The shmups sales/deals thread

[eksratu]

I grabbed Blue Revolver and Eigengrau on Steam. Both are pretty neat so far.

[m.sniffles.esq]

Golden Week is upon us.
While I'm sure 30,000 things are/will be on sale, the first thing I noticed this morning is R-Type Final 2 and all dlc is 50% off ($20 for game, $63 for complete bundle, individual DLC packs at $3.50) via Steam

[dmk1198]

G-Darius HD - PS4 £12 Amazon disc

[beer gas canister]

Rolling Gunner finally on sale in the US Switch eshop: https://www.dekudeals.com/items/rolling-gunner

[Tokyo-J]

Radiant Silvergun is $9.99 on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2450 ... Silvergun/

[Daytime Waitress]

Both Cotton 100% and Panorama Cotton are on the Switch e-shop for 386 yennies a piece until midnight tomorrow.

[Jonpachi]

Really great sale on at Play-Asia right now. Pick 2 for $90 USD. Several shmups in there. Battle Garegga, Esprade, DDP DOJ BD, Aleste Collection...

https://www.play-asia.com/games/2_games ... 7044346362

[dmk1198]

Really great sale on at Play-Asia right now. Pick 2 for $90 USD. Several shmups in there. Battle Garegga, Esprade, DDP DOJ BD, Aleste Collection...

https://www.play-asia.com/games/2_games ... 7044346362

Just came here to say that yes esprade £46!!

https://www.play-asia.com/esp-rade-psi/13/70cxql

[pieslice]

Crisis Wing is -50% off until June 11 both in Steam and itch.io

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1402090
https://piesliceproductions.itch.io/crisis-wing

[NeoStrayCat]

The 2024 Steam Summer sale is live! You guys already know what I've said before. But otherwise, check your wishlists if that one STG or 2 you'd like is on there.

[SavagePencil]

Batsugun Saturn Tribute is 30% off, at least on the US Switch store.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

As part of the 2024 "Summer Steam" promotional deal going right now, the Steam port of Moss' Caladrius Blaze is now available for a mere $3.99 usd instead of it's usual price of $19.99 -- and yes, it works on the Steam Deck as well.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Sima Tuna]

Eschatos is $13.50 on the eshop. I never played this or any other Qute shmups, but I bought it on a whim. I know people have recommended it over and over, but I ignored them at the time.

Nah, this is really, really excellent. Primo. Absolute top shelf. I'm amazed the bullet visibility is as good as it is, considering how the backgrounds fly past so quickly and perspective constantly changes. The music slaps, gameplay loop is tight as hell. I bought this mostly expecting to play Judgement Silversword, because I know a little more about that game. Don't get me wrong-Judgment Silversword is awesome too. I will definitely play that. But Eschatos is one of the most visually and aurally stunning shmups I think I've ever seen.

Haven't played it much yet, but I can totally see why some people push this as one of the best shmups ever made.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Eschatos is pretty fun. I think Advanced mode's mechanics are a bit overdesigned; the extra shot power's fun but losing shield power is weird, and losing some score multiplier any time you touch those items that fall down and cancel all bullets onscreen is weird. But Original and Time Attack are top notch stuff. The visuals and music are amazing, and getting all that for 14 bucks is well, well worth it.

I do still prefer Judgement Silversword though, I like how it plays a bit better, even if it encourages you to mash the spreadshot button or setup rapidfire for the default ship. It's really fun, even if it's not the visual and auditory spectacle that Eschatos is.

[To Far Away Times]

Eschatos is in my top 10 shmups of all time.

No shmup has ever justified being 3D rendered more than Eschatos. The way you interact with the backgrounds makes the game feel special and "next gen" compared to it's peers. It is the first and possibly only shmup that needed to be 3D rendered. The game takes you on a continuous journey with no cuts for stage intermissions. Oh and the music is world class too. Up there with the best of the best soundtracks in the genre.

None of the other Qute games: Judgement Silversword, Cardinal Sins, Ginga Force, and Natsuki Chronicles ever clicked for me. Judgement Silversword was the foundation and is solid and impressive for the hardware, but Eschatos is a much improved version and is better in pretty much every way imaginable, and the games that came after Eschatos feel kinda half assed.

You really need to play Eschatos.

[NeoStrayCat]

Well, yeah, Eschatos is a fun time, especially when it picks up from its previous titles (Judgment Silversword and Cardinal Sins), but blends them all together. (Though, depending on the version, they are included [console versions], or at least seperate purchases [PC/Steam].)

Still funny though that Ginga Force and Natsuki Chronicles have yet to be ported to the Switch, and I doubt it has to do with underpowered hardware, if they were able to get Eschatos running on it. (Maybe for the Switch successor, they can...)

[m.sniffles.esq]

Radirgy 1 + 2 Digital for Switch, 30% Off for the Next Week

($24.12 usd by today's exchange rate)

Both games are well worth that by their lonesome, so it's kind of like a BOGO deal

[Ms. Tea]

That's a great price, and Radirgy 2 is just top notch. Highly recommended. Also on sale on PS4/PS5.

PS4
PS5

[hamfighterx]

No shmup has ever justified being 3D rendered more than Eschatos. The way you interact with the backgrounds makes the game feel special and "next gen" compared to it's peers. It is the first and possibly only shmup that needed to be 3D rendered.

Silpheed over here shouting "WHAT ABOUT ME?!?!?" And if Zaxxon and Viewpoint count, those too. But yeah, aside from that nitpick I'm totally with you on the Eschatos praise.

[SavagePencil]

Tempest 4000 is on sale for $4.00 USD on the Switch store, possibly others.

[Lemnear]

there are discounts from 5 to 20€/$ on Strictly Limited, should i get something? there is also 1 free shipping.
I don't know mmh
There's a Cannon Dancer Osman Collector's Edition that looks juicy, and that's probably what BIL would recommend.
Rolling Gunner Collector's Edition is also at a good price, and the Eschatos Special Limited Edition preorder doesn't seem bad, but i'm afraid i'll find it boring.

[Arino]

there are discounts from 5 to 20€/$ on Strictly Limited, should i get something? there is also 1 free shipping.
I don't know mmh
There's a Cannon Dancer Osman Collector's Edition that looks juicy, and that's probably what BIL would recommend.
Rolling Gunner Collector's Edition is also at a good price, and the Eschatos Special Limited Edition preorder doesn't seem bad, but i'm afraid i'll find it boring.

Buying games, especially physical copies, is for scrubs. The best players just play on Mame.
I thought you wanted to get better at STGs. You should play the ones you already have instead of buying more.

[Lemnear]

there are discounts from 5 to 20€/$ on Strictly Limited, should i get something? there is also 1 free shipping.
I don't know mmh
There's a Cannon Dancer Osman Collector's Edition that looks juicy, and that's probably what BIL would recommend.
Rolling Gunner Collector's Edition is also at a good price, and the Eschatos Special Limited Edition preorder doesn't seem bad, but i'm afraid i'll find it boring.

Buying games, especially physical copies, is for scrubs. The best players just play on Mame.
I thought you wanted to get better at STGs. You should play the ones you already have instead of buying more.

while i was tidying up the house i also sorted out some old collectors i had, and i kind of miss having all the gadgets etc.
Everything digital is convenient but it also gives the impression that in fact, you have nothing.

[BIL]

there are discounts from 5 to 20€/$ on Strictly Limited, should i get something? there is also 1 free shipping.
I don't know mmh
There's a Cannon Dancer Osman Collector's Edition that looks juicy, and that's probably what BIL would recommend.
Rolling Gunner Collector's Edition is also at a good price, and the Eschatos Special Limited Edition preorder doesn't seem bad, but i'm afraid i'll find it boring.

Cannon Dancer is a great game, but I didn't bother with that release of it. Got some ambivalent buzz from fellow fiends. Call it paranoia, I guess. I have enough to keep me busy between M2 and Hamster, at any rate. And GNG Resurrection, and Huntdown, and Tanuki Justice, to name three recent-ish hardcore R2RKMFs that'll last aficionados forever... chuck in Aggelos (edit: not Odallos! never played it), too. Wonderboy Bobi is utterly legit, needs more love.

Rolling Gunner and Eschatos are great, though if you're not into CAVE, RG probably won't do much for you. No fault of its own, it's just 110% diehard to its style.

Eschatos isn't an STG I'd ever describe as boring, that thing takes off like a fuckin rocket. Clever and harrowing scoring to go with the blistering pace. Immense charisma, too; they really ran with the toy ship VS toy ufo in vast starscape aesthetic. And Yousuke Yasuke's BGM is absolutely pitch-perfect. Upbeat, tuneful, diehard. SURVIVE

Unless I'm mistaken, it should come with its WonderSwan predecessor Judgment Silversword, as well, which is as balls-to-the-wall immediate as STGs come. No preamble, chucks you straight in. And Cardinal Sins, which frankly I've not played much, but going by JSS's quality, and the good buzz CS enjoys, I wasn't complaining.

[Arino]

there are discounts from 5 to 20€/$ on Strictly Limited, should i get something? there is also 1 free shipping.
I don't know mmh
There's a Cannon Dancer Osman Collector's Edition that looks juicy, and that's probably what BIL would recommend.
Rolling Gunner Collector's Edition is also at a good price, and the Eschatos Special Limited Edition preorder doesn't seem bad, but i'm afraid i'll find it boring.

Buying games, especially physical copies, is for scrubs. The best players just play on Mame.
I thought you wanted to get better at STGs. You should play the ones you already have instead of buying more.

while i was tidying up the house i also sorted out some old collectors i had, and i kind of miss having all the gadgets etc.
Everything digital is convenient but it also gives the impression that in fact, you have nothing.

Lol fuck that. Anybody can just buy shit and "have" stuff. But what's the point. Games don't even come with manuals anymore nowadays, it's just a sad empty case of plastic. Getting high scores and clears in STGs is a lot more exciting and fun than looking at a shelf full of plastic. But at the end of the day you have to decide yourself what makes you happy.

[Lemnear]

Lol fuck that. Anybody can just buy shit and "have" stuff. But what's the point. Games don't even come with manuals anymore nowadays, it's just a sad empty case of plastic. Getting high scores and clears in STGs is a lot more exciting and fun than looking at a shelf full of plastic.

how sad, in fact i stopped taking physical copies... the last game for which i found a manual (in color by the way) was Dark Souls III...
I like having something to browse and read about the game i'm about to start, or have a map to consult without opening menus
But you're probably right...maybe i lost the thread, the focus.

But at the end of the day you have to decide yourself what makes you happy.

Sometimes it's not as easy as it seems.

Cannon Dancer is a great game, but I didn't bother with that release of it. Got some ambivalent buzz from fellow fiends. Call it paranoia, I guess. I have enough to keep me busy between M2 and Hamster, at any rate. (and GNG Resurrection, and Huntdown, and Tanuki Justice, to name three recent-ish hardcore R2RKMFs that'll last aficionados forever... chuck in Odallos, too; Wonderboy Bobi is utterly legit, needs more love)

Rolling Gunner and Eschatos are great, though if you're not into CAVE, RG probably won't do much for you. No fault of its own, it's just 110% diehard to its style.

Eschatos isn't an STG I'd ever describe as boring, that thing takes off like a fuckin rocket. Clever and harrowing scoring to go with the blistering pace. Immense charisma, too; they really ran with the toy ship VS toy ufo in vast starscape aesthetic. And Yousuke Yasuke's BGM is absolutely pitch-perfect. Upbeat, tuneful, diehard. SURVIVE

Unless I'm mistaken, it should come with its WonderSwan predecessor Judgment Silversword, as well, which is as balls-to-the-wall immediate as STGs come. No preamble, chucks you straight in. And Cardinal Sins, which frankly I've not played much, but going by JSS's quality, and the good buzz CS enjoys, I wasn't complaining.

Is always with Judgment Silversword and Cardinal Sins.
The more i convince myself that i should get it, the more i notice too much gray and purple for the whole game...but i find the secondary shot (the short and wide one) very cool...i've seen them discount it quite often along with the rest of the Qute games, maybe it's better from the PSN Store...
maybe i should have gone back to the original plan and switched to ShotTriggers and that's it :v
Then you see the JRPGs on sale...and you think about it...then you see the platformers on sale and you think about it...and i get lost.

However, for those who wanted to get something, many games are discounted and shipping is free, take advantage of it now.

PS: wow Rolling Gunner OST - The Last Shining Star (Stage 1)

[To Far Away Times]

there are discounts from 5 to 20€/$ on Strictly Limited, should i get something? there is also 1 free shipping.
I don't know mmh
There's a Cannon Dancer Osman Collector's Edition that looks juicy, and that's probably what BIL would recommend.
Rolling Gunner Collector's Edition is also at a good price, and the Eschatos Special Limited Edition preorder doesn't seem bad, but i'm afraid i'll find it boring.

Eschatos isn't an STG I'd ever describe as boring, that thing takes off like a fuckin rocket. Clever and harrowing scoring to go with the blistering pace. Immense charisma, too; they really ran with the toy ship VS toy ufo in vast starscape aesthetic. And Yousuke Yasuke's BGM is absolutely pitch-perfect. Upbeat, tuneful, diehard. SURVIVE

Eschatos is special. The things it does with the camera angles makes it feel unique, and it's really quite well done. The sound track is probably top 5 in the genre as well. It's an incredible game. It's a shame that the Qute's games that followed it aren't even half as good.

[Arino]

Lol fuck that. Anybody can just buy shit and "have" stuff. But what's the point. Games don't even come with manuals anymore nowadays, it's just a sad empty case of plastic. Getting high scores and clears in STGs is a lot more exciting and fun than looking at a shelf full of plastic.

how sad

Yes

[Sima Tuna]

Eschatos is special. The things it does with the camera angles makes it feel unique, and it's really quite well done. The sound track is probably top 5 in the genre as well. It's an incredible game. It's a shame that the Qute's games that followed it aren't even half as good.

Eschatos is a thing of fuckin' beauty. I said in another thread why I think Qute never made another game like Eschatos, after Eschatos. Judgement Silversword? Proto Eschatos. Cardinal Sins? Playing around with similar assets, but still kinda Eschatos/caravan shmup. Eschatos comes along and it's so goddamn far above every other shmup that Qute knew they could never top it. Somebody might play Silversword and think it's limited by older technology or primitive... I dunno, there must be some criticisms of the game. Maybe the super shot exploit. But nobody can say shit about Eschatos!

Qute saw their finished project and I guess they said, "time to pack it in, lads! We've created the apex of shmupping! The Mona Lisa of shmups. Now let's experiment with some shmup-rpgs and create new hybrid genres for fun!" And so they did.

Playing Eschatos makes me wonder what history would have been like if caravans took over the shmup scene instead of bullet hells. What if Eschatos had merely been the first in a long line of 2d-3d caravan shmups to make use of emerging 3d visuals and more powerful consoles?

[Daytime Waitress]

Gun Frontier and Metal Black are both on sale on the Japanese Swatch eshop for 586 yennies, along with an assortment of non-shmups at the same price (until 9/25).

New Zealand Story
Baked Goods Murder Simulator 85 aka Fairyland Story
Jigoku Meguri (Bonze Adventure)
Don Doko Don
Ben Bero Beh (onomatopoeia double billing!)
Liquid Kids
Alpine Ski
Dino Rex

I just slapped 'em in a rough order of personal WANT, but I'm sure more experienced Hambros could sort others out on the essentials there.