Shmups

Post by **Pingfa** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:03 pm

OK, so I have a confession... I don't play Shmups. I never really liked them.

Some popular ones I know of is Thunder Force III, Lightening Force, M.U.S.H.A, Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, Gradius and... well, I'm sure there's more that come to mind but as I don't play Shmups I don't make mental notes of the all the titles. Oh, and I think R-Type is quite popular too.

My question is, if you had to name one game to get me into the genre, which would it be?

Post by **indecks** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:19 pm

Raiden. (the series - specifically Raiden Fighters)

Post by **Pingfa** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:48 pm

Thank you for the recommendation, Indecks.

Which one would you recommend I start with? Which system?

Post by **dsheinem** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:50 pm

What systems do you have to choose from? Many of the shmups you listed in your post are loved (in part) for their difficulty (e.g. the R-Type series), so you may want to work up to them. You also don't want to spend a ton of money and find out you don't like the game/genre...

Post by **Pingfa** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:03 pm

Megadrive, SNES, Saturn, Dreamcast, and Xbox. I'd say I'm mostly partial to the Megadrive/Genesis, which seems to be most peoples' system of choice when it comes to the genre.
I do enjoy a challenge; if the game is especially easy then chances are I won't like it, though I think I have my limits.

I do enjoy most popular Run 'N Gun shooters, so I don't believe a love for games in the genre or the genre itself is completely out of reach.

Post by **dsheinem** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:14 pm

Ok, I'll speak to Genesis shmups - someone who knows more about the other systems can speak to those. Saturn and Dremcast have some of the best shmups ever, but they are often expensive. I don't think there are many Xbox shmups, but I really don't know for sure.

On the Genesis some of may favorites are:

Gaiares - my first gen shmup and one that helped me get into the genre
Thunderforce series ("Lightening Force" is solid)
M.U.S.H.A. (expensive)

If you have the SegaCD attachment, check out

Lords of Thunder
Robo Aleste

Post by **Seganerd** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:51 pm

One of my favorite shumps is Galactic Attack for the Sega Saturn. Of course Ikaruga is pretty much my #1 and Is definately worth a try.

Post by **Pingfa** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:58 pm

Thanks Dsheinem and Seganerd. I might start with Gaiares first, then. Isn't Gaiares a relatively little known title?
After that, I'll probably go to Thunder Force III - with the exception of Lightening Force, the rest of the Thunder Force series seems to get bad reception, so I'll probably avoid the I & II.

After I'm finished with the Genesis + Sega CD titles, I'll move on to the Saturn. Seeing as Ikaruga appears to be the most well received, I'll probably get my hands on Radiant Silvergun first.
Sounds like a good plan, no?

Thank you all for the recommendations.

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:11 pm

This may sound odd to some, but I'd recommend The Red Star on the PS2. It's not entirely a shooter, as half of the game plays kind of like a beat'em up. However, most of the battles shift the game into what would best be described as a vertical shooter. There's even a horizontal shooter level where you fly a ship around shooting enemies and dodging fire. So, the game has a lot of shooter influences(including an Ikaruga inspired boss)

What I like about the game is that it's not harshly punishing like most old school shooters tend to be. You have a health bar and can even block a shot if your shield meter is not empty. However, for the hardcore types who want to try and avoid every bullet, there's a ranking system that evaluates you based on how many hits you take.

It's a great game for beat'em up AND shooter fans. The shooter inspired bosses will build up your bullet dodging skills, without harshly penalizing you if you mess up. There's also an EX mode you unlock upon beating the game that makes it even more challenging. It's a budget title too, so it's easy on the wallet. One of the best games I've played in recent years

Post by **Pingfa** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:15 pm

Thanks, Gamerforlife. Do you know if Red Star also saw an XBox release, by any chance? I do have access to a PS2, but it isn't mine...

Either way, I'll be sure to check it out.

Actually, speaking of Shmups, has anyone played Cloud Master for the Master System? Thoughts? Course, I don't expect it to match the quality of every other title listed here, but it does look like a fun way to pass the time for Shmup fans who have played all their other favourites to death.

I realise I didn't note that as one of the systems I have to choose from, but it didn't come to mind as I don't actually have the system itself; I have a MegaMaster so I can play it on my Megadrive.