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2D Shmups - History, Prospects?
Thanks to Gamers.com for their article discussing a brief survey of the 2D shoot-em-up (shmup) market. The article summarizes: "Shooters seem to have a very basic appeal, rewarding as they usually do indiscriminate destruction. They're also a pure example of the most basic of videogame challenges - simple, instantaneous, twitchy response... there are still a few gamers who seek classic shooting action, and a few companies willing to support them." It goes on to reference classic Japanese shmup companies such as Irem, Treasure, and Cave, and provide information on their former and current projects.
My mind blanks as the earth reforms. I focus on the the individual particles, it must be perfect, an action which would have taken me days and completely exausted me before, now takes only a few seconds. When the structure is completed I pick her up and levitate with her in my arms one last time. I set her down in the coffin, thinking about what could have been if I came to her help a few minutes earlier. I step outside the room and order the earth to seal it. Nobody shall ever know what lies beyond this barrier, I tell it. It obeys, knowing my pain.
I form a dagger of pure crystal out of nothing. I think about what powers will be lost to humanity, how many will die because I will not be there to help them, but it is meaningless to me. She was everything to me and I lost her to my greed. It is better this way, I tell myself.
I walk outside and see the sun setting behind the hills. It asks me if I need anything, and I tell it I need guardians. Moments later, the link is broken and out of the fire come four giant fire elementals. They request instruction. I tell them to destroy this forest and then return here, forever guarding this building, never to yield to any intruders. They turn and go.
I force my body fully into this plane. Feelings of vulnerability overwhelm me, I become mortal again. I walk back into the building and the earth understands, opening the passage for me. I sit next to her, touching her cold hand. I am sorry, I think, the thought echoing through the fabric of reality, a sign of how powerful I have become. I drive the dagger into my heart feeling not pain, but relief. I am sorry, I think again, and this time I feel she is responding. Perhaps we will be together in whatever is to come, I silently say to myself. I smile as I close my eyes and submit to the darkness.
But the powers that be will not let me rest. I have been assigned the role of the deathbringer of a strange world I have never seen before, with the promise that I will be reunited with my love at the end of time. There is nothing but death for those whom I set my gaze upon, and nobody understands why I do it. I am hated and feared by them, but I do not care.
I have become a Troll.
are there any good side- or top-scrollers for linux? FPS are fine, but I'd much rather be playing duke nukem 2.
The "classics" got nothing on the newer 2-d games.
Mars Matrix owns 1942 any day of the week.
With the new games having well over 1000 things on screen at a time and awsome sound it makes the classics look, well, classic.
Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
I'm surprised that there is no mention of Gradius, my favorite 2D shooter of all time.
I see my shadow changing, stretching up and over me...
2D Shmups...
Real nerds write their own.
Karma: Bad due to google bombing - Robert Watkins woz 'ere.
Anyone remember Robo Aleste for Sega CD, that has to be one of my all time favorites, along with Raiden Trad, and Thunderforce III.
I would have to say the console market is the best to play 2D shooters. My personal favorites are Radiant Silver Gun for Sega Saturn, Ikaruga for Dreamcast and Gamecube. 1945 Plus was awesome in the arcades. I'm not sure if it made it to console. Metal Storm for NES was great. Soon to be released Half-Life 2D looks like it will rock.
Although it's a big publisher, I guess Konami should have been mentioned. ....AXELAY.
Hello.... Gradius and the best SNES shooter along Space Megaforce
Konami should pay Treasure for a GBA enhanced port.
My vote goes for Bangai-O, one of the most awesome shooters for any console.
www.mking.com has an exciting shooter called demonstar, plus a sequel, and www.retro64.com has a shooter called bugatron which is pretty funny.
Just in case you haven't figured it out yet. You can find out a great deal more about 2d shootemups on
www.shmups.com
No mention whatsoever of COMPILE! Those hep cats made ZANAC, The Guardian Legend, Gun-Nac, Power Strike, Power Strike 2, Blazing Lasers, MUSHA, Space Megaforce (named something else in Japan), ZANAC x ZANAC and others!
I think they've been bought out recently, and they've been making mostly Puyo Puyo lately, but still...!
Q.
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This article has some seriously major gaps. No mention of Gradius/Life Force, and the Parodius games anywhere -- even with Gradius V nearing. Even with Gradius V being (albeit unconfirmed, as far as I've seen) developed by Treasure.