VG Thought

Starts at the top of this page: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... start=6990

So it sounds like memorization is the first part, where you're getting the feel of the level down, then it's on you to figure out how to get through it or worm your way out of self-made messes.

While playing I was noticing my own weaknesses. I tend to either lean back or lean forward too much, leaving me exposed to off-screen enemies. I also have a terrible tendency to sort of panic smush the joystick to avoid enemies I didn't see coming, which usually lands me in worse messes. Is there a general best-form for this kind of stuff?

In general:
A.) move as little as possible
B.) bomb when you're in trouble

For A, you want to reduce the skill required as much as possible. If you're doing tons of sick dodges, that's going to make playing more difficult. What I tend to do is memorize the safe spot for an enemy. It's not as hard as it sounds, since enemies in Metal Black shoot in one, maybe two directions. If there's tons going on, I have to get into kind of a zen state where I can overlay safe zones. It may help to pause the game and find where you'd be safe.

For B, Metal Black has a screen-clearing bomb, but it's delayed. You have to start your laser attack, then release the laser button so it peters out into the scattered lightning (keep it held, and you keep the focused laser). Because of that delay, you'll have to memorize parts that get you, so that you can start the bomb a little early. For instance, there's one spot I like to bomb on round 2. When the third-to-last rocket appears, I know I'm about to get flooded with fish/sperm guys (seriously what are they supposed to be?), so I throw out a bomb before they come in. On the plus side, bombs last way longer in Metal Black, so they'll typically carry you through an entire wave of enemies.