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The Shmup Genre Lives On In Heaven Variant [Interview]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 09/04/2012 - 08:41
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As gamers we usually have various options more or less when it comes to what we want to play. While the originality found in certain things can be suspect, we still can partake in an action shoot-em-up, a 3rd person action-platformer, or even a sim based racing game if our heart desires such a thing.  There are genres in gaming that will never go away but one whose popularity or at least reach has waned in certain years is the shmup genre.  

Sine Mora [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 03:41
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Overall Feeling: 

Sine Mora is a captivating game that provides an amazing amount of detail and depth that’s hardly seen in the shmup genre.  Gameplay wise the game may not be a flawless masterpiece that deserves to be displayed as the epitome of a perfect game experience, but the gameplay is put together in a smart way that forgoes needless difficulty ramps in favor of slick encounters and scenarios that  don’t always involve blowing up giant bosses or mass enemy fleets.  Not only is the game fun to play, but Sine Mora is also a beauty as well as it features visuals that are varied and are just filled with originality.  The extent of shmup games may be limited, but if you’re looking for a good XBLA game then Sine Mora fulfills that quest as it’s one of the best games released on the platform.

The Pros: 

+ Game design is perfect in how it doesn’t rely on constant difficulty to entertain the player but instead provides boss encounters that are presented in a unique and logical way.

+ The story of the game is really intense but is captivating in how it provides something different within the genre.

+ Visually the game is beautiful as the graphics have a nice sheen to them and the art design doesn’t stay within one style.

+ Akira Yamaoka’s score suits the game perfectly and creates an outstanding mood.

The Cons: 

- Occasionally it’s difficult to differentiate between enemy fire as it melds into the background easily.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

At this point when I go into a game I like to believe that I know what to expect.  Being a game “journo” and all I do have a rather extensive knowledge on some games leading up to their release so I know a thing or two about game X before I ultimately have the pleasure of reviewing it.  I don’t know if saying such a thing totally makes me out to be silly, but I’m just passionate about games so I often religiously follow a property way farther than most people tend to do.

At Long Last Sine Mora Receives A Release Date

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 08:17
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Good news for shmup fans as the Digital Reality/Grasshopper Manufacture produced title Sine Mora has finally been given a release date.  After being announced nearly two years ago and then later revealed last year, Sine Mora has gone on to garner some good buzz as of late from shmup fans thanks to the talent behind the game and the unique steampunk style.  Now we’re less than a month away from the story heavy, time centric action of Sine Mora as the game is finally coming out next month.

The Shmup Genre Lives On In Sine Mora [Video]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 07:57
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Today is a very good day to be a fan of the shmup genre since gamers have a new title to play later this year which based on the talent involved could become the best shmup released in the past five years.  Announced last year, Sine Mora has resurfaced to get a little hype going for the debut the game will be making at Gamescom in two weeks.  A joint production between Grasshopper Manufacture and the Hungary based Digital Reality Games, Sine Mora appears to be a very old-fashioned shmup which by all accounts I think is what the video game industry desperately needs right now.

DeathSmiles [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 08:38
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Overall Feeling: 

Deathsmiles is a game that somehow defies the expectations most have about the shmup genre. Even though you still shoot stuff, dodge endless energy pellets and face incredible bosses, the game is far from being your ordinary shmup. A unique art style that is one part Victorian and one part anime/manga combined with gameplay that is fun and relatively easy to get into warrants Deathsmiles a must play for shmup genre enthusiasts.

The Pros: 

The art style works well even though it combines 20 different things into a bouillabaisse of awesome. Gameplay is rather addicting and offers a nice amount of challenge on the higher difficulty levels. Really good soundtrack that has a mid-90s retro feel to it. The Achievements are rather easy.

The Cons: 

There are a few rather noticeable framerate drops when the action gets really intense. It would’ve been nice if the story was fleshed out a bit more with static cutscenes. The price is a tad high given what the game offers.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

So far this year I’ve played a few games that have genuinely surprised me due to how crazy they are.  I’m all for games taking a risk and presenting new things to the player, but I’ve had the pleasure of playing games where I didn’t know what the hell was going on.  It’s no surprise that most of these befuddling games are from Japan, the land of all things awesome and wacky.  The latest contribution from the Japanese video game industry is the North American version of the 2D shmup Deathsmiles.  Originally released for the Xbox 360 in Japan three years ago, fans of the s

Soldner-X 2 expansion pack announced

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 07/08/2010 - 06:43
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If you enjoyed the shmup action of Soldner-X 2 but are yearning for more then you’re in luck as the game is getting an expansion pack.  Titled Soldner-X 2: Final Prototype - The Last Chapter, the pack probably has the longest video game title we’re going to see this year.  The Last Chapter features exciting new shmup content with three brand new stages, additional Trophies, new music and even a new and probably brutal difficulty level.

Soldner-X 2 review + Free Game Giveaway

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 06/03/2010 - 09:29
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Overall Feeling: 

Soldner-X 2 is a pure shmup experience that will please fans of the genre. With a nice amount of weapons, enemies and bosses the game is an entertaining despite its short campaign mode. Soldner-X 2 may not be an instant classic but the game is a must buy if you like shmup games as it’s one of the best recent offerings in the genre.

The Pros: 

The HD visuals and overall ascetic of the game is gorgeous. Even though it’s a shmup the difficulty level is forgiving as it isn’t a brutal game to play and enjoy. Nice soundtrack filled with some techno buttery beats.

The Cons: 

The single-player campaign is a bit too short. Would’ve been nice if there were some additional modes to mess around in.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

There are some video game genres that thanks to their simplicity are timeless classics.  We of course still have the core genres out there such as action, adventure and racing but with the evolution of gaming most of those genres have taken on traits from others to become new hybrid genres.  But one genre that has remained the same since its inception many years ago is the side-scrolling shooter genre aka shmups.

Soldner-X 2 release date and price info revealed

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 05/06/2010 - 05:04
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Shmup fans can rejoice as it has just been announced that Soldner-X 2 will be out on the PlayStation Network this month. Set to drop on May 25th for only $12.99 in North American and May 26th in Europe, Soldner-X 2 will no doubt be a hit amongst the shmup community.

Featuring gorgeous 3D visuals combined with classic side-scrolling gameplay makes Soldner-X 2 a gem in this day and age.  With seven levels, two ships, unlockable modes and challenging yet entertaining gameplay Soldner-X 2 is a steal for only $12.

The cult anime shmup Deathsmiles gets a Limited Edition for its NA release

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Thu, 04/01/2010 - 10:47
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I guess I need to expand my gaming knowledge a bit since I wasn’t aware of Deathsmiles. Released in Japan three years ago, Deathsmiles is finally making its way stateside this June.  The game which is for the Xbox 360, is being dubbed a “Gothic-lolita shmup.” Now to the average gamer that probably sounds like a whole lot of gibberish. But it basically means it’s a side-scrolling shooting game with innocent looking anime chicks.

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