Accessible and awesome shooting games (for new players???) !

[Special World]

Hey everyone! Almost two years ago, I wrote an article called "Understanding scrolling shooters": http://catstronaut.wordpress.com/2013/0 ... -shooters/

I hope I did a good job providing an overview of the genre's strengths, and asking questions that might make people think about the deeper aspects of the genre. Recently however, prodded by some of the topics on these forums, I've become increasingly aware that while it provides an overview of the genre, that article actually does a really terrible job in highlighting shooting games that a new player might actually be able to get their hands on and play. In fact, out of those nine games I highlighted, only three (Gate of Thunder, Metal Slug 3, and Star Parodier) are even remotely easy for new players to get their hands on. So I want to ask you:

What are the best shooting games that new players could and should get their hands on?

I want you to use your own judgement here. Don't even think about me. If you can make an argument why all new players can and should play Battle Garegga, then go for it. This is an open forum for discussion. I may disagree with you, and others in this topic may disagree with you, but there's somebody else out there who thinks you're totally, 100% correct. But generally, I want to believe you. If you recommend a game, and you can tell me why it's awesome, and I can get my hands on it easily, then I want to know about it. I want to play that game.

There are a lot of people out there who think new players should play something that's easy to 1CC. Or that they should play something like R-Type that has a lot of history behind it. Or they should play something with scoring depth. Or there's a game that's just so good that everyone should play it. Or whatever. These are all legitimate reasons to recommend a game.

Personally, my rubric looks something like this. Ignore any and all points that you think are irrelevant to the conversation:

> Platform: Ain't no new player gonna own a Japanese Sega Saturn to play Batsugun Special. They might have a PC, Wii, 360, PS3, or PS2 lying around, though!
> Legacy: Players are more attracted to games they've heard of, like R-Type, Gradius, Raiden, Touhou, et al than some bullshit "Twinkle Star Sprites."
> Price: You're gonna have a lot easier time recommending a $1 download of Score Rush or a $10 copy of Akai Katana than a $200 Nexzr disc.
> Ease of play: I personally don't subscribe to the idea that shooters have to be easy to attract new players. In fact, there are very few shooters that I would call easy at all. But maybe it would be good to recommend some easy shooters? Or at the very least, it might be a bad idea to recommend Hellsinker to anyone who doesn't eat William Gibson books for breakfast.
> Legitimacy: Can they buy or download a legitimate copy of this game, or do they have to pirate it? I know a lot of us cut our teeth on MAME, but many players aren't down with piracy. On top of that, MAME is a pain in the ass to get up and running anyhow.
> Quality: Do you even like this game? I might recommend Radiant Silvergun to a fan of Ikaruga, but I'd never recommend it in general because I just don't like it.

That's just what I think — so ignore it. What do you think? In your own, personal, highly subjective opinion, what would you recommend new players? Barring that, what would you recommend to anyone?

[Special World]

Also I know this topic has been done to death in the past so just spaceship shoot me dead right now if you've already answered this 100 times.

I was thinking about the Playstation 3 earlier today. Last gen it was pretty much shot to death by all of the great STG releases on 360. Only recently has it gotten a respectable roster of shooting games. But like, what would you recommend somebody who only had a Playstation 3? It's kind of slim pickins, and you might have to dig deep and recommend something you might not otherwise. I was thinking maybe...

- Raiden IV Overkill: Raiden IV on 360 is a really slick port in a classic series, but it's become hard to find. Overkill is apparently just as good, with an all new mode that seems pretty cool, and a nice $20 price tag.
- Under Defeat: Another quality game that you can get for $20, and that has been on sale on PSN for less. Is the PS3 version really so much worse that you wouldn't recommend it?
- R-Type Dimensions: A solid port of two classic shooters, with some modern updates.
- PS Classics: Surely there are some good PS Classics? I know people love Zanac X Zanac, and I myself need to try Shineryu.

[trap15]

Good idea for a thread, especially with a nicely defined rubric. I'll try to come up with some stuff later, hopefully this thread turns out well.

[broken harbour]

I say Mushi Futari for Xbox, it's region free, not expensive, and has a novice mode that is fun and easy enough to not turn people off.

Raiden Project will run on PS1/PS2/PS3

[chum]

touhou 7

cheap, beginner friendly, fun, atmospheric, enough depth to last a lifetime, the ideal

touhou 9

cheap, easy to get into, ppl like multiplayer

touhou 9.5

cheap, recommendable if you have ocd or autism, or if you like photography

crimzon colver world ignition

cheap, over the top antics, novice mode

eden's aegis

free, ok

MAME and check out what forum likes

free!!! many games to choose from

[Captain]

Hellsinker.

[cave hermit]

My vote goes to Mushihimesama Futari:

-It's on the Xbox 360, a current gen mainstream console
-It has some infamy as "THE HARDEST VIDEO GAME BOSS EVER", so it is known to some small extent in the mainstream.
-It's a region free game, and only costs about $35 on Amazon US, so it's very easy to obtain and play.
-Most people here think it's one of Cave's best games, and I concur
-The difficulty caters to pretty much everyone: total noob? Try novice mode! Pretty experienced? Try arcade's Ultra mode! In general Mushihimesama Futari is one of Cave's easier games (It's my first and only [so far] shoot-em-up 1CC!)
-The scoring system is pretty simple with a proper rundown

Mushimesama Futari was actually my second Cave game after Deathsmiles, so maybe I'm a little nostalgically biased (I was entering the 11th grade around that time so it's been awhile), but there's no doubt that it's a great gateway game.

[Cagar]

Mushihimesama Futari
Crimzon Clover World Ignition (good novice modes)

[EmperorIng]

Platform: Most people probably own a PS2 (maybe even a PS3)
Legacy: Gradius series has a NES release that has some serious nostalgia/retro cache
Price: Gradius games released in the west are fairly cheap
Ease of play: Difficulty modes and lots of continues; they do not tone things down but allow players to see more of the game.
Legitimacy: Yes; easy-to-obtain phsyical and digital releases
Quality: Very much so

The Answer Is Clear: Gradius V!

If you do not have a PS2/3 and have a 360, the answer is LIKEWISE CLEAR:

Raiden IV

It also fits the above criteria.

I don't know if I ever commented at the time, but the article linked above is also very nice. It does a good job of not talking down to the reader and introducing shmup ideas.

[Bananamatic]

pink sweets

platform: xbox 360
legacy: made by the same dude who made battle garage and bat rider
price: worth it
ease of play: infinite lives, infinite bombs, bullet eating shield
legitimacy: shit's legit
quality: yes

[Zaarock]

rRootage

platform: PC (Windows, OS X, Linux), some portables/smartphones
price: FREE
+Standout features: boss rush game with modes that showcase gameplay systems from other STG like Ikaruga and Psyvariar, along with a basic shoot & dodge mode. Lots of variety in bullet pattern style throughout the modes.
Ease of play: Easy to grasp game modes, mechanics are very simple for survival. Difficulty curve is smooth enough to work for beginners.
Legitimacy: free download, old enough to run on just about anything
Quality: Never heard anyone say anything bad about this game. I enjoyed it a ton as a beginner many years ago. Being only boss fights could turn people off I suppose. Scoring is simplistic on some modes but that probably doesn't matter for most beginners.

Spoiler

Hellsinker
platform PC
price: ~20$
Legacy: sequel to RADIO ZONDE, everyone knows that game
+Standout features: Characters play very differently from eachother. Large variety of attacks to use ala Radiant Silvergun. Boss milking similar to raizing games(irrelevant for survival)
Ease of play: Steep initial learning curve but very easy to clear compared to most STG once you get the hang of your abilities.
There is autobomb and it's possible to get over 20 extra lives in a single playthrough (max stock is 5).
Quality: Many good boss fights, lots of interesting ideas. Visuals and music are nice. Learning the mechanics and tricks can be very rewarding. Some stage sections have bad pacing and/or are badly designed for scoring.

ok nope, I tried

[EmperorIng]

rRootage is one of those games I really need to get around and play. Along with the top-20 doujin games voted earlier this year.

pink sweets

For new players, this might be one of the worst suggestions. How many new players have even played Bat Garage and Battle Rider?

[Pretas]

Ikaruga is still my number one recommendation for new players. Easily accessible and affordable on 360/PC, mostly self-explanatory mechanics and controls, de-emphasizes the standard danmaku bullet dodging that often frustrates beginners, appealing graphics and music, wide recognition and acclaim from within mainstream gaming communities and media.

[Immryr]

Escatos is a game I'd definitely recommend to newer players like myself. the only area it falls down on is legacy. For me personally, having progressive difficulty levels like this is way more attractive than the cave style system of having the arcade difficulty level then the stupidly easy, you can 1cc it first time no problem, novice mode.

I really don't understand why all, or at least more, shmup arcade ports don't have progressive difficulty levels. it in no way detracts from it's authenticity, or hardcore nature. pretty much every other arcade genre has it on home consoles, fighting games, puzzle games, racing games they all have multiple levels of difficulty, why not shmups?

[Squire Grooktook]

I really don't understand why all, or at least more, shmup arcade ports don't have progressive difficulty levels. it in no way detracts from it's authenticity, or hardcore nature. pretty much every other arcade genre has it on home consoles, fighting games, puzzle games, racing games they all have multiple levels of difficulty, why not shmups?

Probably because it's time consuming and difficult to balance. That being said it's ALWAYS better if you can afford it.

Touhou has a nice selection of difficulty options though.

Anyway picks from me:



Cho Ren Sha 68k:

PC freeware download that you can find in two seconds 100% legitimately. Not much of a legacy for casuals, but it's pretty famous among the doujin crowd, and long time PC gamers seem to have heard of it and played it floating around all this time (I've heard mention of it from fighting game circles and other unlikely places).

Has two difficulties. Normal is a fairly forgiving console-esque experience, whereas hard features a lot of tricky rng dodging and is pitch perfect arcade difficulty.

I think the game is a fantastic balance between bullet hell and a more "oldschool" style of dodging. There's no focus mode, and it goes for a more "manic shooter" type approach with fast and low density patterns. The lack of focus actually works really well because (especially on hard mode) the game has more of an emphasis on dashing around and killing enemies on both sides of the screen while dodging what they shoot at you, instead of just hunkering down and focusing on the bottom of the screen while micro dodging. It's very manic and frantic and simple and it feels great once you get into the groove of it. In some ways its a bit rough around the edges (hard mode is basically just normal + random suicide bullets), but the games sense of speed and simplicity is unrivaled IMO.


Will post a few others later I think.

[Bananamatic]

chorensha hard doesn't even change anything, just adds revenge bullets on every subsequent loop
normal is 1st and 2nd loop, hard is 3rd and 4th
funnily enough the 4th loop is easier than the 3rd, it's not really balanced at all

[Squire Grooktook]

chorensha hard doesn't even change anything, just adds revenge bullets on every subsequent loop
normal is 1st and 2nd loop, hard is 3rd and 4th
funnily enough the 4th loop is easier than the 3rd, it's not really balanced at all

Yup I noted that. And as I said it's very rough around the edges in someways (just look at the background), like with the 3rd and 4th loops. But it's still fun as hell IMO and has a lot for newcomers and advanced players.

[KindGrind]

Blazing Lazers on the Turbo isn't expensive, and is very accessible.

The Turbo itself is becoming expensive, but one could always emulate first.

[ACSeraph]

Escatos

Agreed, may not be recognizable, but anyone could appreciate this game after a single credit. In fact if you just didn't like it at all, I'd say maybe the genre isn't for you. Even my girlfriend thinks Eschatos is awesome. It's also region free and can even be bought digitally for like 2000yen.

[Squire Grooktook]

Definitely gotta agree with Eschatos also.


Gradius III Snes

Probably could buy a cart for cheap on ebay. Emulating is easy too for the lazy. Seems like a lot of people grew up on this one since it's a pretty good game and it was easily available on the snes.

Has at least 4 difficulties and a ton of loops that increase it. It's actually a pretty easy game by shmup standards, but the stages and bosses are nicely varied, tight, and well paced. Also you have a ton of customization options for your ship. Some are useless of course but it's fun to mess around with them none the less.

It's a fun game for sure. A bit too easy but definitely some fun dodging and I think it really captures that iconic shmup feel with its elaborate environmental hazards and colorful aesthetic.

[Despatche]

the problem with gradius iii sfc is super annoying slowdown. if the game was remade so that (most?) slowdown was removed, it'd be one of the best games in the series probably

for thread: touhou, pretty easy choice. but yeah dojbl is the kind of game everyone ever should know and respect if not love. neither of these choices are opinion

[Special World]

Loving the suggestions in this topic. Especially Cho Ren Sha — what a great game. I think it perfectly captures what makes scrolling shooters so damned fun. And I didn't even know until now that it had a hard mode @_@

Mushi Futari and Eschatos are p much my favorite games ever (and I think Ginga Force is a *killer* game for new players) but I can't help but wonder if importing $40 shmups is venturing into "crazy scary videogame person" territory?

[BareKnuckleRoo]

They're solid video games. Think of it as getting what you pay for (Futari has a whole bunch of different difficulties, Eschatos is three awesome games one, each with various difficulties).

Akai Katana and Deathsmiles are also often available for cheaper locally... I've seen them on used games racks.

[Skykid]

Good ruck!

I applaud your bravery, I don't understand the OP in relation to the thread topic. Essentially the canvas of criteria is so broad for submissions that the thread should simply be titled "STGs you would recommend and why" - because that's all it's really asking for, respect to platform accessibility notwithstanding.

So

Dodonpachi DaiOuJou Black Label

One of the most beautiful things ever conceived on God's blue earth. About as accessible for new players as Battle Garegga, but oh so awesome.

[Special World]

I definitely agree — but getting what you pay for is only worth it if you know what you're paying for, you know? And yeah, Deathsmiles and Akai Katana are great games for dirt cheap at this point. I'd choose Futari any day, but a $10 copy of Akai Katana is probably more appealing to anyone who's just breaking in because:

1. Horizontal
2. Inexpensive
3. Serious art style

Then again the scoring system is way more esoteric. Deathsmiles is great except a lot of people would just stop caring immediately upon seeing the art style.

[Special World]

DOJ is truly a thing of beauty, and I say this having hated on it for longer than I've loved on it

[Special World]

Question: What's your favorite Touhou game? Can it be legitimately purchased for cheap or are all Touhou games just pirated to hell?

I feel like I should give a few of them an actual chance but I don't think I like them much so I haven't really taken the initiative to check them out.

[Squire Grooktook]

Mountain of Faith is the only game I've played "seriously" to a large extent, but that's because I was drawn to the patterns and mechanics best.

Nice simple scoring system, great patterns with tons of rng but also strategy, more flexible difficulty that lets you bomb a lot but rewards you for doing otherwise, and a ton of difficulty settings.

the problem with gradius iii sfc is super annoying slowdown. if the game was remade so that (most?) slowdown was removed, it'd be one of the best games in the series probably

Sad but truuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeee

If it wasn't for that, Arcade difficulty would actually be a pretty challenging game mode. But slow down cripples it.

[Prinny]

For the Windows Touhou games, you can find some of them on Amazon averaging around the 20-30 dollar range from what I've searched.

Perfect Cherry Blossom and Imperishable Night are the only ones from the Windows series I currently own at the moment. Perfect Cherry Blossom is the one I took the time to try doing decent score runs.

[Cagar]

1. Horizontal
3. Serious art style

the scoring system is way more esoteric.

err? wtf?
How is horizontal a bonus, and how does akai katana have serious art style compared to futari?