What does it take to appreciate Garegga?

[raiden]

Then again, there are players who just want a pretty game to look at, and ignore deep gameplay. More power to them.

ehm, actually I´d prefer they rot in hell.

[shmfan]

Wow, never before have I seen this much rabid fanaticism about a shmup. It's as if people would go to any lengths in order to "enjoy" it.

If people don't actually enjoy it why would they defend it?

[professor ganson]

of course it does. But there are a few things you can do to make it easier from the get-go:
- play in tate
- play in RGB
- sit close to the screen
- if it helps you, turn the red ball option on
- turn the wait option on
- use planes with the small hitzone. Later, you might want to switch back to the big hitzone to collect medals easier, but when starting out, the small hitzone makes it much easier.

Thanks!
I played for an hour or so last night, and was still frustrated by my lack of progress. Perhaps this is like Mars Matrix for me, and I just won't get anywhere. But I'm not prepared to give up just yet.
Let me ask: Is there a strategy that is best for newbies? Is it best just to blast your way through and power-up as much as possible, or should one be more cautious in blasting and powering-up? I've tried both, of course, and found it just a bit easier to blast my way through things. But given the rank system, maybe this is a bad strategy for someone who wants AT LEAST to get to level 3 with 1cc.
Perhaps more coffee will help too.

[CMoon]

If only other shmups would get this kind of respect and treatment....

When those other shmups are as good as Garegga I'm sure they will get that level of respect and treatment. Garegga IS a top tier shmup and that is why it gets discussed like this.

[CMoon]

Let me ask: Is there a strategy that is best for newbies?

-I strongly recommend making your hitbox small.
-Try not picking up any power-ups until at least half way through the second level or even the third.
-Don't forget to bomb. This part of garegga is different since you can bomb often.
-Just learning the levels helps, and learning when to bomb and what targets to take out first.
-Use the golden bat (or Rust Champion) if you can, short of the guest planes it is one of the best in the game.

[professor ganson]

Let me ask: Is there a strategy that is best for newbies?

-I strongly recommend making your hitbox small.
-Try not picking up any power-ups until at least half way through the second level or even the third.
-Don't forget to bomb. This part of garegga is different since you can bomb often.
-Just learning the levels helps, and learning when to bomb and what targets to take out first.
-Use the golden bat (or Rust Champion) if you can, short of the guest planes it is one of the best in the game.

I will definitely give this a try. Much appreciated.

[Icarus]

Let me ask: Is there a strategy that is best for newbies?

Don't worry too much about the rank system just yet. It only really comes into serious effect around about stage 4 or 5, so for the time being, don't concern yourself with advanced rank control techniques (or in short: don't worry about suiciding).

For the time being, concentrate solely on survival - learn the stages and how to negotiate them safely - and scoring - learn how to score the big points off stages and bosses, where the secret medals are hidden and so forth. Your primary aim as beginning Garegga student is to learn to take on a stage in one life, gathering as many points as you can along the way.

Once you start to get to grips with the stages and bosses, you can start to work in some rank control methods. Maybe you've noticed a few parts on certain stages that are devoid of enemies, so why bother firing when you get to them? You only need a certain amount of Weapon fragments to uncover those hidden medals on stage X, so why bother hoarding Weapon fragments? Do I really need four Options to take out the propellors on the first stage boss, when really one is enough? While you're playing (and while you're not), ask yourself these sorts of questions, and try to create and refine a strategy suited to your skill level.

Don't be afraid to experiment, you never know, you might find a new trick or two that you can use. Don't let frustration get the better of you: it might seem a little unfair that an "invisible" bullet can catch you unawares, but as you slowly get accustomed to the stages and bosses, they'll start to become more "visible". (If anything, there are very few randomly fired bullet spreads in this game, everything is aimed in your direction. Learn to herd bullets). And keep practicing

[D]

Either love it or leave it alone.

I fell in love with it. Love at first sight. When I saw pictures on the internet I was blown away. It's exactly what the doctor ordered.

So if it doesn't appeal to you then look no further. It is what it is.

IT IS THE BEST SHMUP FOR A CONSOLE EVER.
The only thing that can come close are the Raiden Fighters series (not converted, probably will be if the current trend keeps evolving)