I'm still pretty new to the genre, but..

[rockyraccoon5]

I think I'm already hopelessly addicted. I love Blazing Lasers, Gate of Thunder, M.U.S.H.A., Ikaruga, Space Megaforce...
The funny thing is while I suck at these games and don't see myself finishing them soon, I still love just persevering through them. I'm not even one of those "hardcore" gamers who thinks the more difficult a game is, the better, I just like watching stuff blow up in the most ridiculously exaggerated ways possible. I've seen some people on other forums say if you don't 1cc everything then you're not doing it right, but I think that's kind of an elitist way of thinking. It's like if you're enjoying yourself, then who cares, honestly? This is Whit gaming is all about, high scores be damned.

[Voxbox]

I understand your point of view. Games like Ikaruga and Garegga I will never beat, and never get a decent score in them either, but they are just so damn good that I can't help myself from putting a few credits in them now and then, even though I've officially given up on trying to achieve anything in them.

Sadly though, I value achievement pretty high, as it's something definite, as opposed to the pure enjoyment of playing.

[je_apostrophe]

"I will not die until I achieve something.
Even though the ideal is high, I never give in.
Therefore, I never die with regrets"

I thought I was hopeless on Ikaruga, but after a month of practice I got an A on Ch 1 and two months later I got Dot Eater on Ch 2. One of my 2010 resolutions is to get an A and Dot Eater on chapters 2 through final.

[njiska]

I've seen some people on other forums say if you don't 1cc everything then you're not doing it right, but I think that's kind of an elitist way of thinking. It's like if you're enjoying yourself, then who cares, honestly? This is Whit gaming is all about, high scores be damned.

It's definitely elitist to think you need to 1cc every game, but scores shall not be damned. Like you I was never one to worry about how many points I racked up and would often play just for survival, but recently as I've been getting to know Mushihime-sama Futari and I've been learning to appreciate what a good scoring system can do for a game. Learning the intricacies of the system completely changed my outlook on the game and added a layer of depth that's kept me hooked. It's not for everyone and certainly not for every game (I hate Ikaruga's chaining and only play survival), but if you can find a game you like with a scoring system that's fun, you can turn a good gaming experience into a great one.

[Dragoforce]

Shmups are all about chasing high scores and pushing yourself. I you don't like it you're into the wrong genre. It's not about elitism in any way, it's just the way that shmups are meant to be enjoyed.

Credit feeders be damned.

[Ebbo]

I've personally nothing against people who credit feed through shmups just for fun, but if this leads them to think that shmups are "too easy, too short", some rage may occur.

[rockyraccoon5]

Shmups are all about chasing high scores and pushing yourself. I you don't like it you're into the wrong genre. It's not about elitism in any way, it's just the way that shmups are meant to be enjoyed.

Credit feeders be damned.

This is the exact kind of attitude that so disappoints me. There is no right way to play a game, especially a multi-angled genre such as this one. It is, indeed, about elitism to say those types of things. Like yes, I would like to one day 1cc at least one shmup, but it's certainly not the only way to enjoy them.

[Lynx Winters]

High scores and 1ccs aren't usually the same thing. Also something to keep in mind is that when people say a shmup is easy they mean it in relative terms. Most shmups are not easy games by any reasonable standards, but some are significantly easier than others.

[jonny5]

Shmups are all about chasing high scores and pushing yourself. I you don't like it you're into the wrong genre. It's not about elitism in any way, it's just the way that shmups are meant to be enjoyed.

Credit feeders be damned.

This is the exact kind of attitude that so disappoints me. There is no right way to play a game, especially a multi-angled genre such as this one. It is, indeed, about elitism to say those types of things. Like yes, I would like to one day 1cc at least one shmup, but it's certainly not the only way to enjoy them.

where in that quote does he say anything about 1cc'ing anything?

he's simply pointing out that the base of most good shmups is the scoring system....to look past that is not properly playing the game....this has nothing to do with elitism....its down to game mechanics....

[rockyraccoon5]

I don't even pay attention to scores when I play these games. I just blow shit up.

[Dragoforce]

Shmups are all about chasing high scores and pushing yourself. I you don't like it you're into the wrong genre. It's not about elitism in any way, it's just the way that shmups are meant to be enjoyed.

Credit feeders be damned.

This is the exact kind of attitude that so disappoints me. There is no right way to play a game, especially a multi-angled genre such as this one. It is, indeed, about elitism to say those types of things. Like yes, I would like to one day 1cc at least one shmup, but it's certainly not the only way to enjoy them.

No, shmups is not a multi-angled genre. You play, you score, you win/die. That's it. Either you like it or you don't. I love the genre because of this simplicity. Go play little Big planet if you wan't a game that can be played in many diffrent ways. This is not elitism, it's simply the way the game designers intended the games to be played and enjoyed.

Edit: If you just fly around and shoot things with no regard to either score or survival I would be reluctant to say that you play the games at all. I would be just as meaningful as watching a video of someone clearing an RPG instead of playing it yourself.

[rockyraccoon5]

Who honestly gives a shit how the genre is "meant" to be played? You're telling me I should not be playing this genre simply because I do not aim for high scores? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

[DMC]

Of course you can enjoy the genre without any consideration of scoring etc. Play it as you want - it's so obvious you can!!
The developer might hav had another idea of how it "should" be played - but that's not really relevant. If the game was made to be played for score but the gamer rather play it in a different way - It's perfectly fine because "the quality of the game is not determined by the developer's ability to make the game, rather the player's ability to receive it" (half-stolen/modified favorite quote).

first year or so I, personally, only played ~15 minute sessions. I perceived shmup as a mere complement to RPG which I didnt have time for at that time. I wasn't susceptible for high level scoring techniques, rank management etc- So if the game had 'em - I didn't care. I liked the intensity and quick action fix I got. Now it's quite different, but I can still see the good aspect of that approach. Play them as you want.

[Dragoforce]

Who honestly gives a shit how the genre is "meant" to be played? You're telling me I should not be playing this genre simply because I do not aim for high scores? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

No, I am telling you that you miss out 97% of what the genre is all about. If there is anyone here that is ridiculous it's you. You started this thread saying "I play shmups the way I want and if you don't like you're a elitist asshole" Give me one solid argument to counter what I said instead of throwing insults just because I don't agree with what you say.

You are welcome to play shmups any way you want, but you are missing out on all the good stuff.

[t0yrobo]

I've seen some people on other forums say if you don't 1cc everything then you're not doing it right, but I think that's kind of an elitist way of thinking. It's like if you're enjoying yourself, then who cares, honestly? This is Whit gaming is all about, high scores be damned.

I can understand having that opinion when you're first getting into the genre. But I can almost guarantee that once you're more comfortable with the games, or run into one you really love, that will change. There's nothing terribly wrong about going at a game not worried about score or anything, but when you do start going for score or a 1cc you get a lot more out of it.

[clp]

Who honestly gives a shit how the genre is "meant" to be played? You're telling me I should not be playing this genre simply because I do not aim for high scores? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

Not even close to how rediculous you sound are you some kind of simpleton ? your approach is like the equivalent of saying fuck playing chess the way its ment to be played i just like smashing down the pawns with a golf ball .

[Klatrymadon]

Yeah, nobody was trying to be an arsehole, Rocky. You simply will get a much greater sense of reward out of these games if you start quitting and entering your score after your first credit (unless you're playing a game with R-Type style checkpoints, in which case you're still practicing the levels properly even if you do credit-feed). Blowing things up is what it's all about, but you're probably going to feel a bit underwhelmed when you "finish" a game half an hour after you've started playing it. Getting to the end is irrelevant, in this sense. It's a good idea to at least limit yourself to a few credits, in the beginning...

[Voxbox]

No, I am telling you that you miss out 97% of what the genre is all about.

Come on man, it's more like 97% of all shmups have completely linear scoring systems, making playing for score almost exactly the same as playing for survival. Or fun even

If you just fly around and shoot things with no regard to either score or survival I would be reluctant to say that you play the games at all.

Well, I think it goes without saying that survival always is a goal when playing. You both are going to far with this arguing.

[njiska]

Yeah, nobody was trying to be an arsehole, Rocky.

I have to disagree, I think a lot of people in this thread are being quite unreasonable and borderline hostile in their responses. You're all basically telling him to play for score or "you're doing it wrong" and quite frankly that's bullshit. Games are meant to be played for fun, end of story. Yes scoring is a key component of these games, but if you don't want to play for score you don't have to. The argument was made about playing chess and smashing pawns, but that's not really fair. I play chess for fun, i don't play to achieve victory in the fewest moves or completely dominate my opponent. That isn't fun, it's work and that's probably how Rocky looks at playing for score.

A better comparison would be to look at RPGs. You don't have to level up all the way, but it's there. You don't ever to do every side quest and play 500 hours when you can get through in 10. These are options, choices you make based on how you want to play the game. Playing a shmup for survival is as much fun when you're not an expert bullet-dodger. Just because it's how you enjoy playing the game, doesn't mean everyone else has to play that way. The mindset is just arrogant and as the poster commented, quite elitist.

Hell as I said earlier I'm starting to play Mushi Futari for score. It's the first and only Shmup i've played for score, but it's hardly the only one I've played and far from the only one I've enjoyed. I love Ikaruga for example for its polarity mechanic and level design, but absolutely despise it's chaining system. Playing that game for score just isn't fun so I just don't do it. Doesn't mean I'm not having fun just playing the game. Same goes for the DoDonPachi series. I love the games, especially the original DonPachi, but i'm just not a chain man so i don't play for score. I'm more than happy to just have fun dodging and blowing shit up.

By the way guys. Great way to welcome new people to the board. Real friendly. THough I have to tip my hat to DMC. Great job at presenting your view on the subject in a fair and friendly way.

[Jeneki]

I suggest Raiden III and IV. The scoring system gives a multiplyer based on how quickly you destroy stuff. If you enjoy "blowing stuff up spectacularly" this is a good starting point, since your score is directly related to doing just that.

Enjoy!

[clp]

[/quote]
Games are meant to be played for fun, end of story.[/quote]

True and achievement is fun it just requires hardwork to get there .

[njiska]

Games are meant to be played for fun, end of story.

True and achievement is fun it just requires hardwork to get there .

Agreed, but ultimately it still comes down to what you're trying to achieve. Not everyone is trying to achieve a high score.

[captpain]

The people who post here a lot argue that the meat is in the scoring, and the people who don't post here a lot argue with this for some reason. Just noticing.

[jonny5]

The people who post here a lot argue that the meat is in the scoring, and the people who are new to the genre and this forum in general argue with this for some reason. Just noticing.

fixed^

cant blame them....they dont know any better....but its odd that they dont listen to those who do....

[dpful]

Felt I had to chime in- I also think "only for score" attitude is strange. My progression has been like this: in order of priority,

1. Play for the adventure and dramatic presentation (like when the red robot roars in shienryu).
2. Play for the FUN or dodging bullets, blowing stuff up (credit feeding and r-type type shmups)
3. Get bored
4. Play for 1cc or distance
5. Play for score just to achieve greater distance)
6. For score only, only the few games where scoring is so fun, or ALL else about the game has become boring

for example, I have NEVER ranked down on purpose, even a single time just to see what it was like.
And I yearn for games and are presented so well that I can return to them and credit feed the whole thing over and over.

[Udderdude]

If you can enjoy yourself credit feeding your way through a game, you could probably enjoy watching paint dry.

[DMC]

97% of the genre is scoring??? lol, judging by this forum it's all about "Lo Res this", "Scanlines that" blablabla.

[Udderdude]

97% of the genre is scoring??? lol, judging by this forum it's all about "Lo Res this", "Scanlines that" blablabla.

Haven't seen a thread about that in uh .. years? And that has more to do with low res games in general, not just shmups.

[Crass]

Play the games the way you want to. Who gives a shit what some geek on some forum on the net says or thinks. Who cares how the game developers "wanted" people to play (as though people know what their original intent was). If your only playing for score, you might as well just get a calculator and start multiplying and adding numbers randomly, because that is all your doing basically. Instead of mashing buttons on a keypad its enemy spaceships on a game screen. But if big numbers is your thing then do it, go buck-wild on that shit, and have fun. You are playing a video game for fun, no one can tell you how to have fun but you.

So just enjoy the games you have in any way you want. There is no wrong or right way.

[jonny5]

Play the games the way you want to. Who gives a shit what some geek on some forum on the net says or thinks. Who cares how the game developers "wanted" people to play (as though people know what their original intent was). If your only playing for score, you might as well just get a calculator and start multiplying and adding numbers randomly, because that is all your doing basically. Instead of mashing buttons on a keypad its enemy spaceships on a game screen. But if big numbers is your thing then do it, go buck-wild on that shit, and have fun. You are playing a video game for fun, no one can tell you how do have fun but you.

So just enjoy the games you have in the any way you want. There is no wrong or right way.

comments like this do nothing but illustrate how uninformed you are....learn a bit about the games you are playing and then come back and talk