What are the best PC only shmups?

2dvertical · Post by **2dvertical** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:28 pm

Searches yield some older ones. Doesnt have to be freeware. Kind of looking for more up to date games. I got a compact pc hooked up to a 42". What are your guys top games?

BIL · Post by **BIL** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:32 pm

Ether Vapor is a pretty good time. Not a very deep shooter at all, but it has fast pacing and some excellent multi-weapon action. The clean 3D and almost Naomi-standard explosions don't hurt either.

LtC · Post by **LtC** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:59 pm

Here's some of my own favourites. Some of them are a little older but you might've missed them. There's not too many shmups coming out for PC apart from doujin shmups.

Also there's stuff like Hitogata Happa, AIRRADE AIR, etc that I've heard to be pretty good too.

And the trial version of StellaVanity just came out. Basically seems like an EspGaluda clone and it's quite well polished for a demo version. Also has TATE mode which is pretty rare for a PC shmup.
Trial DL Link

Ruldra · Post by **Ruldra** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:03 pm

Raptor is old but it's pretty good.

Jockel · Post by **Jockel** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:20 pm

I enjoyed Blue Wish Resurrection Plus a lot.

Observer · Post by **Observer** » Sat May 23, 2009 7:30 pm

If you don't mind "euroschmuckmup" stuff, Steel Saviour (which I think it's still for sale online at a canadian site for 10 bucks) and Jets 'N' Guns will fit the bill. The former is a brutal memoriser but the beautiful 2D effects and scenery get quite inspiring and the final chapter lets you unleash vengeance upon thee. The latter is carnage but can be immensely frustrating at the beginning. Special mention to the soundtrack.

Now, if you don't mind strange interfaces, weird stuff and pretty much what you would expect from Taito in terms of surreal output, Hellsinker might be a must. It's an acquired taste though, takes a while to get into it.

Cloudphobia is probably amongst the finest in terms of graphics and professional look. A gigantic tribute to the mechas, Macross and company. It's also extremely challenging with its "get to the end before 3 mins" mechanics combined with dozens of other small mechanics. I short: one of those that look simple but ends up being complex. It's available for 15 bucks so it's worth a try. This one will probably look glorious on that 42".

Diadra Empty was recently restocked at Melonbooks, not sure how useful that might be but, personally, it's one of the coolest free roaming horis around. Based on Fantasy Zone mechanics (the free roaming, a shop where you purchase upgrades for your dragon at the end of the chapters), it takes it to a whole new level of exaggeration. And will probably eat the computer in the process. Same deal, since it's a hori, the big screen will help. I already tried it at work's TV and definitely looks pretty.

Exception is also another nice PC shooter (which now got an arcade port using a Jamma board with WinXP; I would love to see how that one looks and if it was effectively released anywhere) featuring 3D graphics and a multidirectional approach (starts as a hori then suddenly goes vertical, scrolls downwards and more).

To avoid repeating myself, this thread also has a bunch of recommendations:

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=25638

IronGiant · Post by **IronGiant** » Sat May 23, 2009 10:17 pm

Bill wrote:Ether Vapor is a pretty good time. Not a very deep shooter at all, but it has fast pacing and some excellent multi-weapon action. The clean 3D and almost Naomi-standard explosions don't hurt either.

That really is an excellent game, many thanks for the pointer.

Here's the download page (Japanese) for the trial version if anyone wants to give it a go:

http://edelweiss.skr.jp/works/ethervapor/download.html

`Throwdown · Post by **`Throwdown** » Sat May 23, 2009 11:34 pm

Jockel wrote:I enjoyed Blue Wish Resurrection Plus a lot.

redeyeguy_KIO · Post by **redeyeguy_KIO** » Sun May 24, 2009 11:59 am

I love Cho Ren Sha 68k. It's such a fun game, and quite challenging as well.

`Throwdown · Post by **`Throwdown** » Sun May 24, 2009 1:37 pm

redeyeguy_KIO wrote:I love Cho Ren Sha 68k. It's such a fun game, and quite challenging as well.

Free download?

szycag · Post by **szycag** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:00 pm

Check out PatriotDark, it's free. Google it. There's a high score thread on these boards. I think I like it a little better than Blue Wish Resurrection even.

ave · Post by **ave** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:16 pm

Excellent freeware:

Yalkina STG (insane manic but intuitive bulletsprayer on highspeed)
ChoRenSha 68k (focusses on destroying enemies rather than avoiding bullets, but nevertheless a fantastic simple shooter)
Blue Wish Ressurrection /Plus (a bit like Ketsui, very authentic CAVE-feeling)
Eden's Edge (a bit like Mushihimesama, very authentic CAVE-feeling)

redeyeguy_KIO · Post by **redeyeguy_KIO** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:18 pm

`Throwdown wrote:
redeyeguy_KIO wrote:I love Cho Ren Sha 68k. It's such a fun game, and quite challenging as well.
Free download?

Yep, it's an excellent freeware shmup.

http://www2.tky.3web.ne.jp/~yosshin/my_works/index.html

If you are using Windows Vista, I recommend running the game in Windows 95 or 98 compability mode.

aventus wrote:Excellent freeware:
ChoRenSha 68k (focusses on destroying enemies rather than avoiding bullets, but nevertheless a fantastic simple shooter)

I don't believe that to be entirely true. Although there are plenty of kamikaze enemies similar to older style shmups, the amount of bullets on screen becomes quite intense the further you progress in the game. I believe this game to be a crossover of bullet hell and classic shmup elements.

I also think Invasion of the Mutant Space Bats of Doom, as well as the sequel, Return of the Mutant Space Bats, are great. I have bought the first game on a floppy disk years ago, and the second one I downloaded off a website (won't say due to site rules); I recommend you play these games using DOSbox, since they are DOS games that may not run 100% on newer operating systems.

`Throwdown · Post by **`Throwdown** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:23 pm

ty ty <3

redeyeguy_KIO · Post by **redeyeguy_KIO** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:27 pm

`Throwdown wrote:ty ty <3

Heh, you're welcome bro. By the way, in case you haven't noticed, I edited my previous post, so there's more useful info if you need it.

Zaarock · Post by **Zaarock** » Sun May 24, 2009 3:19 pm

This thread needs some more Hellsinker and Kamui

IMO Hellsinker has some of the best graphical design, music, gameplay, epic bosses and level designs ever been in a shmup. the scoring system is quite strange though and will take a while to understand. Not to mention the game has LOADS of hidden attacks for bosses and enemies and hidden boss forms, these are mostly dependant on rank and time usage. I wonder why so few people play it.
Kamui is an excellent fast paced shmup that takes some things from rayforce, like the homing lasers. the controls with shot/homing laser/bullet cancelling straights laser feel very intuitive and the boss and level designs are awesome.

ave · Post by **ave** » Sun May 24, 2009 5:45 pm

redeyeguy_KIO wrote:I don't believe that to be entirely true. Although there are plenty of kamikaze enemies similar to older style shmups, the amount of bullets on screen becomes quite intense the further you progress in the game. I believe this game to be a crossover of bullet hell and classic shmup elements.

That last phrase captures it quite well I think. While games like touhou or Yalkina STG are apparently based on the pleasure of dodging, ChoRenSha takes the more classic route and concentrates on destroying enemies as fast as possible (instead of letting you achieve enormous extra points for scratching ect), that's what I intended to say. No doubt that there are also a lot of challenging bullet patterns, the last boss demonstrates that very clearly.

Davey · Post by **Davey** » Sun May 24, 2009 6:25 pm

Are we avoiding Kenta Cho games because they're too obvious or what?

I guess they're not all PC-only but whatever.

Old discussion thread

2dvertical · Post by **2dvertical** » Mon May 25, 2009 4:48 am

Thanks to all for the info, you guys are great. It really gives me a starting point. Its nice to youtube some of the suggestions, although that might not do some of the games justice. Ie., someone pointed out in one of the links above about continous backgrounds in the games.

Dale · Post by **Dale** » Mon May 25, 2009 6:29 am

Le Souer De Barrage is amazing. Not your typical danmuku shmup.

szycag · Post by **szycag** » Mon May 25, 2009 8:48 am

I still have fond memories of Warning Forever. Great Boss Rush/Time Trial shmup with generative bosses depending on how you play. Probably the first PC shmup I got into. I love picking off bits of the enemy and trying new scoring tactics.

ROBOTRON · Post by **ROBOTRON** » Mon May 25, 2009 1:42 pm

redeyeguy_KIO · Post by **redeyeguy_KIO** » Mon May 25, 2009 3:37 pm

aventus wrote: That last phrase captures it quite well I think. While games like touhou or Yalkina STG are apparently based on the pleasure of dodging, ChoRenSha takes the more classic route and concentrates on destroying enemies as fast as possible (instead of letting you achieve enormous extra points for scratching ect), that's what I intended to say. No doubt that there are also a lot of challenging bullet patterns, the last boss demonstrates that very clearly.

Ah yeah, I get ya. I still haven't beaten the game (3rd level boss killed me), but I'm sure the further I go in the game, the more obvious the bullet hell elements become. I honestly find some parts quite difficult to survive without bombs. DoDonPachi has helped me quite a bit in terms of dodging skills, but I still get my ass kicked (in both games, lol). I especially freak out at the fact that I have dozens and dozens of bullets swarming at me from everywhere at intense speeds (bullet hell enemies don't often shoot THAT fast), and even "smart attacks" coming my way as well. It's quite overwhelming, and I have not yet developed the skills to deal with this type of encounter.

Ixmucane2 · Post by **Ixmucane2** » Mon May 25, 2009 6:36 pm

I didn't know of Stella Vanity before reading this thread.
It is indeed exceptionally refined and pleasing on the eyes; the music is also very nice.
Stella Vanity has an interesting mixed style: it's a bullet-intensive danmaku game with typical Touhou-like features like cute flying girls and a slowdown button, but there's also a significant amount of target selection and efficient shooting; Dodonpachi players might be comfortable.

I recommend DOS classics (using DosBox) released as freeware:
Tyrian and the Apogee ones (http://www.3drealms.com/downloads.html): Raptor, Stargunner and Major Stryker.

And everything by certain authors and doujin circles:
ABA Games (i.e. Kenta Cho)
x.x Gameroom (Blue Wish series, Eden's Aegis) (http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/x_xgameroom/)
Dark Hell Company (Demolition Gunner in particular)
Hikoza
Hello World Project

And "lesser" but fun freeware games:
Tiyoruga, a well balanced parody (?) of Ikaruga (a cartoon girl against floating cats; guided fireballs only) (http://www.geocities.co.jp/AnimeComic-B ... ge011.html)
The deadly serious Storm Caliber (http://www.ssp.x0.com/) and its apocryphal sequel or remake Storm Caliber SS (http://www.broad-tech.net/~xb7/KSC/ksc.html)

And of course emulators.

ZOM · Post by **ZOM** » Mon May 25, 2009 7:33 pm

How come no one mentioned RefleX yet?

Ravid · Post by **Ravid** » Mon May 25, 2009 9:00 pm

I want to chime in my support for Stellavanity: thank you LtC for bringing this to my attention. I just downloaded it and have been playing it this afternoon, it is an awesome game. The difficulty is unusually high for a doujin shooter; most of these games are really easy unless you put them on hardest setting. Pandemonium mode in particular seems closer to Mushi's Ultra mode than Touhou's Lunatic mode.

`Throwdown · Post by **`Throwdown** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:18 pm

ZOM wrote:How come no one mentioned RefleX yet?

Reflex, was the beta known as "Reflection" ?

Taylor · Post by **Taylor** » Tue May 26, 2009 12:43 am

Err... Touhou.

Pixel_Outlaw · Post by **Pixel_Outlaw** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:07 am

The sad thing is that people are perhaps too quick to write off PC shmups. Scoring may be a bit broken at times but I can certainly enjoy some doujin games.

ZOM · Post by **ZOM** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:50 am

`Throwdown wrote:
ZOM wrote:How come no one mentioned RefleX yet?
Reflex, was the beta known as "Reflection" ?

Nah I don't think so(correct me if I'm wrong)
You can check out more info's at Siter Skain's homepage, should be a trial version available. Awesome game, the laser reflect system makes for some frantic boss battles.