Toaplan Done Right! Sophstar Indie Shoot Em' Up Review!

[@bananabytes9670]

Thank you a lot for your kind words. We feel very honoured to have our featured on this channel, and very glad you enjoyed the game.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

No problem!!! Excellent work my dudes, I am really impressed with how polished the game is! I had a ton of fun with it and can see myself going for a brutal mode clear in the future :-)

[@bananabytes9670]

@@TheElectricUnderground Holy crap, if you can 1cc Brutal you should DEFINITELY post a video, because none of our testers could get even close. That difficulty level was born basically as a joke, but at some point during development we started to fine tune it so it could be *possible*, but seeing someone actually beating it without continues it's something we really don't expect to see. Our programmer / game designer says he could beat each part of each stage individually at least once with each ship, so he knows its possible to do it. But actually do it in a single run? That would be insane. :D

[@TheElectricUnderground]

@@bananabytes9670 yeah I ll give it a try ha, we ll see I m not as good at this style of shmup but it could be fun to try!

[@shmups_hobby]

Since you guys are here, can I be cheeky and put in a feature request? Please can the leaderboards indicate the level reached, and whether the score is a Clear or EX-Clear (TLB)? For people who just want to clear the game and not compete on score, this is very helpful. It’s a standard feature on many Shmups (including Batsugun!!)

[@HeavyMetalfps]

I love this game, i can tell you folks put in alot of passion.

[@ShmupJunkie]

Sophstar is an awesome game and I’m so glad you’re giving it a highlight and review too. They put so much time and effort into their game and it shows. It’s a great combination of old school Compile era shooting mixed with plenty of modern touches and updates. And the ship variety and how each one changes the gameplay is superb. I hope it finds greater success.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Absolutely!!! I can definitely see this game being right up your alley sub genre wise!! I actually had a ton of fun with it to the point where I kept playing even after I gathered all my review footage ha

[@julianseph842gamez5]

Battle Traverse is a great doujin shmup on PC. It combines the genre of Ketsui, Progear, Akai Katana and Deathsmiles. The bosses have really cool designs, and the levels are well made.

[@HombreAproximativo]

Sold. I went directly to Steam to buy it way before finishing the video. Thank you for sharing your review and long live to the Brazil shmup community!! (from the still pretty niche but passionate Spanish one :p )

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Glad to hear it! Yes very solid release :-)

[@AlwysBclosing]

This is one of my favorite Shmups this year. I’m recommending it to friends I want to turn onto the genre. One sorta quirk I didn’t notice was on the third stage boss I was able to just like hover over him and drain his health down without getting hit. I don’t know if I you can do it with any other bosses but it was kinda too easy

[@mkavo]

This is game is so good and criminally cheap, I don't know how you devs survive and selling on Steam only too! The cadet mode alone is worth the sticker price.. Also today ordered a copy of Shmup Mania magazine which covers this game, looking forward to it and great to see great content coming from Brazil

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Yeah I really hope word gets out on the game!!

[@kronoschiarini]

I'm from de Shmup Mania crew and thanks you for suport us on buying magazine!!

[@JogosMofados]

Nice review, I did one for the Portuguese speaking audience, nice to see this great game getting the recognition it deserves. Cheers!

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Thanks so much! That's really cool you reviewed it as well, game definitely deserves more recognition!

[@VinuShmup]

Thanks for the review Mark, super interesting as always, I can't wait to test the game now! I can feel devs are very passionated about shmups and made an amazing work on pretty much everything (I was just a bit scared by the teleport but seems not so important gameplay wise). If it has a console release this will be a blast!

[@TheElectricUnderground]

No problem at all! Yes you can largely ignore the teleport mechanic until you feel that you are comfortable and are willing to use it ha. Also yes this would be a great console release and it sounds like that is in the team's plans :-)

[@ThatGamingGuyfromthe70s]

A great shooter, complex enough to be interesting without being obtuse. The teleport mechanic is something I enjoyed in witchbot meglilo, velocity and nex machina, i would like to see it used more often. You covered a lot in this review, there's so much content but you summed it up well.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Thanks so much my dude!

[@julianseph842gamez5]

Shmups4ever!

[@sebastianwardana1527]

can you believe it actually won a competition... schools wide... nation wide... internationaly? crazy to think about... so many people had helped out...

[@ShmupsBR]

This game is bananas! :D

[@TheElectricUnderground]

it is!!! XD

[@nerdzone]

I cannot wait for it! Sophstar literally is becoming my favourite Shoot 'em Up right now. 8 hours of wait is 80 hours too much!

[@kronoschiarini]

Great review for a excellent indie game from Banana Bytes!! And I must invest more time in that one to reach the 1CC ehehhehhe

[@shmups_hobby]

Thanks for this review, helpful and well produced! I had watched a couple of runs but got put off by the length of Stage 1, good to know it gets better later

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Yeah stage 1 and 2 are too long, but the game really starts picking up after that :-)

[@Error_4x5]

I would kill for a Fight n Rage sequel

[@HeavyMetalfps]

Fun fact: the ship Mark is using has a spread shot when you tap the fire button, it doesn't seem to be as strong as the fire beam though.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Oh yeah good note!!

[@then1533]

Suspected this was on the way when I saw the online leaderboards! It's a fantastic game imho

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Yes ha, managed to get 2nd on the default ship type :-)

[@BarneyMayerson-x4z]

Thanks for the recommendation. Can't believe this is only £2.14 on the Xbox Store at the moment. Having a blast!

[@D-A-K]

I had been following this game throughout much of it development and I was *not* disappointed. My fav shmup of the year so far. However I was pretty disappointed by the sound design. I'm glad you brought it up. The music is just *okay* but the sound effects are noticeably bad to me. I wonder if it was a budget issue, because I think some of the sounds are open source/public domain (the little chirp when you collect the green tokens I've heard in other games, for example).

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Yes you are right, they def could beef up the sound effects (never too late to patch them in) and yes I am fairly confident in saying that the sound effects is likely a budget issue. I personally can understand this as coming up with good sound effects is surprisingly difficult, I'm currently struggling figuring out how to add in solid sound effects into HOB. Maybe before the console port though they can patch in some beefed up sounds.

[@Crcvmbdfl]

did they patch it for the console release?

[@niconico4138]

Yes, absolutely love Sophstar!

[@adenozin]

Just got this after seeing your review and it was on sale at 5e, very good experience so far !

[@dangunheadachron1603]

Needs to be on PS4 and Switch

[@TheElectricUnderground]

I could see that happening, seems really well made!

[@bananabytes9670]

It will be. Hope to have a date soon :) Follow us on the usual social media, we will inform people as soon as we have a date :)

[@dangunheadachron1603]

@@bananabytes9670 thank you brother!

[@RobertoMakoto]

Totally sold me on this one, looks so good.

[@Joe-Rad]

Just got announced for a physical from red art games. Pre-ordered for switch and ps4. Awesome game!

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Oh that s really cool!

[@julianseph842gamez5]

I just finished Dangun Feveron's FEVER mode as Type-C ship using Lock-on as powerful shot and Speed 4 setting. The stages 4 and 5 were a real torture for me! I'm glad I managed to survive the FEVER mode and finish the game. I really enjoy playing Dangun Feveron on my PS4.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Feveron is so much fun!! Funky fresh :-)

[@julianseph842gamez5]

@@TheElectricUnderground I really like how the music of the Stages 1 and 3 make a tribute to the BeeGees. The Stage 1 music reminds me of Stayin´ Alive, while the Stage 3 music makes a reference to You Should be Dancing. It gives me the BeeGees vibes!

[@gfy69]

South America bringing them back. Thanks for the review.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

No problem!!

[@perlichtman1562]

You convinced me to get it. Would you suggest getting Sophstar for Xbox Series X or Switch? Is it pretty much down to input lag being better on the former vs. portable TATE on the latter? Or is there any other factor to consider?

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Hmm I'd get it on xbox honestly, I think the game is a bit hard to play in portable mode since it's a virt shmup and the bullets look tiny ha.

[@perlichtman1562]

@@TheElectricUnderground Done. Bought it for Xbox the minute I read that. Thanks for making it an easy decision. Also, thanks for all the great content. Your videos are a big part of the reason why over the last few months I bought every M2 ShotTriggers release so far (including making a Japanese PSN account for some of them).

[@iraplikeyoubreathe]

Looks fun as hell gives me don pachi vibes and aesthetically it looks great, sorta blue revolveresque.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Yes donpachi is a great comparison!!

[@julianseph842gamez5]

Especially, it involves the genre of Star Soldier.

[@inrptn]

Great review. Great game, great price. I bought it just before Elden Ring dropped lol, so haven't put much time into it yet, but it oozes quality.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Absolutely!!! I ve had a ton of fun with it so far

[@mariowario5945]

Ooh, I can feel that input lag! I would guess it's at least 4 to 5 frames based on your movement patterns. You dont seem too comfortable moving diagonally

[@TheElectricUnderground]

I can test the lag, but I don't think it's as high as 4 frames. Just make sure to disable vsync :-)

[@julianseph842gamez5]

I'll try do a run of Battle Traverse in Easy difficulty as Albert T. Neider and then find a way to share the video to you. Do you like the idea?

[@KING_KONK]

Can’t wait

[@jasp2003]

Does it have Tate mode???

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Yes!!

[@chrismoon2961]

Thanks for the heads up EU! First blush with the game and it's a helluva lot of fun with some great patterns, loads of ships, tons of modes, etc. Great stuff!

[@TheElectricUnderground]

No problem!!! Yes the game is really well made, the scoring system is also super fun and easy to get into

[@scienceandmatter8739]

? Instant Like. Allways allday all night. Now the important QUESTION ..IS this GONNA BE on SWITCH????

[@bananabytes9670]

Follow us on the usual social media to get more info about it when we have a date. But it's gonna be there :)

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Sounds like it!!

[@somafulop]

I love this game! Fast paced bullets, awsome music, lots of diversity between ships, great devs!

[@VillainViran]

All right, I'll pick it up

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Awesome!

[@PaulConnor1978]

I'm about to launch an Indie game on Steam, how do I go about sending you a review key please? ;-)

[@TheElectricUnderground]

You can find me on the STG Rev 2020 discord server, best way to contact me directly

[@PaulConnor1978]

@@TheElectricUnderground Thank you i've sent a key over on Discord ;-)

[@PedroFerreira-sx2gd]

Indeed. A cross between classic and bullet hell. The classic fast bullet patterns remind me more psycho. Few games try that like of oldschool and modern. Only batsugun and dangun feveron comes to mind. The bad: First 2 stages are not interesting (dare to Say the first is Boring). Dir not like the teleport mechanic. Hate to teleport when the screen is full of bullets.feels like teleporting randomly in defender.I just hope is not obligatory to use in Later stages (could not reach Later levels on normal). Some scout missions fell unbalanced. The Numbers of buttons might bé excessive for some people. Nów the good things: there is a lot of content and quality for the price (would gladly pay more than double). The bullet patterns are good,boss Fights are original (love the level 5 subboss) , there are many ships with different Gameplay styles, the control is perfect, the graphics and sound do their job welll (not amazing and memoráble) and are prátical. A serious candidate of shoot em up of the year.

[@bananabytes9670]

Just to let you know, we desgined the arcade mode so you don't ever need to use the teleport. On the Cadet School there are some trials that are designed around the teleport indeed :) We thought some people wouldn't want to use the teleport at all (even though for some ships it's basically a few seconds of invencibility with the added possibility of moving anywhere on screen :D) and we felt forcing the player to use it would feel too gimmicky. So all patterns are designed in a way you can always dodge all bullets, but you can have fun teleporting if you want to. And thank you for your compliments and honest critic too :) We're very glad people are enjoying the game :D

[@PedroFerreira-sx2gd]

@@bananabytes9670 i was not expecting answer from developer. The suport and updates on Steam are already more than enough. Thank you. I hope you did not fell the way i mention the negatives was disrespectful, i AM sometiines a harsh crític but i love the game. Thanks for all information.

[@bananabytes9670]

@@PedroFerreira-sx2gd In no way we felt it was disrespectful :)

[@TheElectricUnderground]

yes I would say that the game's biggest weakness are the first two stages, I think they could have been trimmed down length wise and that would have really helped :-)

[@williampingry3444]

Did you know rotating power-ups have one-ups hidden in them

[@stopbuyingstuff5522]

Omg mark shaved!

[@TheElectricUnderground]

I did ! Springtime shave ha

[@TheRestartPoint]

Have you ever played 2003's "Star Soldier - Hudson Selection Vol. 2" for Gamecube/PS2? It was a Japan only release. I don't see it get mentioned much, but Hudson did a great job of updating the old Star Soldier gameplay with some mild bullet hell elements, It even has a cute but effective bullet-cancelling melee attack like Mars Matrix. I find it to be another good game for old-schoolers like me, in the middle ground of old and new, plus it has a totally banging OST. I think Gamecube was the original target machine so that might be the best version to try first. Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2fXl5aYbK-qorc

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Oh snap I ve never heard of this! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@TheRestartPoint]

@@TheElectricUnderground No problem, hope you like it!

[@Choops6969]

nice hair!

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Thanks!

[@vsear5911]

brbr? lmao some of the sfx is reminiscent of turma da mônica na terra dos monstros

[@blacksunshine7485]

Hi Soph!

[@nyaalobby561]

for the algorithmn

[@TheElectricUnderground]

I appreciate that!!

[@gepflegtePCSpieleKultur]

for 8,19€ a Steal...

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Absolutely!

[@techknow9237]

The sound is so sh*t on this game. You can barely hear any gane dound effects, its so bloody quiet. The shield gives fsr to much defence too.

[@thomasbalzer3179]

Say juicy one more time.

[@xJeff-gz9jf]

please don't use the name Toaplan for a such medium indie game.

[@TheElectricUnderground]

Hate to tell yeah but Indie shmups like this is going to closest we are going to get to toaplan moving forward, and I think making new content in the style of toaplan is great, also the game is pretty great, like is tiger heli a better game then this for example, I wouldn't say so

[@fuzzbear677]

So what do you think this game is good enough is it worth by using you let me know🎮🕹😀👍🏾

[@scienceandmatter8739]

Shmup Social Club

[@fuzzbear677]

I mean I look at it I wasn't interested into it when I looked at it 🤔🎮🕹😀👍🏾