Are Hori Shmups dying out?

[starman]

The ratio of vert:hori shmups is ridiculously skewed (to vert's favor). Are we witnessing a dying genre? Also, what's with the latest trend of Manic shmups--I'm sick of dodging bullets, and lame techno.

Where're my Gradius 2 flame dragons? Or Bydo-Giger battleships, or Titanic Lance's? Bullet's are cool and all, but I'm sick of being killed by a tiny pixel I couldn't dodge--I want to die dramatically and majestically again.

 

[roninbuddha]

true, even the latest greats like BorderDown and GradiusV still, seem somewhat "maniac-ish"...

well, i dunno.. maybe Vert are easier to develop these days :P

 

[Kristian Meller]

After playing the arcade version of Gradius 2 yesterday I can safely say that I won't be shedding a tear if we never see a horisontal shmup again

Unless, of course, Cave decides to do a sequel to Progear

 

[droid]

I'd love to see a manic sequel to In The Hunt...

or a vertical shooter on a hori screen ala mars matrix done by cave.

Droid

 

[RocketLawnChair]

Plenty of excellent horizontal shooters, so hopefully they'll be alright. I enjoy both styles about the same, so it would be nice to see more. Think I'll play Blazing Star now.

 

[AppleiDog]

I'd love to see a manic sequel to In The Hunt...

Mate that would be amazing, cause to me In the hunt is the best shooter ever.

 

[subcons]

Nothing new. Always been a larger number of verts.

There are some horis I like, but I generally prefer verts any day of the week.

 

[alec]

a little off topic but 1 question: would you guys consider games like Radiant Silvergun Mars Matrix or Aero Fighter 2 and 3 to be vertical or horizontal games. The shooting action is mostly in a vertical possition in those games, but the monitor is horizontal. Sorry if you think this is a dumb question.

 

[Kiel]

a little off topic but 1 question: would you guys consider games like Radiant Silvergun Mars Matrix or Aero Fighter 2 and 3 to be vertical or horizontal games. The shooting action is mostly in a vertical possition in those games, but the monitor is horizontal. Sorry if you think this is a dumb question.

That would be considered vertical, just not tate.

 

[Violent Ryo]

Prefer horizontal shooters much more, as I enjoy them more.

I really don't know why every new shooter these days is a vertical.

Border Down and Gradius 5 are definately among my top favorites as favorite shooters, but so is Ikaruga (vertical).

I really hope we see at least ONE quality horizontal shooter soon.

But u know what, we really need to say a game like Zero Gunner 2 again.

Hori, Vert, everything else all in one. That game blew me away as I had always fantasized about a 360 shooter like that with constant switching of angles.

Anyway, back on topic, don't know the reason why verticals outnumber horizontals greatly. I wish it was pretty even... =/

So for the horizontal lovers, what hori games are available for the PS2?

 

[droid]

I really don't know why every new shooter these days is a vertical.

I'd imagine the japanese gaming crowd prefers them? dunno. I'd love to see cave take another stab at horis...or a vert shooter on a horiz screen...or an insane isometric style shooter like viewpoint

Droid

 

[ironish]

a little off topic but 1 question: would you guys consider games like Radiant Silvergun Mars Matrix or Aero Fighter 2 and 3 to be vertical or horizontal games. The shooting action is mostly in a vertical possition in those games, but the monitor is horizontal. Sorry if you think this is a dumb question.

I would also consider them to be vertical games even though they are running on a horizontal monitor. I think it depends more on the game than on the monitor orientation and, from the people I've talked to, they also seem to have the same view.

 

[Kristian Meller]

Of course it depends on which way your ship/character is flying. That's common sense. Radiant Silvergun and Mars Matrix are vertical shooters because the ships are flying upwards and the enemies tend to come from there, while Gradius V and R-Type Final are horisontal because the ships fly from the left to the right.

 

[Vincere]

Do we have to come back to the definition of what is a hori and vert shmup?

 

[kubrick]

I like both, but I would definitely like to see more Horis. Salamander is ripe for a revival.

 

[subcons]

I like both, but I would definitely like to see more Horis. Salamander is ripe for a revival.

Salamander in the vein of Gradius V.

I'd love to see that.

 

[ironish]

Salamander in the vein of Gradius V.

I'd love to see that.

Yeah have that classic Life Force feel, but with the Gradius V engine. I've always liked Life Force over the other Gradius games.

 

[starman]

a little off topic but 1 question: would you guys consider games like Radiant Silvergun Mars Matrix or Aero Fighter 2 and 3 to be vertical or horizontal games. The shooting action is mostly in a vertical possition in those games, but the monitor is horizontal. Sorry if you think this is a dumb question.

Wow, these games had horizontal monitors? I've never seen a cab for any of them--just playn home versions, but that's really interesting to note.

I think the reason why they're less Hori Shmups is because they might be harder to make? Maybe drawing landscapes for your ship to crash into is harder than drawing exquisite bullet patterns for your ship to crash into.