https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dagfhelffamgpgkpbahpkcghpapkkgpk?hl=en-US&gl=US

There are still tons of shooter games out there. My particular favorite sub-genre is the manic shooter or bullethell shooter. I want to highlight a few that I’ve had a lot of fun with and can still sit down and play any day. Since there are too many games to try covering, I’d like to choose a few by Cave. The reason for picking Cave is simple, they tend to be high quality.

Guwange (ぐわんげ)

1999
This title is based on Japanese folklore. The player must collect 5 talismans from evil demons and use them to counter the curse of their shikigami. I found it especially interesting because you’re not piloting a ship or otherwise flying through the air, you’re controlling a person walking on the ground and their shikigami.

This one works fine in MAME, but is also available on XBOX Live: http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Guwange/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258410a78?cid=SLink

Progear

2001
In this title you’re a kid trying to take down the Motoruin sages. According to the wikipedia article they are immortal even though I have killed them over and over. Also, interestingly, this one is horizontal.

This one works fine in MAME.

Mushihime-sama Futari (虫姫さまふたり)

2006
In Mushihime-sama Futari, everything is related to insects for some reason. The graphics are stunning and the bullet patterns are intimidating. This one also happens to be region free and a platinum hit in japan, making it an inexpensive addition to anyone’s collection.

Buy Mushihimesama Futari Ver 1.5 (Platinum Collection) (Xbox360) at Play-Asia.com

Deathsmiles (デススマイルズ)

2007
This title takes the questionable gothic lolita fad, and uses the theme for a fun manic shooter witch game. I was actually able to pick this up at a local Gamestop, and was very pleased. The different modes and bosses made this a game I played through more than 50 times. The sequel is also available on the XBOX marketplace.

Buy DeathSmiles [Limited Edition] (Xbox360) at Play-Asia.com

DeathSmiles2X available on XBOX Marketplace: http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/DeathSmiles2-X/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802435a07d9?cid=SLink

In closing

There are some new shooters coming out of Cave, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be region-free anymore. I don’t know the reasoning behind this, and I’m not sure how I’ll get to play them. The cost of a Japanese xbox is prohibitive in my opinion, so I may either miss these or have to play/obtain them by shady measures.

So anyways, what are your favorite shooters?

I have been using a MadCatz fightpad since vanilla and it has served me well, but I’ve decided to start using a joystick exclusively. I have been wanting to buy a stick for a long time, but being a cheap-ass hasn’t served me in that regard. Last weekend I broke down and went to Gamestop, which is one of the circles of gamer Hell if you were wondering, and picked up a MadCatz WWE Brawlstick.

Aside from my girlfriend giving me hell about the design, my first impression was that the stick was very unresponsive, dashes weren’t coming out, and I would often miss my moves. That being said I did some looking around online and ordered some replacement parts. Installation could not be easier, imagine it like changing a DVD-ROM in a PC. I simply unscrewed the baseplate and interface cable and swapped them out. Buttons were even easier, all I had to do was disconnect the leads and pop the buttons out.

So far i feel this stick is very good, very responsive. I will continue to explore different configurations and layouts. What do you use in your stick? Bat top or ball top? Straight button layout or curved?

Stick: Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT
Buttons: Sanwa OBSF-30

Full gallery on Flickr

Dear Capcom,

You might look to SSF4 for some great online modes and features… spectate might be a nice one to add. Of course, team and tournament modes would be cool too, but would be more fun with spectate. I also miss the theatre, I learned a lot of good stuff there. The inclusion of reserve teams and the quick rematch option in player matches are nice additions – although kind of expected at this point. Overall I am enjoying the game, but am looking for more updates and support than 20 packs of DLC costumes. Actually, I am more looking forward to SSF4: AE.

Thanks,
Patrick

Well, I am playing because my buddy list is playing this, and only one person will still play Street Fighter or MvC3. But I would rather play Borderlands, Gears of War 2, Mass Effect 2 again, or maybe even that Homefront game when it comes out.

After hearing about this game nonstop from friends and coworkers, and seeing everyone on my list playing it I decided to give it a try. Let me start by saying, yes, multiplayer is fun when you’re playing with friends or people you know. But, I have not found anything else remarkable about the game. The graphics, while ok, really just get the job done for a military shooter. It’s possible that this is designed for a more arcade feel (like Borderlands but with boring weapons), but it is missing some of the controls or mechanics I expected to see – there’s no peeking (I remember this as far back as Rogue Spear), there’s no cover system, there’s no AI, etc. The story for the campaign seemed a little disjointed, with missions having you play as different characters in different places and times.

So my question is this… why are so many people playing this, and why was anyone considering this for game of the year?

Download from the marketplace: http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Extra-Stage-The-One-Who-Is-Many/ba264068-c805-43f1-b9a3-ed20fc7a20ee?cid=SLink