STG Shmups

It's the constant pressure and friction that turns coal into diamonds. Most things worth getting into are no different. Embrace *some* friction.

We need something like this for DOOM WADs...

Power Dolls series Gaming is not short of either strategy games or mech-heavy releases, but few intertwine the two with the seriousness of Power Dolls. Kogado’s series set itself apart by bringing an astonishin…

So that's ten huge articles spanning the entire length of Power Dolls history, from its PC-98 beginnings through console spinoffs and its Steam-based end*, all based on first-hand experience with original materials! Come take a look!

*for now...

kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/power-dolls-...

More so in the deal flow/vc world (and championing STGs on the side), but I’m working on something this year where I try to converge both sides of what I do the most.

I’m trying to change this landscape a bit with my real job. I’m hopeful my partners and I can make a difference in the future, the venture capital side is losing edge by association of everything, most money is going to anything that mentions “AI”… curation is key, connection is too.

Fancy footwork and fire-dancing. Quick reflexes are needed if you're to beat one of Sin & Punishment's spectacular bosses.

One of the games I most looked forward most to playing after picking up our N64 last year.

📺: Sin and Punishment, Treasure, 2000. (NTSC-J N64)

Just goes to show that the breach in communication from developers (mostly publishers really) towards actual users is dire. Everything is so challenging as far as finding that developers end up making games for shareholders and not gamers, all on the pretense of “safety”. (Not exclusive to games).

It feels weird to catch a trend as it’s happening, but I do believe you’re onto something here. Brutalist Megastructures + Blame! Inspo. Sure, the theme hits hard because of modern times, but also this is gameplay we miss/need. QBJ3 was groundbreaking (hope many of the ideas get proper games!)

Dariusburst: Another Chronicle EX+ is $11.99 on US eShop buff.ly/mXjfVIR
US PSN buff.ly/TdzX8Gd

R-Type Dimensions III is up for preorder on Amazon ($39.99/$49.99)

Switch 2 buff.ly/vZSQPtr
Switch buff.ly/8geW1ay
PS5 buff.ly/4z3iQmA #ad

Switch 2 game is on cart

Thank you for being the only person around to talk about the game as a STALKER-like more so than "European Fallout". Yes, I can see how Fallout 4 fans can find a home here, but this is more oriented to a different experience (which F4 did try to go for as well, tbh).

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Alright, there's four days left on the Steam Winter Sale! My big PC Gamer roundup should be live on the last couple days, but in the meantime, here's a thread of stuff that fell JUST short of it.

If this work has helped you, any tips via Paypal or Ko-Fi automatically go on more games to research.

"If it's not to your liking, there's like 499 other ACA games to pick from, try one of those"

Not untrue but also buy (or at least play) Space Invaders. Have you tried scoring it? Have you ever cleared more than 2-3 screens? Have you tried speed scoring?

I'm guessing no. It's more than you imagine

This week's Arcade Archives release, the 500th game, is Space Invaders. One shot at a time, take out the Invaders as they get closer and closer... Includes the black & white version with cellaphane / moon backdrop options and the colour version!

Dreamwidth post!
tepidsnake.dreamwidth.org/33681.html

Thank you for all the replies and recommendations. I've checked most of these too, but I'm now super interested in the Northern Journey. Can you tell me more about it?

Apologies it took me so long to notice these replies, and merry christmas btw!

There are quite a lot of these nowadays. Just wanted to take the opportunity to plug Lost Eidelons. It's what many people claim they would want to see from Fire Emblem. Think Dragon Age-y setting with Fire Emblem combat. They came up with a roguelike sequel.

store.steampowered.com/app/1580520/...

Ben will be remembered in the books as the dev that made Star Fox on rail shooter indies cool again.

However, as far as Space Harrier-likes, I have to mention ASURA THE STRIKER, easily in my top 10 this year and arguably the peak of its subgenre.

store.steampowered.com/app/2389830/...

Mateusz recommends 3D action-adventure game, Angeline Era, by Melos Han-Tani and Marina Kittaka (Analgesic Productions).

Read our full review here: gameobserver.com/angeline-era...

#AngelineEra

What games would you recommend? I'm still chasing that exploration itch

For "best niche feeds about my pet game genre obsession" it's a 3-way tie between @shmupdb.bsky.social , @stgshmups.bsky.social , and @shmuplations.bsky.social in case you haven't figured it out, posts about SHMUPs, artwork, interviews, new releases both indie and remastered.

does this to you

So, there's that whole 'recommend 50 indie games' thing going around.

I'm very tired so I'm just going to link 750 that mostly cost money...

store.steampowered.com/curator/4313...

And 400+ more, mostly free.

docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

There's some crossover, but I think that's enough?

Finally cleared Defier Revolution! This was much harder than with the Sentinel ship. Expecting Redeemer to be around the same (maybe easier, please..?) #Sektori

Well trap15 is kind of a legend on our side of niches, glad to see he happens to like Wizardry too. Give him time and he'll deliver.

When talking about games, one thing I've tried to actively delete from my vocabulary is 'It's not for everyone'. Because duh, nothing is.

Instead, I want to say 'This is for people who love X or Y, but if you're expecting Z, you'll probably bounce off'. Specific understanding of tastes and appeals.

Touhou is the IP you use to appeal to a niche playerbase floor. Any niche genre you like (especially of the doujin kind or the ones abandoned by Japanese AAAs) will inevitably have a Touhou spinoff. This makes it cool, as they all tag themselves with the Steam tag "Faith" (in Japanese), easy to find

For all the slander that goes against that game, I have to give it to Capcom for actually releasing it with an offline mode with most things still in it. Now, if we can get Castlevania's Grimoire of Souls' Apple Arcade exclusivity deal to end so Konami follows suit...

A random youtube video just reminded me of a pair of genuinely great freeware gems - Vacant Ark and Iwanaga, a pair of very Treasure-inspired experimental freeware shmups from a developer known only as Buster who just kinda disappeared from the scene.

They are both very cool and hold up great today

Whenever I see a review mark an arcade game down for being short and built to be replayed, I immediately question every opinion that writer has ever held.

It's like complaining that there's too many moving pictures in a film, or that a drink is too wet.

I consider it the best 3D Touhou-related game released so far. It's incredibly good at what it does, and it doesn't outscope itself into boredom either. Super recommended.