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Hi! I'm someone who plays arcade style/bullet hell shmups and not too keen on most 'Euroshmups'. Not because of health bars, shops and upgrade elements (they are a common trait in them admittedly) but it's more on how they unnecessarily complicate the movement and combat with things like inertia and creating challenge through unavoidable attacks thus making it overly reliant on the shield/health systems implemented. I just don't find it as enjoyable in grinding for more numbers on my ship to overcome an obstacle rather than grinding for my own skill. There's a lot more I could discuss about it but I don't want to take away focus from the game on topic. With that out of the way, I actually enjoy Brood Star! It's a step in the right direction of implementing the arcade design with the appealing elements of Euroshmups. I share the same positive sentiment of it as you do throughout the video. I actually hope more developers looking into creating shmups with an upgrade/rougelike design take cues from this. I feel like there's always a balance that can be achieved in having that snappy and satisfying arcade design with good scoring systems while having room for upgrade systems to keep things fresh and interesting, especially among those players who aren't keen in high score runs. If you're looking for recommendations of similar shmups, Tyrian 2000 is a classic title and is completely free. Grab it from GOG and grab the OpenTyrian 2000 sourceport and you're all set. I actually have my gripes of this one too with the movement and enemy/attack patterns as well, but it's still one of the better games I've played that has the similar design idea in mind. Jets n Guns is a horizontal Euroshmup, and honestly my issues with it is that it has some dull moments in stages, but I feel like it's right up your alley too. Same goes for Söldner-X games, which also has quite a rockin' soundtrack. STURMWIND EX is something you can get on Steam right now as well, another horizontal shmup, pretty well made and features fun upgrades and weapon systems. I also suggest looking up Housemarque's games. If you don't mind dipping your toes into something closer to the bullet hell territory, the Treasure developed shmup Radiant Silvergun actually uses an upgrade system based on how much you use a weapon shot type. You have straight shots, homing and tracking shots alongside a sword attack that can slash off certain bullets that also acts as a sort of bomb when it's fully charged up based from how much bullets it has absorbed. You'll want to grab the Saturn version or 360 version of this and play on the 'Saturn' mode. When you game over, you carryover all your stats. The most recent title in the Touhou series as of writing this, Touhou 18: Unconnected Marketeers, features a shop and card system that's reminiscent of roguelikes. At the end of each stage after a boss, you can buy a card that has various functions. These range from extra damage, lives, different shot types, bullet clearing abilities, periods of invulnerability, faster movement and much more. I feel like the Easy difficulty for it is actually a decent introduction to the bullet hell genre, especially coupled with the aforementioned card/shop system.
Thank you, I will have to look into some of these more. I think I like Broodstar the best out of any SHMUP of these kinds. It mixes the Euro-SHMUP things I like, with elements of more arcade style games. The dodge also helps with dealing with the unavoidable damage issues. I also didn't want to spend a lot of this video complaining about the terrible SHMUPS I have played that are more in this style, because I don't want to take away from how much I enjoy Broodstar. Touhou 18 sounds interesting, I will be giving that a look in the future. There was one I did a video on previously that I really enjoy, Cosmonator, it has more flaws than Broodstar, but it is still a sloid game. Thanks again for the recommendations.
@@Darksmiter No problem! BroodStar pulled a lot of things off nicely, and the dodge is a great mechanic and definitely gives the game more options to be proactive as well. I'll have to watch that video on Cosmonator as well. Looking forward too when you do get around Touhou 18! Bullet hell is an intimidating genre, but I do feel like the Easy difficulty provided by the game is a great introduction and learnable even to those who haven't touched a single shmup. Plus the inclusion of the shop and card system gives players an incentive to unlock and try out a variety of builds beyond just the clear or scores. Just a few tips as well when you get around it, and just for bullet hells in general to make life easier for them. 70-80% of the bullets on-screen especially during those big barrages are usually there just to psyche you out or for visual purposes, so you really only need to focus on the direct threat near you, and of course the nearest opening or safe spot. Minimal movement as well is a great way to tackle on unfamiliar attacks, as most attacks will be either aimed or fixed. Aimed attacks can be herded, so once an enemy unleashes their attack, you can move just a fair amount to another direction and their whole stream of bullets will go right past you. Finally, get comfortable with where the hitbox is (Touhou games have it visible when you use 'Focus' via holding Shift by default, which also slows your movement down for tight navigation), then gradually have your vision focus ahead of your character/ship, usually 1/4 or 1/2 above. This will give you more reaction time and better reading ahead of where you want to be. I always felt shmups as a whole feel underappreciated, and there's a lot of untapped potential for more great games on it especially with incorporating new ideas. So I'm always happy to seek out new games and also recommend games to others.
Also, I know what you mean about moving to a new place. It's a really rough transition and it takes up so much energy just to get set up and adjusted. Having to then continue where you left off after that can be such a big ask, lol. Good luck, and I hope you prosper in your new apartment!
To be honest with you, I haven't played any shmups with a health bar that I've enjoyed. I think it's mainly because the stage design in those games tends to be extremely bad to make up for the advantage of being able to take a few hits. The only game I can think of off the top of my head is the ultra-obscure Vacant Ark by Uturobune. If you'd like, I know plenty of shmups with mechanics designed around damage avoidance and I'd be happy to recommend you some as they're my favorite type.
Thank you so much for the support!!
of course, your music rules! I am looking forward to hearing more from Owlet, I love that style of music
Hi! I'm someone who plays arcade style/bullet hell shmups and not too keen on most 'Euroshmups'. Not because of health bars, shops and upgrade elements (they are a common trait in them admittedly) but it's more on how they unnecessarily complicate the movement and combat with things like inertia and creating challenge through unavoidable attacks thus making it overly reliant on the shield/health systems implemented. I just don't find it as enjoyable in grinding for more numbers on my ship to overcome an obstacle rather than grinding for my own skill. There's a lot more I could discuss about it but I don't want to take away focus from the game on topic.
With that out of the way, I actually enjoy Brood Star! It's a step in the right direction of implementing the arcade design with the appealing elements of Euroshmups. I share the same positive sentiment of it as you do throughout the video. I actually hope more developers looking into creating shmups with an upgrade/rougelike design take cues from this. I feel like there's always a balance that can be achieved in having that snappy and satisfying arcade design with good scoring systems while having room for upgrade systems to keep things fresh and interesting, especially among those players who aren't keen in high score runs.
If you're looking for recommendations of similar shmups, Tyrian 2000 is a classic title and is completely free. Grab it from GOG and grab the OpenTyrian 2000 sourceport and you're all set. I actually have my gripes of this one too with the movement and enemy/attack patterns as well, but it's still one of the better games I've played that has the similar design idea in mind. Jets n Guns is a horizontal Euroshmup, and honestly my issues with it is that it has some dull moments in stages, but I feel like it's right up your alley too. Same goes for Söldner-X games, which also has quite a rockin' soundtrack.
STURMWIND EX is something you can get on Steam right now as well, another horizontal shmup, pretty well made and features fun upgrades and weapon systems. I also suggest looking up Housemarque's games.
If you don't mind dipping your toes into something closer to the bullet hell territory, the Treasure developed shmup Radiant Silvergun actually uses an upgrade system based on how much you use a weapon shot type. You have straight shots, homing and tracking shots alongside a sword attack that can slash off certain bullets that also acts as a sort of bomb when it's fully charged up based from how much bullets it has absorbed. You'll want to grab the Saturn version or 360 version of this and play on the 'Saturn' mode. When you game over, you carryover all your stats.
The most recent title in the Touhou series as of writing this, Touhou 18: Unconnected Marketeers, features a shop and card system that's reminiscent of roguelikes. At the end of each stage after a boss, you can buy a card that has various functions. These range from extra damage, lives, different shot types, bullet clearing abilities, periods of invulnerability, faster movement and much more. I feel like the Easy difficulty for it is actually a decent introduction to the bullet hell genre, especially coupled with the aforementioned card/shop system.
Thank you, I will have to look into some of these more. I think I like Broodstar the best out of any SHMUP of these kinds. It mixes the Euro-SHMUP things I like, with elements of more arcade style games. The dodge also helps with dealing with the unavoidable damage issues. I also didn't want to spend a lot of this video complaining about the terrible SHMUPS I have played that are more in this style, because I don't want to take away from how much I enjoy Broodstar. Touhou 18 sounds interesting, I will be giving that a look in the future. There was one I did a video on previously that I really enjoy, Cosmonator, it has more flaws than Broodstar, but it is still a sloid game. Thanks again for the recommendations.
@@Darksmiter No problem! BroodStar pulled a lot of things off nicely, and the dodge is a great mechanic and definitely gives the game more options to be proactive as well. I'll have to watch that video on Cosmonator as well. Looking forward too when you do get around Touhou 18! Bullet hell is an intimidating genre, but I do feel like the Easy difficulty provided by the game is a great introduction and learnable even to those who haven't touched a single shmup. Plus the inclusion of the shop and card system gives players an incentive to unlock and try out a variety of builds beyond just the clear or scores.
Just a few tips as well when you get around it, and just for bullet hells in general to make life easier for them. 70-80% of the bullets on-screen especially during those big barrages are usually there just to psyche you out or for visual purposes, so you really only need to focus on the direct threat near you, and of course the nearest opening or safe spot. Minimal movement as well is a great way to tackle on unfamiliar attacks, as most attacks will be either aimed or fixed. Aimed attacks can be herded, so once an enemy unleashes their attack, you can move just a fair amount to another direction and their whole stream of bullets will go right past you. Finally, get comfortable with where the hitbox is (Touhou games have it visible when you use 'Focus' via holding Shift by default, which also slows your movement down for tight navigation), then gradually have your vision focus ahead of your character/ship, usually 1/4 or 1/2 above. This will give you more reaction time and better reading ahead of where you want to be.
I always felt shmups as a whole feel underappreciated, and there's a lot of untapped potential for more great games on it especially with incorporating new ideas. So I'm always happy to seek out new games and also recommend games to others.
Also, I know what you mean about moving to a new place. It's a really rough transition and it takes up so much energy just to get set up and adjusted. Having to then continue where you left off after that can be such a big ask, lol. Good luck, and I hope you prosper in your new apartment!
Thank you, I think now that I am settled here things like this should be easier for me to do.
So, why do you love Broodstar?
To be honest with you, I haven't played any shmups with a health bar that I've enjoyed. I think it's mainly because the stage design in those games tends to be extremely bad to make up for the advantage of being able to take a few hits. The only game I can think of off the top of my head is the ultra-obscure Vacant Ark by Uturobune. If you'd like, I know plenty of shmups with mechanics designed around damage avoidance and I'd be happy to recommend you some as they're my favorite type.
What happens if I deny an upgrade?
Hey I'm a bit late but if you like euro Shmups try Jets'n'Guns 1&2. They're on sale right now if you happen to see this
Played it, game is way too easy.
Beat normal first try, put my reasearch points in, beat hard first try.
ok, but did you have fun?