PROCYON

Procyon is a 2013 horizontally scrolling shooter developed and published by DeadlyRedCube. In Procyon the player maneuvers a spacecraft known as the Procyon that must defend itself from the various alien enemies. The game also supports screen rotation where player have the ability to change the game screen to portrait which changes the view to more of an arcade view.

While most arcade shooter utilize distinct power up items that each correspond to a specific effect on the player ship, Procyon has no upgrade or ammo pickup mechanic and the ship has the same abilities at all times. The ship is equipped with two weapons;  a basic shot that fire in a spread pattern, and a continuous beam capable of locking enemies. The ship also has a special super shot that needs to be earned first. The Procyon is relatively weak and it only takes one hit to be destroyed. But player have a rechargeable shield. The shield could only protect the ship from bullets and not collisions, so player still have to dodge through enemies when it is activated. Holding down the button for the shield whilst shooting will create a far more powerful shot for a limited time.

Procyon is very short game, consisting of five levels only, each with gigantic boss. Fortunately, it does have interesting score multiplier system. Player is encouraged to take out enemies and keep the combos high. Three game modes are available; Normal mode is the main story in which player get five lives for each level and can continue from the start of any level whenever lose all lives. Attrition mode is similar to normal mode where player get five lives and earn one extra live per completed level, but no continues. Survival mode offers the biggest challenge as player must complete the whole stages with only a single live without continuing. Another nice feature is local co-op mode that allows player to destroy aliens along with a friend.

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EXTERNAL LINKS

- Procyon official game website

- Procyon download links at Pasted

IKARUGA

Ikaruga is a vertically manic shooter that was developed by Treasure. Initially published for Japanese arcades in 2001, and then Sega Dreamcast in Japan and worldwide on Nintendo Gamecube. The enhanced version was released on the Xbox Live Arcade in 2008 and later ported to Microsoft Windows in 2014. The PC version is based on the Xbox 360, but removes the online co-op which never really worked well. However, the game adds the ability to play as both player 1 and 2 on one controller as well as numerous screen rotation options. As the spiritual succesor of Radiant Silvergun, the concept of two attributes in Ikaruga was inspired by Treasure’s earlier shooter called Silhoulette Mirage. Even today, Ikaruga still considered as the most successful arcade shooter in any platforms.

Several years ago, on the island of Horai, the nations leader named Tenro Horai discovered a powerful objects the Ubusunagami Okinokai, or “The Power of the Gods”. The energy from this artifact gave her unimaginable power. Along with her followers known as “The Divine Ones”, she began conquering other nations one after another in the name of “peace”, but a group of freedom fighters called the Tenkaku arose to oppose them. They fought back against the Horai but were defeated, except for one man named Shinra who survived the attack and landed in a remote village known as Ikaruga. After recovered, the villagers entrusted him with their very own fighter plane also named Ikaruga. This fighter is capable of using both types of polarity energies. With Ikaruga in his possession, Shinra launched from the transportation device called the "Sword of Acala", and this is where the game begins.

Ikaruga can technically be completed in a half-hour run, but only if player lucky enough survive in this cruel bullet hell perfection. The gameplay in Ikaruga revolves polarity mechanics, where players are able to freely change the polarity of their ship between dark and light. All enemies are either black or white. Hitting enemies with same color only does 50% damages, therefore the best option is hitting them with their opposite color and does additional damage. In other terms: black bullets damage white enemies better that white bullets do, and vice versa. The player ship also able to absorb same-colored enemy fire to charges secondary attack; a powerful of polarized missiles. Take a hit from a fire of opposite polarity will destroy the player, however.

Whilst dodging all the incoming fire, Ikaruga also provides surprising amount of tactics known as chain combo system. A chain combo occurs when player destroys three ships of a certain color in a row. For example if player destroys three white ships, then another three white ships, and then three black ships, that is three chains (so 3, 3, 3, 3, etc). If player shoot a black ship then a white on the chain is broken. Chain combos can be a major challenge for maximum scores and encourages memorization of the enemies' patterns. Anyway, if players have zero experience with shooter games, focusing on survival is the best choice.

Behind the scene, Ikaruga has some interesting facts. First off, many of the ships are named after bird species. The name Ikaruga itself literally translated as Japanese Grosbeak as well as 2nd ship Ginkei, refers to Lady Amherst's pheasant. Interesting to note that both birds have some shade of black and white on them. Ikaruga also has some ties to Buddhism. The titles of each chapter; “Ideal” “Trial” “Faith” “Reality” and “Metempsychosis” are representation of the struggle human faces on the path of enlightenment.

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EXTERNAL LINKS

- Ikaruga at the official Japanese website of Treasures

- Ikaruga download links at Tinypaste

TWIN TIGER SHARK

Twin Tiger Shark is one of the earliest game developed by Wide Pixel Games, a biplane shooter inspired by the era of the 80’s and 90’s classic. Twin Tiger Shark clearly influenced by Taito and Toaplan’s classic such as Twin Cobra, Twin Hawk and Friking Shark. As a well made title, Twin Tiger Shark formerly released on Ouya and Xbox 360, and it can be purchased at very affordable price. The PC version basically available for free, though players are encouraged to make a donation to the developer.

Twin Tiger Shark contains all the core ingredients that make a shooter genre so addictive. Playing as a colourful red biplane, player’s mission is simply to battle against hordes of enemies from one runway to the next. There’s no back story. The ship has two weapon types; a standard shot and limited smart bombs with a modest blast radius. While the bomb doesn’t clear the screen entirely enemies, anything caught in its wake is generally destroyed. Power-ups dropped by certain enemies come in red or blue, representing player’s main shot; a straight ahead shot or spread gun. The best power-up comes in the form of ally planes, who create a formation around player, adding temporary shield and more firepower. Points are collected in the form of stars from destroyed enemies, vehicles or buildings.

Player fly across forest, beach, port, open sea and will encounter enemies from all direction – ground, sea and air. Naturally, there is a large boss waiting at the end of each stage. The bosses reveal futuristic technology with hefty life bar and multiple projectiles to fire. Finishing the first level feels like an achievement, but the difficulty soon ramps up. Similar to Raiden, when players dies they restarting a little way back from the last point rather than respawning. There are six stages, and with no continues once all lives have been expended, the game requires much practice. With all those features, Twin Tiger Shark is highly recommended not only for seasoned player but also novice.

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EXTERNAL LINKS

- Twin Tiger Shark at the official website of Wide Pixel Games (download available)

BROKEN PEARL

Long ago we settled down on this planet, the three of us. We each formed our own country, as we always do, and we always named them after ourselves. The minerals of this particular planet had a different structure than what we were used to. It was more powerful and had an extra shine to them, we called them Pearls. Our offspring all had this shimmering with a slightly different hue resembling the natural form of each of us. We'd never been so complete or happy before. But then, one day one of us attacked the others.

Broken Pearl is a vertically scrolling shooter developed by Wide Pixel Games. It was originally released for Xbox 360 and Ouya, and ported later to Microsoft Windows as freeware though the player can make a donation to the developer. The game is notable for using the ability to rotate the game’s display and in essence changing the game from a vertical scrolling shooter to a horizontal one.

The player controls something resembling a space ship and must destroy air and landbased creatures using guns and a limited supply of smart bombs which damage or destroy all enemies on-screen when used. There are three different space ship in the game; Kenshi Azure, Kenshi Carmine and Kenshi Viridis. Unfortunately, each of them has no individual storyline and only distinguished from the shot type. Defeated enemies sometimes drop power ups, score multiplier and bomb. Also, destroying certain cages in the stage, frees the imprisoned creatures known as Aurums. These creatures will aid player until get shot down.

The game is based on the player trying complete a mission in each stage. Before each stage player get to select one of eight different missions with certain awards if completed. At the upper right corner a mission status is shown with three color indicator; red, yellow and green. Red means mission has failed and no bonus at the end of current stage. Yellow means mission has not yet been completed, but there is still a chance. Green means the objective has been fulfilled and the extra bonus will be given at the end of current stage. However, even the player failed, they still able continue to the next stage as long as they still have remaining lives. No continues are given when all lives are lost.

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EXTERNAL LINKS

- Broken Pearl at the official website of Wide Pixel Games (download available)

SINE MORA

In Planet Seol which is similar like Earth, four great nations are exist. While the planet large and prosperous, the Layil Empire relentless in its enslavement and extermination of the Enkie race. Hence, for years, these two factions are locked in eternal war. The story focuses on two group who rebel against the empire for different purposes. The first features a group led by Ronotra Koss, who seeks vengeance on the Empire that executed his son for being the sole pilot that refused to drop a nuclear bomb during an attack on the Enkies. The second features another resistance and survivors led by Akyta Dryad. Both groups are pursued by Argus Pytel, a high-ranking agent of the Empire.

Sine Mora (Latin meaning “without delay”) is a horizontal side scrolling shooter developed via partnership between Digital Reality and Grasshopper Manufacture for the Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, iOS and Ouya. The game features a diesel punk-like style and art design which is heavily inspired by Battle Garegga, Kurenai no Buta, and Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise. Akira Yamaoka, the composer behind a good deal of the Silent Hill series and Shadows of the Damned, presents the soundtrack. Mahiro Maeda, a famous anime artist known for The Animatrix, Kill Bill, and Neon Genesis Evangelion, designed in large part for boss battle. Sine Mora also feature “time manipulation mechanics” influenced by R-Type, Eihander and Under Defeat.

Sine Mora has five game modes: Story, Arcade, Score Attack, and Boss Training. The Story Mode has fairly complicated story. It has many cut scenes and a lot of dialogue to read. Story Mode is displayed in English, but narrated in Hungarian. Similarly, when the characters talk to each other, player will hear Hungarian with English subtitles to follow along with. However, understanding the story is not essential to enjoying the game. Player are given two choices for difficulty – Normal and Challenging, the harder difficulty offering less continues and an alternative ending. Player must go through Story Mode if they want to unlock everything the game has to offer. The Story Mode takes under two hours to complete without using continues.

Arcade Mode removes the narrative cutscenes, just pure action but limits the player to only three continues. Score Attack takes on the same structure as Arcade Mode with fewer changes. Player can’t progress further once a stage has been completed and there is no continues. Boss Training plays similarity to Score Attack, except the scores are never posted online. Player can fight previously encountered bosses and can they keep trying thanks to unlimited continues. In Boss Training player can modify things like primary firepower and number of secondary weapons. For those who want an even tougher battle, there is Challenge Mode which is basically a Boss Rush Mode. In this mode player encounter thirteen bosses from the game one after another.

There are seven pilots and three ships, each have standard weapon and secondary weapons. Standard weapon can be increased by collecting red orbs. However, these orbs are lost when the player takes damage. Secondary weapons are a type of smart bomb that clears a good portion of the weaker enemies and projectiles. Secondary weapons can only be used a certain number of times, unless player find power-ups from destroyed enemies. Player also have time manipulation ability to slow down time for a bit to help dodge bullets and safely navigate through the levels. Consecutive kills with the standard weapon will increase the game's score multiplier, while use of the secondary weapon or time manipulation will reset the multiplier. The final scores and rank are determined by three factors; damage taken, kills and poweups collected.

Sine Mora has seven stages and each stage has a countdown clock. The amount of time available varies depending on the stage. Unlike any other shooters, in Sine Mora time is the most important factor. Player can gain extra time by eliminating enemies or finding time boost. If player take damage, not only they lose power-ups, but they will also lose time from the clock. It it runs out, the game is over. When player finish the stage any remaining time will be added to final score.

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EXTERNAL LINKS

- The official game website of Sine Mora

- Sine Mora download links at Tinypaste

MIKI WARS PLUS

Miki Wars Plus is a doujin horizontal scrolling shooter with constant fast-paced action, but it features only one level with three difficulty modes. The sole purpose in the game is to survive and scoring as much as possible within three minutes. The game might seem too easy at the beginning, but that's just to warm up for the real challenges that awaits later in the next modes. Player need to be as far as possible from the enemies and bullets, because only with a single touch or hit by enemy bullets, the game will ends immediately. Miki Wars Plus is a freeware and can be downloaded from the link below.

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EXTERNAL LINKS

- Miki Wars Plus download link at Freem

ZEXIDE HORIZON

In the year 2880 one of Earth Federation aircraft has been shot down by Erna Tian, a destruction forces from another planet. The federation developing a high mobility fighter "Zefis" to encounter the next threat. Zefis equipped with three different weapons and Zex Side Cannon, a powerful explosive cannon that can wipe out enemies in sight. Unfortunately, threat was coming sooner than expected. The Erna Tian Empire flying above earth orbit and ready to launch greater invasion. Not taking any chances, Earth Federation launch uncomplete Zefis fighter to counter attack and save humans from annihilation.

Zexide Horizon is an excellent doujin shooting game developed by Crystal Light Stage fow Windows in 2014. Zexide Horizon utilizes high resolution 3D engine with flashy effects, but the general movement is a 2D horizontal scrolling shooters. Hence, the game could generate a better and realistic outer space battle. The ship is firing three attacks; focus beam, wide laser and back laser. The laser is powered up to a maximum four stages by taking the item labeled “P”. In addition, there are another power ups that give a boost for speed, life bar and shield. The most powerful attack is a bomb that serve as avoidance when the ship was surrounded by enemy bullets and enemy aircraft. After dropping, the fighter is invincible for about two seconds before comes back to the screen.

The game also provides VR-Training which is basically a tutorial for players. The best game feature is multiple endings where the players are required to play the game several times. Zexide Horizon is a freeware and can be downloaded from the link below.

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EXTERNAL LINKS

- Zexide Horizon direct download at Vector

KIRISAME BLADE

Kirisame Blade is the third project developed by Bikkuri Software using Shooting Game Builder, a horizontal shooting game with the aim achieving the highest score possible in a fixed period time. The player controls a futuristic ship equipped with unusual weapon; dual energy blades similar to a high-tech scissors capable of cutting and destroying the enemy. Pressing the fire button repeatedly will make the blades destroy enemy at different heights. Holding down the same button will put the blades straight ahead, stronger but ship will move slower.

The most interesting part is the blades can be double for a limited time. With bigger size player can hit easily and more effectively. The ship can move at super speed for a few seconds and player may rely on temporary shield. There are four game modes but the goal remains the same; collect coins from fallen enemies to unlock new features from shop. Kirisame Blade is a freeware and can be downloaded from the available sites below.

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EXTERNAL LINKS
- Kirisame Blade at the official Japanese website of Bikkuri Software
- Kirisame Blade download page at Freem