by mjmjr25 Fri Sep 11, 2015 12:59 pm
Ok, here is my top 10 list after much deliberation:
1. Pro Gear no Arashi (Pro Gear) - a brilliant blend of scoring and aesthetics with some of the most visually pleasing boss fights. Stage 4 - as you scroll vertically, but are still playing horizontally is just so so well done. I adore this game.
2. Deathsmiles - the character and background designs are the best in the genre. The music ties to each stage so well. The hitbox being so defined makes this a great entry level shmup. Going into hyper and sucking up those bright orange crowns is glorious.
3. Under Defeat - Oh man do I love this game. Scoring seems very basic, but big points are availalbe by killing in bunches and in order. The right weapon for the right enemy is crucial - especially on bosses. The directional shooting is done so well and feels natural. Brilliant graphics, especially the HD port.
4. DoDonPachi DFK 1.5 - This is another CAVE offering that at first seems overwhelming, but once you "get it", your on stage 5 boss. 3 unique playstyles and again, as often with CAVE, going into hyper is just brilliant colors and bullet canceling - and also like CAVE, knowing when to do it is crucial. Stage 5 turrets can still die a horrid death, but everything else is wonderful.
5. Dimahoo - In the hundreds, maybe thousands of shmups released now - there isn't a one that can touch the scoring system of Dimahoo. The item selction is so unique, and that you as the player can CONTROL which items are going to fall based on your activation power, the type of enemy, and your polarization - it is very cerebral and takes a lot to get it, but once you do, Karte is your friend. Killer soundtrack too.
6. EspRaDe - I'm torn here; I really like all of the Esp series of games, Galuda and Galuda II are fantastic, but I give the nod to the music in this game - the firing bullets back mechanic is tricky at first, but becomes intuitive.
7. Dragon Blaze - Dragon launch. Yes. Tech Bonus. Yes. Psikyo randomization and rank. Yes. There is nothing better than launching your dragon into a big enemy and letting him kill stuff for you, then just call him back and do it again - love this mechanic. Graphics are a bit dark and muddied or it'd be top 5.
8. Jamestown - extremely unique ship selection. Difficulty settings that not only change gameply, but really create entirely new games. Scoring is intuitive and simple, but still has difficulty, particularly on stage 3 and beyond. I am so impressed by this game and the music, even the attract music, is some of the best stuff in the entire genre.
9. Gunbird 2 - Everything that we like about Psikyo / Strikers series is here, just prettier. This is a deceptive game - one of those where you watch someone play and you wonder how they die...then you play, and realize those bullets are so deceptively fast. Medal chaining so easy...yet so difficult.
10. Zero Gunner 2 - Psikyo again - this is a mashup of Strikers and Under Defeat, or so it feels. 360 degree helicopter shooting on a vertically scrolling background. Traditional Psikyo Range and stage randomization.