“The best way out is always through.”

-Robert Frost

We’ve all heard the age-old adage, if at first you do not succeed, try, try again. Well, If you’ve ever played a shmup let alone a “bullet hell” style game, you know how beautifully this rings true. The sub-genre called “Bullet hell” is essentially an insanely colorful, crazy, mix of madness where you do your best to dodge every bullet shot at you (SO many bullets!), while returning fire from your own arsenal of attacks. The goal is to make it through the slowly scrolling levels to eventually make your way to the bosses, who will typically have multiple stages with increasingly different and difficult patterns of bullet waves being shot at you. Danmaku (literally translated to “barrage” or “bullet curtain”) Unlimited 3 is an excellent installment in the shmup department, and of course has a very fitting name, as this game ramps up and sticks you with an IV of adrenaline the entire time!

Publisher: Doragon

Developer: Doragon Entertainment

Play Time: 4 Hours // Digital Only // Nintendo Switch

The Icon is colorful, bringing space to life, with the name centered in the middle of a spaceship

Let me start off by saying if you’ve never picked up a danmaku style game before, it has an incredibly difficult learning curve. I love that. Too often we hear of games being too easy, holding your hand like some kind of baby– there is no bib or binky here. Danmaku Unlimited 3 pushes you out of the nest before your eyes even open in hopes that you will learn to miss every branch on the way down. You will crash, explode, and be shot to bits many times. Unlike what you may assume from my descriptions, the key to survival is all about fine motor skills and timing.

You gauge your own success. Every small misstep can lead to your demise, but every now and then a bit of luck mixed with some quick improvisation will save your life. I can only imagine that top tier danmaku style game players are basically real-life Jedi. It is insane how many things can be going on onscreen, with how little you actually need to move comparatively. It is a skill! In order to be successful in the bullet hell sub-genre you have to think ahead and move accordingly. Learn when to move and when it is unnecessary; You don’t focus on your ship or your core– you watch the source of your impending death and act immediately in response, many times in matters of milliseconds.

This being said, there is one absolutely paramount feature that is necessary to craft a great shmup. It is imperative that it runs smoothly, all the time, without exception. This is the very thick line between a great bullet hell game and a frustrating piece of deleted software. Danmaku Unlimited 3 thoroughly kills it! I played the game start to finish with it being completely flawless. No glitches, screen jumps, freezes, or crashes whatsoever. It plays beautifully in all of its 60FPS HD glory! You will not have to worry about this issue in neither docked nor handheld (as I tested both), or in it’s rotated screen mode! Ah, what a breath of fresh air! A bit ironic seeing as you’re in space, but whatever, you know what I mean.

Yes, you heard correctly– YOU CAN ROTATE THE SCREEN and play in the length of your switch (portrait instead of landscape) or TV! I was so excited when I discovered this, and it gives you a different view to the game. Hell, it even allows you to play lying on your side if that’s your style– I don’t judge. Along with this option, there are many other game changing alternatives as well. Since this game is able to run in wide screen mode (my preference), instead of black bars around your screen, you can choose to have either a static wallpaper style background or “mirrored” images. You can adjust the button configuration as well, if you find something else is more suitable for your play style. Last but not least, the game allows you to change the volume of the sound effects and the background music to which I say, CRANK IT UP TO 11, I’m going in!

The soundtrack on this game blew me away! What better way to honor an indie game with none other than the Japanese indie circle Blankfield. Their style is that of adrenaline filled metal, akin to Dragonforce (for those of you who may know them from Guitar Hero or other means). As soon as you transition from the start menu to the main menu, you’re smacked in the ear drum with raw musical power! I’m more familiar with hearing trance/ electronic in my bullet hell games, but I am a big fan of rock and could not get enough. It kept me wide awake and hyper focused for the barrage of death coming at me in every stage of every level. There is also a epic breakdown once you hit the boss stages, which I’m pretty sure raised the iron levels in my blood due to all the metal this game had to offer. What a story I’ll have to tell my doctor.

Speaking of stories, this game has a bit of a lack of one. Not to worry though, I didn’t come for the lore. If I wanted an in depth tale of years past I’d go visit my grandparents. I came for fast-paced, borderline epileptic animations and gameplay that had me considering buying a seatbelt for my couch! Sure, maybe I’d be more invested emotionally, maybe even grow attached to the game a bit more had it more of a story. That’s not the point of a bullet hell shmup. Danmaku is like a drug that hits you fast; and when you need that quick fix, it’s there for you to heighten the senses into intense euphoria.

Danmaku Unlimited 3 truly is an authentically crafted Japanese style bullet-hell shmup. There are options to aid if you are a newcomer to the genre, and lots of challenges for the adept, aside from just increasing the difficulty levels. On a side note, the great thing about the difficulty settings in Danmaku style games is that the patterns of attacks change the higher you move up, essentially making it a different game for each difficulty. There are comfort options, whether you prefer to play seated, laying down, or otherwise. There are modes to help alleviate you if you find that the excessive motions are making your head hurt or making you sick. You can customize your own attack styles with different combinations, and new options available to be unlocked with performance and skill based objectives. The music is energetic and loud; the graphics are crisp and bright. The movement is spot on and unforgiving. Overall, this is a great game that is worth it’s price point at $9.99 and an essential pick-up to any bullet-hell fiends out there.

Another conclusion to another great Nintendo indie title. I have to say that we here at the Nindie Nexus have had quite the time thus far. We have gotten to know each other better and better every day, and have grown in not only how we review, but how we appreciate as well. We are so appreciative of everything and everyone that has helped bring us to this point. I am grateful that you are joining us on this journey and hope you will stick around for more great times and great games. Thank you. Until next time!