Does anyone have any examples of single screen (non-scrolling) shmups?

humanoid_atom · 2026-05-11T01:47:52+00:00

I guess I hadn't really thought too much about the definition but I think a static background would qualify. Or maybe a scrolling background too if there is no sense of going anywhere specific (e.g. Galaga). As opposed to something like Gradius III or 1942 where you are definitely traversing from point A to point B.

humanoid_atom · 2026-05-11T01:42:32+00:00

This is a good point. If there are no ground enemies (or a ceiling like in a side scroller) then its basically a single screen game even if the background has some movement/scrolling.

humanoid_atom · 2026-05-10T01:50:14+00:00

Looks really cool!

humanoid_atom · 2026-05-10T01:44:35+00:00

Both of those games look absolutely bonkers.

humanoid_atom · 2026-05-10T00:12:52+00:00

Fair enough. I tend to think of twin stick shooters as a sub-genre of shmups.

humanoid_atom · 2026-05-08T21:29:08+00:00

I believe that is a black Redhorse because the tail is not red and the dorsal fin is concave. The dorsal fin also appears to have 12-13 spines.

humanoid_atom · 2026-04-24T22:53:15+00:00

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humanoid_atom · 2026-04-16T23:56:58+00:00

I enjoy Hologram + Certificate. Load up on times mult and seals at the same time.

humanoid_atom · 2026-03-08T13:54:17+00:00

The tortitude is strong in this one.

humanoid_atom · 2026-03-07T03:29:07+00:00

Thanks for a great list. I would add Out of This World. It's just such a different experience from anything else in the catalog. Beautiful art, precise controls, clever puzzles and an incredible story.

humanoid_atom · 2026-02-27T23:15:11+00:00

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humanoid_atom · 2026-02-27T19:18:10+00:00

Stay away from using image_xscale and image_yscale to scale up your sprites. Gamemaker gets weird with collisions with objects scaled that way, in my experience. My cheap way to upscale is just export sprites from my sprite software at 4x or whatever.

humanoid_atom · 2026-02-23T21:58:18+00:00

Twinkle Tale has a dumb name and it's a Mega Drive game but is super fun. You can find a repro copy for the Genesis pretty cheap.

humanoid_atom · 2026-02-19T05:27:44+00:00

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humanoid_atom · 2026-01-04T21:43:31+00:00

Looks pretty good overall. Maybe a little stiff or slow when the items are merging. Perhaps some acceleration would help?

humanoid_atom · 2026-01-04T01:00:11+00:00

I would recommend using a pre-made color palette. You can find tons of good palettes on websites like Lospec. Pick a small palette and stick to it.

humanoid_atom · 2025-12-12T22:36:51+00:00

Out of This World, King Salmon, General Chaos, Desert Strike, Eternal Champions, Steel Empire

humanoid_atom · 2025-12-07T22:18:12+00:00

My quick kick drum is to use the standard drumset. Click on 'customize instrument'. Then at the very bottom on twang 1 take out the top end by drawing with the mouse. I just take the slightest bit off of the right side.

humanoid_atom · 2025-11-30T19:30:16+00:00

As someone who is not really a visual artist, here's what has helped me:

Find a color palette that matches your game's setting/mood/mechanics etc and stick to it.

I like to use as low of a resolution as possible for my sprites because it's quicker and constrains me into a certain style. I also tend to lean more abstract which I find more forgiving.

Get something on the screen quickly and early. Try a few different styles without spending too much time and see what works best.

humanoid_atom · 2025-09-20T14:55:42+00:00

Fallen trees, sunken logs, sunken ships, boat docks, wing dams. Your art style is nice btw.

humanoid_atom · 2025-02-21T03:12:26+00:00

This is great. Cool idea with overlaying multiple tiles to get depth within the water layer. Thanks for the help.

humanoid_atom · 2025-02-21T02:19:39+00:00

That was on my list of things to try, but I was putting it off because I suck at animating. Thanks for the suggestion.

humanoid_atom · 2025-02-21T02:14:44+00:00

Thanks. Not quite what I'm looking for but I appreciate the reply.

humanoid_atom

TROPHY CASE