Good shoot-em-ups to ease me into the genre?

[dsheinem]

Dreamcast or Gamecube Ikaruga
The color change capability to stay alive.

Hardly the game to "ease" someone into the genre - it is considered one of the tougher titles.

PS2 Raiden III
Control both players independently with one controller.

The Raiden games were already suggested waaaay back on the first page. Controlling two ships with one player is hardly a way to "ease" someone in.

Wii Blast Works
Download or build your own level.

This one is easy, but it is also horrible and not in any way representative of the genre.

[CRTGAMER]

<Criticism to CRTGAMER's post again>

Why the flames?
The suggestions I posted are for NEW ways play. I took the OP as looking for SHMUPs that are easy and something different over just another Hard Bullet Hell game.

Ikaruga - The two color defense affect adds another dimension for easing one into the SHMUP genre over just mindless shooting. Agree it gets hard but the beginning is easy.

Raiden III
One player controls two ships to shoot the targets, more defense. Again an added thing to watch, but also as in Ikaruga a new form of strategy. Mentioned because a lot do not know about the hidden two ship option.

Blast Works
Check out the user made downloadable levels, some very good ones that can be built on. I am loving the side scroller version of Geometry Wars. Only it is too short! I'm in process of increasing the level size.

[dsheinem]

The suggestions I posted are for NEW ways play. I took the OP as looking for SHMUPs that are easy and something different over just another Hard Bullet Hell game.

In the OP he wrote:

It shouldn't be too hard, or at least on its lowest difficulty. It also shouldn't be too primitive, otherwise it won't help with more complex "bullet hell" type ones/

So he wants relatively EASY games that WILL eventually help him with bullet hell. This is clear. It is not confusing. None of the games you suggested, with the possible exception of Raiden III, fit that bill. And when you DID suggest Raiden III, which had ALREADY been suggested, you suggested he play it in a difficult to play mode

Why the flames?

The "criticism" again is because, again, you've responded to a question with answers that seem to be completely ignorant of the questions posed by the OP, reiterate ideas already given elsewhere in the thread, and dwell on topics you've posted in-depth blog-like posts about previously elsewhere on the forums.

[TEKTORO]

@CRTGAMER

Now Im gonna have to find a Wii for the Blast Works.

So you can make levels and share via download?

[CRTGAMER]

Now Im gonna have to find a Wii for the Blast Works.

So you can make levels and share via download?

YES! This is the best feature, unlimited styles of SHMUP levels to create, upload and download. There is a Spy Hunter (no kidding) level, Geometry Wars and even a black and white Gameboy themed Mario Bros SHMUP level.

[noiseredux]

Why the flames?

disagreeing isn't the same thing as flaming.

The OP was asking for a very specific recommendation, and he's trusting those of us who have played the genre to help him find that specific game. I personally agree that Raiden III could be a good choice (as stated earlier in the thread, Raiden games are pretty n00b-friendly, and III is cheap). But like dsh said, he's trying to ease into the genre, so accessing hidden features like two-ships at once is not what he was asking about. He stated already that he isn't very good at controlling one ship yet.

[jmbarnes101]

Gunbird 2 for the Dreamcast

My favorite SHMUP and the one I'm using to break into the genre.

[TEKTORO]

Now Im gonna have to find a Wii for the Blast Works.

So you can make levels and share via download?

YES! This is the best feature, unlimited styles of SHMUP levels to create, upload and download. There is a Spy Hunter (no kidding) level, Geometry Wars and even a black and white Gameboy themed Mario Bros SHMUP level.

WOW!

Sounds very flexible on what you can make,Im gonna see if I can get in on this.

[CRTGAMER]

Why the flames?

disagreeing isn't the same thing as flaming.

The OP was asking for a very specific recommendation, and he's trusting those of us who have played the genre to help him find that specific game. I personally agree that Raiden III could be a good choice (as stated earlier in the thread, Raiden games are pretty n00b-friendly, and III is cheap). But like dsh said, he's trying to ease into the genre, so accessing hidden features like two-ships at once is not what he was asking about. He stated already that he isn't very good at controlling one ship yet.

Okay, PMed DSH. Still, any suggestion gives more choices for one to look into. I was thinking the OP wanted something different over just another Bullet Hell style of Gameplay. I think some don't get into SHMUPs because of just continual shooting and not much else in various releases.

[noiseredux]

Okay, PMed DSH. Still, any suggestion gives more choices for one to look into. I was thinking the OP wanted something different over just another Bullet Hell style of Gameplay. I think some don't get into SHMUPs because of just continual shooting and not much else in various releases.

I understand what you were trying to do. I'm just saying, his OP asked a very direct question so I think taking the thread in other directions may only confuse him, rather than help him.