Replayed for a Difficult Mode 1CC

Technosoft's project furthest from their comfort zone, eschewing their sci-fi horizontal setpieces for vertical on-foot fantasy shooting, with more traditional fleet-like swarms of enemies - and it has some of their tightest game design for it. The density of each level is very impressive. My favorite part of the game is the weapon system - the usual TF alternate shots are unlocked from the first four bosses, are permanent upgrades, and each have a screen-clearing charge shot. They're not equally balanced (you can get by mostly with the 3-way spread and its orbital bomb super), but all very fun to experiment with like any other Technosoft game.

My main critique is the difficulty: Pretty easy until around the stage 6 boss, and then those last couple fights are make-it-or-break-it. This also introduces the problem with its healthbar system; theres no incentive to practice earlier stages because unlike other shmups, there's no power ups or lives to carry with you to the later sections. The solution would be buffing the early-game stages in difficulty or replacing the healthbar with hearts or lives, maybe something like BM Daiginjou where all damage takes away lives but they're as plentiful as HP would be in other genres.

This one is interesting, has some Mega Man-esque elements including a stage select and new weapons as you beat bosses. Soundtrack is nice, particularly shining in stage 5. Gameplay itself can feel a bit finicky at times. I don't really like that there are separate buttons for firing forward and backward, but maybe that's just a personal thing. The last stage kinda sucks ass, it's a boss rush where every boss is given more health than originally. Really doesn't strike me as necessary. Aside from that, though, it's pretty fun overall. I think I'd recommend this one.