Shmups with complex storylines

[shadowbringer]

I'd say Touhou for 2 things: The official writings and manga, and the fact that the final boss of TH10 is responsible for starting TH11, who's final boss in turn is responsible for starting TH12. That made me laugh.

Another game that comes to mind is Panzer Dragoon Orta. I haven't played it, but liked its story. Speaking of which, there are certain games that have likable stories to them (though not necessarily complex), imho.
- ESP Ra.De (the setting is somewhat similar to our present time, you're given control of characters with superpowers, which impact their lives negatively)
- Battle Garegga (realizing that you've contributed, without your consent, to an oppressive, tyrannic government feels terrifying, and burdens you with a moral obligation to amend that mistake, by destroying your own creations)
- Varth (knowing that the final boss is controlling all of the enemies that attack you through the entire game makes me want to do a Macross Attack, Blodia Punch, etc., on its face, should it have one)
- GigaWing (I can't not sympathize myself with the people that perished by the bombing at the end of Ruby's first stage; that has reminded me of this article, about Raiden III)

- CastleVania Legends (not a shmup, but deserves a mention, since the protagonist, Sonia Belmont, was meant to be the first of the Belmont line, and the story revolved around the first encounter with Dracula, how he would revive continuously, and how Sonia then tells him that for every time he did so, there would be someone to fight him like she did. The final boss bgm and the ending also help make this game feel like an unique, special episode in the CV series.)

[Mortificator]

that has reminded me of this article, about Raiden III)

That's a neat touch. Given the Raiden series' Toa-love, it might be an homage to Tiger Heli.

[EinhanderZwei]

Thunder Force V - pages and pages of shit I didn't read.

I read all of that. It's actually very interesting and well written!

Yeah, the shit is very cool, actually. Especially the idea with the recycling of dead pilot bodies

- CastleVania Legends (not a shmup, but deserves a mention, since the protagonist, Sonia Belmont, was meant to be the first of the Belmont line, and the story revolved around the first encounter with Dracula, how he would revive continuously, and how Sonia then tells him that for every time he did so, there would be someone to fight him like she did. The final boss bgm and the ending also help make this game feel like an unique, special episode in the CV series.)

Though as we all know, Igarashi-san has abandoned Legends in favor of Lament Of Innocence to become a series' prequel. In terms of storyline it was a worthy shift, IMHO

One more game that does damn right in the storytelling department (though not a pure shmup) - The Firemen for SNES