Ikaruga Review

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(More customer reviews)If you'd have told me a year ago that Treasure's Ikaruga, the unofficial sequel to Radiant Silvergun, Grand Opera Master of Shooters, would make it to the States on Nintendo's Gamecube, I'd have called 1-800-LOONEYBIN personally and asked them to take you away quickly and quietly.This kind of thing just isn't supposed to happen these days, right?And least of all on the Gamecube - the seeming last place for a 2D Japanese old-school shooter.
But here it is - it's a small miracle that it's happened at all.
Treasure's opus Radiant Silvergun was released for the Sega Saturn in Japan only, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters ever created.Ikaruga was released for the Japanese Dreamcast last year (a miracle in itself whose authenticity was the matter of message-board debate for months before it finally happened).Rumors then started about a Playstation 2 and/or Xbox port.But to have it finally arrive not only for Nintendo's Gamecube, but also to be released domestically, is quite an event.
Especially when you consider that the game itself is practically as legendary as its predecessor.
Ikaruga uses a color-swapping mechanic very similar to Treasure's PSX game Silhouette Mirage.Your ship can change color from black to white with the press of a button.There are a couple reasons for this.All enemies in the game - from swarms of drones to massive multi-form bosses - are black or white as well.Like any good shooter, they flood the screen with bullets, which are also black or white.If your ship is white and is hit by a black bullet, you're dead.However, if your ship is white and is hit by a white bullet, your ship absorbs the energy, and your super weapon is charged.Also, when white, your ship fires its own white bullets, which do double damage to black-colored enemies.(The opposite goes if you have a black ship).
It may sound a little complicated, but the rules of the Ikaruga universe will quickly become ingrained in your head - mostly because it's an exceedingly difficult game which you'll need to play many times in order to finish.Add to this the fact that you get a score multiplier for each same-colored enemy you destroy in a row - most of the enemy craft approach in formation that allow the skilled player to ring up impressive chains of consecutive kills.
Non-shooter fans who want to give Ikaruga a try are in for one of the steepest challenges in modern gaming.The game may only be a handful of stages long, but shooters have always been designed for replay value rather than length.Extra continues are unlocked as you progress, but it will still take many hours of gameplay to clear Ikaruga on a single credit (generally considered the ultimate goal in shooters).Those who have played shooters in the past are also in for a unique challenge, because you'll have to learn to let bullets hit you, for one. But the payoffs are more than worth it:Ikaruga can give you quite a rush as you dance through the almost puzzle-like levels, avoiding and absorbing fire, and knocking down 40-hit chains.This kind of old-school rush has almost vanished from gaming nowadays, and Ikaruga is one of the most demanding yet rewarding games you could ask for.Beating your high score has become a largely ignored technique these days, but that's the entire focus here.You'll get quite a feeling of accomplishment, because you'll have to earn it.
Supporting the amazing gameplay are some pretty impressive visuals.Ikaruga was developed for the Dreamcast-based NAOMI arcade board, so it may be a little behind the times, but for a shooter, the graphics are marvelous.Enemy designs are inspired (although many resemble craft from Radiant Silvergun), and explosions are beautiful.A stirring orchestral soundtrack and perfect sound effects sweeten the audio, and the control is as pinpoint accurate as you could want.Ikaruga is an extremely impressive technical achievement.
Ikaruga seems almost out of place on a Nintendo console, but better that than nothing at all.And who knows - maybe this is the start of a new trend of Japanese shooters crossing the ocean.Gradius V and R-Type Final are in development, and will probably make it to the US as well.Shooters are rare enough as it is these days, and it's even rarer for one as innovative and excellent as Ikaruga to come along.Kudos to Nintendo for having the guts to release it on their system, and major thumbs-up to Infogrames for picking it up for the US.
Highly recommended - an absolute must-buy for shooter fans, and anyone else up for a serious challenge should definitely give it a try.

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Product Description:
Ikaruga is a 2-D scrolling space shooter (with options for either a vertical or horizontal display) set against a 3-D backdrop with a combination of rich Japanese storytelling and high-powered fighter-pilot heroics. Players take the role of hero Shinra, the lone survivor of a freedom federation that was massacred by the evil, power-hungry conqueror Tenro Horai. Now Shinra, in his newly-built ship, the Ikaruga, must fight for aging, exiled people who are depending upon him for their survival. Join the sole warrior as he battles the evil Horai in the hopes of restoring peace.
Those already familiar with Ikaruga from the Japanese Dreamcast release will appreciate vital game upgrades such as enhanced graphics, a new demo mode that clues players in to the "perfect" round and private passwords; high scorers can post their accomplishments on the official Ikaruga web site and establish bragging rights within the worldwide Ikaruga community.

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