Bullet Heaven EX - Redux: Dark Matters Revisited [PC]

In episode 109 of Bullet Heaven HD, we took an in-depth look at Redux: Dark Matters, a new game for the Sega Dreamcast, released in January 2014. Originally released in a form so blurry that people with glasses felt like putting on more glasses, Just how well does it fare on Steam?

***SPECIAL THANKS TO HUCAST GAMES FOR PROVIDING OUR REVIEW COPY!***

***GET REDUX: DARK MATTERS ON STEAM!***

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[SoftOtaku]

I am playing through this now, and I must say I don't think I like it as much as you do, though I do appreciate many things about it, especially the soundtrack and the HD! I am playing it on a very ordinary 2011 laptop, and it looks and runs great! And I do agree that the controls are very good.  I actually don't like level two at all, and I think some of the sound effects are pretty horrible. That is up to taste though, I suppose. I like it when explosions sound like explosions and have a stronger bass feel. Also same-y bosses are same-y. The collision and absorption dynamics sometimes still confuse me, too. I am a Steam noob, so I have a question: is there any way to access something like an instruction manual, or do you have to figure it out as you go? Thanks as always for your excellent review(s!).

[TransKingFormers]

great review like always and are you going to review alltynex second and kamui?

[Joeyboots]

This video convinced me to purchase a copy of Redux: Dark Matters on Steam. Never played a Dux game before this one. I have heard of the series, but never took the plunge. Your video sold me on this version. Thank you for the very informative review! Keep up the awesome Shmup videos! :)

[UnboxRacing]

I purchased this morning at 1.80 USD! Amazing that a 4.75 rating at such a price. Thanks again for a painstakingly detailed appraisal. 🙏

[jimmytsunami]

Redux: Dark Masters (Dreamcast): 10/10
Redux: Dark Matters (Steam) 11/10

[NitroJavaHD]

Might make this game of my Christmas purchases. Look fun!

[ethanhunt]

ho boy the lvl 3 boss pattern is tough.

[joshdieckmann]

I just might have to spring for this version. I have been curious about the DUX games since the first one was announced, and with this Steam version, I could play one without coughing up a lung for eBay prices.

[creekandseminole]

Yeah, it looks much better than my Dreamcast copy. Ugh...

I wonder if NGDEV will release Razion on the dreamcast at some point. For now I'm just waiting on my copy of Ghost Blade. I'm really looking forward to that.

I hope one day to see a review from you all for Sturmwind.

[TheCompletionist]

Unless my wife lets me put steam on her super-power computer or I buy a super power computer of my own if I ever get the extra funds to do so I won't be playing this any time soon. Still I commend the update in graphics and basically improving upon itself in every way possible. Still can't shake the feeling it looks like a lot of things from R-Type, but its like the saying goes copying is sincerest form of flattery.

[ellamaes]

IT'S QICE. HEY THERG. BROKEN SHALLOW $

[ZetZatar]

There's no reason for the Dreamcast version to be as blurry as it was. Both Dux & Dux 1.5 had MUCH crisper visuals on the Dreamcast. :/

[mutasdead]

I see a lot of Xexex influence here also. Not a fan of the art style, but I might pick it up for the gameplay. The mechanics seem interesting and not as awful as the typical euroshmup.

[MimosaGT]

I'm not saying this game is a bad game, but I don't understand where all the praise for it is coming from. To get the positive out of the way, the controls feel good and the music sounds great.  One more positive thing to mention is that Veteran feels kind of like what should have been the game to begin with and maybe implemented the shield mechanics at a more minimal level without making the player feel practically invincible for stages 1-6. Aside from that, everything else I experienced was mostly lackluster. The sound effects are horrible and some are borderline annoying. The ship doesn't even have any sound whatsoever. There's no sound effects for it's weaponry outside of the annoying impact noises. Normal difficulty seemed like an afterthought. The absorption mechanic just breaks the game and almost feels like cheating since you feel like you're not in any danger until you get to the boss of each stage. Stage 7 is the only stage that felt like any thought was put into enemy attack patterns and the player having to actually dodge fire. All the bosses are uninspired. I 1 CC'd this on my first play through and I'm one of the most horrible shoot'em up players I've ever seen.  The game is also BAREBONES compared to other indie/doujin entries on Steam that offer up training, settings, replays, online ranking, etc.All the basic stuff.The game just doesn't even come close to being in the top ranks for me. I guess my tastes are just super different.