Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons PS4 Review

 

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a Side-Scrolling Beat-em-ups games was released in July 2023 for PS4, PS5, XBONE, XSX/S, Switch, and PC. It was developed by Secret Base and published by Modus Games, and it is also a spin-off title of the Double Dragon series.

Back in the golden age days of gaming in the mid-80s when Technos Japan had bought Double Dragon to the arcade platform. 

It's a Beat-em-ups game where you take control of duo martial artists known as the Lee Brothers must battling against various of gangs and thugs in order to rescue damsel-in-distress named Marian.

It is the pure examples of being one of the major pioneer of Beat-em-ups genres, as the first original Double Dragon became a huge hit arcade game resulting in a flood of beat-em-ups during the late 80's and early 90s.

Not only it created the genres, it also influenced various of game developers went onto creating their own titles such as Capcom's Final Fight, SEGA's Streets of Rage, and Konami's TMNT IV: Turtles in Time which firmly established Beat-em-ups as a popular game genre at the time.

The success of Double Dragon has spawned with numerous of sequels, spins-off, 1993's animated series, and 1994's live-action film adaptation. 

I strongly agree on the first original game that invented the genre are considered to be not just being one of the best in the entire series, but also one of the best arcade beat-em-ups of golden age era thanks to simple fighting techniques and 2-player co-op were praised by gaming media press. The console releases such as NES, SMS, and Genesis/MD are also being praised for being a faithful to the arcade counterpart.

The second title such as Double Dragon 2: The Revenge are also well-received on arcade releases, while the console port such as NES and PCE-CD are just as good, until the later title such as Double Dragon 3, Super, and 5 are considered to be the weakest entry of the whole series, except the Neo Geo 1995's fighting game titled as Double Dragon are actually pretty decent making it the very last good title again by Technos Japan before the company went out of business in 1996.

Following the closure, the series IP had sold to licensing company named Million allowing them to continue to produce new titles for GBA, as well as reissuing older titles on digital store platform such as Wii's VC and other services. 

Then there was a 2012's reboot title called Double Dragon Neon developed by WayForward Technologies was originally released for PS3, X360, and PC, then was later re-released on Switch in 2020. It is the first game in the series where Million had no involvement in its development before the series IP had sold to Arc System Works in 2015.

It garnered with the mixed reception but some considered it as the improvement over the previous entries, and then we had 2017's title such as Double Dragon 4 for PS4, XBONE, Switch, and PC which sadly received not as good as everyone expecting from the developers.

Out of all these games I've explained above, there are not many of good Double Dragon games besides the first and second are the only two titles that are actually doing right, where as the later ones had done such a poor job of how they handle the series that created the beat-em-ups genre.

There's one way to give the game a second chance that we are hoping to see a yet good beat-em-ups title doing the series a justice, so that is Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons created by Secret Base.

I am expecting this game just to be a good again, so I've picked up a copy off from online store at day one to see if this game are actually doing right this time? the answer is yes it's better than I'm expected because I thought this game might not be quite close to same level as the other modern beat-em-ups like TMNT: Shredder's Revenge and Streets of Rage 4 which I considered these two as a superior title, but don't get me wrong because this game does shares with pretty good stuff going on which is why I am here to review the latest Double Dragon games to point out some goods and some bads depending on how the quality content and game's design does add ups to game itself.

I'll be covering the gameplay, visuals, sounds, and others that might really helped the game's overall quality, where as I'm also gonna point out some of the things that could have made the game bit better.   

So without go further do, let's start the review.

Presentation

The game takes place in the year 199X where nuclear war has ravaged the New York City leading the population of citizens had struggled to survive. The city has been overtaken by criminal gangs who terrorise it's ruins as they fight for total dominance.

One day later, the elected mayor came to visit at the dojo and offered Lee Brothers for help, as the whole city still in under attack by the gangs, so they accepted the mayor's offer.

With the help of Marian and Uncle Matin had joined the Lee Brothers, their goal is to get rid of all the gangs as possible in order to bring the whole city back in peace. 

The opening story has a late 80's cliché stuff going on just like the any of the classic beat-em-ups titles, so instead of damsel-in-distress getting kidnapped like in the first original game, you'll hear something similar like the group of bad guys had conquered the whole city resulting a mass population of crimes that harms the entire innocent citizens who are desperate for help, then the good guys went on the mission to save a day. 

I really liked the changes of the game's story taking in the similar approach as the classic beat-em-ups series that we know from the late 80's and early 90's like Capcom's Final Fight and SEGA's Streets of Rage in terms of opening story introduction which involve groups of gangs has taken over and controls the whole city, so this really works well on the Double Dragon series.  

The game does share with likable characters like these brothers such as Billy Lee and Jimmy Lee which I considered them as the badass kung-fu duos wearing the red and blue outfits went on brawling and start kicking everyone asses in pieces.

Then you have Billy's love interest named Marian is one of the character you may know her as damsel-in-distress from the first original game, but instead they turned her into kick-ass police officer giving her a more proactive role. She's not the only being the first playable character in this game because she's also previously appeared with the other titles like Double Dragon (Neo Geo) and of course Kunio-Kun's spin-off title such as River City Girls 2.

Lastly the game introduced Uncle Matin made a first debut in the series. He's a former soldier and was Master Lee's old left hand took care of the Lee Brothers and Marian, as he aids them to join forces to fight against the corrupted gangs and saving the city.

The game also featuring 4 gang leaders as a villains, such as M.G.Willy which you may know him as a major antagonist of first and second games. Then you have Duke first appeared as major villain from Super Double Dragon. Lastly Anubis and Lady Okada made their first debut as two of the 4 boss characters in this game. 

The game does share with likable mid-bosses you may recognise them from the previous entries of the series such as Abobo, Burnov, Chin Tai Mei, and Linda. 

The presentation as a whole are actually pretty decent, so I don't understand why anyone just makes fun of these artwork design choices as they say it's nowhere near quite good as the other beat-em-ups games in terms of artwork design. To me, it doesn't seems to be much big of the deal which I find these artwork design choices in this game seems to be fine as it should, so it's colorful, it's bold, and it does suit the game's presentation pretty well which really adds up the arcade-inspired feel to it.

Each of the stages does shares with great environment settings such as Willy's stage has wracked security offices and rooftops buildings, Anubis's stage filled with sandy junkyard with scraps and underground Egyptian tombs, Lady Okada's stages has casino rooms and huge dojo temples, and Duke's stage has underground subway station which I got to say these settings in each section of stages are looking quite solid in this game.

Overall, it has good opening story, likable characters, and decent overall presentation.

Gameplay

First of all, you'll have the list of customisable difficulty options such as enemy stats, enemy aggression, upgrade cost, revive cost, player's health, and of course continue type, so if you set it to the highest difficulty then your exchange rate will be cost lower per token, where as setting to the lowest difficulties will gradually increase the exchange rate per token.    

Then you get to choose any 2 of your playable characters, so one of them will be primary and others will be secondary, and then you'll get to select any 4 missions to choose from. 

You take control any of 4 playable characters in 2D perspective, as your main mission is to beat the entire stages by defeating all 4 bosses.

You'll have a player's health and special bar on the top-left or top-right corner of the screen which indicates how much the health points you have left, as well the special meter bar when being used, and of course you have a money on the top-middle screen indicates the remaining currencies which can be used for saving up tokens, upgrading abilities, and using them to keep continuing the game.

You'll start off with the basics such as pushing the left stick or d-pad button to walk around the area, while holding the right trigger button then pushing the left stick or d-pad button to run.

Hitting the square button to attack the enemy, while the triangle button or two shoulder buttons which allowing the player to perform the special techniques, so you will have 3 techniques moves in each characters such as Billy's dragon kick, Jimmy's uppercut, Marian's bazooka or devices, and Uncle Matin's wrestling moves which deals heavy blow on the enemies, so if you successfully perform the special moves combos when the bunch of enemies surrounding near close to you then you will be awarded with the food items such as hotdog, burger, and turkey which increases your health points, while on full-health will also increases your currencies as well. 

Using up the special technique moves which depletes the special meter bar are also can be slowly recharged automatically unless you collect the blue diamonds to increase it bit faster.

You can also use the circle button to pick up items and weapons which can be found on breakable objects, and it is also used as grappling moves which means that while grabbing on enemies you can either beat them up by mashing square button or throw them with the circle button. 

Each of the weapons can be found somewhere in the stages such as knife, glass bottle, and hard pipes which deals severe hit damage on the enemies, but you can also do throwing weapon attack by hitting the circle button as well. 

You can swap your character around with your partner by pushing the left trigger button meaning that if your primary character has a low health then you can swap it with your secondary character to join in the fight which saves your primary character from getting knocked out by enemies.  

So far, the game plays it fine as should which I had no issues with the controls because I can able to pull-off the numerous of combos, special moves, and others techniques. It may be a bit tad slower compared with other modern beat-em-ups titles, but I'm pretty sure you will get used with the gameplay itself when progressing further, so you can also customise your control options by remapping these buttons to suit your playability. 

What makes the gameplay system played good is the rogue-lite elements which means that your playable character needs to improve their fighting skills to be good enough to take advantage against the strong enemies and bosses, so in order to do that is to collect many currencies as possible so once you've beaten the stage then you get to select any of ability items such as extended health points, increased attack damage, boosting up speed, and reducing special points cost which adds up the player's stats meaning the more you purchase these ability items the stronger you become makes the enemies and bosses feel vulnerable in later next stages.

Secondly most defeated enemies will drop down the bunch of coins can be collected to increase your currencies which you can save these for purchasing ability items, and gaining tokens when quitting the game or continuing the game without gaining the tokens. 

Lastly the game does have a permadeath difficulty mode which means that you'll be fighting through the stages till at very end without using the continues, so if you die once in the game then it's game over for you meaning you had to start the new game at the beginning again. 

This adds up a game's overall challenge is what made the game quite enjoyable to play, and speaking of being enjoyable is when you beat the first stage, this will expand your second and so forth stages into 2 or 3 more sections which adds up in-depth levels further more such as train fight segment in Duke's stage, dark-pyramid room with the spotlight in Anubis's stage, a inside-dojo with full of spear traps in Lady Okada's stage, and rooftops building fight in M.G.Willy's stage, so this really highlights the game's replay-ability.                          

The boss battles are quite fun and entertaining as you've expected, so you have M.G.Willy welds with his machine gun while flying on the helicopter, Anubis uses his magic powers with green mist and lighting, Lady Okada has samurai sword deals with lethal tornado attack, and Duke's has insane amount of his evading and attacking techniques, while the game also shares with mid-bosses like Abobo, Burnov, Chin Tai Mei, and Linda are also quite as fun in the game. 

While both of single-play and 2-player co-op as locally are pretty solid, but it's kinda bummer that they didn't include stuff like online play and 4-player options so these both features could have made the game bit better, and also I wanted to point out that there's not many of game modes besides being stuck with the story mode, so I wish they add more to this game like boss rush and duel mode could helped the game a bit.

The loading times are kinda annoying when playing on 8th gen consoles like PS4, XBONE, and Switch which many people really hate to sit and wait till it's load up, but thankfully it didn't happened on 9th gen consoles like PS5 and XSX/S consoles thanks to SSDs taking system advantage which really helps the game most without having to stare at the loading screen in 30 seconds. 

There's one thing that kinda bugs me the most is that two of these PSN trophies that I encountered with the issues which sadly I cannot able to unlock these due to bugs, so I'm hopefully that the developers behind this game will able to address the issues with the patch update pretty soon. 

The positive sides is that the story mode has two different endings after beating all 4 bosses which gives you an option to make decision are also adds up a replay value, and I also wanted to praise the game for it's unlockable characters where you get to play as these bosses which each of them has the own unique fighting style, so that's really cool having to play as different brawlers.            

Overall, it has fine controls, good rogue-lite elements, fun 2-player co-op, and entertaining boss battles.

Graphics

The visuals is actually pretty good for its retro art-style environments that I've mentioned it before, so I really liked the boldness of the stages with hard textures surfaces, colourful details, has some great layouts in some stages, and of course the character's sprite has some nice use of the animation. 

I heard some people are finding these visuals a bit tad cartoony and quite too simplistic for Double Dragon series, but this doesn't bothered me because I really liked the retro-feel aesthetics which kinda reminds me of those Technos Japan's other franchise like Kunio-Kun in terms of visuals design elements just really appeals to my eye.

I agree that it may not match the same level as the other modern Beat-em-ups titles like TMNT: Shredder's Revenge and Street of Rage 4 which these games has lot more detailed graphics with better art-style design, but to me this game are just as good enough for small indie stuff.

Overall, it has nice character's sprite, colorful art-style environments, and retro-feel visual design. 

Music and Sounds

The original soundtrack are sounds fantastic because you have great selection of arranged music from the previous Double Dragon games that you may recognise it from the titles like the first, second, third, super, and of course fourth in each stages.

Stuff like you have memorable theme tune on the title screen, DD1's first stage song from the M.G.Willy stage part 3, SDD's staff roll song from Duke's stage part 3, and SDD's casino song from Lady Okada's stage part 1 are just sounds pretty amazing with the rearrangements, so it was composed by Sophie Song and other composing team did a stunning job for delivering these nostalgic soundtrack from the previous games to this title.

The sound effects are also pretty fine with many hard blows punches, booming explosions, and heavy collisions just sounds right for this type of game. 

Overall, it has fantastic soundtrack and fine sound design.

Special Features

The game does have really cool unlockables such as playable boss characters, art-gallery, musics, and of course guide tips which can be unlocked by gaining enough tokens. 

The physical copy boxset comes with really nice poster and stickers which is awesome for game collectors really loves the bonuses, and the good news is that the PS4 physical copy are also comes with free PS5 upgradable which means that if you had a physical copy of PS4 version then it gives you an option to download the PS5 version for free when playing on the PS5 consoles.

Overall, a yet solid additional features.

Advantages

Decent presentation

Good gameplay system

Fun 2-player co-op

Entertaining boss battles

Colorful graphics

Fantastic soundtracks

Cool unlockables

Disadvantages

Missing online play and 4-player option

Lacks any game modes

Minor buggy PSN trophies

Moderate loading times (8th gen consoles)

Final Verdict

Presentation 7.5/10 - good opening story, likable characters, and decent overall presentation.

Gameplay 7/10 - fine controls, good rogue-lite elements, fun 2-player co-op, and entertaining boss battles.

Graphics 7.5/10 - nice character's sprite, colorful art-style environments, and retro-feel visual design.

Music and Sounds - 8/10 - fantastic soundtrack and fine sound design.

Special Features 7.5/10 - unlockable content, physical copy bonuses, and free PS5 upgradable. 

Overall 7/10 - After long wait of finding a good Double Dragon games again since the first and second titles of the series, this game deserves to have a yet second chance because I previously got really disappointed with the third and fifth title, where as I can't get into with the Super and Neon as much which really turns me away from the franchise, but thankfully the Gaiden just does the job right for its good gameplay system with rogue-lite elements stuff on it, has local 2-player co-op, the boss battle are solid, has unlockable content, and shares with the replay-values thanks to expanded stage section and two endings options just adds up a game's positive sides, but I wish they should have added the online play, 4-player option, and two or more game modes could have made the game a bit better, so that I could give the final score a slightly bit higher.

That being said, I'm pleased to see the game like this turned out to be a good once again which I did not feel regret purchasing this for my PS4. 

The physical copy on all console platforms cost around £25 or more mostly on some online stores, where as on the digital storefront such as PS Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, and Steam just cost £20 which is a £5 cheaper.

So it may not be the casual beat-em-up player's cup of tea unless if you're a fan of this franchise will likely gonna give this game a shot.

     

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Skip it

Rent it

Buy it

If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions.  

This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.  

  

                                     

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider PS4 Review

 

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a side-scrolling action game was released in January 2023 for PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC. It was developed by JoyMasher and published by The Arcade Crew.

In my good old days of gaming, we had a such many great side-scrolling action games featuring ninjas such as Ninja Gaiden, Strider, Shinobi, Legend of Kage, and The Ninja Warriors, so these are the classics that popularised the sub-genre term known as Hack and Slash which refer to melee weapon-based action games.

These games are known to have unique stage design requiring platforming techniques, in-depth combat system with standard melee weapon and ninjutsu powers, and of course intense difficulty challenge filled with numerous of enemies, projectiles, hazards, and bosses which makes these titles quite memorable back then. 

 

Going back to my today's gaming habit where I've spend time busy playing on my PS4 as well as searching up for a numerous of both modern and retro-related games stuff on internet, I have discovered the interesting side-scrolling action game as I have seen the video trailer on YouTube which has caught my attention, so that is Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider.

It's basically a retro-style indie game was inspired by the likes of the classic 2D Hack and Slash games from the mid-80s to early 90's era.

I believe it was created by the same team behind Blazing Chrome, a 2D Run and Gun action title similar to Contra and Metal Slug, which I currently enjoyed playing it back in 2 years since is the reason why I'm wiling to try out another JoyMasher's title, so I've decided to get the physical copy of Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider off from online retail site such as eBay which I've got it for less than £30.

So what do I think about this Sci-fi ninja action? is it a fun-packed action games that you've just looking for this or is it not the right game you're expecting for? I will cover all the pros and cons to describe what this game can benefit your experience in terms of design, combat, and challenge doing the game's a justice. 

So without go further do, let's start the review.

Presentation

The game set in futuristic like city. It all started when the entire city been attacked by the terrorist groups led by oppressive totalitarian government punishing numerous of innocent people and held them captive, but there are one of the super-soldiers named Moonrider had manage to break free from the Bioweapon Lab.

The story in this game are actually sounds interesting at the very start, as you take control of one badass cyborg-ninja seeking his revenge against the tyrannical government, who harms the entire innocent mankind as well as controls the world to create the terrible regime, as the Moonrider sets off his mission to wipe down many super-soldiers and agents in order to save the entire world peacefully.

It does give a cool 80's era vibes to it, judging with the cutscene sequences kinda reminds me of the Saturday afternoon cartoon and 80's action film being slapped together just seems to be worked pretty decently for this type of game.   

I find Moonrider as a protagonist looks absolute cool with metallic-ninja suit with shogun helmet which delivers a great character concept design to make it look stale and badass, where as 8 of these super-soldiers shared with similar thing are also kinda awesome too which is why I really liked the cyber-related stuff that fits well in the game.

The presentation are remarkably looking great because this feels like it's a throwback to 16-bit era as we know back in the early 90's, so each of the stages has the Mega Man X and Hagane aesthetics feel to it which I find these levels so appealing.

Stuff like you have Desalination Facility has an underground water levelling from bottom to top, Fallen City has numerous of forrest trees and wrecked surfaces, Iwondolino City has tall buildings and large train, and Asura's Fleet filed with an airships flying around, and any other levels with futuristic environmental design gives a good Sci-fi settings to this game just feels right for the side-scrolling action game like this.       

Overall, it has interesting story, badass protagonist, and remarkable overall presentation.

Gameplay

In single-player action, the game has 6 main levels as you take control of Moonrider in 2D side-scrolling perspective, so your main goal is to beat the entire levels by defeating all bosses.

Before starting the single-player action, you have the tutorial to learn the basics like the movement and combat which I will discuss further on this review.

You'll move the player by pushing the left stick or d-pad button with walking and crouching, while holding the right trigger button then push the left stick or d-pad button forward to make the player run.

pressing the cross button will make the player jump which are used for reaching on the platforms, but you can also perform wall jumping by hitting the cross button twice when the player clings onto the walls in mid-air, so do it multiple times till you've reached the top-platforms.

Be sure that you need to jump really precisely because you may end up falling off the platforms, so my advise is that the longer you hold the cross button the higher you will jump meaning that pressing the tap once will lead to a short hop, and the wall jumping mechanics that I've mentioned before works better for narrow sections of levels.           

In combat, you will use the close-melee attack by hitting the square button to slash these enemies in pieces, but you can also slash them 3 times by keep mashing the square button for quick damage attack and you can also do running slash attack by holding the right trigger while pushing the left stick or d-pad button, then press the square button for good amount strike damage might help you defeating them quickly.

You will also perform 2 mid-air attacks such as jump slash attack by pressing the cross button then hit the square button, and dive air kick by pushing the left stick or d-pad button diagonally then hit the square button. 

You can also deflect the enemy's bullet projectiles by using the slash weapon when the enemy's bullet gets closer to you which you will need to deflect these bullet projectiles in right timing to prevent taking damage.  

You can perform elemental sub-weapon attack by hitting the circle button that deals the heavy damage on enemies or bosses and you can also change the sub-weapons by holding the left trigger button which takes you to sub-weapons menu and simply select any of these you want to use it, so I will discuss more further later on this review about gaining a new elemental sub-weapons after beating a bosses. 

You can gain the items that can be found hidden in the each stage such as modifier chips which can be used to unlock new powers and abilities such as double jump, enhanced armor, regens HP or MP, extra lives, and etc. which you can equip these on the two slots on the stage select menu before you begin the mission. It does adds up the player's enhancement which is good, but be really careful to use some of these modifier chips could lead into a shorter high-score or grade so use it wisely when necessary.    

After defeating numerous of bosses will reward you with the new elemental weapons, so stuff like flamestalker which is a fire boomerang, hydromancer which is water projectiles, stormdiver uses the form of tornadoes, geocrusher sending shockwaves across the floor, photodrifter firing bolt of lasers, darkchaser that spawn fleshy tendrils of open portal, and sunseeker uses waves of energy balls.

Each of these new sub-weapons can be used only a limited amount of times, as they share a energy meter that decreases as they are used.

So far, the combat worked pretty well for most of the time because I find the hit detection quite responsive as I'm able to hit the enemies and bosses in the right spot without any issues, and I got to say I really liked deflecting the enemy's bullet projectiles which really helps me preventing from taking damage.

Those sub-weapons are actually done right because it's not only just deals the heavy damage on enemies, but also works mostly on boss's weak point system just like in the Mega Man series where you had to pick and use any of correct elemental weapon that adds up the boss's vulnerability just seems to work perfectly on this game.

I also liked the modifier chips which are also come in useful may gonna help the game a bit like recovering health and do double jumps, but when it comes with gaining more high-scores and S-ranking grades it's better to unequip some of these two chips depending on which of these chips can cause to lower grades and scores, so it doesn't seem to be a bad thing because it's part of the game's difficulty challenge which you will need to be really pro at this side-scrolling action is where the fun parts really goes forward.

I got to say I love the wall jumping mechanics in each stage which are really good for the action-platforms just like you see from the classics like Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi is relying on the narrow sections of levels requires lot of wall jumping, so that's the stuff that I've liked about the game. 

Each of the stages are filled with many obstacles and hazards just adds up a crazy amount of platforming segments requiring a good use of evading without taking numerous of damage, so stuff like the whole levels filled with deadly spikes, electrifying bolts, firey flames, large beams, and etc. 

My favourite stage in this game is got to be a 3D bike-riding section where you had to race through the stage while shooting down the enemy bikers and ship.    

Just as good as the Joymasher's previous effort of 3D tunnel stage in Blazing Chrome, this stage is quite similar to NES classics such as Mach Rider but in Mode 7 style like the F-Zero which it really nails the use of pseudo 3D effects and the pacing of biking action.

The second thing that made the game quite entertaining is the boss battles in each stage which I finding it really good thanks to tougher enemy's spot and pacing that kept me playing it.

Stuff like you have 8 of these super-soldiers to fight them, such as the gigantic robot with huge hands and large head just reminds me of one of the bosses from Contra: Hard Corps, the purple suit female soldier with floating device has ability to use open portal which shoots out tendrils and long-gigantic arm, the cyborg with red cape uses his long-ring projectiles, the bulky green one charges you with his lethal strike attack, the big masculine suit ninja uses his acrobatics jump while firing out his plasma, the blue suited guy throws out his 4 rounded-blade as well as using his aqua power to teleport, the hard steel dude unleashes his flame projectiles shoots down from the above, and of course the golden suit leader has tons of crazy moves with lot of dashing and slashing all over the places just plays it really well in this game. 

While the entire whole campaign is doing such a fantastic job, but unfortunately it suffers with short-length which is likely that you could able to beat the entire game in less than 2 hours of play for the sake of speed-running, but for the completionist are likely goes up to 3 hours of play which is one hour more, but it's still rather bit short which I would prefer it adding more between 4 to 5 hours with 2 more stages could extend the game bit further.    

Overall, it has solid combat, cool boss battles, great platforming, and fantastic campaign action.

Graphics

You can't really deny the overall visual representation of 16-bit era are just looking incredible in small indie project. 

I was amazed with the environmental design of each stages made quite a nice balance of colours starting from back to front layouts which you'll see the boldness of the structures and the sharpness of textures surfaces which you can tell that the details on the foregrounds are strongly detailed where as the background are slightly in the darker edge gives the level design much easier to scroll through.

I also want to praise the use of parallax scrolling in some stages like Asura's Fleet which you'll see the fast and slow movement of the clouds and mists from the above and below the stage followed by the enormous space ship from the backgrounds is just looking so cool to see, and I really liked the use of transparency and wavy animation effect of bloody-red water in Lost Ruins adds up the game's atmosphere.

The sprite animation for most of the characters and bosses are sure pretty solid because I really liked how the Moonrider running through the stage with the shadowy-transparency effect behind him are sure flashy and dark at the same time, and oh boy I got to love the gory parts in the game where most of the enemies get sliced with the bloody particles all over the places.

Like I've mentioned about the Mode 7 style biking-section does have an impressive use of pseudo 3D effects because I really liked the scaling effects of city building throughout the stages which kinda reminds me of one of the game for SEGA CD title like Batman Returns does share with the great driving segment with similar graphical effects. 

Overall, it has incredible environmental design, great parallax scrolling, solid animation, and impressive scaling effects. 

Music and Sounds

So unlike the Blazing Chrome uses the full-on arcade style soundtrack, this game goes with much different direction using with the electronic music genre mixed with synth-bass sounds and Japanese-style music being cramed together which I got to say it's pretty sounds great in many stages because it fits with the game's action and atmospheres all together pretty well. 

Stuff like Bioweapon Lab, Laser Research Base, and Duas Space Elevator sounded like more of John Wick vibes to it because of the music intensity of action, where as some of it like Desalination Facility, Asura's Fleet, and Iwondonilo City sounded more of 80's synth music which I got to say I really liked the overall music which was composed by Dominic Ninmark did a splendid job of creating epic soundtrack.

The sound effects provides the good use of slashing noises, gritty environmental sounds, and really has sharp surroundings in each stages just really made the decent balance of both 8 bit and 16 bit sound designs entirely.  

Overall, it has splendid soundtrack and decent sound design.

Special Features

Honestly the game does not have unlockable features, not even with the game modes or others which sadly. 

It would have been cool if they added the boss rush mode and new playable characters could have helped the game a bit. 

Overall, too bad it has no features.

Advantages

Remarkable overall presentation

Solid combat

Cool boss battles 

Great platforming 

Fantastic campaign action

Incredible visuals

Splendid soundtrack

Disadvantages

Short length campaign

Lack of unlockable features

Final Verdict

Presentation 8/10 - interesting story, badass protagonist, and remarkable overall presentation.

Gameplay 8.5/10 - solid combat, cool boss battles, great platforming, and fantastic campaign action.

Graphics 8.5/10 - incredible environmental design, great parallax scrolling, solid animation, and impressive scaling effects.

Music and Sounds 8/10 - splendid soundtrack and decent sound design.

Special Features 1/10 - lack of unlockable features.

Overall 8.5/10 - Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is surprisingly a strong side-scrolling action game providing many great stuff that really nails the quality.

With fun-packed action stages, well challenged platforming design with many obstacles and wall jumping, epic boss battles, and solid combat gameplay with unique upgrades and abilities is what made the title a true-worthy throwback to classic era of 2D Hack and Slash genres that we knew from our childhood days of 80's and 90s.

You can get it physically for PS4, PS5, and Switch just for less than £30, where as you could get it cheaper from digital storefronts including PS Store, Nintendo eShop, and Steam just for £13.99.

Is it the easiest recommendation for those who grew up playing the likes of classic 2D Hack and Slash series such as Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi? absolutely because I know any of people likes to play this type of style would be fully appreciate with the results that turned out to be a solid side-scrolling experience.         

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Skip it

Rent it

Buy it

If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions.  

This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.                                   

Gal Guardians: Demon Purge PS4 Review

 

Gal Guardians: Demon Purge is a 2D side-scrolling action game was released in 2023 for PS4, PS5, XBONE, XSX/S, Switch, and PC. It was developed by Inti Crates and published by PQube, and it is a spin-off title of Gal Gun series. 

If you're a massive fan of side-scrolling action like myself when growing up playing a several of great classics from the retro days era like Mega Man, Castlevania, Duck Tales, and Ninja Gaiden, as well with the later days of indie games like Shovel Knight, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, and Azure Gunvolt Striker, then you'll be really interested in game like this featuring a two anime chicks went on demon hunting and start kicking ass, so that is Gal Guardians: Demon Purge.

Now first of all, it is a spin-off game based on the something really strange rail-shooter series called Gal Gun, a game where you take control of male student trying to fends off waves of female classmates, who are running after him, while searching for his true love girlfriend.  

To tell you the truth is that I'm not a massive fan of the romance related stuff, but I have nothing to against it. 

The series does share with decent spin-off title like Gal Gunvolt Burst which is a crossover title between Azure Gunvolt and Gal Gun being fused together, just like how Inti Crates did a similar thing with Mighty Gunvolt Burst which is crossed over between Azure Gunvolt and Mighty No.9, which I consider these title a fun side-scrolling action featuring a playable guests.

So going back to this review, Gal Guardian: Demon Purge is one of the side-scrolling action game that got me interested to play because it's a combination of Azure Gunvolt and Castlevania in terms of gameplay style which featuring a two playable demon hunters with single solo or 2-player co-op play, so I really liked the idea of having a 2-player playthrough in this title just like from any other side-scrolling action game such as Shovel Knight did a similar thing with the 2-player co-op play which is why I've bought the PS4 copy to play it and see how the game really went.

The answer is yes I did manage to enjoy playing it which is why I am here to share my thoughts on this side-scrolling action title with several of pros and cons that I will discuss it through my details such as combat, teamplay, bosses, and so on.

So without go further do, let's start the review.

Presentation

The game focuses with two Kamizono sisters named Shinobu and Maya headed to school academy until the whole building turned into a dark-looking castle filled with demons, led by a mischievous demon girl named Kurona, which causes two sisters went on their demon hunting job to fight them all, as well as finding out the mystery of what happened to the school that became like this and the students that had gone missing.

The story is quite a straightforward to follow, as you're just a both demon hunters went on slaying a hordes of demons throughout the castle, rescuing a several of missing students who can share their stories about the incident, and defeat a vampire lady who are responsible for putting a dark curse on the school that turned into a castle is kinda similar to Konami's Castlevania does share with the similar plot of how the vampire delivers the wicked curse to the hometown that harms the innocent people which led the vampire hunter went on the adventure to defeat the evil in order to lift the terrible curse. 

It's really different from Gal Gun main series which I kinda like having a spin-off game went on different approach rather than the original root from the main series itself which is why it made the game quite interesting with different storyplot and the styles of presentation.

I adored the two anime duos such as Shinobu and Maya kamizono which I finding them quite likeable with their cool personality and cuteness as being a demon hunters are surely badasses, where as the Kurona as a villain of the whole game which I consider her as crude and arrogant villain just wanting her revenge on Kamizono sisters, but I got to say that I've preferred her older counterpart (Adult Kurona) in later scenes, yeah you know what I've mean right.   

The presentation are sure fantastic because I really liked the Castlevania eques of the settings throughout the areas which I adored the dark and gothic themes that been featured in the game.

Each of the levels shares with many style of sceneries such as Castle Gates filled with castle walls with pinkish clouds around the outside, and the inside castle has medieval design around the rooms. Ceremony Hall has goldish and regal-looking hallways with theatre hall, arch of pillars, and basement wine-cellar room. Mysterious Cave has crampy open-spaces with wrecked pirate ship at the background, and the waterfall streaming through the grounds. Courtyard has water fountain and green plants around the area. Library filled with large bookshelves all over the place in top floor and has toxic-waste room on ground floor. Clock Tower had a bunch of clockwork stuff like cogs and mechanics spins around everywhere in the room. Castle's Peak has a heavy winds drifting everywhere outside and has demonic objects inside the castle.

Overall, it has interesting story, cool duos, and fantastic presentation settings.

Gameplay

You take control of these two sisters in single solo or local co-op play on 2D perspective view, as your main goal is to defeat many bosses in each levels. 

You will start off with the basics such as pushing the left stick or d-pad button to move the player such as running and crouching, and pressing the cross button to jump on the platform, while holding the down button then hit the cross button to jump down the platform from the narrow gap.

You can switch any of the two duos by pressing the left or right trigger to change which each of them has different combat system such as pressing the square button to use attack such as Shinobu's gun works effectively on mid-range shot distance and Maya's blade uses as close-combat range attack which deals heavy damage against the foes. 

Depending on any of two duos has their own abilities which you can also perform their sub-weapon attack by hitting the circle button which I will discuss each of these sub-weapons after you have obtained it by defeating each bosses.

Stuff like you can use throwing daggers to throw it at the long-range attack, penguin that freezes the objects or enemies, scythes that deals much heavier slash damage, umbrella that allow you to fly through and reach at the longest distance platform, grenade that allow you to throw on cracked surfaces or enemies deals with explosive damage, rocket launcher that allowing missiles to lunch on target enemies deals with explosive damage, grapple hook lets you cling onto a top-wall ceiling and jump right off onto the higher platform.

Each of these sub-weapons are limited with the weapon points which you'll see on the top-left corner of the screen to see how much you have used it till its ran out meaning that you will not able to use sub-weapon attack when the weapon point are fully empty, but you can increase it by collecting the purple jar item can be found anywhere in the levels, and you can also switch the sub-weapons by pressing the left or right shoulder button. 

While the purge gauge meter on top-left corner of the screen are fully filled-up, you can also perform a special attack by hitting the triangle button which fires the devil's bullet which instantly kills off the enemies, but also uses up purge gauge fully. 

In co-op, your team can able to cool stuff such as use each other as platforms, revive each other via CPR, transforming into mascot, and of course the screen clearing team attack that wipes out all enemies as well as bosses.

You can obtain some upgradable items which can be found hidden in any areas such as the bullet capacity of Shinobu's gun, and player's attributes such as health, defence, and attack which reduces damage from enemy's projectiles and increasing player's damaging attack. 

So far, the game itself plays quite decently throughout the playthroughs in all thanks to not just combat system itself, but also a platforming design, exploration, bosses, and having a choices of playing single solo or local 2-player co-op just adds the game's overall experience.

The combat are actually quite straight-forward to play especially playing with two duos with their's advantages stuff like Shinobu has mid-range firing and more health capacity, where as Maya has lower health capacity but has stronger short-range attacking system.

The sub-weapons works really well throughout the game which allowing the player being able to traverse the higher platforms and deals a effective damage on enemies. 

The platforming segments fills with numerous of hazards such as spikes, flames, slimes and other stuff which requires the player to avoid these obstacles without taking so much damage in order to get to next area just adds up the overall challenge.

Despite the game is more of the linear approach where your goal is to being able to reach it at the boss stage to its end, it is good to explore around the level to discover the cool hidden secrets, as well as rescuing many missing students, and obtaining upgrades items that improves upon your attributes.

The major highlights of the whole game are having both single solo and local 2-player co-op because you can able to choose to play it alone or even better by teaming up with your friend to join fighting through the dark castle just adds up a fun major part of the game.

The game shares with great bosses except one which I will discuss it further on the review, so stuff like you have the giant vampire bat that fires bunch of small bats, the jazzy white rabbit uses the electric guitar that firing the electrifying projectiles, the ghost knight that welds the both large sword and shield, the large green piranha fires the large beam out of the mouth, the baphomet uses the black magic spells to fire out projectiles, and the statue of fallen angel scatters with the spinning cog of blades are actually pretty good, but I find Kurona boss are stupidly tough because not only she's summons her dumb little minions gets in the way, but also a damn laser projectiles just takes a severe damage hit makes it quite impossible to dodge the thing which took me more than 10 tries till I beat it, so I didn't had an issue with the previous bosses which are actually fine, but this damn thing just absolutely absurd to play.            

There are one of the thing that I don't like in the game is that in single solo when one of duos just dies in the boss battle which causing other one to start back to the checkpoint system instead of carry on fighting where you left off, and then head over to the boss level which you will notice the boss's health bar slowly replenishes their quarter of the health after the one of duo's death, so that is kinda annoying that you don't want to start back to the checkpoint system again, so thankfully it didn't happen on the 2-player co-op where you can still continue the fight as normally after one of your team player are being knocked out which you can still later revive them during the battle.

I got to say that the boss rush mode are actually pretty good where you had to defeat all bosses as much as possible, but you can also customise your settings like difficulties, items, and other random stuff to suit your playability.   

The game also shares with multiple endings depending on how much you have progressed the whole game such as rescuing all students as possible or if you have collected some important key items, so if the conditions have met then this will give you a dialogue options that leads you to different endings which really adds up amount of replay values.

Overall, it has straight-forward combat, great boss battle, has 2-player-co-op, and amount of replay values.   

Graphics

The graphics are looking quite amazing on a 2D side-scrolling visuals. I adored the 16-bit style of pixel-art direction just like you may seen it from the days of GBA era like Konami's Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Capcom's Mega Man Zero in terms of character's sprites and environmental design are looking magnificent that really appeals to those who grew up with the retro-days of side-scrolling genres.

I really liked the use of character's shadowy transparencies and flashy collisions hit just seems pretty good on the stages, and the texture-surfaces on every levels are looking quite bold and detailed giving a bit of the nice vibes to it, and it sure does shares with great use of parallax scrolling starting from soft and foggy background layout to hard and stale foreground design just adds the overall consistency of level design which is why it made the scrolling animation feel smooth throughout the stage.

Overall, it has magnificent environmental design, great use of parallax scrolling, and amazing character's sprites.

Music and Sounds

I got to say the original soundtrack are actually sounds pretty decent overall because instead of making it overly cute and upbeating track like from the Gal Gun main series, they wanted to create something different with more focused on gothic and intense music that fits perfectly well to its game's vampiric presentation.     

It was composed by these same members including Ippo Yamada, Ryo Yoshinaga, and Ryo Kawakami, who previously worked on previous titles like Capcom's Mega Man Zero, and Inti Crates's own series like Azure Gunvolt and Gal Gun, did a spectacular job of capturing a same feel as you hear like from Konami's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

The sound design are quite solid for its environmental noises and some jingle effects just feels appropriate throughout the stages.  

The voice acting in the game are actually sounds pretty good on Japanese which has both dialogue and in-game action, but sadly the English dub had lacked the full dialogue on cutscene except the in-game action so I wish they should've have added the full English dialogue to make it sounds complete during the cutscene between the characters.

Overall, it has decent soundtrack, solid sound design, and has good Japanese voice over.

Special Features

The game does come with unlockable stuff such as boss rush mode, legendary difficulty, and has multiple endings.              

Overall, an acceptable additional features.

Advantages

Fantastic presentation settings

Straight-forward combat 

Great boss battle 

Has 2-player-co-op, 

Amount of replay values 

Amazing visuals 

Decent soundtrack

Disadvantages

Kurona boss battle (except adult version herself) are ridiculously tough compared to previous bosses.

Player's death takes you back to checkpoint instead of continuing the fight in single solo.

Lack of full English dialogue.  

Final Verdict

Presentation 8/10 - interesting story, cool duos, and fantastic presentation settings.

Gameplay 7.5/10 - straight-forward combat, great boss battle, has 2-player-co-op, and amount of replay values

Graphics 8/10 - magnificent environmental design, great use of parallax scrolling, and amazing character's sprites

Music and Sounds 7.5/10 - decent soundtrack, solid sound design, and has good Japanese voice over

Special Features 7/10 - unlockable boss rush mode and legendary difficulty, and has multiple endings.                 

Overall 7.5/10 - Gal Guardians: Demon Purge is surely a good side-scrolling action game that the Inti Crates had done it quite right so far.

You had two anime chicks start kicking demon ass all the way, has Castlevania-eques settings going on in the game, the 16-bit inspired visuals are giving us a nice throwback to GBA era, and best of all is the overall gameplay filled with fun 2-player co-op, epic boss battles, and shares a good combat and stages is what made the game worth to play. 

The standard physical copy for the PS4, PS5, and Switch are worth £30 mostly on online store like Amazon and Ebay, where as the collector's edition on online retailer site such as Funstock comes with artbook, stickers, cards, and etc. could cost around £70 are only recommended for big video game collector.

The digital copy on online storefronts such as PS Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, and Steam should cost £20 or bit more, but slightly cheaper than the physical copy's price point.  

Is it an definite a play for 2D side-scrolling action fans? the answer is still yes because it's perfect for you and your friends could enjoy the local 2-player co-op action makes the Gal Guardians: Demon Purge a worthy purchase.     

    

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Skip it

Rent it

Buy it

If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions.  

This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.

                                   

Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams PS4 Review

 

Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams is a side-scrolling shooter for Arcade, PS4, and Switch was released in 2022, and was later on PC in 2023, which was developed by Success and Studio Saizensen, and published by ININ Games.

It is the 6th installiment title in the Cotton franchise, and also a follow-up to 2000's rail-shooter titled as Rainbow Cotton for Dreamcast, and the first main entry of the series in over 20 years.

I love playing side-scrolling shooter games back then, when we had such many great titles that not only defines our childhood nostalgia but also defines classic gaming that created the genres known as "shumps" which is a short term for shoot-em-ups. So stuff like Konami's Gradius 3, Technosoft's Thunder Force 4, Compile's M.U.S.H.A, Treasure's Radiant Slivergun and Ikaruga, Square Enix's Einhander, Taito's Darius Gaiden, and Capcom's Mars Matrix. So those were a good times when we had the best libraries of shoot-em-ups games being played on various of arcade machines and home consoles.

Going forward to my todays gaming where I've still had both my PS3 and PS4 console, I also did enjoy various of modern shoot-em-ups games like Edelweiss's Astebreed, HUCAST's Ghost Blade, CAVE's Deathsmiles 1 and 2, MOSS's Raiden 4 Overkill, G.rev's Under Defeat HD, Qute's Natsuki Chronicles, and Digital Reality's Sine Mora EX which are also plays just as good as any of shoot-em-ups libraries.

The shoot-em-up are also shared with their subgenres such as cute-em-ups, a term that feature a cutesy colourful anime themes and shoot-em-ups gameplay being fused together were pioneered by the likes of Konami's Twinbee and SEGA Fantasy Zone, along with the later ones such as Hudson Soft's Star Parodier, Konami's Parodius, and Victor Entertainment's Keio Flying Squadron.

There's one of the franchise that grabs my attention was Cotton, a 2D side-scrolling shooter series that was popular back in the 90's era of Japanese arcades had many praises and earning several awards from Japanese gaming magazines regarded the game series as a pinnacle of the cute-em-up subgenre.

It had those classic titles back in the 90s such as Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams for Arcade, X68000, and TG-CD, Cotton 100% for SNES and PS1, and Cotton 2: Magical Night Dreams for Arcade and Saturn which are well-received 2D cute-em-ups was praised for visuals, playability, and replay values that made the franchise quite popular among with shoot-em-ups fanatics in Japan, where as Panorama Cotton for Genesis/MD made a major departure from the original gameplay formula into a pseudo-3D shooter are also received positive reception from the critic and players which many consider this as a truly superior title than the SEGA's Space Harrier 2, so those were amazing games to play with except that turd like Rainbow Cotton for Dreamcast which is a 2000's rail-shooter title was met with negative reception for its outright clunky controls and poor overall design making it one of the worst entry that kills-off the franchise so badly which is why they began to stop creating another Cotton game after the failure mess of Rainbow Cotton couldn't give the series any justice.

Thankfully the series made a return in the year 2021 with Cotton Reboot! for PS4, Switch, and PC, which was developed by Rocket-Engine, had garnered a much better reception for being faithful recreation of the X68000 conversion with flashy and colourful visuals, various game modes, and core gameplay are fully praised by critics and fans making it a great comeback to the cute-em-ups franchise.

Then we get a recent title that was released last year such as Cotton Fantasy: Superlative Night Dreams which is why I am here to review this title because it's been a long time I've haven't reviewed any of shoot-em-ups games since I've already covered the review of Sine Mora EX in 2018, but going back to this topic right now because I had a physical copy of this title for my PS4 console bought it off from eBay online store which is why I am looking forward to play this kind of game featuring a cutesy anime girls goes on their action and battling against bunch of enemies to save the fairyland is what I liked about the Cotton series as a whole.

So what can I say about this title? is it a cute-em-ups title went all fun once again like the previous installiment of 2D classic shooter or is it yet another dull and dumpster fire experience as the terrible 2000's Dreamcast title? So we are taking a look of this recent title in the franchise with several of things that made the game plays good and some stuff that it could have made it bit better.

 

So without go further do, let's start the review.

Presentation

The game takes place in the home world of Fairyland, so the story had began when the candy-like objects known as "Willow" are vanishing from the Fairyland and the Fairy Queen asks the tiny-little fairy named Silk to seek young witch named Cotton for desperate help.

As silk had managed to reach her old friend and told the story about the Willows disappearing incident that had happened, Cotton is willing to help her out and goes on their adventure together, as their goal is to defeat several monsters and retrieve Willows back to Fairyland where it belongs.

It may sounds strange to you guys, but honestly it's pretty quite easy to follow because I really liked the idea of making the story about everyone's favourite candy are indeed taste very sweet, so they wouldn't survive without having something to eat sweets stuff like hard candy, mints, toffee and so on.

All of the Willows got magically disappeared from the kingdom meaning there will be nothing else to eat something sweet which is why you have Cotton and her friend was sent on their quest to restore Willow back where it came from. 

It's like saying let's just pretend that it may happen in our real life where we had a bunch of sweets piled up in the sweet factory, until in very next day you'll see nothing but a empty spaces due to supplies of candies are likely being stolen or got lost from the factory meaning there will be no more sweets left to sold at candy shop and got nothing to eat, so there are a possible solution of getting the candy back at the factory where it belongs, so this what makes the plot in this game quite interesting because the story as a whole are quite a charm with silly humour and has it's own sweet moments that give us a wonderful laugh which is why I liked about having two duos goes on adventure, defeating bunch of enemies, and saving the kingdom by retrieving a special candy that Cotton always loves is what made the game quite entertaining to watch during the cutscenes.    

I got to say the characters in the game are actually likable, so you have Cotton who had an obsession with the Willows which seems to be the only thing she ever cares about. She's shown to be gluttonous and selfish girl at the start until she was bribed by Silk to help others, but I also liked her humorous part in the game that made her quite memorable.

Then you have Silk which I considered her as adorable-lookin chick just like any of anime girls in general. She had lovely long pink hair, bright purple bikini outfit, shoes, and wrist-wear, and has cute looking wings which I find her just as appealing in the series. 

I find their character's animation are quite adorable looking things, but also are hilariously comical and entertaining with the use of funny facial expressions and wacky humour is what made the character's personality quite interesting throughout the sequences.

As the game shares with charming sense of humour and recognisable cute characters, the entire presentation as a whole is very good indeed which I really liked the anime-themed settings with bright and colourful environments, and manga-style sequences just adds up pretty nicely in the game.

Each stages shares different style of scenery such as Castle Garden which is a night-time place filled with old houses, big castle, fireworks, trees, cave, and waterfall. Riverside has hanging bobble, skull-moon, bridge, and river. Ancient Ruin and Royal Tomb had filled with Egyptian landmarks stuff like pillars, beamlight, flametorch, Pyramid, and has wall-structures of Ancient Egypt portraits.   

Twilight has windmills, floating hills, cloudy environments, and prehistoric bones object. Blue Sky filled with skies and clouds, and flying ship.

Lastly Space stage has bunch of space ship flying around the galaxy, wrecked structures, space station, and of course an giant looking pink willow at the background.

       

Overall, it has charming story, cute characters, and very good art-style presentation.  

  

Gameplay

In single-player mode, you will have 6 playable and 1 unlockable characters at the characters selection menu.

You will have Cotton as a main playable character, 5 guests including Appli (from Cotton 2), Umihara Kawase (from franchise of her same name), Ruffee (from Dokidoki Poyatchio), Psyva Ria (based on the Axiom 001 fighter from Psyvariar), and Fine (based on the Sanvein fighter from Starfighter Sanvein), and lastly 1 villain called Tacoot as secret unlockable character. 

You're playing as ether with Cotton or other playable characters in 2D side-scrolling perspective, as your main goal is to beat the entire stage by defeating the bosses.

Each of the characters will have different style of shot type like shooting range, weapons, and bombs which I will explain it for later on this review.

You will have 3 action buttons such as shot, special, and auto. Hitting the shot button rapidly or hold down the auto button to perform a shot attack, while holding the shot button down to perform a charge attack which has 3 different magic stock like red, blue, and green variant.

You can also launch a powerful bomb by pressing the special button will expend one option which wipes out enemy's projectiles or instantly kills off enemies in one screen.

After defeating enemies will drop any 4 coloured crystals that you can collect and use them, so you can also switch the colour of crystals by simply firing them till its changed.

The yellow crystals which raises EXP, so you will level up when the EXP gauge is full meaning this will allow the range of shot goes wider and bigger, the easier its damages the enemies quite faster.

Red, Blue, and Green crystal will also change your current shot type, as well as it adds to the magic stock that I've mentioned above.

For example: the red stock fires a 3-way shot and huge flaming dragon, the blue stock fires a rapid-firing plasma and long blue lighting, and the green stock fires a homing wave-shot and big green tornado, so using these kinds of magic attacks will not only just wipes out enemies entirely, but the enemies are also drops out numerous of golds that increases your scoring combo points as well.  

As I've mentioned before about the each characters have their own unique gameplay mechanics such as Cotton and Appli have traditional playstyle while each of them having their own unique magical spells.

Umahara Kawase has ability to capture and toss enemies with her fishing rod, Luffee has only a single spell type but also having more of a straightforward beginner type style compared to the other characters, Ria utilizes the buzz system with her shots levelling up by grazing on enemy's bullets, Fine has access to 3 different shot types at all times which can be cycled at will, and then lastly Tacoot plays much like Cotton and Appli but has ability of launching her staff which can hit enemies and float in place while shooting its own shots until the player calls it back.

Having each of the playable characters with different abilities is what really adds the great element of gameplay because each of them will have their advantages like your speed, strengths, and special depending on which any of these playable characters you have selected that suits your playstyle is what I've liked about this game.

Cotton and Appli are recommended for experienced shoot-em-ups players are much preferred for traditional game style and aiming to gain a fair amount of hi-scores, where as others are great for those who wanted to play something different rather than just the traditional gameplay.

For example: Fine utilizes the time mechanics from Starfighter Sanvein instead of lives, so she has a timer which constantly ticks down and acts as a life gauge with the timer going up for as long as the player keeps shooting enemies down and collecting their crystals which I got to say it's nice to have a shoot-em-ups game that gives you a choice to choose a traditional play or playing on different game mechanics just adds the new experience.

I also wanted to praise a scoring system entirely because using a combination of shot and special just multiplies the scoring combos meaning that you will gain 10 times or even more enough scoring points that adds ups to your hi-score total, so it worked amazingly well throughout the stages.

Speaking of gaining many scores as possible, you will also participate the two of the 3D bonus stage, similar to Panorama Cotton, where you need to collect many lampshades which also adds up your bonus scoring points, so yeah it's quite a beneficial for score hunters are aiming to gain a higher ranking score on leaderboard to see who is the top best hi-scorers in local or global ranking.

The best part in the game is the bullet-hell style elements where many of the enemies on the screen just shoots out the multiple of projectiles which makes the player difficult to avoid it meaning that you had to carefully evade their projectiles as possible without having to touching these, otherwise you'll be instantly get killed in action.

It really adds up a not only just being quite challenging, but also a overall fun factor is what really matters because the more you keep practicing the game, the better you could play perfectly that makes the game even fun for experienced shoot-em-up players.

While the gameplay plays really well throughout the game, I also wanted to point out that the arcade version had their exclusivity features such as 2-player co-op and arrange mode that was completely missing out the PCs and console releases which is quite a shame because that would have been giving us a complete Cotton experience if they have included these features for PCs and console versions.

As much as I am happy with the 5 playable guests and one unlockables in this game, I wish they could had added the Silk as playable character just like they did the same with the Cotton Reboot! So I don't understand why they didn't include her as a solo play in this game.

I did appreciate with the 5 unlockable stages after beating the game numerous of time are actually quite good as well, so having to select any of multiple stages at the level selection menu just really adds up a decent overall of replay values. 

Overall, it has great gameplay mechanics, amazing scoring system, and fun bullet-hell elements. 

Graphics

The graphics are amazingly stunning for its cute visuals and colourful design just adds the game's appeal.

I really liked the details of stage environment are being nice and bold thanks to sharp textures surfaces

that made the game looked clean, and it has a great use of parallax scrolling with 3D backgrounds and layers of foreground objects.

For example: in Twilight stage, you'll see a swooping 3D background of large castle at the beginning of the game, while you'll see a nice looking windmill and dusty clouds being placed in mid and front side, as well as floating hills at the landscape are incredibly impressive for its unique overall design.

Blue Sky stage had the best looking 3D large ship floating around the stage are just as impress me the most because it delivers an eye-catching moment that brings the true sense of action-packed shooter.

lastly, the 3D bonus stages are kinda look like from SEGA's Space Harrier with bunch of flying lampshades scrolling towards at the screen is what we should have gotten us a Panorama Cotton true sequel instead of what we had end up with the Rainbow Cotton in early 2000s.     

I also liked the use of the special effects on bullet projectiles that are bright and vivid looking which makes it easier for player to see where the enemy's projectiles firing it from, while the colours on projectiles stays perfectly balanced that are not difficult to see things preventing the confusion on the player, who may not liked the small potion of projectiles that are totally overloaded, will able to spot things and make easier to avoid it from being hit by enemy's projectiles during the gameplay.          

Overall, it has stunning stage environment design, great use of parallax scrolling, and vivid special effects.

Music and Sounds

The original soundtrack as a whole is quite sounds fantastic overall that made the game quite energetic.

It had a mixture of retro-style chiptunes and upbeating music that fits everything well for cute-em-ups title.

It was both composed by Keisuke Hayase and Kenichi Arakawa did their job everything right with the soundtrack are being as the finest things that Cotton game has to offer.

The sound design has the same old-school jingles effects from the previous classic entries really never gets too old, while the rest of the whole shoot-em-up action did however had a good range of environmental sounds and the use of cartoony noises are perfectly sounds clear as crystal.

The voice for every characters in the game are considered as super cute which is why I really liked the anime related stuff that features a Japanese voice over that can speak with their adorable sounds just really puts the joy in our faces.

Overall, it has fantastic original music, good sound design, and adorable Japanese voices.

Special Features

The game has 5 unlockable stages and 1 unlockable character which is really good, but like I just said it before the PCs and console releases are missing out 3 things from arcade counterpart such as 2-player co-op, arrange mode, and of course Silk as playable character, so I was hoping they will consider adding all these 3 features in near future as free updatable patch or maybe free DLCs if possible, then I would have given a score bit higher.

Overall, a bit fair, but the game just needs to add more features. 

Advantages

Very good art-style presentation

Great gameplay mechanics

Amazing scoring system 

Fun bullet-hell elements

Stunning visual design

Fantastic original music

Disadvantages

Missing out 2-player co-op, arrange mode, and Silk as playable character

Final Verdict

Presentation 8.5/10 - charming story, cute characters, and very good art-style presentation.                   

           

Gameplay 7.5/10 - great gameplay mechanics, amazing scoring system, and fun bullet-hell elements.

Graphics 8.5/10 - stunning stage environment design, great use of parallax scrolling, and vivid special effects.

Music and Sounds 8.5/10 - fantastic original music, good sound design, and adorable Japanese voices.

Special Features 6/10 - has 5 unlockable stages and 1 unlockable character, but misses out content from arcade counterpart.     

         

        

Overall 7.5/10 - As much as I've enjoyed the previous entry like Cotton Reboot! This game is just as about stepping in the right direction that give the classic cute-em-ups franchise a fair justice thanks to charming presentation choices, great use of playability, has various of playable stages and characters to choose from, eye-catching visuals, and upbeating soundtrack are the major highlight part of the whole game just delivers a shoot-em-ups experience.

I am glad that the game had turned out pretty positive because I had a ton of blast of playing this game for days and hours which is why the game are actually pretty good so far that deserves a another sequel in future perfect.

  

The game cost around between £25 and £35 of physical copy for both PS4 and Switch, where as the digital releases for all platforms are slight bit higher for £35, so this is definite a buy for shoot-em-ups fans will able to appreciate a recent Cotton game that deserves the same love as the previous 2D classic entries in the franchise.  

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Skip it

Rent it

Buy it

If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions.  

This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.