Radiant Silvergun and the like...

[Opa Opa]

I guess this is kind of a response to the hyped-up games I've always heard about and finally got a chance to play...

I played Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun and, to be honest, I just didn't "get it". Why have these games acquired such a high standing in the shmup genre? Don't get me wrong; they're decent games but I significantly enjoy playing a Raiden title to Ikaruga or RS.

Did these games improve the genre in any way that I don't know about? Is there something about them that really, really sets them apart from other games in the genre? What am I missing here?

[brunoafh]

Personally, I can see where you're coming from on the Ikaruga hype. It's great, but, I wasn't wow-ed.

As far as Radiant Silvergun goes, I was completely blown away in every way on my first play. It's a perfect shmup in every field. Excellent level design, great music, bone-crushing difficulty, fantastic weapon system, awesome for 2 player, the 3D visuals look sublime, and the famous sword attack. There are very few games that I consider to be perfect, but this is one of them. Radiant Silvergun is a piece of software that has absolutely no flaws and excels in everything it sets out to do. Radiant Silvergun is a cut above the rest in every category.

What is it you find bland about these games Opa?

[Breetai]

I guess this is kind of a response to the hyped-up games I've always heard about and finally got a chance to play...

I played Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun and, to be honest, I just didn't "get it". Why have these games acquired such a high standing in the shmup genre? Don't get me wrong; they're decent games but I significantly enjoy playing a Raiden title to Ikaruga or RS.

Did these games improve the genre in any way that I don't know about? Is there something about them that really, really sets them apart from other games in the genre? What am I missing here?

I might be one of the who agree with you.

I do very much enjoy both Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun, but they are not my favourite shooters and I don't think the price tags on them really are worth it as far as game enjoyment is concerned. Both are high quality shooters and in the 9\10 or even 10\10 range in my books. Still, I find myself putting in a Raiden, Donpachi, a Gradius/Parodius game or R-Type more often.

[dunpeal2064]

I think the addition of puzzle elements is what made people go crazy for these games.

I find them nice, but the games are designed to be played 1 way, and its very obvious.

Either would not make my top 25. Music's great though

Oh, and RS is more enjoyable for me. I like the maximalist approach more than the minimal approach.

Plus, most of the difficulty comes from not knowing what to do, not from pattern difficulty (at least for me)

[fvgazi]

I enjoy them, but they're much more cerebral than you're average shmup. I'd much prefer the mindless destruction in Donpachi and the like for a quick pick up and play.

That being said, don't discredit them! Both games have beautiful music, visuals, and unique gameplay.

[ninjainspandex]

even though i own a complete copy of radiant silvergun i find my self playing dodonpachi and batsugun alot more

[Opa Opa]

I'll respond to the responses tomorrow. I wanted to gather my thoughts and I've actually spent part of the day playing RS because I felt I needed to play it a bit more to establish a better opinion.

[ninjainspandex]

honestly i think i bought radiant silvergun just to impress the ladies

[Opa Opa]

honestly i think i bought radiant silvergun just to impress the ladies

If Radiant Silvergun doesn't impress the ladies you can always whip out your Ballz 3D.

[swiftzx]

honestly i think i bought radiant silvergun just to impress the ladies

If Radiant Silvergun doesn't impress the ladies you can always whip out your Ballz 3D.

They'll definitely be impressed by the Director's Cut on 3do