Cycle Chaser H-5

As someone who loves shmups as aesthetic objects but often struggles with their difficulty, Cycle Chaser H5 is a revelation. Incredibly smart design decisions bridge the gap towards neophytes like myself whilst creating greater heights for the masters to reach towards combines with a gorgeous aesthetic blending 2000s-era flash sensibilities with the burning screeching passion of the Sega Mega Drive makes this that rare game that lights an enthusiasm for an entire genre in me. It is The ♥♥♥♥.

Oozes passion and offers just enough technical depth to warrant deeper exploration of its mechanics without feels overwhelming. A short, easier romp

A short, sweet little treat of a shmup. The whole genre can be really difficult to dive into, but Cycle Chaser H-5 does such an amazing job of working as an accessible on-ramp to the genre as a whole. Combine that with a really charming art-style and some killer tunes, and it's a really wonderful experience across the board. Only issue I had the whole time was some light bullet visibility issues; not enough to cause a problem, especially on the lower difficulties I frequented, but worth pointing out.

Well, this SHMUP took a measily 25 minutes to play through. It's hard to say whether I recommend it or not. Considering all the games that are out there, no. Nothing is done particularly well, it is simply a competent short little SHMUP. If it was a dollar I'd leave it a positive rec (though that is about what I paid when I got it through fanatical). Otherwise, I didn't mind my time with it, short and unremarkable as it was. ===================== [b]My SHMUP Tier List[/b] ===================== [i]-Simply personal taste. I’m excluding roguelikes, boss rushes and genre mash ups-[/i] [b]Loved:[/b] Jamestown | ZeroRanger | Super Hydorah | Tyrian 2000 | [b]Great:[/b] Drainus | Super Galaxy Squadron EX Turbo# | [b]Decent:[/b] Steel Empire | G-Darius | Ganablade | Dogfight | Angel at Dusk* | [b]Meh:[/b] Nanoforce | Steel Rain | Eigengrau* | Zenzizenzic* | Steel Vampire | Natsuki Chronicles | Wolflame | Satazius | Zangeki Warp | [b]Cycle Chaser H-5#[/b] | [b]Awful:[/b] Ginga Force^ | Nebula Fighter^ | ===================== [i]-Probably played another 100+ Shmups, but I only started this list recently and am sticking mostly to modern releases[/i] [i]-Not including any 'flying anime girl shmups' as they don't appeal to me. Believe me, I've tried.[/i] * = Felt like I was on the same screen the entire time, which I dislike. ^ = Encountered some jank. # = Too short, even for a SHMUP.

Good entry point into shootemups

CCH5 is a fantastic little hori shmup dripping with style. Aesthetics that make me recall Samurai Jack or the Genndy Tartakovsky Clone Wars cartoon, and an FM synth ost that soothes my yearning for more Genesis/Mega Drive inspired music. On top of this, it is also a very accessible game for a genre that is often labeled as hardcore. If you fear you're in over your head, then fear not as the lowest difficulty allows you to see the entire game even if you're not an R-Type god. As of this writing it now actually has four difficulty settings as of the last update, so it is even a fantastic replay as well as a good option for one's first 1cc. You really can't go wrong here tbh. Give it a go.

Pure nostalgia I love it