What would you say is Cave's definitive arcade shmup title?

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:39 pm

The above topic says it all...

Sure, everyone has their single Cave arcade shmup PCB favorite, that is a given... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

MX7 · Post by **MX7** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:40 pm

Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou. It feels like the perfect distilation of a formula worked on for many years. I also like the way that, although I can't begin to comprehend it, I never feel guilty for playing it 'wrong', like with Ikaruga.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:41 pm

What this thread would be, now? A shortened, to-the-point version of the annual poll?

antron · Post by **antron** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:56 pm

Batsugun

kengou · Post by **kengou** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:30 pm

Dodonpachi. It feels just perfect in virtually every way.

I haven't played Ketsui though and from what I've seen it may well deserve the vote more, but I can't really comment.

Post by **undamned** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:39 pm

DDP. Everything else just wishes it was DDP.
-ud

RGC · Post by **RGC** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:58 pm

DDP, although it's not my overall favourite.

evil_ash_xero · Post by **evil_ash_xero** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:26 pm

DDP, but it isn't my favorite.

s/m

sven666 · Post by **sven666** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:33 pm

DDP DOJ BL

it has it all, dark industry theme, excellent gameplay, great music and the collector side of me really likes the exclusivity of it.

to be honest i proboably think Ketsui is a slightly better game gameplay wise tho but its not by far.

SinHo · Post by **SinHo** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:17 pm

Ketsui get my vote ... best game ever. Intense and hard as hell ...

Necronopticous · Post by **Necronopticous** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:43 pm

I'm tempted to say Guwange; it's pretty hard to top its style and innovations.

It is a really beautiful video game.

FIL · Post by **FIL** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:04 pm

Uo Poko ^_~

elfhentaifan · Post by **elfhentaifan** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:13 pm

I also vote for DOJ since i never played Ketsui.

dpful · Post by **dpful** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:04 pm

i'd say ddp doj represents the rest a liitle better than ddp.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:07 pm

Progear and DonPachi are my favorites, but I think you're asking a different question. And to that other question, I answer: I'm not entirely sure what the question is. It does seem like it might be an interesting question, however.

Davey · Post by **Davey** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:30 pm

I thought the votes would say DDP by a landslide. I've always thought of that as THE Cave game, even though it's not my favorite. But yeah, the question isn't totally clear.

jpj · Post by **jpj** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:36 pm

agree with sven

shoe-sama · Post by **shoe-sama** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:38 pm

ddp cuz its everywhere

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:43 pm

Ketsui.

Marcel1CC · Post by **Marcel1CC** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:07 pm

Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou and ESPgaluda!

szycag · Post by **szycag** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:20 pm

I think the flagship series for Cave is slowly becoming Mushihimesama. It's certainly reflects their more recent output a little better. It also has the most marketing and crossover potential. I think for the time being though, DDP is still on top.

MX7 · Post by **MX7** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:05 am

I might be jumping the gun, but I took the word "definitive" to mean the game that most typifies Cave's ethos when it comes to shooters. Which game best "defines" Cave?

PROMETHEUS · Post by **PROMETHEUS** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:07 am

I think DDP is overrated compared to the other caves :p

Aren't most modern Cave clearly superior ? I'd vote for Mushihimesama or Futari. That original/maniac/ultra modes system is the best for interesting and hard play for hardcore games while still being accessible to the others, and it has good style.

Guwange has great style and the best originality I guess but it lacks difficulty and balance.

Post by **undamned** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:22 am

MX7 wrote:I might be jumping the gun, but I took the word "definitive" to mean the game that most typifies Cave's ethos when it comes to shooters. Which game best "defines" Cave?

Exactly! DDP

-ud

ForceDevice · Post by **ForceDevice** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:26 am

PROMETHEUS wrote: Guwange lacks difficulty

Oh no, don't say that. ._.

As for the question... if you're asking what game "defines" Cave, I'd say it's DonPachi. It has the damn chain system and pretty much everything else that all Cave games share in common, yet it's still highly enjoyable for less skilled players, unlike DDP and DOJ which rely SO heavily on their scoring systems an "average shmupper" (does that even exist? lol) can hardly have fun with them.

But if "definitive" means "the best", then... go look at the Top 25 votes for answers.

it290 · Post by **it290** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:52 am

Another vote for DDP here. It took everything in DonPachi and refined it to an incredible degree, and fairly early on in Cave's existence to boot. It's the first game of theirs that I played, and the first thing that comes to mind when I think 'Cave'. It's also the game I always show to people when I'm trying to explain what new-school/manic shmups are all about... in fact DDP practically defines manic.

Post by **undamned** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:05 am

it290 wrote:... in fact DDP practically defines manic.

In an interview w/ one/some of the Cave crew, (Joker?) they mention wanting to out-do Battle Garegga when they designed DDP

-ud

moozooh · Post by **moozooh** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:23 am

DDP or DOJ BL. Still their flagship series, I think, and most overall polished over time. DDP was already incredibly polished for its time, on all accounts.

Etrian · Post by **Etrian** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:42 pm

dpful wrote:i'd say ddp doj represents the rest a liitle better than ddp.

Define "represents". Daioujou is significantly harder and isn't as accessible to people as what DDP is, and isn't as popular either. I wouldn't recommend Daioujou to someone wh just found out about Cave games, but I'd always point them in DDP's direction.

Arvandor · Post by **Arvandor** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:09 am

I'm going to have to go with Dai Ou Jou, despite its lack of accessibility.