These are my Shmup confessions...

[KAI]

Trolling, right? If not, LOL.

[gs68]

I liked RefleX for how it conveys story through stages, but after I 1CC'd it I just had little motivation to replay it. Playing for score is too localized and relies on huge point jumps at certain spots--the rest of the game has little to no bearing on score.

[MarioNintendo]

I did come off as an idiot. For that, I am sorry, guys. These were only some things I wanted to get off my chest (except for the Galactic Attack comment, I think no one cares about that one).

I'll honestly say this, though: I do believe Atomic Runner is underplayed and I really wish it could get more attention, instead of just being seen as an awkward run'n gun. It makes me so sad because, despite not featuring combo scoring or pulling off incredible technical prowesses, I do think it's a very solid package. There's much more to talk about in this one than people make it seem.

Also, I do find it amusing you guys mostly focus on the same 10 titles everywhere on this forum. I'm not trying to make any friends by saying that, and I'm aware of that. I just found it funny: either you played them all and have reached what could seemingly be the penultimate gaming experience in the universe, either some of you are really missing out. With the wonders of emulation, I'm guessing it's surely the former, but still. It saddens me to think there could be only a dozen games worth talking about here.

But that's my two cents, no harm meant. Love you all for keeping this genre alive. I'm just a lurker.

[Pteriforever]

I did come off as an idiot. For that, I am sorry, guys. These were only some things I wanted to get off my chest (except for the Galactic Attack comment, I think no one cares about that one).

I'll honestly say this, though: I do believe Atomic Runner is underplayed and I really wish it could get more attention, instead of just being seen as an awkward run'n gun. It makes me so sad because, despite not featuring combo scoring or pulling off incredible technical prowesses, I do think it's a very solid package. There's much more to talk about in this one than people make it seem.

Also, I do find it amusing you guys mostly focus on the same 10 titles everywhere on this forum. I'm not trying to make any friends by saying that, and I'm aware of that. I just found it funny: either you played them all and have reached what could seemingly be the penultimate gaming experience in the universe, either some of you are really missing out. With the wonders of emulation, I'm guessing it's surely the former, but still. It saddens me to think there could be only a dozen games worth talking about here.

But that's my two cents, no harm meant. Love you all for keeping this genre alive. I'm just a lurker.

Thanks, that pretty much sums it up I was trying to make a similar point with my comment.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Also, I do find it amusing you guys mostly focus on the same 10 titles everywhere on this forum.

Yeah, there's only like 10 active highscore boards.

ohwait

Seriously, I don't know where you got that impression (your postcount is a pretty big hint, though), but there's plenty of mentions of obscure doujins or console games along with more mainstream shmups.

[ratikal]

I think Deathsmiles II is better than Deathsmiles I.

[ACSeraph]

^ Me too actually, not sure why.

[Sinful]

I hate games that don't have at least one more loop, even though I'm not good enough at any game to play the second loop yet (Well, Arcade games at least). But you know, just knowing that there is a second loop to keep me going if I choose too makes me enjoy said game much more. (NES Gradius 2 loop 2 don't count/is BS... for that matter, so is loop 1. Garbage game)

I hate vodeogame art today for the most part. I really miss old videogame art... Even looking back at that Joker guy from Cave, seems like he knew how to draw back then but all of a sudden forgot or something? ... I love post apacolyptic Irem, RayStorm, etc. 2D artwork (basically late 80s/early-around mid 90s). Can't believe that style is long dead.

My fave game is Graidus III AC and I have yet to beat it. Not sure if I ever will? But I sure love it either way. (Last I played I made it to Cube Rush. Satisfied enough to take a break).

I hate flying people or things (like octopus) games. Why is this so insanely popular all of a sudden?! Give me a ship any day (was happy to see a ship in a Cave game again, Akai Kitanna, then I bought game and seen that you can morph it into a person. >_<)

[MarioNintendo]

Also, I do find it amusing you guys mostly focus on the same 10 titles everywhere on this forum.

Yeah, there's only like 10 active highscore boards.

ohwait

Seriously, I don't know where you got that impression (your postcount is a pretty big hint, though), but there's plenty of mentions of obscure doujins or console games along with more mainstream shmups.

Really? My bad, then. It might be because, since I don't own a 360 and only recently started building myself a Saturn collection, I feel a bit left out for not playing the same games. In fact, for the longest time, I have only been in contact with Genesis and NES shmups, since those were the ones I owned. I played MAME here and there, but only to try the games without putting much time into them. Maybe I could add nuance to my words by saying that you guys confess about the same 10 games over and over in this thread, that might be more accurate.

Yeah, I'm new here and it definitely shows. Give me some time, lol. I'm not a troll, just someone who's been behind and is trying his best to catch up. There is some frustration on my part in that process. For example, the first time I played Radiant Silvergun in my life was last week. I paid $100 for it. And I can barely make it to stage 4 (the second one) on one continue. So much shame!

[dunpeal2064]

For example, the first time I played Radiant Silvergun in my life was last week. I paid $100 for it. And I can barely make it to stage 4 (the second one) on one continue. So much shame!

Hey man, that is exciting! I would rather have that situation than spent $100 on a game and be able to clear it right off the bat (read: MUSHA). Now you have a game you can enjoy many hours with. There is no shame there, just opportunity for excellence.

[BIL]

When I cleared Thunder Force III on Mania... I wasn't actually doing bouncing cock pushups on the fire button. :[

It might be because, since I don't own a 360 and only recently started building myself a Saturn collection, I feel a bit left out for not playing the same games.

Battle Garegga is the #1 game on the top 25, gets lots of love and hate in schumpschat, has huge score and strategy forum threads and a great Saturn port. So that's one to engage with the rest of the forum on even if you hate it. Good game too.

I like CHERUNOBU as well and so do lots of other folks here. The Japanese MD version is actually not cheap CIB, though still nowhere near the upper end of the machine's costlier games.

Hey man, that is exciting! I would rather have that situation than spent $100 on a game and be able to clear it right off the bat (read: MUSHA).

Word. And I did BOTH. \m/ \m/ Oh ERINOR-CHAN :3

[MarioNintendo]

Battle Garegga is the #1 game on the top 25, gets lots of love and hate in schumpschat, has huge score and strategy forum threads and a great Saturn port. So that's one to engage with the rest of the forum on even if you hate it. Good game too.

...

I like CHERUNOBU as well and so do lots of other folks here. The Japanese MD version is actually not cheap CIB, though still nowhere near the upper end of the machine's costlier games.

I did try Battle Garegga a few times on MAME to see what the hype was all about. Personally, I find it to be pretty hard, but I'm not good enough to experience the game getting more difficult each time you get better. So to me it's just a colorless Raizing game so far. At the moment, Armed Police Batrider fits more my tastes; it's just much more entertaining to me. Though don't get me wrong; if Garegga didn't cost close to $200, I'd already have it. At that price, though, there is no reason for me to get it, it seems. I find the Taito shooters much more accessible in every sense of the word, for example.

It's also heartwarming to see a thread about Chelnov, nice. Sorry about that comment, then. Really, though, it'll never get enough attention!

[nosorrow]

Hello board. First time/long time (discovered the site way back in 1997 when I first got on the Internet). On to the confessions:

-Manic shooters overwhelm me.
-I think it's pathetic that modern companies resort to sexed up underage anime girls to sell their games. I wouldn't be caught dead playing those games.
-The guys who collect those types of games (BECAUSE of the anime factor) and buy figures of the accompanying "lolies" (is that the right word?) are sad.
-Blast Wind is one of my favourite shooters. Blast Wind/Hyper Duel are much more enjoyable to me than TF III & IV (I don't really like the latter... I suck at it though)
-The PC Engine shooter library is amazing but I'd rather have emulated versions of the games (via Wii VC) rather than having the actual hardware: seems too unreliable.
-PC Engine ­> Genesis/MD as far as shooters go (even though I own and really enjoy the best the latter has to offer)
-R-Type bores me, but I still have R-Types, R-Types III and Super R-Type in my collection (and looking to add Delta).
-Android Assault is one of the blandest, pointless shooters I have ever played. (Love the first stage graphics though.)
-I have a slight preference for Lords of Thunder on the Sega CD... I think it's great and very much enjoy the darker palette.
-I bought Radiant Silvergun on hype alone and have a feeling I won't enjoy it (will receive in the mail this week).
-"Good" condition games from Japanese Saturn resellers are in better condition than "mint" condition ones from North American resellers 9 times out of 10.
-Gun.Smoke is the best NES shooter, edging out Gun Nac.
-M.U.S.H.A. is all it's cracked up to be: an amazing game and not overrated one bit; Space Megaforce is quite enjoyable in its own right and worth the time and money; Robo Aleste is a piece of shit (I don't know how Compile messed that one up and it saddens me - owned it three different times before I stopped convincing me of its worth).

That's all for now!

[SFKhoa]

-I instantly fall in love with games that have FM synths (Or Yousuke Yasui) in them, no matter how shitty the games themselves are.
-I was really irritated when games like Akai Katana, SDOJ, etc on the 360 did not have hi-score entries. I do not like to be denied my right to enter KOA as I please.
-Speaking of CAVE games, I tend to always play all the modes (eg. Black Label, Arrange, etc.) except the actual "vanilla" version of the game.
-When I hate a game, it's because I'm bad at it.

More to come.

[PedroMD]

I was once convinced that I am a pretty decent player, I just have this nasty habit of dying with a full bomb stock because of pressing the button too late or just plain forgetting to bomb.
Then I realized that if I really were any good I wouldn't need bombs to begin with.
Then I got sad because I can't even lie to myself anymore.

[Sarethums]

*Ive never 1cc'd anything.

*Most of my shmup collection i haven't even played once.

*I used to (and still do) come up with my own elaborate story lines when I play xevious.

*When i walk through a crowded place like a train station I try to engage my dodging skills that I've learned from shmups.

*If I could only have one shmup in my collection it would be either geometry wars galaxies for wii or xevious nes port.

*When people see my collection they say "woah you must have some mad skills brah", I don't have mad skills "brah" but I never correct them.

Im sure there is more.

[Bonus!]

*Most of my shmup collection i haven't even played once.

Do you collect games for their artwork then, or what else is your motivation? This is a serious question. I know that some limited editions are really well made.

[Sarethums]

*Most of my shmup collection i haven't even played once.

Do you collect games for their artwork then, or what else is your motivation? This is a serious question. I know that some limited editions are really well made.

Thats a good question. When I was in my teens I had an incredible video game collection, from nes up to cube and PS1 up to pS2, I literally had collected thousands of games and 20+ consoles, every game in a series was my main theme, every resident evil, metroid, Capcom game released on a particular console etc.
My mums 'partner' at the time was in a black hole of debt from gambling. At this point in time I was joining the Royal Navy and was scared that debt collectors would come in take my collection so I parted with every single shred of it on ebay and amazon etc. For years I felt upset about this, now I feel happy that I don't own a massive collection of games anymore. I work in retail selling video games and so I am surrounded by potential collections on a daily basis. PLus almost all my colleagues have massive collections of every game for a certain console etc. I really wanted to get back into collecting but I didn't want it taking up too much space or money and since shmups appeal to me so much and I feel good when I admire my collection plus when a shmup comes into my shop that I don't own I have this overwhelming feeling that it belongs on my shelf with the others. My games collection a a whole is very small but on that same token my shmup collection is still pretty huge especially for how cheap it was for me (mostly).

I hope this long winded response answers your question.

sarethums

[nasty_wolverine]

*When i walk through a crowded place like a train station I try to engage my dodging skills that I've learned from shmups.

I do that when I go back to my home town, Calcutta, one of the most crowded cities in the world with one of the most busiest railways, which I have to take very often. Its either tap dodge my way through or be run over.

[gs68]

Every time I see someone assert that CAVE or the series that shall not be named is harder than <insert non-danmaku shooter here>, especially if they haven't actually played the game they're looking at, I want to slit their fucking wrists.

[chum]

Video Games

[Zengeku3]

Serious Business. You should know this

[Van_Artic]

i dont like any Cave game that came before Mushihimesama (i don't hate them and i would still play them if i feel like doing so)

i never 1CC'd Deathsmiles despite being a really easy game

i love Deathsmiles II

i 100% memorized radiant silvergun in my head but can't and probably will never pull off a run

never liked any thunderforce game

what's the deal with mars matrix? why do people like it so much?

vertical shmups > horizontal

i constantly browse pixiv for cave waifu art

I masturbated to Shuri and Maria several times

SDOJ forever best game

-Radirgy is perfect.

i like Karous way more, but i also love Radirgy Noa

[gs68]

- I hated HELLSINKER at first because it's one of those games that initially makes no goddamn sense but now I can ALL clear it reliably on Drastic with a five-digit score.

- I played Raptor: Call of the Shadows for about one stage before calling it quits. Tyrian 2000 is somewhat better, but I don't consider it omgamazingahegaodoublepeace.

- Part of why I love Gradius ReBirth is because of the callbacks to the MSX-exclusive Gradius games.

[evil_ash_xero]

I think this is just Drakon's work.

[trap15]

If it was Drakon it'd be literally covered with hot glue though

[KAI]

I haven't touched Radirgy in a year, and can't even clear it right now.

[manatworks]

☆i always start touhou on easy mode to get to know the game
☆i thought that Senko Duo is shumps (in the meaning of proper,scrolling game) because of G.Rev logo on it
☆only cave games i ever 1cc is Deathsmiles (i did it on location cabs too)
☆i can handle bullet hell but can't play older one with fast bullets anymore

[strykr]

Im not finding espgaluda as easy as everyone seems to think (well stage 5 and boss anyway, the rest is peasy).
I dont think i'll ever beat any of the hibachis in arcade modes
see above, in my little average shmupper world i count completing all levels and the last boss as my 1cc
Ibari looks ugly to me.
i dont like hori shmups, but i love vert ones in the cab.
I dont understand any hatred towards cave, they make cool shmups anything else doesnt matter to me.
Im not scared of bomb spamming.

Prob lots more, but this is a fun thread and wanted to contribute

[Blinge]

I get angry. real angry.
No other genre makes me rage as much as shmups and I can only theorize that its because you don't do as well as you're capable of most of the time. When you're in the zone it's all great, but how often is one in the zone?
And of course; you're playing yourself instead of someone else.
If I've practiced a game i suffer heavily from restart syndrome.. If I lose concentration and ruin a great run later in the game, the self flagellation begins..
I've never really done this but, thanks to getting into shmups I've formed a rather nasty habit of punching myself in the head after a clumsy death. Anyone else do similar? I imagine there's a lot of controller throwing