https://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65854
I wonder if anyone else here would have a list? I'm not encouraging anyone to vote necessarily, but the idea is an interesting one to discuss. Here's mine:
- Spoiler: show
My tastes are predominantly Cave games but I have really started getting into some Darius, in particular, and dipped my toe into Gradius and the cream of the indie stuff. There are big blind spots in my experience, though, especially stuff from Toaplan and the vast majority from the SNES/MD, PS1/2 and Saturn/DC eras. Really excited that M2 are supposedly bringing the entire Toaplan back catalogue to modern systems in 2020.
My top games won't be a surprise to anyone who hovers in the Shmups thread. I've poured hours of play and a lot of thinking time into Futari and Daioujou and they're two of the greatest gaming experiences I've ever had. I genuinely regret that I wasted many years not having these in my life. As I approach 40, I have to accept that I may not have time left to play these to the level I could have achieved in my 20s. I know that sounds like a ridiculous regret but it's the depth of feeling and fascination I have for them. It's like I cherish every second with my beloved cats but there is always a little part of me that wishes I had them from the day they were born.
Beyond the Cave stuff, Darius Gaiden and Darius 2 gripped me pretty much straight away and I really hope and intend to learn them and clear them this 8,just so I can experience more of their amazing gameplay, visuals and especially the music. I suspect that DariusBurst Chronicle Saviours will be on my list this time next year, as I've now played DB:Another Chronicle several times on the full size ultra wide screen cab and, along with getting into the older games, it's given me a real taste for it. I'm really happy with a Gradius C&R this year but I will still keep my hopes up for a Darius issue in future.
In terms of surprises, I have played and really enjoyed all the Psikyo games but because they improved steadily in every respect, there's almost no reason to choose one of the earlier games, or even two in this list, so Gunbird 2 misses out for Dragon Blaze. Rolling Gunner was my GOTY 2018, and I think it's excellent, but then I got a 360 and while the core gameplay is superb, the music and visuals and mechanics are lacking a bit of personality next to its brawnier Cave cousins. Meanwhile, Battle Garegga and ESP Ra.De. Psy may be the beneficiaries of recency bias but as a snapshot of where my tastes are at this point in time, I have a lot of affection for both.
Anyone else got a list?