Graze Counter

Graze Counter is a vertically scrolling shoot ’em up developed by Bikkuri Software and published by Henteko Doujin that revolves around a bold reinterpretation of risk and reward within the bullet-hell genre. Rather than treating enemy fire as something to avoid at all costs, the game actively encourages players to flirt with danger, transforming near misses into the driving force behind both scoring and offensive power. This central design choice gives the game a distinctive identity, immediately separating it from more traditional shooters that emphasize cautious survival above all else. At its core, the gameplay is built around the act of grazing—maneuvering your ship extremely close to enemy bullets without being hit. Successfully grazing fills a dedicated gauge that can be converted into a powerful laser attack, capable of dealing massive damage and clearing dense bullet patterns. This mechanic creates a constant tension between safety and aggression, pushing players to deliberately position themselves in harm’s way to maximize their effectiveness. The result is a gameplay loop that feels exhilarating and nerve-wracking, as every second invites the question of whether to play conservatively or push closer to the edge for greater rewards. Combat unfolds across a compact set of vertically scrolling stages that steadily escalate in complexity and intensity. Enemy formations, bullet patterns, and boss encounters are carefully designed to exploit the graze system, creating moments where optimal play requires threading through tight gaps rather than retreating to empty space. Scoring systems layer on top of this foundation, rewarding sustained aggression and efficient use of special attacks. This structure gives experienced players plenty of room to refine routes and optimize performance, while still allowing less experienced players to enjoy the game at a basic survival level. Ship and character selection adds further nuance to the experience. Each playable option offers different movement speeds, firing styles, and interactions with the graze mechanics, subtly altering how risks are managed. Faster ships may allow more precise grazing but demand sharper reactions, while heavier options trade agility for broader firepower. These differences encourage experimentation and replay, as mastering one ship does not automatically translate to mastery of another, deepening the game’s longevity despite its relatively concise content. Visually, Graze Counter embraces a clean, colorful pixel-art style that prioritizes clarity in the midst of chaos. Bullets are vivid and readable, enemy designs are expressive without being distracting, and special attacks deliver satisfying visual feedback without obscuring the player’s ship. Character art and interface elements lean into anime-inspired aesthetics, adding personality without undermining functionality. The presentation strikes a careful balance between style and readability, which is essential in a game where split-second positioning determines success or failure. Audio design complements the fast-paced action with energetic music that heightens tension and reinforces momentum. Sound effects are sharp and responsive, providing immediate feedback for grazing, firing, and unleashing special attacks. Together, the audio and visuals reinforce the game’s rhythm, making successful runs feel fluid and failures feel instructive rather than arbitrary. The learning curve in Graze Counter can be demanding, particularly for players unfamiliar with bullet-hell shooters or unaccustomed to intentionally risky playstyles. Early attempts may feel punishing, as the instinct to avoid danger must be unlearned in favor of controlled proximity to threats. However, this difficulty is also part of the game’s appeal, as improvement comes from understanding patterns, refining movement, and gradually building confidence in high-risk maneuvers. Progress feels earned, and mastery is deeply satisfying precisely because it requires embracing discomfort. Ultimately, Graze Counter stands as a confident and inventive entry in the shoot ’em up genre. Its focus on grazing as both a defensive and offensive tool reshapes how players interact with bullet patterns, offering a fresh perspective on a classic formula. While its content scope is relatively compact, the depth of its mechanics and the intensity of its gameplay provide strong replay value. For players who enjoy skill-driven action, precision movement, and systems that reward bold decision-making, it delivers a thrilling experience that captures the essence of arcade challenge while introducing a memorable twist of its own. Rating: 8/10

Берите сразу Graze Counter GM. Это ремейк Graze Counter с дополнительным контентом и улучшениями.

Game won't start. When I click Play, it opens the game's configuration window with keybindings. I changed the display mode from windowed to fullscreen, clicked Start Game and a popup error appeared saying the game failed to start DX 9, but my system uses DX 11 (Lenovo Legion with RTX 4070). I tried running in Win 8 compatibility mode, but it caused the configuration window to loop endlessly. Switching back to default windowed mode didn't help.

Really fun SHMUP, but outclassed by Graze Counter GM, now. Play that one, though!

在普通模式下打一輪 比起其他彈幕遊戲真的簡單很多 一樣不追求一幣通關死了就續 但實際上也就續關二次而已 以第一輪來說真的不算困難 就是有些機制到破關都還搞不明白

Cho Ren Sha but you charge up your bombers by bullet graze. This means it has a lot more bomb use than your typical shmup and is more about neutralizing enemy bullets than outright dodging them. "That" pattern in the final boss comes to mind... If anyone does this bombless I'll be impressed

このゲームがとても難しい。でも、きれいで楽しいです。いいゲームが好きならこのゲームを進めます。

Fantastic arcade game, fun and unique game! 8/10!

game is very fun and cute, while the newer version is great id still play this

It's super fun with a charming aesthetic and runs and plays great. The gameplay loop of grazing, then countering and unleashing the power attack is super intuitive, addictive, and satisfying. My only gripe is that the super shot being red as well as point stars being red sometimes makes it hard to see the bullets that can hurt you, but then again that might be the intent to keep people from just holding down and barrelling over everything. On novice this is also a great suggestion (imho) as a beginner shmup as well. Excited to play the next entry!