Oh there are a few games on this list I hadn't seen before! 2021 seems like a harder year then usual to keep track of new releases for some reason ha. Shout out to #1, the devs for that game are really cool.
Yeah one of them was curved space, which I’d say is second only to nex machina in the modern twin stick space which I am similarly critical of generally as you are. If it weren’t for a somewhat forced harvesting mechanic that kind of slows down the action in my opinion. The presentation and general action is pretty cool though.
The Cave trio was definitely my shmup MVP of 2021. I never expected it once first saw it on eshop, but Espgaluda II blew me away, soon after I got DoDonPachi and Mushi! They've been my comfy pick-up and play games!
Great video! Gleylancer is a standout for me because I bought it just because and was completely blown away by both the gameplay and the story. Light years ahead of it’s time
Amazing video Ed, really appreciate what you're doing for the community! And though I followed the shmup scene quite closely last year, your #1 never made it on my radar, I'm sure going to check it out soon! Thanks!!
@@StudioMudprints I’m glad you were, the soundtrack is awesome and I had to buy both releases in Bandcamp. You know what would be awesome? A vinyl release 😉
Ha, the top ten! I crave for these ! Great video man, as always. As for my favorite shmup of 2021... Well it would be hard for me to say, as I really began to play shmup "seriously" during 2021 ! All of your videos really helped me discover a ton of games; and your stream was my first meet ever with the great shmup community. And as this video is celebrating 2021, I think it's a good occasion to say, for all of this, to you and Daeruna, a big thank you !
Awesome (and eclectic) list and video! Congrats and well-deserved placing to 1cc Games - I've been trying to get the 1cc on Normal (Bounty Hunter) mode for a while now... I died on the final boss's final pattern which was very painful but I suspect I will be able to pull it off soon. My #1 would also go to Schildmaid. I'm not sucking up, it's just an awesome game! I played a lot of Assault Shell in 2021 too, another fantastic indie shmup.
2021 definitely rocked it for shmups just as fighting games did. I may of been watching the channel for a while, but I've only been able to get into shmups in the last quarter of this year, but it was a damn good time to get in. Loved all of your videos and can't wait to see all of the great stuff coming this year!
Absolutely suoerb video.The best of categories list before the nr1 spot was just great. Schildmaid MX is a fantastic game which deserves to be a hit when it releases on Steam and hopefully later consoles- abd it's music is great too!! Last years personal fav was Cotton Reboot which is just an awesome scoring game.
R-Type Final 2 and Natsuki Chronicles.Exact to get the best "shoot'em up" games title in 2021.High quality graphics and great score & grinding systems.
Awesome vid, as always! For me… R-Type Final 2. LOTS of great games to play, but RTF2 struck a chord with me (especially since I’m a fan of the series since the Sega Master System release). Cheers!
Great Video. And sure 2021 was a sick year, I guess all around the globe. For a shooting Fan, this year rocked, maybe the best overall output since the early 90s, when PC Engine, Mega Drive and SNES were around. And Gley Lancer gets after 30 years the honors it deserves. At last.
Never heard of curved space, looks sick. Man I picked it up on steam and hardly anyone has reviewed it. It’s a shame as it’s definitely a standout in the twin stick space in my opinion.
Great top ten review! I just started getting into Espgaluda and definitely agree to be in the top 2, it has a very unique play style and keeps me playing. So many new games i never heard of, and and yet no time to play haha. Really glad that shmups are getting more and more love. Like always, love your reviews!
Cotton Reboot, Deathsmiles 1+2, and Twin Cobra are my favorites. Holding out for an Espgaluda II physical. If Mushi got it I have hope livewire/ LRG will put something together.
I hope Ratalaika Releases a few more Mega Drive (or other platform) shmups and put them alltogether in a physical Release. Just to show City Connection how this is done 😉
It's still technically labeled as "in development" on the project page, despite the actual game being complete. At the moment, the only option for the full game is the Famicom cartridge. Physical carts for other regions are still up for "pre-order" and are boasting a rather limited production run. No ROM options of the full game are available yet, and the last answer I saw on the matter was "No details about this YET" (emphasis on "yet" was theirs, not mine). I expect that's a "yes, eventually," since the physical-purist retro-devs out there are usually pretty upfront about their anti-digital position. Until then, there's at least a digital demo of the first few levels on the First Press Gaming itch.io page.
Great list GG Aleste 3 and Cotton Reboot are my 1 and 2. R Type Final 2 can go to hell that is the biggest let down of the year for me. If it was not so expensive I would consider trying it again on PC.
@@StudioMudprints I preordered the collectors edition of Sol Cresta from LR so I am sure I will not see that until 2024. Ill probably have to breakdown and get a digital copy. My fingers are crossed for a digital sale. I collect on switch, trophy hunt on PS4 and occasionally play on PC. A multiplatform discount would be nice for these $49.99 USD games.
I bought the collectors edition of Sol Cresta for PS4 myself. Switch is... problematic, but I did also buy the Steam version, and it's far more tolerable, for better or worse. It has been expensive.
There was a patch earlier this month. It reportedly shaves down the lag by around 2 frames on average. Not amazing, considering it started at around 10, but the original Saturn games already had their own lag issues. Add on emulators, limited hardware, etc, and this was never going to be great without abandoning emulation and doing native ports instead. About the only good news I can say is that Strictly Limited confirmed they will be including this patch on the cart for the physical versions they have up for preorder. It's not much, but I personally hate when my forever copies are marred by substandard launch quality.
Since you can't rate Schildmaid MX for ethical reasons, I'll go ahead and give it the #1 for ya. Maybe I'm biased because I've always made something of an artform out of slamming into enemy bullets and it's nice to finally get a game that recognizes me for that talent. Nonetheless, it's a gorgeous game with thoughtful wave design, clean readability, unambiguous mechanics, well-designed difficulty, and an intuitive and dynamic flow to it all. The soundtrack is pretty damn easy on the ears too. ;) 2021 is the year that properly introduced me to Cotton, with two games that quickly became absolute favorites. So placing a game above that lofty bar is seriously high praise.
They're not bad, actually. I'd recommend not sleeping on them if physicals are your thing; I have a feeling the Trilogy will go largely unnoticed and it's obscurity will make it super difficult to get later, leading to really dumb prices.
I didn't play many shmups even though I wanted to last year, but Raiden V I enjoyed quite a bit. I may play more this year, but the first one I chose for '22 was Crimzon Clover (Switch) and...despite how chaotic it gets, it's one of the very few games where I can get far without a continue. I also just recently beat it without a continue, it was on Novice, but still. lol
@@StudioMudprints Yeah, sometimes it gets a bit too much for me though, especially when I'm not able to clear out the bullets and I get hit anyways. >.
If they only saw release for the first time in areas that never got them before and/or have added significant features only found in the 2021 release, they're fair game.
Harsh words, but I agree with the idea behind it. However, it's his list and he does provide a reasonable argument why they are featured. I'm giving this a pass. Thanks for the list! Here's to an explosive 2022!
@@MarioNintendoh I know it's his list, he can even put Microsoft Solitaire as the best shmup of 2021 for all I care, but if half the games of a "best of 2021" list come from past years/decades, then the list is pointless.
Oh there are a few games on this list I hadn't seen before! 2021 seems like a harder year then usual to keep track of new releases for some reason ha. Shout out to #1, the devs for that game are really cool.
I really enjoyed your interview with the devs!
Yeah one of them was curved space, which I’d say is second only to nex machina in the modern twin stick space which I am similarly critical of generally as you are. If it weren’t for a somewhat forced harvesting mechanic that kind of slows down the action in my opinion. The presentation and general action is pretty cool though.
The Cave trio was definitely my shmup MVP of 2021. I never expected it once first saw it on eshop, but Espgaluda II blew me away, soon after I got DoDonPachi and Mushi! They've been my comfy pick-up and play games!
Great video!
Gleylancer is a standout for me because I bought it just because and was completely blown away by both the gameplay and the story. Light years ahead of it’s time
your No 1 was also mine. A really great game with beautiful art style and top notch gameplay. For a non-japanese game a real miracle
Amazing video Ed, really appreciate what you're doing for the community! And though I followed the shmup scene quite closely last year, your #1 never made it on my radar, I'm sure going to check it out soon! Thanks!!
My shmup of the year is definitely Schildmaid, I haven't enjoyed a horizontal shooter this much for many years!
If I wasn't involved, it would have been really high up there... maybe. I'm not sure where the sound direction would have gone lol
@@StudioMudprints I’m glad you were, the soundtrack is awesome and I had to buy both releases in Bandcamp.
You know what would be awesome? A vinyl release 😉
Appreciate it, Stooo!
Ha, the top ten! I crave for these ! Great video man, as always. As for my favorite shmup of 2021... Well it would be hard for me to say, as I really began to play shmup "seriously" during 2021 ! All of your videos really helped me discover a ton of games; and your stream was my first meet ever with the great shmup community. And as this video is celebrating 2021, I think it's a good occasion to say, for all of this, to you and Daeruna, a big thank you !
19:54 you are on the leaderboard, congrats
Awesome (and eclectic) list and video!
Congrats and well-deserved placing to 1cc Games - I've been trying to get the 1cc on Normal (Bounty Hunter) mode for a while now... I died on the final boss's final pattern which was very painful but I suspect I will be able to pull it off soon.
My #1 would also go to Schildmaid. I'm not sucking up, it's just an awesome game!
I played a lot of Assault Shell in 2021 too, another fantastic indie shmup.
❤ We've been having a lot of fun with Operation STEEL as well!
2021 definitely rocked it for shmups just as fighting games did. I may of been watching the channel for a while, but I've only been able to get into shmups in the last quarter of this year, but it was a damn good time to get in. Loved all of your videos and can't wait to see all of the great stuff coming this year!
Brilliantly put together. Bought back many nostalgic moments from the Snes, MD era👍
Schildmaid MX is a fantastic game, would gladly double dip if it came to Steam/GoG/Consoles
From what I understand, it's on its way to Switch and Steam
@@StudioMudprints That's indeed what we're working on!
Absolutely suoerb video.The best of categories list before the nr1 spot was just great. Schildmaid MX is a fantastic game which deserves to be a hit when it releases on Steam and hopefully later consoles- abd it's music is great too!! Last years personal fav was Cotton Reboot which is just an awesome scoring game.
❤
R-Type Final 2 and Natsuki Chronicles.Exact to get the best "shoot'em up" games title in 2021.High quality graphics and great score & grinding systems.
Thanks for introducing me to Tanuki Justice.
Awesome vid, as always!
For me… R-Type Final 2.
LOTS of great games to play, but RTF2 struck a chord with me (especially since I’m a fan of the series since the Sega Master System release).
Cheers!
Thanks for the catchup! Good to know what I missed out on.
Great Video.
And sure 2021 was a sick year, I guess all around the globe. For a shooting Fan, this year rocked, maybe the best overall output since the early 90s, when PC Engine, Mega Drive and SNES were around. And Gley Lancer gets after 30 years the honors it deserves. At last.
Never heard of curved space, looks sick. Man I picked it up on steam and hardly anyone has reviewed it. It’s a shame as it’s definitely a standout in the twin stick space in my opinion.
Thank you, very nice summary
Great top ten review! I just started getting into Espgaluda and definitely agree to be in the top 2, it has a very unique play style and keeps me playing.
So many new games i never heard of, and and yet no time to play haha. Really glad that shmups are getting more and more love.
Like always, love your reviews!
"The Second Final Type Of Richard."
Well, thank you for acknowledging that this is MY game.
Ha
Awesome top-10, 2021 was so amazing for Shmups! And 2022 start in a same way 🥰
Thanks for the track's in ghost blade HD it got my daughter and I to hang out with each other
My top 2021 R-Type Final 2 🏆
Very surprised that Razion EX did not even make it.
Cotton Reboot, Deathsmiles 1+2, and Twin Cobra are my favorites. Holding out for an Espgaluda II physical. If Mushi got it I have hope livewire/ LRG will put something together.
Great ranking! I hope R Type Final 2 gets a complete edition! I hope Gleylancer gets another Genesis reprint and a physical print for modern consoles!
I hope Ratalaika Releases a few more Mega Drive (or other platform) shmups and put them alltogether in a physical Release. Just to show City Connection how this is done 😉
Never heard of Blazing Rangers. I'd love to play it but not sure how I'll accomplish that.
It's still technically labeled as "in development" on the project page, despite the actual game being complete. At the moment, the only option for the full game is the Famicom cartridge. Physical carts for other regions are still up for "pre-order" and are boasting a rather limited production run. No ROM options of the full game are available yet, and the last answer I saw on the matter was "No details about this YET" (emphasis on "yet" was theirs, not mine). I expect that's a "yes, eventually," since the physical-purist retro-devs out there are usually pretty upfront about their anti-digital position. Until then, there's at least a digital demo of the first few levels on the First Press Gaming itch.io page.
Great list GG Aleste 3 and Cotton Reboot are my 1 and 2. R Type Final 2 can go to hell that is the biggest let down of the year for me. If it was not so expensive I would consider trying it again on PC.
And That's the catch, I would have been way less salty if the PC version was all I played. That was an expensive review (as Sol Cresta will also be!)
@@StudioMudprints I preordered the collectors edition of Sol Cresta from LR so I am sure I will not see that until 2024. Ill probably have to breakdown and get a digital copy. My fingers are crossed for a digital sale. I collect on switch, trophy hunt on PS4 and occasionally play on PC. A multiplatform discount would be nice for these $49.99 USD games.
I bought the collectors edition of Sol Cresta for PS4 myself. Switch is... problematic, but I did also buy the Steam version, and it's far more tolerable, for better or worse. It has been expensive.
You gonna play Good Knight with a dance mat? I gotta see that.
Awesome selection.
By the way whats the name of the song of introduccion at the beginig of the video?
"Cruel Vapor"
So on the topic of 'disappointing,' did the "Saturn Tribute" Cotton games ever get patched to fix the input lag?
There was a patch earlier this month. It reportedly shaves down the lag by around 2 frames on average. Not amazing, considering it started at around 10, but the original Saturn games already had their own lag issues. Add on emulators, limited hardware, etc, and this was never going to be great without abandoning emulation and doing native ports instead. About the only good news I can say is that Strictly Limited confirmed they will be including this patch on the cart for the physical versions they have up for preorder. It's not much, but I personally hate when my forever copies are marred by substandard launch quality.
@@ClockworkBard Cool, thanks for the update.
Since you can't rate Schildmaid MX for ethical reasons, I'll go ahead and give it the #1 for ya. Maybe I'm biased because I've always made something of an artform out of slamming into enemy bullets and it's nice to finally get a game that recognizes me for that talent. Nonetheless, it's a gorgeous game with thoughtful wave design, clean readability, unambiguous mechanics, well-designed difficulty, and an intuitive and dynamic flow to it all. The soundtrack is pretty damn easy on the ears too. ;) 2021 is the year that properly introduced me to Cotton, with two games that quickly became absolute favorites. So placing a game above that lofty bar is seriously high praise.
Appreciate your kind words!
What is the overhead car game at 1:38?
Gear Shifters (PS4)
Enjoy the video I think my favorite shooters were crimson clover ex explosion and Spacehunter DX
game id at 0:00 ? dunes of mars level lunar lander lookin game has me curious
Terra Lander, part if the Terra Trilogy (NSW, PS4)
@@StudioMudprints you're fast! just came back to update that i found it. did you like the game? seems fun
They're not bad, actually. I'd recommend not sleeping on them if physicals are your thing; I have a feeling the Trilogy will go largely unnoticed and it's obscurity will make it super difficult to get later, leading to really dumb prices.
All hail CAVE with the recent Switch releases thanks to Live Wire.
hi, what are the games at 0:58 (the cartoony-looking platformer-shooter type thing) and 1:10 (the on-rails shooter looking thing)?
Tanooki Justice (Switch) and Xenocider (Dreamcast) respectively.
@@StudioMudprints thanks
Can someone tell me what game is at 1:27¿?
Itta, on Nintendo Switch
hi, whats the first song's name from the intro? thx
Cruel Vapor. It will not be released outside of our patrons.
I didn't play many shmups even though I wanted to last year, but Raiden V I enjoyed quite a bit. I may play more this year, but the first one I chose for '22 was Crimzon Clover (Switch) and...despite how chaotic it gets, it's one of the very few games where I can get far without a continue. I also just recently beat it without a continue, it was on Novice, but still. lol
I'm loving the hell out of Arrange Unlimited in the Switch (and later Steam) versions of EXplosion. It's super good.
@@StudioMudprints Yeah, sometimes it gets a bit too much for me though, especially when I'm not able to clear out the bullets and I get hit anyways. >.
Great video!!! What is the game @ 0:52 just as the voiceover begins??
That's Astro Aqua Kitty.
@@StudioMudprints thanks 😊
Is Star Hunter DX really that good? 😯It's even discounted now on Xbox. This might just be the push for me to buy it.
I believe it is, there's a certain something between its gameplay, presentation and scoring that really makes it click!
Treating old games as 2021 titles just because they got a rerelease is stupid.
If they only saw release for the first time in areas that never got them before and/or have added significant features only found in the 2021 release, they're fair game.
Harsh words, but I agree with the idea behind it. However, it's his list and he does provide a reasonable argument why they are featured. I'm giving this a pass.
Thanks for the list! Here's to an explosive 2022!
@@MarioNintendoh I know it's his list, he can even put Microsoft Solitaire as the best shmup of 2021 for all I care, but if half the games of a "best of 2021" list come from past years/decades, then the list is pointless.
Salty.