List of Organic/Creature Shmups?

[SYJourney]

Galshell

[Bananamatic]

touhou

[LordHypnos]

The fact that unlimited continues are a standard in newer shmups and cheats are, well cheats. But devs didn't used to include unlimited continues. Also if using infinite continues is practice, then why does most of the newer shmups include an actual practice mode? Like i said, newer shmups are all about a high score. It would be nice if devs would include a classic mode where you get 3 to 5 continues, I would actually probably care to get better at the newer ones and try for 1cc.

A few notes here: Practice modes vs. continuing are different sorts of practice experience. For example, generally when I'm trying to learn a stage or specifically practice one stage, I'll use a practice mode. If I already know a game pretty well (pretty much just Mars Matrix), I'll often do full runs of it because that's very fun. However, Mars Matrix is quite hard, so I usually game over in the later stages, but I've still got a little bit of momentum left and I'm all powered up and stuff, So I'll continue in order to practice the later stages so that I'm less likely to fail in them during the next full run.

I think that, in general, it would be better to have very full featured practice mode that allowed you to tweak all sorts of different variables and no continues or just continuing sending you to the beginning of the stage as well as blanking your score, but the point here is that the way that you can practice with continues is very different than a practice mode. One final note is that in arcades you don't have practice modes so unlimited continues are kind of the only way you can practice, and console ports these days attempt to be arcade perfect so they let you continue as much as you want.

point 2: Some CAVE games (maybe just the M2 Futari port on 360?) have a special mode called "score attack" that limits your continues to... well 0. Technically Futari is also organic, I guess...? Your enemies are mostly bugs and Reco rides on a bug, I think. Palm rides a dragon for some reason. It's a little odd thematically.

point 3:

It would be nice if devs would include a classic mode where you get 3 to 5 continues, I would actually probably care to get better at the newer ones and try for 1cc.

Most console ports let you set the number of continues. How about just setting it to a number between 3 and 5? I think I have Mars Matrix set to 5 continues even though I have freeplay unlocked.

Maybe some of them don't, but protip, you can just stop playing once you've continued 5 times.

point 4:
You may not believe it, but these games are generally designed in a way that makes limiting yourself to 0 continues the far more enjoyable way to play them. They are usually perfectable, for one thing. Also playing sloppily and taking hits all over the place is really not very fun, and this is compounded by the fact that you can't really learn to get through 15 minutes of gameplay all at once without that sloppiness, so it's far better to learn how to deal with each tiny increment of stage individually. Things start to make sense and you start doing better, and eventually you realize that the continues weren't necessary anyway. Plus, there's nothing more intense (in videogames, anyway) than facing off against a final boss without being able to take any hits at all because you've already lost all of your lives. Some serious adrenaline right there. You probably won't suceed if you don't know how to deal with the boss, but if you do you just need to get the execution perfect which you know you are capable of.

[d0s]

Personally what tires me out about modern shooters is too much emphasis on danmaku stuff which isn't a bad style, I'm just tired of it (though I play a ton of Crimzon Clover)

For some reason, i tend to call Cave-style shooters "bullethell" and 2hou-style "danmaku". May sound stupid, but for me "danmaku" nearly lacks backgrounds, has more abstract enemies (or no enemies) etc.

I was using the term to refer to the bullet patterns themselves, not as a genre description. It's definitely a cliche to say it in 2016 but I am tired of games that fill the screen with large bullet patterns as one of the main gameplay mechanics, which is something both cave and 2hu do. Doesn't stop me from still playing new ones when they come out though, because it's way better than nothing but if I had it my way there would be a lot more modern memorization shooters, caravan shooters, arena shooters, etc.

[Doctor Butler]

You could say the same about any cheat. If I enter a debug code and sail through with 9999999 lives, did I win just because I saw the ending? However you choose to define "winning", the point is you bypassed the whole game using a practice tool. You didn't experience it.

Go for 1 credit clears, those are the only "wins" recognized by shmup communities, and often the only ones recognized by developers. Infinite continues exist as a practice tool. Don't blame the game for something optional that the game industry basically forces them to include.

^ This.

Also, nobody has mentioned any Xbox Live games - Game Type, Shutshimi, Pester and Super Killer Hornet feature cats/donuts/weird shit, fish, and insects, respectively.

And Verminest is free a Galaga clone for PC.

[Guardic]

Is the shooting collection with Image Fight and X-Multiply worth the $80 - $120 it goes for? Playstation or Saturn version?

[d0s]

Is the shooting collection with Image Fight and X-Multiply worth the $80 - $120 it goes for? Playstation or Saturn version?

If I was rich I would buy it in a second as I love those games and like owning the games I like, but right now I couldn't justify spending that on ports of games I can play in MAME. If you have the cash though go for it they're both fantastic and I understand it's an excellent port

[Guardic]

Is the shooting collection with Image Fight and X-Multiply worth the $80 - $120 it goes for? Playstation or Saturn version?

If I was rich I would buy it in a second as I love those games and like owning the games I like, but right now I couldn't justify spending that on ports of games I can play in MAME. If you have the cash though go for it they're both fantastic and I understand it's an excellent port

But which version is the best port? Saturn or Playstation? I kind hope it's the Saturn version as It's easier to play as I don't have to hook up my JAP Playstation, plus the Saturn version is also usually cheaper. I seen the PS1 version go for around $250-$300.

[d0s]

Is the shooting collection with Image Fight and X-Multiply worth the $80 - $120 it goes for? Playstation or Saturn version?

If I was rich I would buy it in a second as I love those games and like owning the games I like, but right now I couldn't justify spending that on ports of games I can play in MAME. If you have the cash though go for it they're both fantastic and I understand it's an excellent port

But which version is the best port? Saturn or Playstation? I kind hope it's the Saturn version as It's easier to play as I don't have to hook up my JAP Playstation, plus the Saturn version is also usually cheaper. I seen the PS1 version go for around $250-$300.

Both are identical

[MachineAres 1CC]

itt: people telling other people how to enjoy their shooting video games.

Is this real life?

[Squire Grooktook]

itt: people telling other people how to enjoy their shooting video games.

Is this real life?

I don't want to keep this discussion going, but nobody did this, don't put words in our mouth's.

I distinctly said "if you enjoy playing with unlimited credits, that's fine", but the op was deliberately stating that he didn't enjoy credit feeding, either. My point was that complaining about unlimited credits as an option is silly. You might as well complain that the game has a novice mode and therefore sucks, or that cheat engines exist, so it's not really challenging because you can cheat. There's an intended way to beat the game, and if you're not going to follow it, then it's not the games problem if it's not exciting as a result.

It's a poor reason to speak ill of the classics, no matter how you slice it.

[d0s]

itt: people telling other people how to enjoy their shooting video games.

Is this real life?

Is this seriously what you got out of that conversation? Nobody was telling the guy not to play the way he wanted to play, playing to see the ending is a perfectly cool and valid thing to do. He said he wanted games to impose a limit on credits and we're basically saying "you can impose that limit yourself if you want and it's still fun". How is asking someone to have a modicum of self control to play the game they way they want to play it (with limited credits) telling them to play the game differently? They want to play the game with few credits, we say "so play with few credits", what completely outrageous assholes we are

[Skykid]

I'm sure Phalanx has plenty of organic fodder and a nice clinical bio horror-esque stage 2.

[Shepardus]

If anything, wanting games to limit continues is "people telling other people how to enjoy their shooting video games."

Speaking of which, CC:WI locks off the TLB and explicitly tells you to go for the 1CC if you use continues. Many other TLBs in other games have similar requirements. The Touhou games give you a "bad ending" if you use continues. Ikaruga (at least on PC, probably on Xbox 360 as well?) has continues disabled entirely by default. There's clearly encouragement to not use continues, but they still provide it as an option.

As for the actual topic title, does Guwange count? Howabout games where you fight people, like Gun.Smoke?

[cfx]

.

[OdiousTrident]

Games where I think the organic designs dominate:

Dragon Breed
Psychic Storm
Bio Hazard Battle
Terra Forming
Metal Black
Rayxanber III
Chimera Beast
Dangerous Seed
Abadox
Prehistoric Isle in 1930
Prehistoric Isle 2
Bio Metal

[Guardic]

Awesome!!! Thanks to everyone that listed some great games I've never heard of. Also, found one that no one had mentioned: Gaiares for Genesis. Picked it up off ebay CIB for $50. Great game too. Has a cool weapon stealing system, great music and atmosphere.

Here's something that's kinda on topic. Why are there almost no vertical shmups with a bio/organic theme?

[Guardic]

Games where I think the organic designs dominate:

Dragon Breed
Psychic Storm
Bio Hazard Battle
Terra Forming
Metal Black
Rayxanber III
Chimera Beast
Dangerous Seed
Abadox
Prehistoric Isle in 1930
Prehistoric Isle 2
Bio Metal

Dear jeezus, Rayxanber III was such a good game but oh dear god that laser beam weapon's sound effects nearly drove me insane playing it.

Thanks for the list!!

[Guardic]

As for the actual topic title, does Guwange count? Howabout games where you fight people, like Gun.Smoke?

Guwange is pretty good, but I'm looking for more creature/gore shmups. Ever since I played The Guardian Legend, Bio-Hazard Battle and R-Type back in the 90s, I've always just enjoyed the whole flying into an alien creatures planet or nest and destroying them. Especially The Guardian Legend. It's my absolute favorite game ever made. I think it has to do with the atmosphere of the game. Personally I just find shooting down planes and other mechanical enemies not as fun as killing some big grotesque creature with 17 arms and tentacles for eyes. Off topic, Splatterhouse 2 is another game on my absolute favorite game list, along with all the Castlevanias.

[Squire Grooktook]

Eliminate Down has some freaky monster designs, and two organic stages which are cool. Otherwise it's mostly space based and technology. Very cool stylistically as well.

[hamfighterx]

A couple Psikyo games fit the bill:

Sol Divide: more fantasy/mythological kinds of creatures. Hydras and serpents and floating eyes and stuff. It's an interesting game, some people despise it but some get into it. Just don't expect a typical STG, it almost feels like a side scrolling shmup with beat em up elements.

Dragon Blaze: in addition to being on a dragon, the enemies are very organic and "creaturey"

I didn't realize how expensive the PS2 collection of both games is these days (and if I ever really need some cash that's an idea...) but it's really good mainly for the only console port of Dragon Blaze - the far better game and one of Psikyo's better titles overall, and a quality port. Emulation exists too though. Japanese Saturn/PSX Sol Divide is a good port and is a lot cheaper - the PSX one got a butchered US release by XS games around the time of their "Mobile Light Force" abominations.

[Gamer707b]

I'm looking for a list of Shmups where the games theme is either all or mostly organic matter/creatures that you are killing. Similar games:
R-Type Series, Bio-Hazard Battle, The Guardian Legend, Life Force, Salamander, Salamander 2, Axelay, Deathsmiles, Mushihimesama, Darius Series, Violent Solider/Sinistron, Dead Moon, Abadox
I prefer classic shmups. Not to big into the newer bullet-hell styles where the whole game is based around a high score and infinite continues, but more about limited continues and completing the game. But I did like Deathsmiles and Mushihimesama.

I totally get what you're saying. I too like the classic style shooters like gradius, R type etc. I don't play for score myself but rather to complete the game. If a game be it Contra or Gunstar heroes or a shooter for that matter gave me 3 continues to finish it , then to me that's fine cause Im not cheating. Ive never used any kind of cheat devices. Not game genie, game shark or whatever. To me as I said I don't consider it cheating as long as that's whats the game gave me. I too am not a score chaser but I get a lot of satisfaction in completing said game. I will admit that I don't have the kind of dedication to 1cc Radiant Silvergun, but I will take a lot of pride in finishing it in say 3 cc. I admire the 1ccers and score chasers but Im not one of them and it sounds like neither are you. To each is own. Cool thing is the more people experience this wonderful genre the better. So play how you want. So I might be the only one here to 'get you'.

[Gamer707b]

Awesome!!! Thanks to everyone that listed some great games I've never heard of. Also, found one that no one had mentioned: Gaiares for Genesis. Picked it up off ebay CIB for $50. Great game too. Has a cool weapon stealing system, great music and atmosphere.

Here's something that's kinda on topic. Why are there almost no vertical shmups with a bio/organic theme?

Gaiares is probably my favorite 16 bit shooter. I don't think that's what you're looking for though. Its more scifish with mechs. Excellent game either way. Just REAL hard.

[Guardic]

Awesome!!! Thanks to everyone that listed some great games I've never heard of. Also, found one that no one had mentioned: Gaiares for Genesis. Picked it up off ebay CIB for $50. Great game too. Has a cool weapon stealing system, great music and atmosphere.

Here's something that's kinda on topic. Why are there almost no vertical shmups with a bio/organic theme?

Gaiares is probably my favorite 16 bit shooter. I don't think that's what you're looking for though. Its more scifish with mechs. Excellent game either way. Just REAL hard.

As far as I've made it, the bosses seem to be creature-ish in design.

[Gamer707b]

Awesome!!! Thanks to everyone that listed some great games I've never heard of. Also, found one that no one had mentioned: Gaiares for Genesis. Picked it up off ebay CIB for $50. Great game too. Has a cool weapon stealing system, great music and atmosphere.

Here's something that's kinda on topic. Why are there almost no vertical shmups with a bio/organic theme?

Gaiares is probably my favorite 16 bit shooter. I don't think that's what you're looking for though. Its more scifish with mechs. Excellent game either way. Just REAL hard.

As far as I've made it, the bosses seem to be creature-ish in design.

Ive only got to level 3, I think. The first is a anime looking girl boos, the 2nd is the boss in the shell. Don't remember the 3rd. Its been a while since I touched it. To me its very sci fi, which is nothing wrong with that, so its nowhwhere near the creepiness of Rtype . Playing through R Type Final currently and I just passed the level 4 boss. I think. Man Ive been undersleeping the last few days so my brain isn't all there. Anyway , this boss has got his eyes covered, looking like a sicko with his seeman looking friends swimming all around as you fight him. Sometimes I think 'who thinks this shit up'? Don't know if you've played this, Im assuming you have. My favorite Rtype

[Guardic]

I'm actually playing R-Type final myself. Trying to finish unlocking all 101 ships. I think I have around 60 unlocked. My favorite R-Type is probably 3, then Delta. I'm really enjoying X-Multiply too. Someone mentioned it earlier in this post and damn is it good. I just wish the Saturn version wasn't $300.

[copy-paster]

My favorite R-Type is probably 3, then Delta.

You have nice taste here, Final feels too "slow" for me.

[Gamer707b]

My favorite R-Type is probably 3, then Delta.

You have nice taste here, Final feels too "slow" for me.

That's exactly what I like about Final. It feels cerebral and tactical.

[Guardic]

My favorite R-Type is probably 3, then Delta.

You have nice taste here, Final feels too "slow" for me.

That's exactly what I like about Final. It feels cerebral and tactical.

Final has the most replay value for any shmup I've ever played. I've put about 60 hours into it and still haven't unlocked all the ships. Plus all the ships play completely different, have different stages and even bosses. I wish more shmups had unlocks like Final.

[AxelMill]

Final has the most replay value for any shmup I've ever played. I've put about 60 hours into it and still haven't unlocked all the ships. Plus all the ships play completely different, have different stages and even bosses. I wish more shmups had unlocks like Final.

Well, Chronicle Saviours is basically that, but with a lot of missions with different combinations of stages instead of a lot of ships with different combinations of weapons. I can see you preferring ships over same-y levels, but still, that's the closest thing I've seen.
You see, not many shmups have a lot of content. And for good reasons: many prefer a small yet tight package. Anyway, I'm not even sure if there are other ones besides these two. Deathsmiles Smartphone Mode, maybe? Didn't play it.