Where is your general hump?

[finisherr]

When I first started playing shmups I would often die on the first stage. Now I find that I can play an entirely new shmup and get to the third level without dying on first attempt. However, it is also typically the third level where I have to play a bunch to figure it out and conquer it. I guess you could say that my natural hump is around the third stage (except for Ketsui, which happens to be the 2nd).

Do you have a natural hump? Do you find that you can rely on previous skill to get through new games without as much repetition and practice? Just curious.

[J-Manic]

My goal in a new-to-me shmup is always to at least reach the final stage. So for me, my hump is getting passed the second to last stage. I feel so accomplished afterwards, whether or not if I die hella quick.

[MR_Soren]

Stage 3 is usually the first spot where I get stuck for a while.

[Zengeku3]

It really depends on the shooter in question obviously. For the Cave shmups it has usually been around Stage 4 for me although I think I managed to reach the final boss of the first loop on my first run of DOJ... but i'm not entirely sure if that's true.

Do you find that you can rely on previous skill to get through new games without as much repetition and practice? Just curious.

Obviously. Experience from other shmups is benefitial in basically every shmup out there. Granted its the same kind of shmup of course. If you have a lot of experience with Cave shooters for example and then suddenly start playing something completely different like Psikyo then that experience you have might actually work against you since there are certain things you do while playing shmups that you don't even think about... that just isn't too smart in that alien kind of shooter you are trying out.

[evil_ash_xero]

I wanted to make some sleazy comment, due to the title...but I'll refrain.

But for real tho', I have problems around the 3rd stage, on average. It seems to be where these games kick it up a notch.

[Deca]

I dunno if I really have any actual consistant pattern. I guess the last few games I've played (namely a handful of Psikyo games, Raiden Fighter 2, and Layer Section) I've hit stage 5 or 6 before really running into too much trouble. MMP made me start working towards the end of stage 4, mostly on the boss. Second half of stage 3 in Futari is a pretty universal wall but I think my first real challenge in that game was the stage 4 boss, that was the first thing I had to take into training mode. In Death Smiles I just had to run the final stage through training for a day or so before I could clear it. DOJ and Galuda 2 both keep me on my toes in stage 3, but I haven't really put much serious time into them.

I'm not sure there's really anything to draw from this, as different games are going to have different difficulty curves. Obviously playing any shooter is going to build up transferable skills, you just need to know which to apply depending on the game you're playing.

[finisherr]

I just bought Futari for Xbox 360 a few days ago. Pretty easy going until the second half of stage 3 (Original). I checked out Ultra just for kicks and the first stage definitely wasn't easy by my standards. Maniac was more manageable. Nonetheless, I think I'm gonna try and 1CC Original first and work my way up.

[Deca]

If you don't already have Black Label, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It's noticeably easier but significantly more enjoyable.

[Gus]

If you don't already have Black Label, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It's noticeably easier but significantly more enjoyable.

While Ultra is by now means a walk in the park it does get significantly easier and more enjoyable once you have it memorized. God is still clearly the better game I think and also it also has a far less harsh learning curve. Ditto with BL Original.

[finisherr]

With all this Black Label talk, I might have to sign into live and get it.

[finisherr]

actually, how do i get black label?

[finisherr]

NVM. They really make you go all the way to the bottom of that add-ons list. Wish there was a search feature.

[professor ganson]

Lately it's been second stage, but that's probably due to the difficulty of the games. NebulasRay is a good example. I haven't sniffed level 3 yet!

[Zengeku3]

actually, how do i get black label?

Look for Mushihimesama Hutari - Black Lavel.

[AttObl]

Area 3 in most Shooting Games usually kill me off. (DoDonPachi (More specifically, the part in Stage 3 where the ships uncloak), Darius Gaiden's Tier 3 Stages (Mainly the one with Electric Fan.), and Kamui to a lesser extent.) The only exceptions to this are RefleX (Area 5) and Ketsui (Area 2).

[NZA]

Stage 3.

[ptoing]

Most games by Cave seem to knock it up a notch around stage 3. But they are mostly not that bad.

Also I just tried Nebulas Ray. The parallax in the first level made me wanna barf and the controls feel weird :O###

[Blackbird]

P-47 Aces humpin' all the time s'how I roll ya'll!

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

I can't believe it took 17 replies for someone to say something worthwhile.

[finisherr]

the joke's already in the subject itself. any follow up is kinda predictable, right?

[stryc9]

That would be on average stage 3 of a new shmup, and stage 4 after a bit of practice, actually, a fair bit of practice - I seem to get worse survival wise as I integrate what I know about the scoring system into play. Makes sense I suppose.

[fogelmir]

When I first Play Stage 2.
When I am Used to the game Stage 3/4
When I am in range of a single credit run it's always the last boss.

[RNGmaster]

fark you rusted dragon. just fark you.

[Bananamatic]

fark you rusted dragon. just fark you.

in terms of difficulty:

rusted dragon>scarlet queen>the rest

[RNGmaster]

I dunno about that, Perpetual Calendar is a bitch on Sol side...

Are you saying that Rusted Dragon is the easiest? If so you've got the signs the wrong way around and I need to practice more.

[Bananamatic]

as in from hardest to easiest

Which PC is on Sol again? I remember one of the bosses having those bullshit blocking lasers but then again the rest of the stage is easy

[RNGmaster]

as in from hardest to easiest

Which PC is on Sol again? I remember one of the bosses having those bullshit blocking lasers but then again the rest of the stage is easy

Saint Mouve, he of the obnoxious cheapshot beams. Old Rose's blocking lasers can be bombed through and are easy if you have fossilmaiden. Her homing phase always gets me though.

[Bananamatic]

Luna is harder then as the boss has that stupid permawall attack

[AttObl]

I forgot another exception to the "Stage 3 = Difficulty Hump for me" list: HELLSINKER, at the Stage 8 boss (Where you have to raise the Satisfaction meter.). Rusted Dragon and Stage 5, I'm fine, but that boss always gets me!