Most important shmup feature

[R-Gray 1]

Pacing. If a shooter is boring or even just idles for anything more than a very short breather, everything else suffers.

Agree
i mentioned gameplay to talk about that.

Ps: i had to use google translator to understand what pacing means

[Jeneki]

Level design.

The best scoring system in the world is meaningless if the game isn't correctly arranged to take advantage of it.

[daigle]

Hmm...seems like i left out important ones.

and to the guy who seems upset about the topic in general close your eyes and imagine it says "youre favorite part of a shmup" and calm down a little bit.

[R-Gray 1]

The best scoring system in the world is meaningless if the game isn't correctly arranged to take advantage of it.

+1
but in this site scoring is very important.

[daigle]

I voted soundtrack, the games with the best soundtracks are the ones i play the most.

[Blackbird]

I feel like a good game comes from the harmonious balance of lots of elements, but if I had to dumb it down to one thing, it would probably be "fun". If the game has lasting entertainment value, then it has succeeded, however it accomplishes that (usually a combination of good graphics, gameplay, and sound).

A good soundtrack does go a long way with me, though. I sometimes overlook mildly clumsy mechanics in favor of great sound.

[Jeneki]

Fun Weapons™.

I just had an experience I can relate to this. Last weekend played a couple Saturn games.

The first one I popped in was Kyukyoku Tiger II Plus. After a few credits, I came to the conclusion that the weapons all suck. Even fully powered up, stuff just takes too long to destroy. I spend just as must time dodging enemies I can't destroy as I do dodging their bullets. This game went back on the shelf, maybe to be played again some day...

Next I tossed in Shienryu. Instantly I'm blazing down enemies left and right. Planes and tanks enter the screen non-stop, falling quickly to a hail of firepower, weather its gatling guns, missile swarms, or (lol) homing lightning. Even after a death and I'm reduced to a weaker shot, enemies are still destroyed quickly and effectively, to be replaced by another wave just as I clear them. I'm blowing crap up and it is FUN.