![]() The real problem of many euroshmups it the attitude that privileges coolnessor humour and nice graphics at the expense of gameplay. Some don't like such "impurities" and some prefer other kinds of more profound complications(drastic state changes in Dragon Breed, Ikaruga, R-Type, 2 or 3 button combinations in Radiant Silvergun, choosing from a menu in the Gradius family, changing option formations on the fly), but it is a matter of taste. I don't think adding complexity to a shoot'em up is a bad thing, especially when it doesn't disturb the basic dodging and shooting because it remains outside the levels (stage selection, ship building and loadout, intermissions) or when it adds variety and purpose to the action (secrets and score items, memorization of hazards, etc.) it is not cheap or inappropriate, such games are simply a hybrid of dodging/aiming action with other game types (exploration by trial and error, twitch shooting, management, real time strategy, etc.) I also enjoy the modern essential Japanese style (Fraxy, Warning Forever, ABA Games) and arcade classics like Raiden. I've been an affectionate European player of Tyrian and Tyrian 2000 for about 15 years and I have played 3 or 4 loops of Jets'n'Guns Gold, which is an "euroshmup" by everyone's definition. They are designed so anyone who's not a chess grandmaster will not pass level 2. ![]() They try to fight for some artistic value by being original and prettily drawn.Ģ. But in the end, if you're really looking for a definition, they have only two real caracteritics:ġ. They usually are insanely difficult and frustrating for who tries to beat the game by playing it like an action game.Įuroshmups are NOT fun for any normal member of the human kind. So euroshmups are basically games that tend to give the bigger possible malus to players who rely on skill. adding difficulties in the level design and gameplay (traps and everything that requires a complete anti-natural behavior) adding difficulties to control the ship (ship control taking care of gravity or inertia, etc.) adding difficulties to destroy ennemies (limited ammo, weapon management, etc.) This was achieved by adding to shmups the most possible unexpected elements, and basically three ways were used to do this: So to say, a desperate attempt to turn poker into chess. So euroshmups are a (missed) attempt to level-up the intellectual interest of the genre. And this, for a genuine european mind, is the most despicable thing of all. Because it's a definition that makes the game a matter of agility, and not of intelligence and strategy. I mean, no real european man can enjoy a simple thing like that AND keep looking into a mirror with some respect for himself. This definition is far too vulgar for any european mind. The real point is that somehow, a shmup is mostly a game where you shoot things and dodge bullets. ![]() In fact, all the specificies of euroshmups come from what pedant people would call a "cultural thing". There has to be AT LEAST a women that sings and a black dude that raps stuff that makes no sense.įor me, euroshmups are most of all a kind of gaming spirit. Also, not all bad and cheesy dance music is eurodance per se. I have the feeling that modern euroshmups have a lot of "retro"-ness about them it almost feels as if the programmers stopped paying attention to the genre after 1990.Īnd yeah, it isn´t a very positive term, however, not every bad shmup feels like it´s a euro. Most euroshmups are on other platforms than the usual consoles, mostly computers. I really like that.Īnother typical euro trademark to me is stuff like mouse control, overpowered or weird weapons that don´t quite fit the gameplay, and especially things like gravity, limited ammo or floaty controls (when your ship still drifts a little after you let go of the button). The music has something to do with that, too, with a lot of Huelsbeck/Vangelis/Jean-Michel Jarre vibe to it. Iridion 2 for the GBA is an example for a very well made shmup that feel pretty "euro" still. Not all of them, though, but these names really remind me of that era. Iridion, Uridium, Tyrian all sound a lot like typical Amiga or C64 games (kinda like Turrican).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |