Sega Dreamcast / 2002
Since I was a kid few game developers inspired me and got more excited than Treasure. With too many to name, but off the top of my head Gunstar Heroes, Alien Soldier, Bangai-o and the precursor to this Radient Silvergun.
If I was to pinpoint the game on the dreamcast that actually captured and showed me the potential of the system it would be Ikaruga. The game visually was some of, if not the best I had seen on this 128bit powerhouse. Because honestly, after my initial phase of ownership in the early 2000s, a good majority of the games just lost me. I always thought of them, more in terms of a slightly better n64 game.
Many of the titles just seemed to be lacking in a lot of ways. Dont get me wrong, it doesn't mean there were not numerous other titles that did impress me. But no, as a whole I was not all that impressed with it. I much preferred the Saturn over the Dreamcast.
All of that aside Ikaruga is and was one of my favorite shooters, and arguably my favorite Dreamcast game.
The game itself is a menace! it is definitely one of the most difficult in term of shooters. Because of its frantic scoring and shooting system. Swapping your shot to absorb and attack, becomes extremely complicated as well as very fun.
