Arena Based Shooter Advice

[DazTM]

We're doing a massive feature on Asteroids and I'm looking at doing an evolution of the arena-based shooter.
I've got obvious ones like
Robotron
Smash TV
Geometry Wars 1&2

I'm not too up on homebrew/doujin stuff though, so any suggestions would be really appreciated.

[Gespenst]

We're doing a massive feature on Asteroids and I'm looking at doing an evolution of the arena-based shooter.
I've got obvious ones like
Robotron
Smash TV
Geometry Wars 1&2

I'm not too up on homebrew/doujin stuff though, so any suggestions would be really appreciated.

One word
Sanvein.
*if you have PSX of course*

[Danbo]

Could probably talk for a bit on Grid Wars and how the GeoWars guys shitcanned it.

Bullet Candy is another of those games, a homebrew game that costs like £3/$4 on Steam. I can't really say it's very good, though. Could interview the developer? IDK.

Crimsonland is an interesting take on the genre if you just play it in survival mode although it does end up you just running around the boundaries of the screen with an army of aliens in tow.

Not a big fan of arena games... maybe I should try GeoWars2 sometime.

[worstplayer]

Too bad about the "no homebrew" part, because arena shooters are typical homebrew genre. Even Geometry Wars itself started as an easter egg in Project Gotham Racing.

[Danbo]

Too bad about the "no homebrew" part, because arena shooters are typical homebrew genre. Even Geometry Wars itself started as an easter egg in Project Gotham Racing.

He was saying that if anything, he needs info on homebrew, because he doesn't know about it much himself.

[worstplayer]

He was saying that if anything, he needs info on homebrew, because he doesn't know about it much himself.

OK, sorry. Engrish and difficult of comprehend

Back on topic: you should play Exception Conflict. It's an perfect example of "modern" arena shooter, with online co-op, original enemy attacks, and amazing graphics. However controls take some time to get used to, and co-op doesn't work when there's any lag.

[Observer]

Another point for exception conflict. It has a "Team Fortress" mode, deathmatch and a Gears of War inspired mode, the "hordes" (30 waves of doom). Cubes were never that fun. And it's freeware.

Is Fantasy Zone considered an Arena Shooter? If so, we could take its modern re-imagining, Diadra Empty. Enemies come from all directions, bosses are huge as well and fire a fuckton of bullets and, being at 1024x768 and a hori makes it look awesome on huge displays. Same could be said of exception.

[kong]

On the pc side there are NaaC, Echoes, Evil Invasion, RIP series, and the Alien Shooter series. I never understood why Echoes didn't get more of a following but it's an excellent game. Echoes+ will be coming soon to xbox 360 via the indie channel, unless it wins dream play build I suppose. If you have a 360 definitely check out I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!1 in the indie section. It's by ska studios and it's amazing. There's no shortage of arena shooters in the indie section: nebulon, groov, unrevolutionary, biology battle to name a few off the top of my head. Biology Battle and I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!1 are my favorites on the system outside of Geometry Wars 2.

[DazTM]

Thanks for the advice guys.
At the moment I have
Spacewar!
Computer Space
Asteroids
Berzerk
Robotron
Star Control
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved

I'm basically looking to include titles that added stuff to the genre that wasn't there before, so I'll take a look at some of these homebrew titles that have been mentioned (also looking at the possibility of Every Extend or Riff)

[Dave_K.]

Total Carnage

[ZOM]

I'll take the freedom and add Fraxy into the mix; It's an "arena boss rush" STG creator. Might interest you...

[Koa Zo]

The arenas scroll and all, but Bangaioh N64 is as good as it gets imo!

[antron]

The arenas scroll and all, but Bangaioh N64 is as good as it gets imo!

even beter than Bangaioh DC?

[Danbo]

Man, I don't understand Exception Confrict one bit.

[toaplan_shmupfan]

Is Fantasy Zone considered an Arena Shooter?

I wouldn't actually consider it an arena shooter. The playfield isn't necessary bounded and sort of wraps around similar to Chopper Command (Activision) or Defender/Stargate (Defender II) (Williams).

I've always thought Arena shooters were bounded for the most part (Robotron 2084, Smash TV), even if portions of the arena scroll from time to time (Total Carnage, Alien Syndrome).

[Koa Zo]

The arenas scroll and all, but Bangaioh N64 is as good as it gets imo!

even beter than Bangaioh DC?

I very much enjoy the N64 version.
The BGM sounds more "arcadey" on the N64.
I also really think the purchasing of powerups on N64 is the way to go.
And having to pick up fruit to keep your charge-shot charged in the N64 version is better.
And the N64 controller is just perfect for this game.

This old post sums it up quite well.

[kengou]

Everyday Shooter for PS3/PC is pretty good, with a lot of unique music-based levels.

[KMM]

Debrysis is some good mindless arena shooter fun.

[TodayIsForgotten]

star dust
blasteroids

[Koa Zo]

blasteroids

the two player ship link-up mechanic of Blasteroids is highly overlooked.
Finding a competent 2nd player seems to be the real trick!

Blast Arena Advance deserves a mention here as well.

[Koa Zo]

Yo DazTM, you getting all this???

[Gespenst]

I'll take the freedom and add Fraxy into the mix; It's an "arena boss rush" STG creator. Might interest you...

Almost forgot this ones. It's a MUST HAVE!

[Rob]

Gunspike should be worth a mention for something.

[Limbrooke]

Gunspike should be worth a mention for something.

Definitely, especially as a mention for the more modern iterations of arena shooters. It's controls and runs well, has good graphics, and has a good character select variety. Add to the fact it's available and for cheap on the Dreamcast and there's not much room for error.

[sven666]

you should mention fellow forum member 81/2s upcoming zombie blaster "zombie apocalypse", looks good.

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... lit=zombie

[Gespenst]

Or try this
http://www.kongregate.com/games/lucidrine/cube-colossus

[TodayIsForgotten]

There's a really cool game on the 360 indie section called Atomhex. I fell in love with this game. I find it much more appealing than Geometry wars. Than again i said the same thing about Biology Battle.

Anyhow, Atomhex has a fresh twist to the genre and adds a lot of risk reward with the way the multiplier dwindles down rapidly. Check it out for only 80msp. No leaderboards though and the current build crashes.

[alysa]

I've always been partial to Mutant Storm on the PC and I second Sanvein for the PSX.

[astrix]

I'm not sure if it follows in the same mold as the other arena shooters but the forst one I remember playing besides robotron that I enjoyed was Omega Race. And from what I've heard it was inspired by people making house rules for asteroids.

[evil_ash_xero]

As one poster before me said "it scrolls", but Bangai-O is the best, man. I recommend the DC version.