Then again, the whole "gravity" thing needs to be seen case for case. Usually, gravity does exclude a game from shmups, because it adds an unwanted complexity to the control system.
However, j^aws mentioned
Datastorm, and I could very well add
Project X... Two games which are undoubtedly* shmups and yet implement a certain inertia.
That's why I divided my criteria in two blocks... The first four points are mandatory, the following ones must be evaluated: they "add" or "subtract" points to the overall "shmuppiness" of a game.
Personally, I think the "gravity" category is vague, and it's real meaning is to exclude avatars who "jump" from platform to platform. Thus, in the end what separes a gravity-bound run 'n gun from a shump with inertia is the fact that the emphasis of the first is always to deal with scenery - jumping platforms and the likes - while the second focus on shooting and dodging.
As Icarus says, weapons are not a concern to us.
*
j^aws wrote:I've seen no "gravity" mentioned a few times... Bangai-0 and Datastrom have gravity and they are still Arena shmups...
Gravity is a control mechanic... it's a force that acts on your ship. It's a force in Asteroids and Defender when you use 'thrust'... Even flying under a waterfall, the water acts on your ship as a force a la R-type 2; or the force of gravity from the 'black hole' acting on your ship in Space Wars... They might not be to everyones 'tastes' though... I personally like the challenges they present...
Datastorm, like Defender, isn't an arena shmups. And About Space War (and Asteroids)... More than thrust, inertia or gravity, what disqualifies them in my eyes is the clockwise/counterclockwise control style.
Rob wrote:Bangai-O is an at-no-time-anywhere-shmup. Gravity as a constant force effecting your control directly (and not superficially, like Elemental Master or something) is in instant disqualification for me.
We all might concur with this, or not. I'm pretty torn about it, I didn't put gravity along with mandatory criteria. I'm open to debate though.