Shmup of the Month Club 2012

[noiseredux]

And, when it comes to scoring, you're never going to find a game with an even playing field. Some guys just kick ass while others guys just mop the floor. That's just the way it goes. It's a given. I know. I've been on both ends many times.

this is true. Mars Matrix made me feel like shmup noob. The whole bullet absorption thing... I just couldn't wrap my brain around managing that.

[dsheinem]

So I wrote the article (should be up tomorrow) for DoDonPachi and have been playing off and on for the past week...I think playing so much DDP Resurrection earlier this year has worsened my skills at this, as I'm starting to seize up every time I hit level 3 and chaining seems tougher than I remember. Can anyone point me towards a good superplay?

[brunoafh]

So for next month, should I DoDonPachi-ize this thread or what? I assume most of the discussion will take place over in the TR thread, but I'd also like to be able to make a scores post for this thread.

[dsheinem]

So for next month, should I DoDonPachi-ize this thread or what? I assume most of the discussion will take place over in the TR thread, but I'd also like to be able to make a scores post for this thread.

I think we should keep the DDP discussion in the specific TR thread that will be up for the game, and maybe use this thread to pick next year's games...

That said, here's my general progress so far

end of stage 1 - almost 2mil
end of stage 2 - around 4-5 mil
end of stage 3 - around 8-9 mil
usually die in stage 3 or 4...haven't cracked 10 mil yet.

It'd be helpful to learn if that's drastically out of line with how people fare once they jump into it

[brunoafh]

Well let me request that you guys post your scores either here or in the TR thread, otherwise I won't be able to record and post them... obviously.

[noiseredux]

looking forward to DDP as I've never really played it. I played DDPR a lot -- so will be interesting to step back. Sadly, my Saturn stick mostly sucks. Might have to use my PS2 stick instead.

[Tyranix95]

...

That said, here's my general progress so far

end of stage 1 - almost 2mil
end of stage 2 - around 4-5 mil
end of stage 3 - around 8-9 mil
usually die in stage 3 or 4...haven't cracked 10 mil yet.

It'd be helpful to learn if that's drastically out of line with how people fare once they jump into it

I missed the regular score board updates this month. In the past months, we had a scoreboard, and it was updated about once a week. I thought it was fun to see your name move up and down the ladder as the list was updated. Would have loved to see that gain this month (and, of course, next year).

[ExedExes]

We can't pick Gekirindan now because Exed misspelled it

Welcome back to you too!

I'd give Genki the go, even thought I was happy to do Metal Black (and how many others found it to be a nice surprise shmup), Genki's pretty tight-o for Taito.

I'm liking the top members nominating their own game too -- might bring some rather unusual or unheard - of titles up. But I agree each one should pick a different dev and try to dig up something good. I'd take Capcom in a heartbeat - for obvious reasons!

Another idea (not saying it's a good one) is to have sequels/prequels.
Truxton --> Truxton 2
Dimahoo --> Mahou Daisakusen
Radiant Silvergun --> Ikaruga
Dodonpachi --> DOJ

You and I were thinking the same thing. I'd LOVE to do Truxton II and Ikaruga now that I have it on the Cube.

As for DDP discussion and scores -- I'd also say to keep the discussion on the official TR thread but post scores here or there, maybe invite those who do TR to join us over here as well, we may be shmup fans but we're not a closed-off area of these forums either. I'd love to see more activity here! Plus, it will keep this thread free for 2013 ideas which some of those TR regulars may have.

[pierrot]

I just wanted to nominate Xexex for next year, if nominations come into play. It's probably my favorite Konami shmup, and it's woefully overlooked.

I think the idea of regulars staking a month for their choice of game sounds pretty good. The two remaining months could just be a communal vote for what to play. Honestly, while I like the idea of highlighting the developers, I think it can be a little limiting in some respects. A while ago I was getting really interested in following Toaplan through their history. (I find Toaplan particularly interesting because of how it laid the groundwork for so many of the companies that rose from its ashes.) Variety is really good for keeping it interesting month to month, but I feel like it shouldn't be focused on so heavily that we can't see a bit of the progression of a company with more skin in the shmup game, in the course of the year.

[dsheinem]

I just wanted to nominate Xexex for next year, if nominations come into play. It's probably my favorite Konami shmup, and it's woefully overlooked.

I think the idea of regulars staking a month for their choice of game sounds pretty good. The two remaining months could just be a communal vote for what to play. Honestly, while I like the idea of highlighting the developers, I think it can be a little limiting in some respects. A while ago I was getting really interested in following Toaplan through their history. (I find Toaplan particularly interesting because of how it laid the groundwork for so many of the companies that rose from its ashes.) Variety is really good for keeping it interesting month to month, but I feel like it shouldn't be focused on so heavily that we can't see a bit of the progression of a company with more skin in the shmup game, in the course of the year.

fair warning: i hated xexex when we played it in STGT last year and will lobby against it

i thnk the voting on developers and then games worked just fine ths year, i don't see any reason to do it different.