This is probably the most action-packed mode as you get a ton of firepower via option satellites and you can lock-on to enemies, too. Black Label also has an arrange mode that has you pilot the helicopter from Ketsui another CAVE shmup. The most notable iteration is the original Black Label version where you can combine both shot types by holding 2 buttons down and while doing so, a gauge will increase that will eventually make the gameplay enter a super-difficult mode. When it comes to modes, DoDonPachi Resurrection features 8 iterations that vary in difficulty and complexity. I wish more shmups had this level of finesse. Oh, the music is excellent as well with plenty of upbeat and memorable tunes and I swear one boss even goes to the music which made my jaw drop. The Raiden franchise is great at this yet DoDonPachi Resurrection is similar in its approach with superbly animated bosses, detailed stages, and distinctly-coloured projectiles. I love it when shoot 'em ups feature such detailed visuals that you want to just reach into the screen and pick up the ships and such to get a closer look of them. Time to cancel some bullets so I can catch my breathīefore discussing more about its gameplay, I must say that DoDonPachi Resurrection is one great-looking and sounding shmup. Meanwhile, you get a stock of bombs that you can automatically deploy whenever you're about to get hit which is great for genre newcomers because this can be one tough shmup. Speaking of which, your hyper gauge gradually fills and once it's full, you can enter hyper mode to become more powerful and have the ability to cancel any enemy attack by alternating between the 2 shot types.
For example, the latter is slower and can halt enemy lasers mid-stream while the former can cancel projectiles whenever you're in hyper mode. On a basic level, you alternate between a turbo shot and a steady laser shot which each have their own advantages. Now, that should be more than enough on its own for any serious shmup player, especially considering just how tight and responsive the controls are. However, I will admit right off the bat that I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I did Espgaluda II with its intricate difficulty and scoring mechanics as DoDonPachi Resurrection mostly opts to play it safe with tried and true core gameplay and of course, thrilling action-packed stages that provide a hearty challenge. I love CAVE shoot 'em ups and have enjoyed a couple previous entries in the DonPachi franchise as I own both DonPachi and DoDonPachi for PS1 but I've never played DoDonPachi Resurrection and it's quite a modern marvel. Is anything cooler than bosses that transform? It's absolutely awesome that CAVE's library of shmups is being ported to Switch and genre fans can now enjoy DoDonPachi Resurrection. Maciejewski playing a Nintendo Switch on November 28, 2021 It appears to be a near total overhaul of 1.5.Reviewed by A.J. There is a long, LONG article about it here [but here is what I think are the main ideas of each mode (that I've played).ġ.51 I have yet to try.
Originally posted by Iori Branford:For some reason it doesn't even have a manual like the 360 version did. Novice modes of 1.5 and Black Label are self-explanatory. Difficulty doesn't feel much different than 1.5. Seems to be about collecting and holding excess bombs. Personally it looks overcomplicated and not really in the spirit of the game.ġ.51 is an odd revision of 1.5. The higher their aggression the more valuable score items they drop.īlack Label Arrange is Black Label with a guest character from Ketsui [featuring the scoring systems of both.Īrrange B I haven't played. Choice of 3 ships with different shot directions and 3 weapon configurations.Īrrange A sacrifices 1.5's versatility for a greater focus on the hit/kill chaining, with more ways to get high chains and score points from them.īlack Label is 1.5 with some advanced features, most notably a controllable enemy aggression level. They are all different takes on the theme of keeping a steady chain of hits/kills, and charging up Hyper power and then blowing away enemy bullets with it.ġ.5 is the "stock" or "normal" mode, the most accessible one with a variety of play styles. There is a long, LONG article about it here [but here is what I think are the main ideas of each mode (that I've played). For some reason it doesn't even have a manual like the 360 version did.