|
|
|
|
|
|
::PUBLISHER::
Treasure Co.
::DEVELOPER::
Treasure Co.
::GENRE::
Arcade
::RELEASE DATE::
April 2008
::PLAYERS::
1-2
::LIVE::
Xbox Live Arcade title, Online Co-opt, leaderboards
::COST::
800 Points
::FEATURES::
System Link, 480P/720P HDTV Support
Good: Easy to learn, frantic, intense gameplay, Co-op
Bad: Some visual glitches, short
|
0 reviews
0/10 average
Submit your own review!
more images >
|
Ikaruga Review
|
|
Considered by many to be one of the best arcade shooters of all time, Treasure’s Ikaruga finally makes its way to Xbox Live Arcade, and shows that sometimes things are simple as black and white.
|
|
|
Ikaruga is highly regarded as one of the best hardcore niche titles out there. Originally released in Japanese arcades, later found its way to Dreamcast and Game Cube. In 2006 the game was rumored to be coming to Xbox 360, and it is finally here. Ikaruga is difficult and not for the faint of heart. It is one of the few titles that could cause a seizure.
Ikaruga has left its impression so well, it is mimicked in many other top down shooters on Live Arcade. It is just like those other titles at the basic core, but past that it has a simple game play mechanic twist, with in-depth twitch action. You pilot the Ikaruga fighter plane, with it’s “Ying/Yang” twist. All of your enemies are either dark, light, or bosses can be a combination of both. Enemies can be harmed by the opposing energy by switching between black and white. (I.e. white destroys black and black destroys white.) .) Energy can be absorbed and stored for more powerful attacks by taking projectiles from the same color of the ship you are currently piloting, all while not harming you at all.
Your bosses are typically giant robotic monstrosities or hulking gunships that require more than a few measly bullets. You can absorb their black energy in dark mode, build up your power attacks, and then switch to light, dodging the flurry of missiles it sends at you. Destroying three or more of the same color enemy creates a combo, awarding you with points towards lives. If you choose to, you can be a “pacifist” throughout an entire level, not shooting one shot, even during a boss battle. The beginning levels are a breeze, but by the third it can get frustrating. Imagine wave after wave of relentless sharp-shooting, tidal wave of dark and light energy, all while you rhythmically go between black and white energy. Even more challenging, the walls are closing in, there are enemies on your tail, and ready to close you into a dreadful “Game Over” screen.
In these situations, head to practice mode, slowing the levels down, or you can do yourself an even bigger service and play with a friend, either on the Xbox 360, system link, or best of all, Xbox Live. The Xbox Live co-op alone makes this the best version of Ikaruga, and a bargain at only 800 points, compared to being extorted out of $100 for the Sega Dreamcast version on eBay. The controls can be bothersome, especially in later levels when responsiveness is a must. Also while there are some attempts at making replay for the game, targeted specifically towards the obsessed, hardcore, and people that care about achievements, there are only five levels, and if you are typically skilled at these kinds of games it should only take you about an hour or two to beat the game.
Ying-yangin’ co-op is cool and the default vertical orientation of the screen is another oddity in the game giving you that arcade feel. The mode is the best way to play it in, but you can’t help but feel that the right and left sides of the screen aren’t being used properly, as they are basically a wallpaper with your lives and score on the bottom, in 16:9 and even 4:3 ratio you witness this. You have the option of making it widescreen, with the controls remaining largely the same, but it seems to inadvertently change the feel of the game.
Despite the simple premise of piloting the Ikaruga fighter plane (or the Ginkei in two-player mode), there are deeper themes if you know where to look. It is the classic story of good versus evil, and you are Shinra, piloting the Ikaruga against the armies of Tenro Horai. Terminology and themes that suggest the plight of the Buddhist is hinted throughout Ikaruga, the level names being the most obvious. The art direction is also exceptionally well done, the visuals pop below all the black and white furry that litters the screen. However you will get some slowdown, and visual hiccups here and there.
Another reason that Ikaruga has become synonymous with the term “hardcore gamer” is the competitive aspect found in the original arcade version, and online leader boards on for the console versions of the game. Xbox Live is designed well for this with it’s own leader boards, but an even better addition than your basic leader boards is the ability to save replays of you going through a level and sharing them online. It works similarly as saving replays in Halo 3 or N+, except besides seeing the top players, you can see your friend’s replays also. It is also a great way for newcomers to figure out those tough as nail tight spaces, and those frantic black and white blotted boss battles. The achievements in the game give the hardcore even more reason to go back to the paltry offering of five levels. Achievements like receiving an ‘A’ rank, and clearing a stage without shooting once definitely helps out the replay of the title.
| Share this: |
|  | | | |  |
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
Ikaruga on Xbox Live Arcade is by far the best version of the game yet. There is some slight slowdown, graphic glitches, and the Xbox 360 controls aren’t always best suited. The online co-op, leaderboards, and replay saving can’t be beat at only 800 points ($10) making this a XBLA must have.
|
|
Discuss this in the forums!
|
| No one has posted a comment yet. Be the first one by logging in if need be and submitting your comment to the right. Be aware that we do not tolerate those who post "First" comments. If done enough times, you could be banned from posting comments. |
|
|
|
|
|
