Are there any newer horizontal shmups that are similar to...

[Guardic]

R-Type or Thunder Force?

Big fan of the R-Type series and Xmultiply, but it seems that most shmups that come out anymore are mostly vertical.

[CloudyMusic]

Satazius?

[Pixel_Outlaw]

R-Type or Thunder Force?

Big fan of the R-Type series and Xmultiply, but it seems that most shmups that come out anymore are mostly vertical.

Yes, it seems bullet hell verts are all the rage at the moment.
I assume you mean "newer" as in way after R-Type Final and Gradius V?

There are a few but they tend to be Euroshmups or Euroshmup-like.
Played Synder Arcade recently on Steam and didn't care for it.
Mostly because the camera zooming in and out makes judging bullet speed difficult.
Also the hitboxes are a bit questionable and shot patterns genrally uninspired.

I say Synder to the garbage can.

[BIL]

Satazius, definitely. Lots of direct homages to classic Konami, Irem, Taito and Tecno Soft in there. Some decent ideas of its own too, hunting down stars for max rank is quite addictive. Barring a certain one-off memoriser hazard in the volcano stage (which is so ridiculously OTT it might just make you laugh anyway), it's a fine game.

[Guardic]

Satazius?

I have it. Not bad, but still not what I'm looking for, but almost.

[Guardic]

Yes, it seems bullet hell verts are all the rage at the moment.
I assume you mean "newer" as in way after R-Type Final and Gradius V?

Yeah, way after that. I loved R-Type Final and Gradius V. (Just recently bought the PS2 classic on PS3)

Would love a new R-Type, Gradius or even a new Axelay. Or hell, even an R-Type Anthology would be amazing.

[Pixel_Outlaw]

Yes, it seems bullet hell verts are all the rage at the moment.
I assume you mean "newer" as in way after R-Type Final and Gradius V?

Yeah, way after that. I loved R-Type Final and Gradius V. (Just recently bought the PS2 classic on PS3)

Would love a new R-Type, Gradius or even a new Axelay. Or hell, even an R-Type Anthology would be amazing.

It's a hard pill to swallow.
Konami going bonkers after Gradius V and also R-Type having a "final".

I have no idea why the vertical shmup is so dominant either.
They're not that much different to program from horizontal shmups.
Granted you have a bit more collision checking with landscape, maybe that's what players don't like these days?
You can stand on top of enemies and dodge giant pink and blue footballs but heaven forbid you have to deal with the landscape too.

[Sumez]

To be fair, I'm not seeing that much bullethell love nowadays compared to just five or so years ago. A lot of love for the classics lately.
Maybe it will eventually reflect in the games that are coming out. Wouldn't mind seeing a lot more Blazing Stars out there either.

[Guardic]

To be fair, I'm not seeing that much bullethell love nowadays compared to just five or so years ago. A lot of love for the classics lately.
Maybe it will eventually reflect in the games that are coming out. Wouldn't mind seeing a lot more Blazing Stars out there either.

I would love to see a Neo-Geo shmup collection released, but with shmups becoming more and more obscure, eventually I think the genre will be completely gone just because of what direction the gaming industry is heading. With everything going to pay-to-win and mobile phones. I hope I'm wrong because shmups are still some of the best gaming experiences I've had.

[BulletMagnet]

with shmups becoming more and more obscure, eventually I think the genre will be completely gone just because of what direction the gaming industry is heading.

Nah, they might not be "mainstream" releases but 2D shooters will always at least stick around in the small-dev/indie scene, both because they're simpler/cheaper to produce than many other genres and, using yourself as an example, there will always be both gamers and devs with a fondness for them. There are a good amount of worthwhile shooters on the PC, though I'd have to dig through the archives to set aside the (good) horizontal ones.

[GSK]

Locomalito's Hydrorah is old news but it's worth mentioning that he's currently working with a publisher to bring enhanced versions of his freeware games to consoles and Steam; Maldita Castilla was the first one and I'm sure Hydorah is next, so keep an eye out for news about that game.


Cambria Sword is a doujin hori that seems heavily influenced by Biohazard Battle/Crying; the final version has been available at certain Japanese events for a little while and the creator is preparing an English release for next year. I haven't played it but I've heard it's an extremely long game--the creator drew a million enemies and a million weapons and didn't cut anything, basically--so take from that what you will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWTFdsGlfxs


Infinos Gaiden is another doujin game that'll be out early next year; it's part of Picorinne Soft's Infinos series and they've gone for a more detailed 16-bit look for this one. Hyakutaro Tsukumo of Thunder Force V fame is handling the music. (He also did Picorinne's previous STG, the Irem-esque vert Battle Crust.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZERzAZc5i0

[Pixel_Outlaw]

with shmups becoming more and more obscure, eventually I think the genre will be completely gone just because of what direction the gaming industry is heading.

Nah, they might not be "mainstream" releases but 2D shooters will always at least stick around in the small-dev/indie scene, both because they're simpler/cheaper to produce than many other genres and, using yourself as an example, there will always be both gamers and devs with a fondness for them. There are a good amount of worthwhile shooters on the PC, though I'd have to dig through the archives to set aside the (good) horizontal ones.

It's true
The most complex logic you need for a basic shmup is rect to rect (oooh dirty) collision checking and some basic trig to move at angles for shots.

Spoiler

Code: Select all

x_step = cos(direction) * speed
y_step = sin(direction) * speed

Spoiler

Code: Select all

if rect1_right < rect2_left return false
if rect1_bottom < rect2_top return false
if rect1_top > rect2_bottom return false
if rect1_left > rect2_right return false
return true

There is a new Darius game out, but I've not played it.
I'm part of the Loonix master race who insists on a life of computer game depravity while preaching the virtues of "open sores" software.
I also don't own current gen consoles.
Darius Burst

[Guardic]

Infinos Gaiden is another doujin game that'll be out early next year; it's part of Picorinne Soft's Infinos series and they've gone for a more detailed 16-bit look for this one. Hyakutaro Tsukumo of Thunder Force V fame is handling the music. (He also did Picorinne's previous STG, the Irem-esque vert Battle Crust.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZERzAZc5i0

This looks awesome. Gonna have to check it out when it's released.

[Guardic]

There is a new Darius game out, but I've not played it.
I'm part of the Loonix master race who insists on a life of computer game depravity while preaching the virtues of "open sores" software.
I also don't own current gen consoles.
Darius Burst

Dariusburst is good. Has a TON of levels and bosses, unlockables and the DLC is ships from other great shmup series.

[Master O]

Satazius?

I have it. Not bad, but still not what I'm looking for, but almost.

Satazius was for the PC, right?

[BIL]

Yup! All of Astro Port's games to date have been.

[boagman]

There is a new Darius game out, but I've not played it.
I'm part of the Loonix master race who insists on a life of computer game depravity while preaching the virtues of "open sores" software.
I also don't own current gen consoles.
Darius Burst

Dariusburst is good. Has a TON of levels and bosses, unlockables and the DLC is ships from other great shmup series.

Just to clarify: you are referring to Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours (multiple platforms), and not simply the original Dariusburst (PSP only) here, correct?

Because if you've played the original on PSP, DB:CS on Vita (and on the other platforms, I assume...) is something I treasure a ton. It's singlehandedly made the Vita a relevant system to me.

I take it, based on the titles that you're looking for games similar to, that you're familiar with Pulstar for the Neo-Geo? If you like R-Type, that's *right* up your alley. It's absolutely wonderful.

I agree with you: I'd love to see more horis in the vein you speak of. I miss the days of quality, pretty, well-thought-out horizontal shmups like the ones mentioned.

[1983parrothead]

There's Void Gear with music by Yasuhisa Watanabe (Metal Black and Border Down), but it's so difficult to find other than the trial version.

It has elements of TF and Death Smiles according to some people.

[Guardic]

I take it, based on the titles that you're looking for games similar to, that you're familiar with Pulstar for the Neo-Geo? If you like R-Type, that's *right* up your alley. It's absolutely wonderful.

Pulstar is my ultimate shmup goal. To find a copy and add it to my NEO-GEO collection. I don't even care if it's a MVS conversion cart at this point.

[boagman]

I take it, based on the titles that you're looking for games similar to, that you're familiar with Pulstar for the Neo-Geo? If you like R-Type, that's *right* up your alley. It's absolutely wonderful.

Pulstar is my ultimate shmup goal. To find a copy and add it to my NEO-GEO collection. I don't even care if it's a MVS conversion cart at this point.

So if you've got a Neo-Geo collection as I do (fun fact: no fighting games in my collection, but multiple shmups!), then you obviously appreciate Last Resort as well, yes? It's a pretty good R-Type-esque hori in its own right. I enjoy it a lot, anyway.

[davyK]

Gate of Thunder. Great game. Was a PCE game but was released on the Wii VC too.

[KoolKool993]

R-Type or Thunder Force?

Big fan of the R-Type series and Xmultiply, but it seems that most shmups that come out anymore are mostly vertical.

Yes, it seems bullet hell verts are all the rage at the moment.
I assume you mean "newer" as in way after R-Type Final and Gradius V?

There are a few but they tend to be Euroshmups or Euroshmup-like.
Played Synder Arcade recently on Steam and didn't care for it.
Mostly because the camera zooming in and out makes judging bullet speed difficult.
Also the hitboxes are a bit questionable and shot patterns genrally uninspired.

I say Synder to the garbage can.

oh you purist
why can you be so picky about single detail, just play damn game already! i really enjoy Syder

i have no problem about camera zooming, and what is uninspired bullet patterns? many shmups have similar patterns, inspired by other and other, and this game is not even bullet hell!

hitbox, why should you care? an excuse for your bad dodging skill?

Syder maybe a not really high 5 stars quality game but it deserves to be respected! a fine product made by very small indie for their successful begining !

[trap15]

Did you happen to make it? Sure sounds like you did.

[Sumez]

And if you did, definitely take in the criticism. Hitboxes is something we should all care about <3

[Pixel_Outlaw]

R-Type or Thunder Force?

Big fan of the R-Type series and Xmultiply, but it seems that most shmups that come out anymore are mostly vertical.

Yes, it seems bullet hell verts are all the rage at the moment.
I assume you mean "newer" as in way after R-Type Final and Gradius V?

There are a few but they tend to be Euroshmups or Euroshmup-like.
Played Synder Arcade recently on Steam and didn't care for it.
Mostly because the camera zooming in and out makes judging bullet speed difficult.
Also the hitboxes are a bit questionable and shot patterns genrally uninspired.

I say Synder to the garbage can.

oh you purist
why can you be so picky about single detail, just play damn game already! i really enjoy Syder

i have no problem about camera zooming, and what is uninspired bullet patterns? many shmups have similar patterns, inspired by other and other, and this game is not even bullet hell!

hitbox, why should you care? an excuse for your bad dodging skill?

Syder maybe a not really high 5 stars quality game but it deserves to be respected! a fine product made by very small indie for their successful begining !

Ah sorry to offend, the pun just kind of came out in weapon grade strength.
I have played the game already, 4 or so missions worth.
I will stand by my critique of the mechanics though.
The zooming really throws off my speed/distance judging ability of both ships and shots.
I say uninspired because most of the shots I saw were just aimed or sort of homing things that circled the ship.
There are a *few* exceptions though. You'll see a few enemies do a slow sweeping spray.

I guess it was just frusterating to see such a gorgeous 3D game have non traditional camera work that impaired my dodging.
There is a LOT of glowing going on between ship and some of the bullets making finding the hitbox kind of hard.

I've been making games since about 2006, I can appreciate the "indie" efforts.
I used to help run Shmup-Dev a forum dedicated to competitions for programming shmups. (It died, the new iteration is now abandoned)