Dimahoo Longplay (Arcade) [QHD]

Game Info
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Developer: Raizing
Publisher: Capcom
Year of Release: 2000
Game Review & Impressions
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Ever since the mid 90s, vertical shoot 'em ups became progressively more complex beasts, layering additional mechanics with increasingly vibrant graphics to stay relevant. Dimahoo is no different in this regard, boasting some truly stunning pixel artwork, plus a game loop not too dissimilar to that to the later Ikaruga and similar titles, which involves additional strategy and skills on the part of the player.
To earn some truly preposterous high scores in Dimahoo, players need to power up their primary weapon bar through successive levels of charge. When the bar -- located bottom left for player 1 and bottom right for player 2 -- reaches level 8 and begins flashing, a brief period of overcharge can be activated. Destroying enemies with the force beam which manifests in front of the player ship at this point causes them to drop RPG-themed bonus items, including armour, food, potions and so forth. These items convey no special powers or upgrades, other than to award bonus points at the end of the level, not unlike the prize bonus system from Smash T.V.
Further leaning into its RPG trappings, Dimahoo's enemies possess resistances to ice or fire attacks. If you want to maximise damage and increase chances of success, you'll need to figure out which waves and bosses are vulnerable to a specific element. It's worth noting it's not a total bust if you have the wrong element type equipped, just that things take a bit longer to kill.
Of course, you don't have to bother with any of this if you don't want to. Unlike some of the later Raiden games, Dimahoo doesn't punish you if you fail to reach a certain score level. In fact, players can even choose to stick with the default weapon type and forgo the specials system entirely, if they so wish. The default weapon lacks the overcharge ability, but does damage all enemies equally; there's no way to revert to the default weapon once collecting a fire or ice token, other than dying, but it's an interesting option nonetheless.
Stunning to look at, Dimahoo still holds its own, even in a world where gaming had gone almost exclusively 3D. Capcom's CPS-2 arcade hardware, on which the game is based, does a sterling job throwing huge numbers of sprites around the screen with nary a drop in frame rate. Coupled with engaging gameplay mechanics and excellent controls, Dimahoo is definitely worth revisiting today.
Chapters
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TBC

[@dalaxdercrisper957]

The graphics of this game is astounding! Also smooth gameplay too. One of best arcade shooter games

[@baardbi]

Seeing this in 2000 would have made me so happy. Where I live, all arcade machines had been gone for years and I was already getting tired of only seeing 3D graphics and first person shooters.

[@Peter_Morris]

I’ve seen a comb in a switchblade handle before, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen a comb as the flat side of a sword!
Plus 10 just for that design choice alone!

[@teddychu1177]

Loved the game... with a name like "Dimahoo" it sticks in your memory

[@ibrokemykeyboard]

Gave me the sweats just watching. Game is bonkers. Well done.

[@blackflame4506]

I play this one before along some other vertical shmup's and this one is a looker. Big colorful sprites and effects really showcase how the CPS2 system is capable in the arcade scene.

[@JSantiago806]

Didn't see this one in my region back in the day.

[@ferhat1983aydin]

Bravo

[@Maioly]

If I may ask, how are you playing/emulating this one? I'd love to give it a try myself.

[@sockpuppet4716]

Looks like a sequel to Sorcer Striker.

[@sockpuppet4716]

...in fact parts of this are an outright remake of Sorcer Striker. Even reusing some of the music.
Its predecessor had even more character and artistic creativity, so if you like this then be sure to check out the earlier Raizing game.

[@SegFaultMatt]

It’s actually the second sequel to Sorcer Striker

[@ashdjones]

Gamez level down. Adama they aimed at me first o_O

[@cookiehoneybinkynewyear2024]

first