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Tag: Vertical shooter »

Aces of the Luftwaffe Squadron review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Campbell Bird on March 3rd, 2020
Our rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: ERR FORCE
Aces of the Luftwaffe Squadron is full of distracting little gimmicks that make for a worse experience.
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BaBaBear Boom Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Nadia Oxford on March 4th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: ROCK THE DRAGON
BaBaBear Boom is an enjoyable shooter that takes place on the back of a dragon. However, fans of the genre may not appreciate the free-to-play elements.
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HeadshotsAlley Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Rob Rich on January 28th, 2013
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: HERO WITH A SHOTGUN
Unforgiving difficulty spikes and some surprisingly graphic violence mean this arcade run-n-shoot-em-up isn't for everybody, but everybody *else* should consider checking it out.
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Bug Princess 2 Black Label Bound for the App Store. No, it's Not Whiskey.

Posted by Rob Rich on June 11th, 2012

After a recent SHMUP release (okay, not so recent. And they pretty much do SHMUPs exclusively), Cave is poised to drop another one on us. Kind of. Bug Princess 2 Black Label is more like a Director’s Cut than a real sequel, but it might just be the be-all-end-all version for series fans to get.

The key story and gameplay elements are exactly the same as the original Bug Princess 2. Make no mistake, however, there’s new stuff to justify the purchase. Even more bullets are included in this version, which is something I would never have considered possible but there it is. Players can also recreate a near arcade-perfect experience by slowing down the action (i.e. simulating processor strain). But by far the most interesting addition is the new Boss Rush Mode. All of the massive bosses from the first and second game are here, and high scores can be posted for bragging rights. There was also mention of an option to save progress, but details are still a little scarce at this point.

Bug Princess 2 Black Label has no definitive release date or price at the moment. Presumably it should be out in the next few months, and most likely sell for anywhere between $5 and $15 using Cave’s previous titles as a guide, but that’s all speculation. It is coming, though. And it’s looking like it’ll be glorious.



Bug Princess 2 Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on April 9th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: TAKE BACK THE SKIES
Cave. Shooter. Awesome. Obviously.
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Endless War Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on April 6th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: CHOOSE WISELY
Despite initial appearances, Endless War can be a surprisingly personal shoot-em-up.
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AstroWings2 - space odysey Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on March 29th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: ROUGH SKIES
It gets the obvious stuff right, but this shmup stumbles a bit with the key fundamentals.
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Shogun Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on February 7th, 2012
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: RISK
This tribute to classic Japanese shoot-em-ups has a couple of tricks up its sleeve.
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RayForce Review

By Lisa Caplan on January 19th, 2012
RayForce is a true port, in the best and worse sense, but is the quasi-classic SHMUP worth the asking price?
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Bug Princess Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on December 15th, 2011
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: BULLET HEAVEN
Cave goes back to a simpler time with an iOS release of a beloved arcade gem.
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More Espgaluda II HD Details Revealed (Finally!)

Posted by Rob Rich on October 4th, 2011
iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
Our rating: starstarstarstarstar :: MIND BLOWING :: Read Review »

Update: 10/07/11
Cave has just unveiled more solid release details: Espgaluda II HD will be available on the App Store next week on the 13th (10/13). It's also going to have a special 4-day "Commemorative Price" of $10.99, so I'd suggest those who are interested jump on it ASAP.

A couple of months ago we mentioned that Cave was working on an HD version of Espgaluda II for the iPad, but at the time they didn't disclose much else. We just knew that it was a thing. Well Cave has since chipped away at the ice a bit.

The "Guinness-recognized 'danmaku' shooter!" is indeed being refitted with high definition displays in mind, however it's looking like this HD release will be exclusive to the iPad 2. At least for the time being. In addition to the remastered visuals - although according to the press release, the backgrounds and "some other graphics" will retain their SD quality - the "iPhone Mode" is being re-dubbed "Smartphone Mode" and receiving a new soundtrack by Kenichi Fukui and “KAY.”

Of course, that's not all. Along with all this HD craziness, the current iPhone/iPod Touch version of Espgaluda II is getting a bit of a revision. For starters, the soon-to-be newly dubbed Smartphone Mode will also receive the new soundtrack. So there's no need for audiophile non-iPad users to feel left out. Secondly, the full version will also get two separate "split" versions: Arcade and Smartphone. Each one will contain the full content of its titular mode, but won't contain the other. Of course, the Full version will still be available, and contain everything. I'm guessing (keyword: guessing) this was done to allow more frugal App Store shoppers a way in, so to speak.

There's still no official release date or pricing, but Cave promises that it'll all be posted "soon" on their homepage. I'd strongly suggest iPad 2 owners with a love of bullet-hell keep an eye on it. Or here. We'll probably mention something here, too.

Hypership Out of Control Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on September 20th, 2011
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: ACT FAST
Hypership Out of Control combines top-down shooters, endless runners and crazy in one super-slick, retro-inspired package.
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iPad Users Take Note: rRootage Online HD Has Gone Universal

Posted by Rob Rich on September 9th, 2011
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

rRootage Online HD has given shmup fans quite a bit of love. It's got lots of shooting, plenty of resulting explosions and a grand total of 160 stages. There are four different game modes included, giving players four different ways to experience the bullet-hell mayhem. It also features the expectant online high scores and, of course, achievements.

Until recently, this was an experience only afforded to iPhone users. Now, after the new 1.3.0 release, iPad users can get in on the action. Yes, rRootage Online HD is indeed a universal app now.

Since I don't own an iPad myself I can't really say much of the experience on the larger device, but I imagine the bigger screen makes spotting those pesky enemy projectiles a bit easier. Regardless, it's nice to see rRootage Online HD getting even more love. It's bound to please iPad using shmup fans who've might have missed it the first time around.


Space Falcon Reloaded Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Rob Rich on May 20th, 2011
Our rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: NO-FRILLS FUN
Space Falcon Reloaded is a somewhat straightforward shooter with pretty visuals and plenty of old-school fun to be had. Just don't expect a ton of bells & whistles.
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Flare Elite Review

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
By Jason Fanguy on May 16th, 2010
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: SOLID SPACE SHOOTER
Flare Elite is a vertical space shooter whose unique control scheme almost upends all the game has to offer. Even so, it’s fun and challenging with a unique Star Map navigation system and a nice arsenal of upgradable weaponry that will keep you occupied
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