Once upon a time sprite-based shoot-em-ups, or shmups as the kids would say, were all the rage, casting players in the role of spaceships, witches on broomsticks, and even penguins as they blasted away at anything that moved while deftly avoiding a seemingly nonstop stream of bullets. It was a simpler time, and while the industry has long since moved on, those of us with an eye for nostalgia and one foot firmly rooted in the past can jump in excitement at publisher Aksys' plans to bring Castle of Shikigami III, a vertical 'bullet hell'-style shmup to the Wii this coming spring 2008.
Thankfully checking motion sensitivity at the door, the game follows 2004's Castle Shikigami 2 and its hilariously covered prequel Mobile Light Force 2, both of which made it to these shores care of indie pub XS Games. While both of those titles were released at a budget price point, its unclear if Aksys will follow this tradition. What we do know is that Castle of Shikigami III will feature two player co-op and 10 selectable characters, making this certainly one to watch for those of us who refuse to grow up and recognize the polygons as our lords and masters.
Reader Comments (12)
Posted: Dec 17th 2007 10:24AM Grimes said
"Deafly avoiding a seemingly nonstop stream of bullets," eh?
I suppose the deaf do have the same advantage in dodging bullets that the blind have in dating The Elephant Man: their fear is not an issue, for they know not to be afraid.
I see what you did there.
Reply
I suppose the deaf do have the same advantage in dodging bullets that the blind have in dating The Elephant Man: their fear is not an issue, for they know not to be afraid.
I see what you did there.
Posted: Dec 17th 2007 10:40AM (Unverified) said
I'm pretty sure most of the graphics in this game are polygonal. They do a very good job of looking like sprites though.
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Posted: Dec 17th 2007 11:09AM (Unverified) said
Too bad the translation of this probably won't be as awesome as CSII.
"I like girls... But now, it's about JUSTICE."
Reply
"I like girls... But now, it's about JUSTICE."
Posted: Dec 17th 2007 1:24PM SoCoolCurt said
but isnt that part of the fun? gotta love that Engrish!
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Posted: Dec 17th 2007 11:19AM (Unverified) said
I love those kinds of games, shooter to mean means the old school vertical or horizontal scrolling shooters. Vertical is my fav.
http://starfeeder.com
Reply
http://starfeeder.com
Posted: Dec 17th 2007 1:41PM SoCoolCurt said
wow Starfeeder, that is a quality site you have there. not really a Starcraft fan myself but thats a nice site none the less.
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Posted: Dec 17th 2007 11:24AM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
I've sometimes wondered about picking up Mobile Light Force 2, as I've heard good things about Shikigami no Shiro... But I'd REALLY hate for anyone to see that terrible, Charlie's Angels-inspired boxart in my collection (which had absolutely NOTHING to do with either game it was used for; I think this should go down in history as "a boxart worse than Megaman 1!").
Maybe I'll get Castle Shikigami 2, though. It has Engrish, which is always good. As for #3? Can't see a reason not to get it, either.
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Maybe I'll get Castle Shikigami 2, though. It has Engrish, which is always good. As for #3? Can't see a reason not to get it, either.
Posted: Dec 17th 2007 12:59PM (Unverified) said
Haha, I actually played the first two iterations of this series. I haven't even played that many shmups.
Needless to say, if this is priced right, I'll bite.
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Needless to say, if this is priced right, I'll bite.
Posted: Dec 17th 2007 2:38PM (Unverified) said
The 360 version is also probably coming to North America. There's an achievement list entirely in English here: http://www.xbox360achievements.org/achievements.php?gameID=453
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