Indie Game Pick: Crimzon Clover (Yotsubane)
Crimzon Clover is truly a wet dream for shoot 'em up fans. Though labeled as a trial version, this vertical 2D shooter sports a generous three full levels to play, jaw-dropping graphics, a limited shop section for unlockables, and the obligatory yet awe-inspiring boss fights.
In addition to your primary weapon, you can hold down the second shot button to target enemy ships, then release the key to fire homing beams at them. Collecting stars increases your special gauge, and when you press the C key it will either activate the bomb or your ship's break mode, depending on how much of the bar has been filled.
Note that the continues that you purchase from the shop can only be used once. The download link is here. (Windows, 139MB)
Comments
Controls are:
Z - shoot
X - homing lasers
C - special weapon (must charge up first)
W - pause game
Here is a file with 230,000 item points that some might be able to use.
Posted by: Tim | January 28, 2010 9:39 PM
Is there any chance of a Mac port?
Posted by: Adam | January 28, 2010 11:23 PM
If I may stereotype, Shmup fans are complete Romanticists. They glorify the same scheme over and over again with their classical beauty, their almost ridiculous simplicity in design, and powerful boast of greatness.
To be a gamer who loves a game as much as this must be like living in a Golden Era.
Posted by: Tony | January 29, 2010 12:25 AM
Well, the vertical scrolling shoot-em-up is to games what tragedy is to theatre. It's an archetype. You're right, there's a distinct lack of innovation, but it's a formula that's proven massively popular for decades. All that's left to do is refine.
Posted by: Richeh | January 29, 2010 10:42 AM
Thank God shmup fans and creators don't give a sh!t about what other people think. Much respect and don't change.
Posted by: Yakatori | January 29, 2010 12:59 PM
I don't think they were criticising shoot-em-up fans at all.
For my part, I enjoy watching these being played more than playing them.
Posted by: Alex May | January 29, 2010 1:39 PM
I agree with Tony and Richard, and I thank God for that :D
This game is GREAT!!
Posted by: loopard | January 29, 2010 4:28 PM
Wow, I have NO f*****g idea what's going on in the video!
That's awesome!
Posted by: jrjellybeans | January 29, 2010 6:13 PM
Yay, a shmup that's more akin to Dodonpachi than to the Touhou series.
Seeing this reminded me of Blue Wish Resurrection, which made me check his website because I remembered about Eden's Aegis, and lo and behold v1.00 came out:
http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/x_xgameroom/Works/works.html
Posted by: Dykem | January 29, 2010 7:50 PM
Yeah this definitely looks like it was inspired by Donpachi series.
Posted by: alastair | January 30, 2010 12:31 AM
I like how the score numbers work like particle effects. This shmup looks way too confusing for me, but it sure does look good.
Posted by: Hempuli | January 30, 2010 9:31 AM
you should try it Hempuli, these type of games are really quite simple. Much better enjoyed through play, than watching.
Posted by: alastair | January 30, 2010 10:24 AM
This game is awesome. Items seem a bit pricey though.
Posted by: Chetyre | January 30, 2010 10:53 PM
this is a copy of the dreamcast game ikaruga
Posted by: mike | January 31, 2010 8:45 PM
As much as I am a Touhou fan, quite a few bullet hells where there's more emphasis on insane amounts of bullets than intricate, hypnotic patterns. If Crimzon Clover ends up as proprietary, I would still buy it depending on the price. Assuming they'll sell to people outside Japan.
Posted by: fait | February 1, 2010 3:44 PM
This game is nothing like Ikaruga, besides being a vertical shmup. I'd say it looks more like DonDonPachi than anything else.
Posted by: Chetyre | February 1, 2010 6:19 PM
any way i can use cheat engine to make my item points trillions
Posted by: Anonymous | February 5, 2010 6:27 PM
Cheating in shooting games is about the most pointless thing you can do in a videogame.
Posted by: Greng | March 9, 2010 12:20 PM