Shoot 'em ups galore
Not all has been turmoil and despair. In those times of illness I could always turn to my stimulating video game execution and enteraminet devices. I will now proceed to advice you to brace yourself while I put on my scarf and squared glasses frame with no lens and go full retard hipster mode as we explore the intricate world of classic shmups.
A shmup or a shoot 'em up is a subgenere of the 2D shooter type of video games typically involving a fast paced moving object like a space ship that you control and shoot at massive amounts of enemies that will equally shot at you even more massive amounts of bullets that you need to doge in a fast paced environment of quick reflexes and adrenaline. Also a lot of dying. It's loads of fun. Especially if you like really challenging games.
One of the most personal and intimate activities I like to partake in involve scavenging, hunting and exploring for these games that are generally lesser known due to the console's popularity that they were released in or by the lack of exposure they get being a subgenere that for a time was constantly overused and out-shined by the great classics of the golden age of gaming. These hunts involve exploring the libraries of lesser known consoles like the Sega CD, 32X, PC Engine Neo Geo and such in the hope that I find truly great hidden treasures. While I'm grateful to be part of the generation that grew up with the classics, some restrictions where inevitably imposed in my game console and software acquisition power (parents and money).
I have a soft spot for shmups because some of them while having a very simple mechanic were given the attention to detail in other areas of production like music and replay value to make them truly memorable. My eyes light up in a tinkle star as I admire the colorful backgrounds, shiny lights, lasers, sphere objects and engaging soundtracks or sound effects that some of them produce, taking full advantage technically and aesthetically of the console they were programmed for. Okay enough of that. Lets check out some of the latest findings:
Robo Aleste (Sega CD)
Wow. This was a hard one to find. Even in ROM form. I'd like to think I been out of the emulation scene for a while to know where to look for stuff anymore. Anyways. Developed by (now defunct) Compile and published by Tengen, this is one of those obscure games that being released on the ill fated Sega CD, did not get the exposure it probably deserved. I'm not gonna review the games, I like the gameplay and if you're curious I suggest you check it out. Also I'm taking on a side quest that entails collecting relevant original Sega Genesis, Sega CD and 32x games so this one is high on my hit list. It has a pleasant Red-book audio soundtrack (real music, not from a game sounding chip) and beautiful scaling and rotation effects made possible on the Genesis by the Sega CD add on.
Android Assault - The Revenge of Bari-Arm (Sega CD)
Shiny beautiful backdrops are the order for this one. Such caught my attention right away. Also the soundtrack being Red-book audio, sounds top quality. It has an anime slash slice of life feel to it. This one is hard to put down. But there are so many times I can die before depleting all the continues and having to start again, ending my nth attempt run.
Lords of Thunder (Sega CD / PC Engine / TurboGrafx CD / TurboDuo )
PC Engine version:
Okay. I LOOOOVED this game. Mainly because it's rocking metal soundtrack. To highlight the diferences with both versions we can start by pointing out that the PCE version looks much more colorful and lively thanks to the custom video encoder that the PCE is packing. It doesn't help that the Genesis color pallet was limited as well. The soundtrack in both versions is superb but for some reason they decided to "remake" the Genesis version. This doesn't make sense as they could have just used the same CD audio. It sounded slightly inferior but its hard to tell the difference. The Genesis port is a faithful one as Hudson did an excellent job but you can clearly see the bias towards what it was almost their first party console. Also the Genesis version has a lower difficulty mainly because when you take damage, they don't punish you so much by darning lesser quantities of magic power unlike the PCE counterpart. This one is a must for any shmup fan. Its worth to note that this game is a spiritual sequel to its predecesor:
Gate of Thunder (PC Engine / Turbo Grafx CD / TurboDuo )
I found this one to be harder. But it was enjoyable and the graphics are as vibrant as it's successor. The soundtrack is also quite enjoyable. All of them will find their way on to my smartphone soon enough.
Tune in next time I get the flu so I can have enough time to delight myself in more hidden gems.
A shmup or a shoot 'em up is a subgenere of the 2D shooter type of video games typically involving a fast paced moving object like a space ship that you control and shoot at massive amounts of enemies that will equally shot at you even more massive amounts of bullets that you need to doge in a fast paced environment of quick reflexes and adrenaline. Also a lot of dying. It's loads of fun. Especially if you like really challenging games.
One of the most personal and intimate activities I like to partake in involve scavenging, hunting and exploring for these games that are generally lesser known due to the console's popularity that they were released in or by the lack of exposure they get being a subgenere that for a time was constantly overused and out-shined by the great classics of the golden age of gaming. These hunts involve exploring the libraries of lesser known consoles like the Sega CD, 32X, PC Engine Neo Geo and such in the hope that I find truly great hidden treasures. While I'm grateful to be part of the generation that grew up with the classics, some restrictions where inevitably imposed in my game console and software acquisition power (parents and money).
I have a soft spot for shmups because some of them while having a very simple mechanic were given the attention to detail in other areas of production like music and replay value to make them truly memorable. My eyes light up in a tinkle star as I admire the colorful backgrounds, shiny lights, lasers, sphere objects and engaging soundtracks or sound effects that some of them produce, taking full advantage technically and aesthetically of the console they were programmed for. Okay enough of that. Lets check out some of the latest findings:
Robo Aleste (Sega CD)
Android Assault - The Revenge of Bari-Arm (Sega CD)
Shiny beautiful backdrops are the order for this one. Such caught my attention right away. Also the soundtrack being Red-book audio, sounds top quality. It has an anime slash slice of life feel to it. This one is hard to put down. But there are so many times I can die before depleting all the continues and having to start again, ending my nth attempt run.
Lords of Thunder (Sega CD / PC Engine / TurboGrafx CD / TurboDuo )
PC Engine version:
Okay. I LOOOOVED this game. Mainly because it's rocking metal soundtrack. To highlight the diferences with both versions we can start by pointing out that the PCE version looks much more colorful and lively thanks to the custom video encoder that the PCE is packing. It doesn't help that the Genesis color pallet was limited as well. The soundtrack in both versions is superb but for some reason they decided to "remake" the Genesis version. This doesn't make sense as they could have just used the same CD audio. It sounded slightly inferior but its hard to tell the difference. The Genesis port is a faithful one as Hudson did an excellent job but you can clearly see the bias towards what it was almost their first party console. Also the Genesis version has a lower difficulty mainly because when you take damage, they don't punish you so much by darning lesser quantities of magic power unlike the PCE counterpart. This one is a must for any shmup fan. Its worth to note that this game is a spiritual sequel to its predecesor:
Gate of Thunder (PC Engine / Turbo Grafx CD / TurboDuo )
I found this one to be harder. But it was enjoyable and the graphics are as vibrant as it's successor. The soundtrack is also quite enjoyable. All of them will find their way on to my smartphone soon enough.
Tune in next time I get the flu so I can have enough time to delight myself in more hidden gems.
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