Posts Tagged ‘frantic’

Shmup Month Challenge 4

March 24th, 2009 by John

So how did that Ikaruga challenge treat you? If you’re anything like me, it probably kicked you in the balls and stole your wallet. Well, good news: Vic Viper has posted the new challenge for Shmup Month and promises it’ll be a bit easier for you…

The final Shmup Month Challenge for 2009 is likely to be the easiest of the bunch; yet it should still prove enjoyable for those that are up to the task. Your mission this week, should you choose to accept it, is to acquire the Heart of the Cards badge in Frantic, a browser-based shmup available to play for free at Kongregate.

While a browser-based game is not a very traditional option, the Galactic Federation wishes to have at least one Challenge that is open to everyone. In order to get the Heart of the Cards badge, you must complete the game (it has ten stages). Make sure you create a Kongregate account! Once you’ve obtained the Heart of the Cards badge, email your Kongregate username to Vic Viper and we’ll verify that you’ve successfully completed the Challenge.

Good luck!

To play Frantic, follow this link. Again, be certain to create a Kongregate username. When you’ve completed the challenge, head on over to ShmupMonth.com to share your info with the Federation.

Good luck!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Games, Shmuppreciation, Videogames | 7 Comments »

Frantic

January 1st, 2009 by Hilden

frantic-2
Astute reader, Brian, sent us a link to one of our favorite things: free shmups! This one is a Flash game entitled Frantic, which sits squarely in the “bullet hell” category. It’s elegant in design and plays very well but also manages to throw a few new things into the mix that give it some high replay value. First off, the graphics are a cell shaded, simply designed affair that works well in this Flash game. I always think a more simple and stylish approach to Flash games work better than anything else and this proves true in Frantic’s case. Enemy designs are clean and easy to read and it must be pointed out that the boss designs are particularly good.

Shooting is automatic, so your only job is to dodge the bullet patterns that come your way. It starts out simple, but by level 4 you’ll be feeling it a bit, so get those tap-dodging skills ready for some use. As you kill enemies, your “adrenaline” meter fills up which gives you a special attack. In addition, you gain score multipliers and collect yellow orbs which function as currency and can be spent after every level. The money can be spent on cards, which can add all kinds of upgrades to your ship. These upgrades include such things as stronger shields, stronger weapons or drone/helper planes of various types. You can add up to five cards at a time and when you want to add something new, you can sell off old cards in order to buy new ones. This card mechanic really works well and gives it that addicting RPG-esque quality.

The game starts off pretty easy but ramps up in difficulty as you move forward. Nothing that a player of DoDonPachi or the like can’t handle but a fun challenge for those looking for some simple fun.

Overall, I highly recommend Frantic for any shooter fan in the mood for a free and quality experience. You can find Frantic here. Over at it’s home sight, Polymer Rabbit.com, you can also find a list of other awesome Flash based shmups to help your steady decline of productivity continue well into 2009.

Thanks to Brian for the link and we hope you all enjoy!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Games, Videogames | 3 Comments »