Shmup of the Month Club 2012

[brunoafh]

Final standings on Psikyo (After EllertMichael's final vote)

+13 Dragon Blaze
+8 Gunbird 2
+4 Sengoku Ace
+4 Strikers 1945
+3 Strikers 1945
+3 Strikers 1945 II
+3 Zero Gunner 2
+3 Sengoku Blade
+2 Sol Divide
+2 Gunbird

Looks like Dragon Blaze is the winner.

So are we ready to start voting on the Compile game?

I say... commence voting. I think it's fair game once there have been 5+ votes and a winner has been clearly established.

[ExedExes]

Compile! This one I know well.

Before we vote, let's figure out how we want to handle The Guardian Legend. It's not a pure shmup -- the only way I feel we could put it in contention is if we do it in TGL mode using TGL as the password which bypasses all labyrinths and is shmup-only. If we all agree, I will put in a vote for it. Otherwise, I have a good idea what my 3 games will be with TGL or without it.

[noiseredux]

awesome! I might try to track down Dragon Blaze then!

Is there a good list of Compile shmups to choose from somewhere?

[dsheinem]

So are we ready to start voting on the Compile game?

I say... commence voting. I think it's fair game once there have been 5+ votes and a winner has been clearly established.

Compile will require some thought:.

HG101 to the rescue: http://hardcoregaming101.net/aleste/compile.htm

[brunoafh]

I put that HG101 link in the OP, I'll put a good referral link for candidates there every time a new dev is up for vote.

As for Guardian Legend, not sure, never played it. What game can it be related to Exed?

[dsheinem]

I like the idea of doing Guardian Legend in both "shmup mode" with the code as well as in regular mode. That way we can play it through to beat it AND try for high scores. Not sure it will be my top pick though.

As much as I love Compile, most of their releases are pricey and on limited consoles. I also played through Gunhed and MUSHA last year, so I don't know that I want to do them again so soon. I don't like Zanac on the NES a whole lot, I have ZanacXZanac unplayed on the shelf, and don't have any of the SMS/MSX titles...

Decisions, decisions...

[dsheinem]

more comprehensive list: http://kelesis.free.fr/hp/compile/index_eng.htm

[ExedExes]

I put that HG101 link in the OP, I'll put a good referral link for candidates there every time a new dev is up for vote.

As for Guardian Legend, not sure, never played it. What game can it be related to Exed?

It has Zelda like (here I go again with the completion of this months official TR) exploration, and Compile style shmup-ing.

I would happily endorse it in shmup-mode, but if someone wants to do both elements of the game that's fine too to play through. BUT, since there are fewer people than I thought here that are familiar with this game, I think everyone needs to see it. Plus, the shmup mode is challenging with less optional weapons obtained there than in the regular game.

If we're clear, here be my votes. Notice I was on the fence with Gun-Nac, but I think the amount of extra lives you get in that game is a bit off the wall. At least Truxton gave you maybe 1 or 2 at the scores I've been obtaining. I like Zanac for its valiant effort at increasing difficulty with the AI system, and Space Megaforce is one of my top SNES shmup favorites alongside Axelay.

+3 The Guardian Legend
+2 Zanac
+1 Space Megaforce

[dsheinem]

+3 Zanac X Zanac (Zanac Neo)
+2 Space Megaforce
+1 Guardian Legend

I know ZXZ is another pricey title, but I am pretty sure that Hobie has it as well and that most of us in this "club" have a PS1/2 that can play backups if you don't want to acquire a hard copy. It is also on the Japanese PSN. I don't have Space Megaforce, but it has long been on my list of wants so I can try to hunt it down. Guardian Legend would be a nice change of pace, so it gets a vote too. I almost put Robo Aleste down, and would be very happy with it as well.

[noiseredux]

+3 Zanac X Zanac
+2 Blazing Lasers
+1 Guardian Legend

can I just leave it at two? I didn't wanna be the guy to vote Zanac first, but will gladly echo Dave's sentiment. Guardian Legend I loved when I was younger.