Easier no-continues

[Dokken]

Hey, i was wondering if anyone knew an easier no-continue shoot-em-up game. One i can learn off of i guess. The ones ive tried i dont get very far. I practice a bit, but only get to like stage two or three before continuing. I have MAME and the Touhous. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I use a joystick and buttons layout if it makes a difference

[Ghegs]

Moved to Shmups Chat.

[lgb]

You "learn off of" the game you expect to beat. Instead of hunting down a terribly easy game, you should continue on with what you already have. Learn the patterns, because other games don't exactly have them.

Don't quit because you can't get pass stage 3 after "a bit of practice". I don't think anyone is going to simply beat both loops of Strikers 1945 III after "a bit of practice".

[kengou]

I'm not sure what you mean by "no-continue shmup", but how about, you take any shmup you enjoy playing, and don't continue when you die. That's probably the best and most satisfying way to get better. Don't fret that you can't beat stage 3 after some practice. Shmups are hard. Keep practicing, eventually you'll get farther and farther.

[emphatic]

Play the same game. Don't jump from game to game as you die in the first game. This is a thing that happens a lot when you play games in your computer, as it's so easy to switch game. Or play the hardest game a lot, then switch to something easier, and you'll see how your skills will improve.

[Dokken]

Thanks for the insight guys.

lgb - I didnt mean literally "a bit of practice". Thats just how i talk, but i get what your sayin.

kengou - I like that idea.

emphatic - Yea, im tryin too many at once. I think I'll try Progear first. The style of that game is sick. And youre right about how easy it is to just switch games.

Thanks again

[null1024]

Play the same game. Don't jump from game to game as you die in the first game. This is a thing that happens a lot when you play games in your computer, as it's so easy to switch game. Or play the hardest game a lot, then switch to something easier, and you'll see how your skills will improve.

For me, this didn't help. At all. Well, unless you mean stick with a game for a few runs until you switch.

I played gobs of Dangun for a month [it was practically the only shmup I did that month], and I didn't get too much better at it. Took a break from it, and did my normal selection of DoDonPachi, R-Type II, ESP Ra.De, Batrider, and Progear, came back to it, and did much better.

Honestly, I'd just say play a lot. Like, 1-2 hrs a day or so. Split your sessions up during the day, you'd get annoyed at the game if you kept going on the same one for an hour or 2, non stop, dieing at the same place [or even earlier, because you'd probably get pissed at the game by this point].

Also, I originally tried Progear for my attempt to 1CC a game. I almost always died at the beginning of level 2 when I was starting out. I can now get to the beginning of level 3 most of the time [I hate level 2's boss, it drains me of lives].

[Kollision]

I think it's usually nice to leave a game aside if it seems you have reached a plateau from where you don't seem to get any better.
Letting it rest and playing different games can do wonders. When you get back to it things will flow better and you'll probably see new things you didn't notice before (either because you were too focused or too pissed).

I can say this pretty much worked for me with games like Strikers 1945 II, Radirgy and Robo Aleste.

[Dokken]

null1024 - Yea, i can only stand level one of Progear for three or four times in a row before i get sick of it and wanna play something else. I have Gabriel Hammer to thank for that..
ps- I wanna download your game cuz i use gamemaker too, but the link wont work for me.

Kollision - I plateau at about level two on everything haha


Anothing thing ive noticed while checking the forum a bit it that each game has its own scoring system, damage system and stuff like that. I dont know how youre supposed to figure that out. For example, Progear has crazy stuff goin on, with rings, jewels, compatability, active, safe, lovely.. Even the bombing is nuts. Readin about that stuff kinda helped. Knowing better how to play changes everything. I dont get far, but i got a score of 600,000 on level one. Usually i get crap.

Thanks guys

[null1024]

ps- I wanna download your game cuz i use gamemaker too, but the link wont work for me.

Kollision - I plateau at about level two on everything haha

Link fixed.

Also, everyone tops off at level 2 when they start out.

PS: go play Mars Matrix.

[Dave_K.]

Welcome to the forum Dokken. I'm a fan as well (and have a George Lynch signature ESP stashed somewhere around the house here to prove it). As to your question, I found alternating between two games of opposing play styles (like Cave & Raizing, or Seibu and Toaplan) keeps me from burning out on either, while still focusing enough to memorize levels and technique. Playing for the 1CC (1 Credit Complete) first, before digging into scoring strategy also helps from falling into the dreaded restart syndrome, which burns people out very quickly.

If you want a sinfully easy no-continue shmupping experience to start you off, try playing Raiden III for PS2/PC or Gunbird 1 & 2 for PS2/DC on the easiest difficult settings and go for the 1LC (1 Life Complete). Then slowly notch up the difficulty with each 1CC until you are back at the Normal setting.

[Dokken]

PS: go play Mars Matrix.

Is this a joke from the guy with the redneck accent that does reviews in youtube?


Dave - Rhymes with Rockin! Hard to find Dokken fans out there, or even anyone whos heard of em for that matter. I always wanted to get a Lynch guitar.. Which style do you have? Skull, tiger, kamikaze? I think he called the skull and bones one "MOM" for some reason..

I found alternating between two games of opposing play styles (like Cave & Raizing, or Seibu and Toaplan) keeps me from burning out on either

If you want a sinfully easy no-continue shmupping experience to start you off, try playing Raiden III for PS2/PC or Gunbird 1 & 2 for PS2/DC on the easiest difficult settings and go for the 1LC (1 Life Complete). Then slowly notch up the difficulty with each 1CC until you are back at the Normal setting.

This is exactly what i was lookin for. Is Gunbird the same for MAME as PS2 or DC?

Thanks

[Dave_K.]

Which style do you have? Skull, tiger, kamikaze?

Unfortunately I have the lesser known serpent model, since I got it in a trade deal. Would love a Kamikaze though.

This is exactly what i was lookin for. Is Gunbird the same for MAME as PS2 or DC?

No, only the console versions (PS2 or DC) have two additional easier settiings, I believe named "Very Easy" and "Baby"!

[Dokken]

Unfortunately I have the lesser known serpent model, since I got it in a trade deal. Would love a Kamikaze though.

Ive seen a little bit about that one before. I think it's a 90's guitar, after he left Dokken. But im not too sure.

[rantak]

Here's my 1cc's that I've found to be relatively easy:

Gradius (PSP) (available on MAME, getting past moai stage and the last stage are the most difficult points)
Zero Gunner 2 (DC) (has plenty of difficulties for practice, I think this is also emulated now)
Harmful Park (PSX) (you can emulate this on any pc and the default difficulty is "easy"...)
Mushihimesama Arrange Mode (PS2) (Basically an auto-bomb mode, the really difficult part is the TLB at the end)

[captpain]

Clearing Normal Course in Armed Police Batrider is pretty straightforward, with Battle Bakraid's Normal Course being a little more difficult but also an easier clear.

[ZOM]

^^For me it's exactly the opposite - but I'm still foolin around in Batrider, going after every single secret even if I haven't the 1CC down. Bad Idea.

[spadgy]

It took me six months to nail Progear - just stick with it.

Or, you could tackle a shmup on an easier difficulty setting if you're not put off by the idea.

Death Smiles is an easier one, and the Pysvarier games, if played for survival rather than score, are pretty easy to 1CC.

[monkeyman]

I'll second the idea of sticking with one or two games. I set up Mame not too long ago and went mad and downloaded a few dozen shmups which was a big mistake as I flitted from one to another without really getting a feel for each. Now I'm just concentrating on the 2 which stuck out most (DonPatchi and EspRaDa) to see how far I can get.

Right now I'm not fussed about scoring on each, I'll play for survival before worrying about that. Another thing I'd advise while trying to learn the game is to give yourself a set number of credits (I use 3), this means that you can still get to play the 2nd 3rd stage and learn the patterns even if you get a bad run on the 1st credit. I realize you could technically credit feed the entire game to get practice, but I find seeing a bit more of the game each time adds an extra incentive.

Also don't be put off by the fact you're only seeing 2-3 levels - most shmups seem to have about 5 stages (in a loop) and the difficulty usually rises significantly between each, so while stage 1 will ease you in and stage 2 will test you on the 1st few tries, stages 3+ usually get pretty hectic pretty quickly, meaning you'll need to play them to death before having a chance (which is where those cheecky extra credits come in handy).

[null1024]

PS: go play Mars Matrix.

Is this a joke from the guy with the redneck accent that does reviews in youtube?

Amazingly, I didn't remember that. I just love Mars Matrix though.

[kozo]

Starting at an easy difficulty level and notching it up every time you 1CC it is a good way to get a nice, true 1CC. Just remember - if it's not on normal, default settings, it doesn't 'count' as a 1CC. I got really excited when I beat Strikers 1945 II in one credit, then remembered it was on "Monkey" difficulty. Sigh.

[captpain]

(DonPatchi and EspRaDa)

*facepalm*

DonPachi and ESPRaDe

[monkeyman]

(DonPatchi and EspRaDa)

*facepalm*

DonPachi and ESPRaDe

I stand corrected...

After (if) I 1cc the games I'll work on my spelling

[captpain]

(DonPatchi and EspRaDa)

*facepalm*

DonPachi and ESPRaDe

I stand corrected...

After (if) I 1cc the games I'll work on my spelling

Well, DonPachi is definitely the easier of the two. Play the US version, and try shot type C for (IMHO) the easiest ride.

Good luck, shmupper.

[ncp]

Well, DonPachi is definitely the easier of the two.

............................WHAT

[LtC]

Well, DonPachi is definitely the easier of the two.

............................WHAT

As long as you play the US version it's ridiculously much easier, can't really see how you can see it that way unless you mean DP as 2-ALL.

[gs68]

Gradius ReBirth has only 5 stages.

Gradius Gaiden, in addition to being my favorite Gradius game and one of my most favorite games of all time, is also not too bad.

Then there's 1941: Counter Attack and its silly life meter system.

[kengou]

Donpachi is easier until you get to stage 4 or 5, at which point the difficult ramps up considerably and it starts feeling much more Toaplan-y. Very fast bullets and enemies, sniper bullets coming from the sides and behind the ship, and memorizy boss patterns. DDP has a really smooth difficulty curve and I think the later levels (5 and 6) are significantly easier than the later levels of DP, even though I can't clear either game yet (so maybe I'm not an authority? grain of salt).

[Kollision]

DDP has a really smooth difficulty curve and I think the later levels (5 and 6) are significantly easier than the later levels of DP, even though I can't clear either game yet (so maybe I'm not an authority? grain of salt).

No %@!#* way DDP is easier than DP!
I had to sweat very little to beat DonPachi, but right now I have left DDP aside for a while because I'm afraid I might end up hating the game!

[TLB]

PS: go play Mars Matrix.

Is this a joke from the guy with the redneck accent that does reviews in youtube?

Amazingly, I didn't remember that. I just love Mars Matrix though.

Incredible.

Also, Dokken was great. ESPecially because of the ESP guitars. Hetfield's always flashing his around, too :)

Though it's funny; of the two ESP games I've played, I hate them both. Kinda. Gal-2 looks great-tastic, though.