Shmups like X-Multiply?

[Edmond Dantes]

I've been pretty subtle about it, but you might've noticed I love X-Multiply.

It suddenly dawned on me that eventually, I'm going to beat it. And I will be sad when I do, since it never had a sequel or anything.

So then I wondered: Are there other games like X-Multiply?

By "similar," I mean:

1. Creepy as fuck themes and imagery.
2. ship with tentacles.

I know the tentacles are similar conceptually to R-Type's force, and that there's a tentacle force in R-Type Delta (and maybe Final?) and also in Konami's XEXEX. But I'm mainly interested in games that match point #1 -- Creepy as fuck.

Know of any? The more effed up, the better.

[Ghegs]

There's that one douijn circle whose shmups have a really, really creepy imagery going for them. Can't remember the name or any of their games at the moment, but I'm sure it'll come to me, or somebody else with a better memory will come along and tell you.

They don't have ships with tentacles as far as I know, but point #1 is covered easily.

EDIT: The circle is called Artesneit. NSFW.

Boss battle in Yakouga Taiken 5's trial, also kind of NSFW.

[Mortificator]

You already hit the answer, Edmond. Irem does bio-horror shooters the best, so since you're already on X Multiply, you should try R-Type. Sample creepiness.

The Albatross and its Tentacle Force are indeed in R-Type Delta and Final. The last game also has the Cross the Rubicon and its Flexible Force, with tentacles that trail your movements in an homage to the X-002. It has the same red laser as its parent ship, through the blue and yellow are different.

The last stage of X Multiply is damn hard, by the way. Good luck!

[NAVVARR]

Good to hear another person who appreciates XMultiply- played it and completed it in the arcades back in the late 80's / early 90's.

Great game, amazing graphics and really deserved a sequel.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

Rezon. Metal Black is also a pretty dark game, albeit in a much different manner. You'll probably hear more about it from BIL.

Since this thread is more or less about Irem games, does anyone know the name of that one super hard Image Fight clone? I'd also like to see more games in that fashion.

[Ghegs]

I don't think there's anything creepy or ships-with-tentacles in Rezon. Cool game, though.

Super Hard Image Fight clone? Is this an arcade game or something else?

[Mortificator]

War of Aero.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

Arcade I believe. Anything that follows the Irem style of level design in the vertical perspective would be great though.

EDIT: Looks like Mortificator got my answer! thanks bud.

[Ghegs]

Hadn't heard about it before, but War of Aero's pretty fun. Certainly tickles my fancy. In a way it's to Image Fight what Rezon is to R-Type. Nice.

[professor ganson]

The first Shikigami no Shiro is creepy and strange.

[To Far Away Times]

XexeX only has the creepy alien thing going on in one level, but it has a detachable pod with tentacles on it. It was very influenced by R-Type and X-Multiply. It's also a great game!

[Edmond Dantes]

Okay, so far...

I actually own most of the R-Type series. Only missing Final and a PCB of Leo (I have the DotEmu package of 18 Irem games, which includes Leo, but I'd like something physical).

And as for those porn shmups HOLY SH** MY VIRGIN EYES! Okay, so... how do I get Doujin games? Are they download-only or available in stores?

Planning on getting Salamander Portable later on, specifically for Xexex (although Salamander/Life Force itself looks like its my speed too).

[rancor]

I've got two of their titles available in my shop:



$63 for the two of them shipped via SAL.

[Aisha]

And as for those porn shmups HOLY SH** MY VIRGIN EYES! Okay, so... how do I get Doujin games? Are they download-only or available in stores?

Both. Although regarding Artesneit's games specifically...

For the all-ages games, see above. There is an all-ages version of Yakouga 4 that's still in print too, but you might have to look around. Yakouga 5 is the closest to X-Multiply and R-Type in terms of gameplay. The rest are bullet hell. Miku's Multiply Spiral doesn't have an organic theme, but I think it's the only one that's actually creepy.

The circle's 18+ games are all out of print, but digital versions can be purchased from its DLSite Maniax (18+) store. You'll need a credit card. Specifically, Yakouga 1-3 and the 18+ version of Yakouga 4; there is also a puzzle game/visual novel, 邪神学園戦記ペルマス, but you're probably not interested in that. Yakouga 3 isn't a shmup (but it's an enormous Metroid-like game with shmup elements), and before you drop money on Yakouga 1, 2, or 3, you should give their trial versions a try so that you know what you're getting before spending anything. (Reason being is that the freeware game engine they use is rather primitive, so they could give you some problems.)

A couple of the circle's older games are offered for free: Galshell ~ Blood Red Skies and Hellbound. There is also a trial of Galshell 2 version C79.1 available; the game is unfinished but its trial still offers ~30-40 minutes of play-time with great visual designs and music, so it's worth a look.

[Edmond Dantes]

I tried to download Galshell but apparently you need to register with Vector(?) to get it.

And I can't figure out how to download the other games (I'm just starting to learn Japanese--webpages aren't gonna be something I can navigate just yet)

EDIT: Found another link for Galshell, but no such luck with Hellbound.

[Aisha]

You don't need to register. Odd. The links were working for me just before I posted. Oh well, try this:

http://www.vector.co.jp/vpack/browse/pe ... 39383.html

[Despatche]

xexex

[DocHauser]

Gynoug (Wings of Wor) on the Megadrive. Check out the boss on this level (about 9 minutes in).

http://youtu.be/7Hy1xwyUAC0

[Mortificator]

a PCB of Leo

The Japanese version uses checkpoints in single-player while the World has instant respawn, so make sure to pick the board with the method you prefer.

[hoopy]

I'm a big X-Multiply fan too. Played it non-stop in the arcades. I love the floaty feel of the ships tentacle arms. IREM had a knack of coming up with cool game mechanics like that.

I remember see the flyer for X-Multiply, and reading that the whole game is set inside the human body. Which kinda surprised me. The IREM designers obviously had some strange ideas about human anatomy.

I also really enjoy Saint Dragon and Last Resort. Worth a try if you haven't already played them.

[viper_phase1]

Chimera Beast by Jaleco.

[Edmond Dantes]

Downloaded Galshell 1 and 2 and Hellbound.

Ah, so two of those require Win95/98... that's... actually perfect for me. Have an old PC that needs more love.

Also, making a point of picking up Wings of Wor and Bio Hazard Battle next time I see 'em.

Also, I made a mistake earlier: I do not have R-Type III for the SNES (would prefer the Super Famicom version since I heard the SNES one was censored). Anyone got a good going price on that?

EDIT: Incidentally, I'm also on the prowl for the Saturn version of X-Multiply itself (I have the PSOne port, but I love this game so much I need to own both, and someone's already holding the arcade PCB for me). If anyone sees it for sale, point me at it, plz?

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

I've been told that the JP version of R-Type III is noticeably harder than the US one, so you may want to keep that in mind before you buy.

[Mortificator]

As far as censorship goes, the only change was that R-Type III's second boss fires sperm at you in the Japanese version and fires eyeballs in the localization. Sperm aficionados were outraged.

[MommysBestGames]

Dragon Breed by Irem. I was unclear, Edmond, if you've got that one so figured I'd add it.
It has some pretty great defense gameplay with the dragon tail, acting similar to one giant X-Multiply tentacle. It's not super creepy, but the gameplay is neat and similar.

Man, I love X-Multiply as well.

[Edmond Dantes]

As far as censorship goes, the only change was that R-Type III's second boss fires sperm at you in the Japanese version and fires eyeballs in the localization. Sperm aficionados were outraged.

Seems to me like eyeballs would actually be creepier...

To the guy above me: I don't have a physical copy of Dragon Breed, but it is in the Irem Arcade Hits collection. Man, talk about tough... I can't get past the first level. (To be fair, I usually play Image Fight when I play that collection).

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Crying: Aseimei Sensou (also known as Bio Hazard Battle in the english release) is entirely biologically-themed (with four playable ships/creatures), has a charge shot and option to block bullets with like R-Type. Not sure if it's 'creepy' enough, but the art's certainly very interesting.

[Herr Schatten]

Crying: Aseimei Sensou (also known as Bio Hazard Battle in the english release) is entirely biologically-themed (with four playable ships/creatures), has a charge shot and option to block bullets with like R-Type. Not sure if it's 'creepy' enough, but the art's certainly very interesting.

What pushes it into 'creepy' territory is the eerily unsettling music.

[Skykid]

Phalanx has a clinical bio horror thing going on. Its visuals are notably good.

[Captain]

Phalanx has bio ships and tentacle bonuses but the peak of its biological aspect is on par with Axelay's final boss.