I like schmups. I get schmups. I’m not very good at them though, and when I start writing an article about them I insert an unnecessary ‘c’ that makes them sound like an American foodstuff.
In short, I’m not a devout worshipper at the vertical scrolling shrine.
The amount of enjoyment I’m extracting from the pared down flying cat-dragon massacre of Dragon Flight, however, suggests I should visit what I believe they call ‘bullet heck’ more often.
Shooting is automatic – the controls of your dragon are simple pulls to the left and right at the foot of the touchscreen. Flying white dragon/cat things are bullet-fodder, the yellows secreted in their rows demand more firepower and likely dodging – and all will spill gold coins and rubies when given enough punishment. Catch them, and they’ll be added to your mystical piggy bank.
This currency then begins the eternal cycle of upgrading, progressing further and steadily increasing shop prices. (Sometimes I wonder if Tom Nook has somehow become Skynet). You can buy extra firepower, flick-engaged Power Shots and sky-gobbling boost potions – which, in any case, will occasionally tumble through the skies towards you.
Simplicity is the order of the day here – and the stresses and strains so beloved by shmup fans are pretty much absent. Which is, presumably, why it can engross even a schmup like me.
Dragon Flight can be downloaded for free from the App Store.
