Underdog Shmups~!

This is the main shmups forum. Chat about shmups in here - keep it on-topic please!
User avatar
Blade
Posts: 1261
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 5:24 pm
Location: Wisconsin...burr...

Underdog Shmups~!

Post by Blade »

You know they're mediocre.

You know not everybody likes them...heck, some even hate 'em.

You know some people probably never even heard of 'em!

But you gotta love 'em! 8)

For me, if I haven't mentioned them already:

Arrowflash
Mazinger Z
Zedblade: Operation Ragnarok
Demons (aka Phoenix Bootleg)

Honorable Mention:
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker (hey, it plays like a diagonal shmup actually...complete with 'Dancing' bombs)

So...what're yours?
The world would be a better place if there were less shooters and more dot-eaters.

Jesus' BE ATTITUDE FOR GAINS:
1. Pure, Mournful, Humble Heart
2. Merciful Peacemaker
3. Suffer for Righteous Desire
User avatar
Sly Cherry Chunks
Posts: 1993
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Colin's Bargain Basement. Everything must go.

Post by Sly Cherry Chunks »

Oh, Menace. One of my all time favourites.
The biggest unanswered question is where is the money? [1CCS]
User avatar
JJG
Posts: 794
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:35 pm
Location: Maryland, USA

Post by JJG »

I'd take Chaos Field over Arrow Flash, hate me. :)
User avatar
Pirate1019
Posts: 1752
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:35 pm

Post by Pirate1019 »

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker is so funny I can't play it. You reascue little girls from a group of mobsters by throwing CD's and blinding them with your stylish moves. :shock: :lol:
"You are the Hero of Tomorrow!"
User avatar
Gungriffon Geona
Posts: 583
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:24 pm
Contact:

Post by Gungriffon Geona »

GALAX. I cannot stress this one enough. I have yet to see another game implement a more unique system than it has, or a more interesting scoring system. (defeating large enemies with controlled weapons or enemies gives big bonuses, as well as doing perfect control combinations an entire level gives an end-stage multiplier of up to 5X.)
Image
FLYING CARS WITH CRAB CLAWS
User avatar
captain ahar
Posts: 3182
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:03 pm
Location: #50 Bitch!

Post by captain ahar »

do they have to be mediocre?

one of my favorite doujins is Genocide Circuit 2. it's a hentai shmups (with an option to turn it off), but it is incredibly deep and eventually very difficult. nobody seems willing to try it.

for a discussion on strategy i have a thread in the strat forum

maybe one of these days i'll pick it up again and try to add more the thread.
I have no sig whatsoever.
User avatar
rolins
Posts: 575
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:28 pm
Location: Nevada

Post by rolins »

Flame Zapper Kotsujin for the NEC PC-98. Probably a doujin game also. It's a damn good vertical shooter and fast too. The way the game looks like, I think the developers were inspired alot by Tatsujin.
User avatar
FRO
Posts: 2274
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:25 pm
Location: Nebraska, USA
Contact:

Post by FRO »

Pirate1019 wrote:Michael Jackson's Moonwalker is so funny I can't play it. You reascue little girls from a group of mobsters by throwing CD's and blinding them with your stylish moves. :shock: :lol:
They've been hit by, they've been struck by a smooth criminal (aka Michael Jackson).

On a shmup note, I'd second both Arrow Flash & Chaos Field - not GREAT shmups, but oddly addicting. I'll throw in my vote for Curse. Another one of those that I shouldn't like that much, but I keep coming back to it for some reason.
User avatar
Super Laydock
Posts: 3094
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:24 pm
Location: Latis / Netherlands

Post by Super Laydock »

Chaos Field is definitely my fave "underdog" shmup. :)
A stupid - not reading carefully - me was thinking this thread was about games available through the underdogs website before realizing this thread wasn't about that at all.:oops:


captain ahar wrote: one of my favorite doujins is Genocide Circuit 2.it's a hentai shmups (with an option to turn it off)
Why would anyone even consider that option? :P
but it is incredibly deep and eventually very difficult. nobody seems willing to try it.
Hey, I am always open to something new (like that anyway 8)), but nobody asked me about it. X-10 Vatten is getting tiresome by now. I need a new fix. ;)
Barroom hero!
Bathroom hero!
User avatar
llabnip
Posts: 370
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:04 pm

Re: Underdog Shmups~!

Post by llabnip »

I asked almost the same question some time ago. The term I used to describe these "underdog" games is Guilty Pleasure.

For those older responses you can check it out here:
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=2782

I'm definitely interested in new responses to this question in this thread.
llabnip - DaveB
Once more the light shines brightly in sector 2814.
User avatar
captain ahar
Posts: 3182
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:03 pm
Location: #50 Bitch!

Post by captain ahar »

Super Laydock wrote:
but it is incredibly deep and eventually very difficult. nobody seems willing to try it.
Hey, I am always open to something new (like that anyway 8)), but nobody asked me about it. X-10 Vatten is getting tiresome by now. I need a new fix. ;)
oh my god laydock. gc2 is so much better than vatten. :D
I have no sig whatsoever.
User avatar
Super Laydock
Posts: 3094
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:24 pm
Location: Latis / Netherlands

Post by Super Laydock »

captain ahar wrote: oh my god laydock. gc2 is so much better than vatten. :D
We ARE talking gamplay here, right? Nothing beats Vatten's "graphics"! ;)

Seriously though, do you own the full version or did you dl a demo of GC2?
ShoottheCore's PC shmups' database has no demo link, do you have one?

Purely interested out of love for shmups of course. 8)
Barroom hero!
Bathroom hero!
User avatar
Andi
Posts: 1425
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:35 am
Location: Chi-town, IL

Post by Andi »

Super Laydock wrote:Chaos Field is definitely my fave "underdog" shmup. :)
Yes! Chaos Field is awesome!

I also think Stargoose for PC is pretty amazing. It has backgrounds with depth to give you trenches, hills, and walls to use as cover. It's pretty fun.

I also think Task Force Harrier EX for Genesis is a fine game. Plus, that jazzy level clear riff gets me so pumped.
User avatar
captain ahar
Posts: 3182
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:03 pm
Location: #50 Bitch!

Post by captain ahar »

Super Laydock wrote:
captain ahar wrote: oh my god laydock. gc2 is so much better than vatten. :D
We ARE talking gamplay here, right? Nothing beats Vatten's "graphics"! ;)

Seriously though, do you own the full version or did you dl a demo of GC2?
ShoottheCore's PC shmups' database has no demo link, do you have one?

Purely interested out of love for shmups of course. 8)
check pm sir. :wink:
I have no sig whatsoever.
User avatar
captain ahar
Posts: 3182
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:03 pm
Location: #50 Bitch!

Post by captain ahar »

FRO wrote:...Curse. Another one of those that I shouldn't like that much, but I keep coming back to it for some reason.
i got my copy for a fiver. i also enjoy it quite a bit. the first stage music kicks ass.
I have no sig whatsoever.
User avatar
Spazicon
Posts: 86
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:47 pm
Location: Half of me is in space, other half crashed on Earth
Contact:

Post by Spazicon »

Xexex is pretty mediocre IMO (not sure everyone elses view of the title).

Design is weird (levels included), and the spritework is meh. Enemies are either strange, or downright retarded. Even with all this, I still found myself playing through its weirdness and getting some slight enjoyment.
Image
Pew Pew.
User avatar
BulletMagnet
Posts: 14423
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 4:05 am
Location: Wherever.
Contact:

Post by BulletMagnet »

Shameless plug time! (Again!)

I consider it a ways better than "average," but it's definitely obscure enough.
User avatar
Gungriffon Geona
Posts: 583
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:24 pm
Contact:

Post by Gungriffon Geona »

captain ahar wrote:do they have to be mediocre?

one of my favorite doujins is Genocide Circuit 2. it's a hentai shmups (with an option to turn it off), but it is incredibly deep and eventually very difficult. nobody seems willing to try it.

for a discussion on strategy i have a thread in the strat forum

maybe one of these days i'll pick it up again and try to add more the thread.
That game is really freaking fun in my opinion. I'm quite good at it honestly (though the final part of destroying the credit text is really annoying in my opinion.
Image
FLYING CARS WITH CRAB CLAWS
User avatar
Arvandor
Posts: 1680
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:00 am
Location: Utah *ugh*

Post by Arvandor »

Zaxxon =D Nostalgia wins me on that one though I think more than anything else. Wish I still had a way of playing it.
Image
User avatar
PFG 9000
Posts: 647
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:00 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Post by PFG 9000 »

Sol Deace. I kinda suck at it, but that's the case for most shmups. It's the soundtrack that makes the game for me though - the gameplay is sorta like a watered-down Thunderforce 3/4 with a ship twice as big. And I was never much of a TF fan. Yup, it's definitely just the soundtrack. :D
User avatar
shinsage
Posts: 1154
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2006 8:58 pm
Location: Ecuador

Post by shinsage »

BulletMagnet wrote:Shameless plug time! (Again!)

I consider it a ways better than "average," but it's definitely obscure enough.
Great review; game sounds right up my alley.

As for me, I think Gekirindan's great.
Maybe it's the same music track, remixed, they use throughout the whole game.
User avatar
Skyline
Posts: 859
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2005 1:08 pm
Location: Reno, NV - USA
Contact:

Post by Skyline »

RayCrisis, Night Raid, Chaos Field, Shienryu Explosion, and Sanvein.

All either lacking or broken in some way, but unique enough to warrant repeat plays.

XIISTAG can fit in this category as well, I guess.
User avatar
RoninBuddha
Posts: 449
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 3:17 pm
Location: Fender Telecaster
Contact:

Post by RoninBuddha »

Sol Divide for me, awsome art direction imo.

and also, Daisenpu, Air Gallet and, Chuka Taisen, defintly that.
KY
User avatar
Blade
Posts: 1261
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2005 5:24 pm
Location: Wisconsin...burr...

Post by Blade »

PFG 9000 wrote:Sol Deace. I kinda suck at it, but that's the case for most shmups. It's the soundtrack that makes the game for me though - the gameplay is sorta like a watered-down Thunderforce 3/4 with a ship twice as big. And I was never much of a TF fan. Yup, it's definitely just the soundtrack. :D
I take it you're a Motoi Sakuraba fan? Check out his Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile offerings sometime.
The world would be a better place if there were less shooters and more dot-eaters.

Jesus' BE ATTITUDE FOR GAINS:
1. Pure, Mournful, Humble Heart
2. Merciful Peacemaker
3. Suffer for Righteous Desire
yojo!
Posts: 964
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 8:27 pm

Post by yojo! »

I would have to say Chaos Field. I've already clocked more than 100Hours on it. I can't stop playing it; I guess I'm a chaos junky.
User avatar
Kiken
Posts: 3991
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:08 pm
Contact:

Post by Kiken »

Skyline wrote:RayCrisis, Night Raid, Chaos Field, Shienryu Explosion, and Sanvein.

All either lacking or broken in some way, but unique enough to warrant repeat plays.

XIISTAG can fit in this category as well, I guess.
I definitely agree with all of the above, and I'd like to add Whip Rush for Mega Drive/Genesis. Despite not being immensely complex in playmechanics... it had good graphic design, solid level layout and a great soundtrack.
User avatar
Pixel_Outlaw
Posts: 2646
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:27 am

Post by Pixel_Outlaw »

Gaiares. ( Did I spell that correctly?)
also

Keo Flying Squadren and Sol-Feace/Deace
Some of the best shmups don't actually end in a vowel.
No, this game is not Space Invaders.
User avatar
PFG 9000
Posts: 647
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 6:00 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Post by PFG 9000 »

Blade wrote:
PFG 9000 wrote:Sol Deace. I kinda suck at it, but that's the case for most shmups. It's the soundtrack that makes the game for me though - the gameplay is sorta like a watered-down Thunderforce 3/4 with a ship twice as big. And I was never much of a TF fan. Yup, it's definitely just the soundtrack. :D
I take it you're a Motoi Sakuraba fan? Check out his Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile offerings sometime.
Never heard of him (her?), I just like Sol Deace's soundtrack. :P I'll definitely check those out though.
User avatar
FRO
Posts: 2274
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:25 pm
Location: Nebraska, USA
Contact:

Post by FRO »

Pixel_Outlaw wrote:Gaiares. ( Did I spell that correctly?)
Yes you did. However, I wouldn't call Gaiares mediocre. There are 2 schools of thought on the game: 1 school believes it's one of the greatest shmups ever made, the other considers it an average or above-average game but not the masterpiece that the others do. I'd say there's enough consensus in the shmup fan-base to say that Gaiares is above mediocre.
User avatar
Pixel_Outlaw
Posts: 2646
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:27 am

Post by Pixel_Outlaw »

I think Queen Zzbadnasty was my first love..... :oops:
Some of the best shmups don't actually end in a vowel.
No, this game is not Space Invaders.
Post Reply