How to Shmup Vol. 1: Thinking in 3 Dimensions, Screen Control, Input Efficiency, Analyzing Patterns
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- In Volume 1, I go over fundamental concepts that I think will help build a solid foundation on how to approach the genre. This video attempts both specific techniques, like tap dodging, as well as general strats, like screen control.
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excellent, excellent content 👍🏻
Yooo! Mike found the channel! Thanks so much for tuning in my dude!
Motherfucker Mike was here!
I feel like this is a lot like practicing fighting games and speedrunning, which i do both.
"Just do your homework"
"Watch your own replays"
"See why you got hit"
"If you got in an ugly situation and you don't know how to deal with it, don't be there in the first place"
"Lab stuff , practice mode, savestates"
"Study better players for references to save you some lab work"
"There are things you will get just by experience and playing a lot, no trick to it"
"Know your options to simplify your decision making so you have less things to worry about"
"Test these options , know what works , know what doesn't, so you get a small pool of options to keep in mind that actually work, no room for those that you don't know if they will work"
Elaborating on the "experience part" is that i think that this is a lot like learning a new language, you don't have to learn it by studying it necessarily , you have to "adquire" it, and you adquire it by exposing yourself to what you are trying to learn (also known as just play a lot) and THEN learn the "grammar" or in this case "the tech".
In fighting games for example teaching beginners about framedata and even some basic terms like safejumps or meaties right from the beginning as beginner or even intermediate can be a bad thing because it makes players play too much "by the book" or focus too much on being too technical which eventually will make them reach a skill ceiling where they have a hard time to improvise doing stuff that "shouldn't work by the book but it does in this case" that you can only learn by just playing a lot, the very best top players i know from mexico in kof for example have no idea how to explain what they know or how they learned it, they just did by playing a lot and then adding the tech later, there's this "street schooling" aspect that you can only learn from the arcade enviroments or "playing a lot" that helps a lot for your brain to understand the game more than you can actually explain it, in kof for example i notice high levels players have no clue how to fight a much higher mexican player because what they do doesn't make any "techinical sense", they are very freestyle because a lot of them don't even know the terms at all so they just brute forced or adquired their knowledge naturally.
I think it really helps to have all of this information for advanced or above intermediate players because they already know the terms or what all of this stuff really means, but for beginners often times since they don't know any better they tend to twist it to a different meaning than intended and end up limiting themselves too much because they become more afraid of freestyling every once in a while, i am speaking from experience because when i was a intermediate fighting game player i put too much importance on technical stuff that i thought i knew a lot but in reality it was limiting me into playing a very robotic style that i thought it was "the right way" to play, then when i lose i wouldn't understand what even happened , it was several years later that i realized the true meaning of those advanced concepts that i thought i understood and knew how to apply them as a tool instead of a instruction manual, i see this happening a lot in greater scale with very beginner players already focusing on intermediate or advanced terms too much to the point they prohibit themselves from any creativity.
I am by no means i a good shmup player , i can only finish touhou games on normal since i play them very casually , i could be wrong but what you are describing in this tutorial is really really familiar on how the proper way to learn fighting games actually is, not by teaching players exactly what to do but teaching them how to think, and also the speedrunner mentality seems to play a big role aswell
I recently got interested in actually improving at shmups due to rabi-ribi , closest thing to a platformer shmup, i found myself applying a lot of shmup fundamentals in that game and that game teached me a lot as well so naturally i ended up watching your videos, you are doing a great work so far.
I definitely know what you mean, thank you for watching glad my vids have been helpful!
Amen
Just the opening to your comment itself taught me a few things. Well said.
This video is so important! I've already tried to signal boost it the best I can but I will continue to do so whenever an opportunity arises. I am a casual shmup player so I have only a small number of 1CCs under my belt (even though I've been a huge fan since the early 00s) and I can't tell you how many times I've lurked on forums trying to understand more of these games, but it's mostly only understandable for the already initiated. There's so much "silent knowledge" out there where the discussions make total sense for those who've played and mastered the games, but for people like me it sounds like "yea it's ez just birdscope the bushwheel and keep 142:ing the TB:s like with all MULL-based FRSTGE:s....". You know? This video explains so much, and walks the viewer through so many things we all take for granted.
This is not only a good video for beginners (and casuals like me) but also for people who think this genre is without depth. It's like... Such a good introduction! And you never assume the viewer already knows about things that might seem obvious to the community in a way that really made me feel excited about the genre again. I really hope you figure out a way to draw on the screen going forward with this series because that would be the icing on the cake. Thank you so much for this video, your hard work, nice attitude and... everything! I'm truly impressed.
Thank you very much! I really appreciate all the help I can get! And yes, I will figure out a way to draw on screen for the next one, I think that will really help :-D
This video is a gamechanger for me. This deserves a feature spotlight
I m really glad it helped!!!!! :-D
Wow that moment when you understand why you haven't been good at shumps despite playing them off and on for years. Have to revisit my collection now. Thanks so much for this!
I''m glad to hear it!!!
3 years late but same
Best video on developing SHMUP skills no one is talking about. My game has improved greatly! This combined with your arcade stick tutorial has taken me to the next level. I am working on my 1CC of Touhou 8 with an upgraded Hori Rap 3. Thanks for all the help! Been a casual fan of SHMUPs since 1999 with my Dreamcast, but Have never been able to take on the truly brutal SHMUPs.
I am really happy to hear that my dude! ❤
41:30 I did not expect a reference to Full Extent of the Jam, but I am glad that you even mentioned it at all.
I have an old podcast episode where I interview him and we talk about full extent of the jam! ua-cam.com/video/dJuhvgkXztk/v-deo.html
Fantastic tutorial with some really useful explanations. I've never seen a deep dive into mechanics of shmups like this before and I have learnt some valuable techniques. Thanks for your effort in putting this together.
I'm really glad you found it helpful! This topic has always been on my to-do list, but it's been hard until recently to figure out what a solid format could look like. Thanks so much for watching!
This is good stuff, Mark. Some of this stuff, I already knew, but a couple of these concepts I couldn't quite visualize very well, or properly explain. I will have to come back to this, and watch more of your "How To Shmup" videos, to continue to learn some of these techniques.
Thanks for this! After watching this I played AKA to Blue which I find very difficult, and managed to make it to almost defeating the Boss of stage 2. Focusing on the organically shifting negative spaces and moving very deliberately really helped. Shmups are indeed like a moving chess game :))
Glad it helped!
Even though I already have a normal 1cc of IN, this video still taught me something. I'm of those people who hug the bottom all the time and I was walled in many times as a result. Looking forward to the rest of this series!
I'm really glad to hear that!! Thanks for watching my dude, yes stay tuned for part 2, because I think you guys will really dig it.
@@TheElectricUnderground thanks to this video, i got to IN stage 4 on normal
fuck marisa tho, her first nonspell always gets me
Thank you very much for making this video :) it's very fascinating for me. It's also super interesting to see what comes to a player, like myself, naturally and then see the correct way of playing the genre. I came from your Mushihimesama review, that game really captivated me because of its world and design compared to a lot of other, military themed games of the same genre. As I'm having a lot of love for that game, I wanted to take a look at the basics so I can maybe enjoy it a bit more. I'm by no means gonna go for big scores but just beating my own little "high" scores is enough at the moment. I'll definitely continue to use your channel as a resource. Thank you very much for the content. - newborn shmup fan.
Edit - I also wanted to mention your personal touch of humour is very charming rather than being a total info dump but not stemming too far away from still being very informative and to the point. Helped me stay focused and still kept it fun!
17:32 😂😂😂
Great video though! I’m learning a lot. I figure it’s about time I take some lessons from a pro. I’ve loved and played shmups for years just for fun, but never understood how people are so great at dodging bullet hell chaos! Bullet hells are my favorite. I just love the art and the color and beauty of it all.
Thanks for making these videos and taking your time to explain this kind of strategy. I truly appreciate it.
I m really happy to hear that!!
This video helped fill in some gaps in my knowledge and made why these techniques are effective more concrete for me. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
I'm really glad to hear that my dude!! Thank you so much for watching! I'm excited for part 2, I think it's going to be great!
Great video Mark! I usually just feel a game out through repetition and muscle memory. When you play the games enough you do unconsciously pick up these tips, but it is great to have them explained in clear language. I think your analysis will help me be more conscious of what I am doing and how to do it better.
I'm really happy to hear that my dude!! Yeah, I think many players do start to pick up on these concepts intuitively, so my hope is that maybe this vid can help speed up this process for some people. Thanks for watching!!!
like 20 or so years ago i had a habit of playing cave games (donpachi and dodonpachi, that first espgaluda, guwange, a touch of dangun feveron) and i always thought this was incredibly niche content, but not only are you going deep into strategies and tips but you have about 25k views on this video and a patreon mwhere people are supporting your content! that's so fuckin cool, i love that not only are you doing this, but you have a large enough audience that you can keep doing this. videogames are so cool
Thank you for being a great teacher! You rock, friend! SHMUP 101!!!👾👾👾👾👾
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awesome work man! thank you for taking the time to do this
Glad you liked it!
Solid video, been out of the loop for a minute but definitely still enjoying all the content.
Glad you checked it out!
Woah, I did not know about the quick thinking and frame analyzing part, I was just following my instinct
It kinda works sometimes until stage 3
It fascinates me that the concepts and techniques of space control here I’m already familiar with from martial arts and the game of go (the fixed and aimed/manipulatable shots just take different forms). I hadn’t considered applying them to shmups!
Saw Shmup Junkie’s recent video recommending your channel. I just subscribed.
Awesome!!!! Thanks so much for subbing, lots of cool vids are about to come out as well :-)
I've heard the "mechanics" portion of bullet hells from others already, e.g. how to read patterns, things you should be thinking about, possibly memorizing bullet patterns to offload mental load, etc. including from this vol 2 version of this video. But this is the first video really going into a deep dive about screen space, aggressively taking control, etc. which I never thought about before (especially since in touhou games, i feel like they're kind of abusable and therefore easy to memorize then route...). Very interesting stuff
Having learned those lessons the hard way, I bet this video will ease newcomers life a lot. Looking forward to lesson 2, please do not be shy to be more technical if necessary
Thanks my dude! Yes, I have some really cool ideas for lesson 2! I think you guys will dig it.
I’m new to shmups. I’ve played very little over the course of my younger years but I find them fun. I haven’t played many either, however, the way you explained some of the basics is awesome. It’s exactly the way I think through when I play shmups.
The tap dodging is something new to me though. I recently got Andro Dunos 2 and busted out my Arcade stick to get a nice arcade feel. I’ve been having a lot of fun.
Looking forward to watching the rest of this series you’ve created.
This is really fantastic. I would suggest for future episodes that in order to make the paused screen clearly visible when you are explaining, either edit it in post or use a game in an emulator that lets you pause without any screen effects (probably MAME can do that?)
Yes for sure!! I came to the same conclusion mid filming ha. I'll also make my cursor visible as well, so I can point at stuff ha. Thank you for the feedback and checking out the video!!
Duuuude I’m in. This was amazing honestly. I’ve always been curious about bullet hells, but every time I pick one up I’m like “ya ok get ****ed” after I get demolished. I didn’t even understand how it’s possible and I’m really good at arcade games. You just untangled this whole mess for me, I wasn’t even close to playing it right. I can’t wait to try again, I’m not even going to press the fire button for a while and just try to understand that space control. Great job man, never seen anyone give this genre as much of a platform as you have.
Very necessary videos. Thanks
This was super helpful, thanks man!
Excellent, excellent content. Really enjoyed this. I started shmupping in 2010 but just now returning after a 6 year break. I've been watching many of your videos and just wanted to thank you! My first goal as a returner is to finally 1-all DDP. I had gotten sort of close back then, but never put in the time on that game. A few other Cave 1CCs though, the easier ones: MushiFutari BL orig, DS, DFK.
Looking forward to more videos like this!
I took me too long to learn what you can do in these type of games. Dumple chan got a good guide I pretty much post to any newcomer I see to cut the time they need to realize how these games work. But I think it is nice having another recommendation round.^^
Thanks so much for watching my dude!! I'm glad you found the video helpful. I agree that having multiple perspectives and more materials on this topic is really useful.
Could you share the dumple's guide, thx.
@@affonsotlb this one here:
goo.gl/Fi2zE
I am not sure if it was made by him. I just found it on his twitch channel and looked through it. I normally recommend checking out the technique section first before anything else, because I am not really into savestating/ using practice. Most players have found a way they have fun anyways so first few pages don't really feel necessary. I mean there is no point in playing a game you don't enjoy. and you can still enjoy the game even if you mess up badly if you like it enough.
Essential viewing!
One thing I didn't hear you touch on was using your peripherals. I cannot keep the entire screen in focus, so I typically keep my visual focus on my ship and use my peripheral vision to try and analyze the bullet pattern or enemy movement or whatever. Is that what you do?
Part of the reason why I do it that way is probably because I'm just getting back into shmups and I'm still feeling out where my core is and where it's safe to get shot 🤷♀️
Thanks for these videos. I've always been a fan of this genre since the 90's. However, it has been a discouraging experience and never went beyond an attempt or so, at the arcade or being dedicated enough to break through my current skill levels.
My issues is the visual overload of what is on the screen. And possibly a nervous twitch or reaction where I reactively move to the bullets which happens, mostly when I'm in those tight situations.
I have a feeling that if I take the information on this and other videos in the series, this may go away.
Again, thanks for doing these videos as when I looked up advice on how to improve, the results are a lot of generic, canned responses.
Yeah the visual stimulus takes time to adapt to, but yeah I think these guides will help a lot!
Personally I do not look much of what is going in the full screen. In shmups is not really important to aim if you play in a casual way. Personal info: I am good but I am not really good
Anyway i have been paying attention to the zakos (small fries) when bosses. They disrupt the boss flow. Just an example
Shooters and fighting games are kinda similar when you think about it
Yeah for sure!
Very nice tutorial!
Thank you for your pro tips.
Glad to help!
"Space is a resource" coming from a fighting game player standpoint, oh shit I think I get it lol
The information here is all extremely valuable. I think I kind of half-intuited some of this, but didn't really understand it. I feel like I having it clearly explained should help me apply it more consistently. Especially input efficiency.
But if I could be critical for a second, the whole video is a bit rambly. The off the cuff feel of it works well enough, but I think the information could have been delivered with a bit more focus.
I could see that my dude. I think this first video here is the most challenging because I sort of had to establish a baseline of how this format can work and what I can build off. Moving forward the continuing videos will be more focused and refined for sure. Thanks for watching!
That video would have saved me a lot of "trial and error". Many things which are getting so normal when you get better i couldn't even tell what to look for.
None of this explains why a Japanese man, working tirelessly in 1993, designed the 4th boss of Batsugun SPECIFICALLY to screw ME!
He sees into the future XD
I like to imagine I'm a bullet and keep the flow with them
what am important video for explaining a genre that is so bizarre and hard to understand for the unitiated
I'm glad it helped!! Keep an eye out because I have another entry in the series coming out this week!
Fucking 200 iq chess board analogy hollllly
Thank you my friend!
Have you got a video on how to actually hold the lever?
This is absolute gold. You playing with an arcade stick? Do you recommend doing so?
I am playing on arcade stick!! Yes I recommend arcade stick, but I have another older vid on the topic of stick vs pad vs keyboard :-) ua-cam.com/video/gWyMdK3813E/v-deo.html
@@TheElectricUnderground thanks!
I dont know if you covered this topic in any of your videos, but when talking about controls and input, i just wanted to know your take on the Deathsmiles and Espgaluda Port to the IOS.
I played both on ipad, and the touchcontrols were amazing. It wasn't like a virtual gamepad. it was more like a "mouse freelook" but with your finger. when you moved your finger slowly, the ships movement was slow as well. i never felt "beeing in control" with any other "controller" ever....
Oh yes I talked about this in my aka to blue review I think
I've felt this while controlling iOS ports as well. It's incredible.
Think about why I make my inputs? Well, 99% of them are to move in time with the music, of course!
Hey mark. I started with touhou 7 perfect cherry blossom. Would you say it has similar qualities as this game for beginners?
Also, do you play this with a stick or keyboard?
Absolutely!!
Just started the video. You mentioned another video that explains why you chose this one, but what is the title? Did you explain why you chose this one in the Notorious Touhou Vs Arcade Divide video? Well, I'm gonna watch that one either way, so hopefully its the one you're referring to. :P
EDIT: OK Halfway through that video, and yeah, I get it. That was the one.
EDIT 2: OK maybe I don't get it. I thought it was to reach out to Touhou players, but then I just heard you say it was because of the breathing room. I should just delete this comment lol.
Oh the vid is what is the best shmup to start with, where I explain why I chose touhou
@@TheElectricUnderground Ah cool, thanks dude!
Found the vid cool, thanks for all this great content! m.ua-cam.com/video/No-VfaOzMLg/v-deo.html
It's no longer available on Amazon :-(
Ahh damn that sucks! I 'll have to see if I can find another seller (there is also the shrine)
>him
I wonder if us that really love SHMUPS, and, are good at them, if our brains "LEARN" different !!!!!!!!
The “shrine”? Wait, what is that?
Type in touhou shrine in Google, it s a site to get updated touhou games with all the extra features baked in
@@TheElectricUnderground
Thank you! Appreciate it. :D
be aware, th6 and th9 from The Shrine are a bit scuffed, they have a unreadable datafile for certain patches like netplay or practice. You can play without these, however, but there's still superior sources for unpatched games (including, surprisingly, buying them ;)
I need an arcade stick thats compatible with pc, xbox, ps4 and switch strait up lol. Tired of playing with the DPad. I can tell instantly that your movements are different.
I’m no expert and haven’t done it myself yet but an option I’m aware of is installing a Brooks Universal Board ua-cam.com/video/yvGxt10Dw00/v-deo.html. They also released a wireless version more recently.
My recommendation is a Hori Real Arcade Pro 4 with a converter for switch/xbox if you aren't going to build a Brooks UFB into it
@@jqr8049 Hell yes!!! I have it as well, top recommend!
@@atomicmokka599 We are of same minds my dude, I was going to recommend the same thing!
Ha it looks like you've gotten some really great responses already, which I will basically echo. Overall, I have found that buying a used Hori RAP is a great place to start with arcade sticks (I'm explaining why in an upcoming video), and then if you want to connect to a bunch of different consoles and stuff upgrade it with a Brooks universal board!
U on twitch?
Not really ha, though I do stream on my UA-cam channel and have a playlist of my 1cc with commentary! ua-cam.com/play/PLMDuVHl1iOH-h67muE61DUeHumoHcAP22.html
Is this on any consoles?
I m afraid not. Zun is a lazy boy with that stuff ha
Touhou has about the ugliest user interfaces possible.
Great video tho! Subbed!
Ha could definitely be cleaned up!
Wow you must have wrote this for peeps that didn't grow up playing "Gradius 3" on actual controllers? Huh? ..... :-D .... .. HEY THIS should HELP them !!!!!!!!! And TRUXTON at my friends' house.
"My brain does every FRAME"; .. .. . bro I do math in 3d in my head. Please don't assume everyone's brain works the same RIGHT Right right the different kinds of LEARNING !!!!!! Remember? Different kinds of learning?
I'm not a boy :c