adjustments in your list, don't hesitate to consult with the masters of the R2RKMF topic.

[Sumez]

"2D sidescroller" can be anything. Except 2D single screen games, or 2D upscrollers I guess. Or the rare 2D downscroller.

[BIL]

Inevitable Subgenre Daisakusen aside, I like the initiative. Incentivising more people to play these games competently is a good thing, wherever one files 'em.

I'm tangled up with a few other projects ATM, but I'll be back sooner than later. 13 loops of NES Contra sounds relaxing AF next to the bone-juddering smack of arcade nomissing. And Metal Slug 3 Alt 1LC is definitely unfinished business imo, now's as good a time as any to tackle that ugly bastard once more. (tbh it's a breeze taking st1, st2 and st3's quick routes; st4's Division 7 is IREMoriser hell on earth but by that token, very masterable! after that it's just sheer endurance and, dare I say... SPERG FORCE )

[Sengoku Strider]

Actually, for the challenge, you have to record runs FOR the challenge. So runs before today are not accepted. Sorry about this.

Bionic Commando was the first game I ever finished as a kid. I even blew up Hitler's face on the first try. That has to count for something

I beat Mega Man 2 & Castlevania in weekend rentals. Mega Man 3 I had to rent twice. I don't know that I'd go back and make sure these all went down as 1CCs (not the least of which because I don't have capture equipment), but thanks for making me feel good about kid me's reflexes anyway.

Castlevania III was impossible until I was an adult though. Bloodlines...is it really considered that difficult? I haven't 1CCed it, but I've beaten it on hard with Eric and I'm close to a 1CC on hard with whip guy. I'm sure I'd easily have it by now if I liked the game better.

Gunstar...here's a game I've never beat straight up. Like I said I can't record it, but I might use this as motivation to go for it anyway. Contra III as well.

It's more of a walk n' gun (except III), but this list needs way more Shinobi. I can hit 4-3 on the arcade version, help me get over the edge.

[Sumez]

Can you skip the lower challenges and jump straight to the "Legend challenge" like a hard gaming superman? Or do you need to do all of the lower ones to qualify for the higher ups?
I already got two of those down, and could probably pull off one of the Contra things with a little practice.

[KimagureMachibuse]

Nice to see Gunners Heaven on the list however strange as its refered to as US as the only english release it got was from europe called Rapid Reload and that version has an odd number of changes such as limited continues removed voiced dialogue and some of the audio tracks were altered in Rapid Reload specifically the final boss music credits and final area. these are supposed to have alternate tracks as Ruka in Gunners Heaven but due to some unknown error does not play in Rapid Reload.The only NTSC version is Gunners Heaven