Best Non-Danmaku STGs for 360 PAL?

[n0rtygames]

Hey all,

Sorry if this is a topic that's been done to death - I did have a search around, but information is rather scattered. As the subject says, I'm looking for a bit of a change of pace. I've been playing a lot of Danmaku shooters (mostly cave) over recent years and I'm wondering what the boards opinions would be on games with.... fuller hitboxes. It's not that I'm bored of bullet hell games by any means and I think they'll remain my favourites, it's just that I really can't remember the last shmup I played where bullets were in the minority in the modern era

Is there anything out there I should look in to purchasing or importing as a recommendation for the less manic part of the genre? I know this seems like a very vague question, so specifically I'm looking for modern releases - fairly recent that have seen region free success. I don't have a Japanese 360 yet - hoping Chronoblast will pay for that luxury, so I haven't actually been able to get hands on experience with the relatively recent Raiden games yet - though I have heard good things.

This is mostly because I just want to see where that side of things is at these days as there's a chance my next project might have a lower bullet count to preserve sanity.

If I've missed a really important thread where people have already stroked their beards and discuss this, please call me an idiot and point me in the right direction.....

Cheers!
Steve

[trap15]

There's Raiden IV and Raiden Fighters Aces, at least.

[n0rtygames]

There's Raiden IV and Raiden Fighters Aces, at least.

I didn't think those were region free? I've always wanted to give those a try as they look great - but never spotted a release I can run here in the UK

[Chaos Phoenixma]

There's Strania on XBLA and soon Under Defeat.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

There's Strania on XBLA and soon Under Defeat.

Strania is awesome. There's a couple sections where large sprays of bullets are fired, and the hitbox is very small like a standard danmaku game, but for the most part it feels very much unlike a danmaku. It also does a great job of having physical objects/walls you can collide with but without feeling like a Gradius game where the slightest touch makes you explode (if you hit a wall you have to physically graze along it for a good second or two to lose a life, and that only happens usually if you're moving into the wall as touching a wall when you're not moving in any direction will usually bounce you off it).

[emphatic]

Ikaruga on XBLA.

[n0rtygames]

Ikaruga on XBLA.

I would've thought Ikaruga lived in the "Manic" category?

[BulletMagnet]

Not sure if Eschatos is "non-manic" enough for you, but it's region-free...Mushi Futari is too, though again I don't know if Original mode qualifies for what you're seeking. Otherwise I'm not sure what might both qualify and work on a PAL system, at least when it comes to disc-based stuff.

[n0rtygames]

Not sure if Eschatos is "non-manic" enough for you, but it's region-free...Mushi Futari is too, though again I don't know if Original mode qualifies for what you're seeking. Otherwise I'm not sure what might both qualify and work on a PAL system, at least when it comes to disc-based stuff.

Haven't had a chance to play Eschatos yet, I'll have to get that added to my collection. Certainly looks fun at any rate. Futari Original definately lives in the manic category. I've managed to 1CC that - but the final bosses last attack pattern still requires twitchy small-hitbox dodging if you're out of bombs...

I guess from the feedback my only option is going to be to get a Japanese system and play the recent Raiden games...

Don't get me wrong, I love bullet hell games to death - so it's not a case of me looking for something easier to play. Just that I want to explore other vertical shmups that offer a good scoring challenge without fields of bullets. Just for a change really!

[AntiFritz]

There's Raiden IV and Raiden Fighters Aces, at least.

Neither of those games are available for pal xbox's.

[trap15]

There's Raiden IV and Raiden Fighters Aces, at least.

Neither of those games are available for pal xbox's.

:3

[Special World]

Eschatos, without a doubt.

Also Geometry Wars 2.

[denpanosekai]

By all means, get Eschatos. Then get pumped for its pseudo sequel coming out in a month.