Danmaku Unlimited 2
- March 18, 2014
- Doragon Entertainment
"Danmaku Unlimited 2" is an indie shooting game with 60fps HD graphics, featuring 5 action-packed stages and epic bullet patterns. Battle numerous enemies, level up your Senko fighter, and enjoy a rocking soundtrack by Japanese indie group BLANKFIELD. With external controller support, 4 difficulty levels, and additional game modes, the game offers a challenging and immersive experience for shooting game fans.
Reviews
- Danmaku Unlimited 2 features beautiful graphics and a vibrant color palette, making it visually appealing.
- The game offers a well-balanced difficulty curve, making it accessible for newcomers while still providing a challenge for veterans.
- The soundtrack is highly praised, featuring a mix of metal and electronic music that enhances the gameplay experience.
- Some players find the sound effects lacking, with minimal audio feedback during gameplay.
- The upgrade system can feel limiting, as players may not be able to fully customize their ship without extensive grinding.
- There are reports of issues with controller support, which can hinder the experience for those who prefer using gamepads.
- music148 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its engaging and atmospheric qualities, often describing it as a perfect blend of genres like metal, electronic, and rock that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive or overwhelming at times, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature worth experiencing. Many players even expressed a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately, highlighting its quality and emotional impact.
“The soundtrack which sounds like a mixture of DnB and rock just fits the gameplay perfectly.”
“The music is absolutely engaging, able to be emotional and/or powerful.”
“The soundtrack is amazing and every little graphical touch really adds to the experience and shows how much they loved making the game.”
“Apparently, this was done in favor of the soundtrack, but it ruined the immersion and experience for me.”
“The music is crummy and so is the sound but the gameplay is frenetic, repetitive but fun.”
“1) The music is incredibly bland and does not synchronize with the action on screen at all.”
- graphics67 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their vibrant colors, clarity, and unique aesthetic, making them visually appealing even amidst chaotic bullet patterns. While some users noted a few shortcomings, such as a flash-like quality or lack of variety, the overall consensus highlights the beautiful visuals and smooth performance that enhance the gameplay experience. The combination of stunning graphics and an engaging soundtrack contributes to a captivating atmosphere, making it a standout in the bullet hell genre.
“Trippy visuals with fun bullet patterns.”
“The visuals are very colorful and the bullets stand out clearly despite all of the visual clutter on screen.”
“Danmaku Unlimited 2 is a visually stunning 2D piece – the graphics are easily some of the best seen in a bullet hell game in recent times.”
“The graphics aren't as crisp as Ikaruga or charming as Jamestown.”
“Not a bad game, but the engine and graphics are quite Adobe Flash style, which is something that almost kills my mood on this game, because we have seen games like these made in Flash for free play.”
“Though, the game doesn't reach my high native resolution, so the graphics look a bit off compared to what I think it should look like.”
- gameplay66 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Danmaku Unlimited 2 is praised for its smooth mechanics, responsive controls, and engaging bullet hell action, making it accessible for both newcomers and genre veterans. Players appreciate the balance of challenge and fun, with a variety of modes and customization options that enhance replayability. While some critiques mention the soundtrack and certain mechanics, the overall experience is described as satisfying and rewarding, with a strong emphasis on memorization and skillful dodging.
“The gameplay is what you'd expect from a good danmaku game.”
“The driving force behind Danmaku Unlimited 2 stems from its well-polished, highly-refined core gameplay.”
“This game has all of the things a shmup should have: smooth mechanics, responsive controls, wonderful visuals, clear differences between enemy fire and power-ups, great music, and a difficulty level that is not too difficult nor too easy which still ramps itself up at a pace that makes the game enjoyable and not boring.”
“I only played burst mode once because I disliked the lack of slow movement, and in my opinion, it doesn't really fit with the gameplay, particularly on higher difficulties where micrododging becomes increasingly important.”
“It's not like it breaks your experience completely, but it certainly interrupts the flow of the gameplay.”
“You couldn't zip around and avoid bullets if you needed to, and then slow down using a focus-fire mechanic; there seemed to be no change in speed of your ship when you switched to focus.”
- replayability11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to its engaging scoring system, upgrade mechanics, and a focus on high scores, appealing to both casual players and those seeking to master the game. Despite having only five levels, the combination of a solid soundtrack and varied gameplay ensures players will return for multiple runs. Overall, it provides ample opportunities for experimentation and improvement, making it a standout in the shmup genre.
“A bullet hell game that's highly replayable with a kickass original metal soundtrack.”
“This upgrade system gives players a chance to experiment and find a playstyle that works for them, while also lending the game additional replayability.”
“Usually I don't care for scores in games, but in games like this, it is the replay value.”
“While most shmups' replayability comes from practice and doing one credit clears (called 1cc, beating a game without continues), the replayability comes in the form of a level-up system, which gives you points to improve your weapon type, beam weapon, burst attack, lives, and continues after winning or losing the game.”
“Even for those players, this will not be an easy game, and there is plenty of replay value for players of any expertise in aiming to top their high score.”
- story11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 45 % negative mentions
The game is largely criticized for its lack of a coherent story, with many reviewers noting that it offers little to no narrative or character development. While some context is provided through the game's stages, it is clear that the focus is on gameplay rather than storytelling. Overall, players should not expect a significant storyline, as the game prioritizes its soundtrack and gameplay experience instead.
“While each of the game’s five stages provides some degree of context for the action, it’s clearly the case that this isn’t a story-driven game.”
“Just don't expect a storyline.”
“Although it does not appear, it does have a very vague story.”
“That's about the only con I can find to this game: it lacks a story, dialogue, and characters.”
“Storywise, the game has almost nothing going for it, with the remnants of a planned story remaining in the game just to add some spice to the game's opening act.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by a well-produced soundtrack featuring adrenaline-pumping instrumental thrash metal, which complements its ultra-violent yet refined aesthetic. The intro music and level scores effectively create a thrilling and immersive experience for players.
“The intro music for Blankfeld Level 1 just hits the right atmosphere for the game.”
“Each level is scored by crisply played, adrenaline-pumping instrumental thrash metal, which perfectly complements the game's ultra-violent, yet stunningly refined atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack is well produced and fits the frantic atmosphere of the game.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's music is highly praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions, enhancing the overall experience. However, players express frustration over the lack of clarity regarding which ships can cause harm, detracting from the emotional immersion.
“The music is absolutely engaging, able to be emotional and powerful.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization system has been criticized for its convoluted mechanics, where ads serve as a workaround for losing lives, making them feel like an integral part of gameplay rather than a separate entity. Players find this approach frustrating, as it blurs the line between in-game progression and ad consumption.
“The whole monetization system is silly; the ad system is rather ridiculous. You have a shield that defends you from damage, and if you get hit, you're temporarily vulnerable to losing a life.”
“Every hit reduces your shield a notch (this can be upgraded), so you tend to see the ads as an extension of your 'lives.' You lose your score multiplier only when you actually lose a life.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly during challenging boss fights that require navigating complex patterns, which can prolong encounters unnecessarily. While the mechanic of unlocking power-ups adds a sense of progression, many express frustration with having to pilot an underpowered ship and the grind required to enhance it.
“Some boss fights, where you have to weave through tight patterns, are incredibly tedious and take a lot longer than they otherwise would.”
“The 'unlock more power-ups for your ship as you play' mechanic is interesting in theory, introducing a sense of persistence in the game, but good god, I hate flying a gimped ship that requires grinding to power up.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of Du2 is praised for its smooth performance across both keyboard and controller inputs, ensuring a seamless gaming experience.
“Du2 runs smoothly on both keyboard and controller.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a high level of stability in the game, noting that there are no significant problems or glitches affecting gameplay.