DoDonPachi Resurrection

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 739 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
DoDonPachi Resurrection Game Cover
Not for the faint of heart, DoDonPachi Resurrection is a classic, tough-as-nails shoot 'em up that boasts a complex but incredibly satisfying combat system for single or two-player alien-blasting action.
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"DoDonPachi Resurrection" is a challenging vertical shoot 'em up game with intense bullet patterns and varied enemy types. As a pilot of a powerful ship, players must defeat waves of enemies and bosses across multiple stages. The game features multiple difficulty options, unlockable modes, and a unique "Dodonpachi Mode" where players can collect power-ups to increase the difficulty and score multiplier.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 739 reviews
gameplay54 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Incredible graphics and a ton of modes to play and experiment with, making it a great value.
  • Highly addictive gameplay with a variety of difficulty levels and scoring mechanics that cater to both newcomers and veterans.
  • Fantastic soundtrack and engaging visuals that enhance the overall experience.
  • Some technical issues, including slowdown and display problems, can detract from the gameplay experience.
  • Lack of tutorials or explanations for mechanics can make it challenging for new players to understand the game.
  • The price may feel steep for some, especially considering the relatively short main campaign.
  • gameplay148 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by fast-paced, challenging bullet hell mechanics typical of Cave games, offering a variety of modes that cater to both beginners and seasoned players. While the intricate mechanics and scoring systems provide depth and replayability, many players find the lack of explanations for these mechanics frustrating. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and an excellent soundtrack, making it a standout in the shmup genre despite some technical issues and steep learning curve.

    • “Brutally difficult and deep gameplay.”
    • “Incredible fast-paced bullet hell gameplay and a very underrated soundtrack.”
    • “Its loads of modes, tight controls, great bullet patterns, and fun gameplay and scoring mechanics make it an awesome shooter.”
    • “I had a lot of issues where the game won't load into gameplay and have no sound on my FreeSync monitor that has 1ms of input lag, but my TV where I don't intend to play the game on works just fine.”
    • “Additionally, none of the mechanics are explained anywhere.”
    • “As is par for the course for Cave, they simply can't be bothered to explain even the most basic mechanics of this game in any way, shape, or form.”
  • music145 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and immersive quality that enhances the fast-paced bullet hell gameplay. Composed by Manabu Namiki and his team, the soundtrack is described as a mix of electronic genres, often likened to "headbangers" and "bangers," making it a standout feature that complements the game's visuals and mechanics. Overall, players find the music not only enjoyable but essential to the gaming experience, often stating it's worth the price of admission alone.

    • “The adrenaline rush that comes from dodging bullets is exhilarating, and the visuals and music perfectly complement the action.”
    • “The music is excellent and packs just as strong of a punch as the gameplay itself, and the high-quality graphics are a sweet touch for a modern experience.”
    • “Overall, it's got a fantastic soundtrack, perfected gameplay, dozens of hours worth of content, solid graphics.”
    • “There's something strangely satisfying about dodging bullets like Neo during intense parts when the game slows down, then finally clearing the screen and the explosions end and the game returns to normal speed and the trace-like music and your ship are all you hear and see for a couple seconds...”
    • “It has not caught up to electronic music on the level of Skrillex, but for a video game, it does not disappoint and is great ambient noise for your space battles against the large robot schoolgirl bosses with anime powers (which were a bit off-putting, objectifying, a bit misogynistic, and made me sexually uncomfortable, but I can forgive the cultural gap).”
    • “Overall, I give Dodonpachi 7/10 gameplay, 6/10 soundtrack, and 3/10 hardcores, for a cumulative score of 5.85.”
  • graphics61 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning detail, vibrant colors, and chaotic yet clear design that enhances gameplay without obscuring important elements like enemy bullets. Many players appreciate the modern aesthetic and high-quality visuals, although some express a desire for options to revert to lower-resolution sprites for a nostalgic feel. Overall, the graphics are considered a significant highlight, complementing the exhilarating action and excellent soundtrack.

    • “Stunning graphics, well made game.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic and detailed, very colorful and chaotic but without hiding the bullets from the enemies.”
    • “The music is excellent and packs just as strong of a punch as the gameplay itself, and the high-quality graphics are a sweet touch for a modern experience.”
    • “My only gripe about this game is I would really like an option to turn off the HD graphics and view the original lower res sprites in all their glory.”
    • “Obviously, Dodonpachi has better graphics and a Japanimation style, but unfortunately not without problems.”
    • “I own a very nice 50" 4K HDTV and I'm used to being treated to masterpieces like Watch Dogs 2 and Horizon: Zero Dawn, so when I first started up Dodonpachi I was expecting comparable graphics.”
  • replayability20 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, featuring multiple alternate routes, eight game modes, and various versions, including "black label" variations. Players can enjoy a wealth of options and mechanics, making it ideal for those who appreciate mastering challenges and practicing to improve their skills. Overall, it offers infinite replay value, especially for fans of the shmup genre.

    • “It's replayable as hell, with tons of alternate routes and room for growth.”
    • “8 game modes, tate support, and as much replayability as you have the patience for.”
    • “Where are the alternative endings, or replay value?”
    • “This is an arcade game, so the replay value primarily comes from practicing it until you get good.”
    • “While the price when not on sale sounds steep, you are getting eight different versions of the game including the 'black label' variations with lots of options and replay value.”
  • story12 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for being underdeveloped and lacking clarity, with players noting that it fails to engage those looking for a narrative experience. It is emphasized that the focus is primarily on gameplay rather than storytelling, making it unsuitable for players who prioritize character and plot in their gaming experience. Overall, if you're seeking a rich narrative, this game is not recommended.

    • “I want the cinematic cutscenes and story of something like Watch Dogs or Jordan Peele's postmodern masterpiece 'Get Out', not Planescape: Torment or those black and white snoozefests by that old Italian guy.”
    • “If you play games for story or characters, then just walk away now, save your money.”
    • “The story is underdeveloped (or perhaps abstruse to the 'gweilo' mind?) and I don't understand it.”
    • “No effort is made to tell you why they are shooting at you, why you are shooting at them, and the story behind it.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised for running well on various systems, particularly as it is not graphically demanding. However, some users have reported issues with slowdown during specific gameplay mechanics, particularly on PC, which may not be as prevalent on consoles like Xbox. Despite these concerns, many players have noted that the game performs smoothly in most scenarios.

    • “The optimization is very good and it runs well; not many graphical options though, but it is quite a non-demanding game anyway.”
    • “I think it might have something to do with the lock-on mechanic with the bullets coming out of the little ships around your fighter that cause the fight to slow down, and I've seen this mode run smoothly from videos online featuring this mode.”
    • “To be specific, slowdown had to be emulated for PCs since hardware is different across systems, where the Xbox could throttle the processor until it more or less matches the arcade performance.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players report that the game evokes strong emotional responses, with some stating it nearly brought them to tears, highlighting its impactful storytelling and character development.

    • “This game almost made me cry.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report experiencing glitches that affect the stability of the game, particularly noting issues that may detract from the overall experience, especially for those who are not deeply familiar with the genre.

    • “At first glance, since I have never been a die-hard Cave fan, but love shmups and am only a casual gamer, it seems to glitch out.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game to be both funny and brilliant, providing a joyful escape that allows them to forget their worries. The comedic elements contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment and immersive experience.

    • “Experience a funny and brilliant arcade game that allows me to immerse myself in joy and forget sadness.”
    • “Experience a funny and brilliant arcade game that allows me to immerse myself in joy and forget sadness.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

89% average critic score

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Play time

15hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
15-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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