Clipping of Duality ZF's Bullet Hell game mode.

Most mainstream gamers call Duality ZF a "bullet hell", unbeknownst to them it has a Bullet Hell game mode, one of six game modes. Some screenshots (trailer coming soon):

A few visual effects are new.

That lava... it moves.

A few environmental hazards.

Explosions. Yours and theirs.

Spread/Laser Duality Weapon, a Duality ZF innovation.

Midbosses are tough...

...end bosses are tougher...

...and tougher.

Bullets, bullets, bullets!

Above images:  Duality ZF - Bullet Hell game mode.
(Click for 1280x720 HD screenshots.)

Most mainstream gamers do not know what a true bullet hell is, which Duality ZF and its Bullet Hell game mode are not, because they are usually only released in Japan and have never played one before. Here's a great video clip that explains this for me: THE HARDEST VIDEO GAME BOSS EVER!. As you can see, it intimidates the mainstream gamer so much, they don't even want to try. I have even heard of the mild-mannered Aegis Wing (a free XBLA shmup) being incorrectly called a bullet hell, which demonstrates the confusion over the the term.

Aegis Wing... not a bullet hell! :)

True bullet hell games are not our favorite sub-genre beneath the shoot'em up genre, which is why Duality ZF is not a true bullet hell. This may be a good thing as we are trying to make a shmup game that appeals to the mainstream audience. I believe Duality ZF is a "manic" shoot'em up, although Wikipedia's Shoot'em up article labels it the same as a bullet hell. I do not believe these sub-genres are well defined yet. I believe bullet hell to be more pattern oriented (allowing far more bullets on the screen) and manic to be more random as you can see in the screenshots above. If you know the true definitions, please contact us!

P.S. Don't forget to vote for Duality ZF in the 3rd Independent Game Developer's Competition. Voting is free and ends on August 31st, 2010!

More Xona.com Links:

• Vote for Duality ZF in 3rd Independent Game Developer's Competition
• Duality ZF Video: 4 Players, 8 Fighters, A Shmup First
• Explosive Duality ZF Footage: Introducing G-MODE
• Duality ZF #1 in Canada #5 in World in Dream Build Play 2010
• Dream Build Play 2010 Top 6 Winners (Videos) (including Duality ZF)
• New Duality ZF April 2010 Gameplay Footage
• Duality ZF Featured Over 100 Times
• Duality ZF Gameplay: Boss Rush
• Duality ZF Named "Double Attack" in Japanese: 双攻
• Xona Games Featured on CBC TV News (Duality ZF coverage)
• Duality ZF #2 in Canada #7 in World in Dream Build Play 2009 (Top 20 Video Trailers)
• Duality ZF: official developer site.

All Our Games:

• Duality ZF (coming soon)
• Decimation X (released)
• All Games (at a glance)

External Links:

• Duality ZF: official game site, forums (xbox.com).
• Xona Games: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, RSS, and more.
• Soundtrack: Imphenzia
• Xbox LIVE Indie Games* (forums)

*Xbox LIVE Indie Games formerly known as Xbox LIVE Community Games.

About the Author:  I am Matthew Doucette of Xona Games, an award-winning, indie game studio I run with my twin brother. We concentrate on nostalgic game concepts with modern-day gameplay and intensity. Our company, our games, and our technology have all won prestigious awards and received worldwide press. Our games have ranked from #1 in Canada to #1 in Japan, as well as become #1 best sellers in multiple countries. Read about our story and our blog.