Publisher: Sourcenext

Diablo (1996)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 5 minutes read

Summary

Diablo: The Game That Defined Action RPGs

Released in 1996, Diablo is an isometric action RPG that quickly became one of the most popular and influential games of its time. Developed by Blizzard North and published by Blizzard Entertainment, Diablo was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2.5 million copies worldwide.

Diablo is set in the dark and atmospheric world of Sanctuary, where the player takes on the role of a hero who must defeat the evil Lord Diablo and his minions. The game features a variety of character classes, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. Players can choose to play as a warrior, rogue, or sorcerer, and each class has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Diablo’s gameplay is fast-paced and addictive, and the game’s randomly generated dungeons ensure that each playthrough is unique. Players must fight their way through hordes of monsters, collect loot, and complete quests in order to progress. The game’s combat is visceral and satisfying, and the player’s character becomes more powerful as they level up and acquire new skills and equipment.

Diablo’s story is dark and compelling, and the game’s atmosphere is oppressive and unsettling. The game’s world is full of danger and violence, and the player must constantly be on their guard. Diablo is a challenging game, but it is also incredibly rewarding, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from defeating the game’s final boss is immense.

Diablo’s Legacy

Diablo was a groundbreaking game that helped to define the action RPG genre. The game’s success spawned two sequels, Diablo II and Diablo III, as well as a number of spin-off games. Diablo has also been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Diablo’s influence can be seen in a number of other action RPGs, including Path of Exile, Grim Dawn, and Torchlight. The game’s fast-paced combat, randomized dungeons, and dark atmosphere have become staples of the genre.

Diablo Today

Diablo remains a popular game today, and it is still considered one of the best action RPGs ever made. The game’s community is still active, and there are a number of mods and fan-made content available online.

If you’re a fan of action RPGs, then you owe it to yourself to check out Diablo. It’s a classic game that still holds up today, and it’s sure to provide you with hours of enjoyment.

Here are some of the key features of Diablo:

  • Isometric action RPG gameplay
  • Randomly generated dungeons
  • Variety of character classes, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles
  • Fast-paced and addictive combat
  • Dark and atmospheric world
  • Compelling story
  • Challenging gameplay
  • Sense of accomplishment upon defeating the game’s final boss

If you’re interested in learning more about Diablo, here are some additional resources:

Review Score

9/10

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Shikigami no Shiro (2001)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Shikigami no Shiro (2001)

Shikigami no Shiro is a vertically scrolling bullet hell shoot ’em up arcade game developed by CAVE and published by AMI in 2001. It is the fourth game in the DonPachi series, and is known for its beautiful graphics, intense action, and challenging difficulty.

The game is set in a fantasy world where the player takes control of one of four shrine maidens who are tasked with defeating the evil sorcerer Zaki. The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including a main cannon, homing missiles, and a screen-clearing bomb.

Shikigami no Shiro is known for its beautiful graphics, which feature detailed character sprites and backgrounds. The game’s action is also very intense, with the player constantly dodging enemy bullets and defeating waves of enemies. The game is also very challenging, and requires the player to master the game’s mechanics in order to progress.

Shikigami no Shiro was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best bullet hell shoot ’em ups ever made. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Windows.

Gameplay

Shikigami no Shiro is a vertically scrolling bullet hell shoot ’em up. The player controls one of four shrine maidens who are tasked with defeating the evil sorcerer Zaki. The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including a main cannon, homing missiles, and a screen-clearing bomb.

The game is divided into six stages, each with its own unique boss. The player must defeat all of the bosses in order to progress to the next stage. The game is very challenging, and requires the player to master the game’s mechanics in order to progress.

Characters

There are four playable characters in Shikigami no Shiro:

  • Reimu Hakurei: The main protagonist of the game, Reimu is a shrine maiden who is tasked with defeating Zaki. She is a well-rounded character with a good balance of speed and firepower.
  • Marisa Kirisame: Marisa is a magician who is also tasked with defeating Zaki. She is a fast character with a powerful main cannon, but her homing missiles are weaker than Reimu’s.
  • Sakuya Izayoi: Sakuya is a maid who is tasked with defeating Zaki. She is a slow character with a weak main cannon, but her homing missiles are very powerful.
  • Remilia Scarlet: Remilia is a vampire who is also tasked with defeating Zaki. She is a fast character with a powerful main cannon, but her homing missiles are weaker than Marisa’s.

Weapons

The player’s ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including:

  • Main cannon: The main cannon is the player’s primary weapon. It fires a stream of bullets that can be aimed in any direction.
  • Homing missiles: The homing missiles are a secondary weapon that can be fired in any direction. They will automatically home in on enemies.
  • Screen-clearing bomb: The screen-clearing bomb is a powerful weapon that can clear the screen of all enemies. It can only be used a limited number of times.

Enemies

Shikigami no Shiro features a wide variety of enemies, including:

  • Grunts: Grunts are the most common type of enemy. They are weak and easy to defeat.
  • Mini-bosses: Mini-bosses are more powerful than grunts. They often have unique attack patterns.
  • Bosses: Bosses are the most powerful enemies in the game. They have multiple health bars and can unleash a variety of powerful attacks.

Stages

Shikigami no Shiro is divided into six stages, each with its own unique boss:

  • Stage 1: The first stage takes place in a forest. The boss is a giant tree.
  • Stage 2: The second stage takes place in a cave. The boss is a giant bat.
  • Stage 3: The third stage takes place in a temple. The boss is a giant oni.
  • Stage 4: The fourth stage takes place in a castle. The boss is a giant dragon.
  • Stage 5: The fifth stage takes place in a void. The boss is a giant eyeball.
  • Stage 6: The sixth stage takes place in Zaki’s lair. The boss is Zaki himself.

Scoring

Shikigami no Shiro uses a scoring system that is based on the following factors:

  • Enemies defeated: The player earns points for defeating enemies.
  • Bosses defeated: The player earns bonus points for defeating bosses.
  • Grazing: The player earns points for grazing enemy bullets.
  • Combos: The player earns points for chaining together combos.

The player’s score is displayed at the top of the screen. The player can also view their score in the game’s options menu.

Legacy

Shikigami no Shiro is considered to be one of the best bullet hell shoot ’em ups ever made. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Windows. The game has also been featured in several video game magazines and websites.

Shikigami no Shiro has had a significant impact on the bullet hell shoot ’em up genre. The game’s beautiful graphics, intense

Review Score

8.5/10

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Guilty Gear Isuka (2003)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Guilty Gear Isuka: A Chaotic and Cooperative Fighting Frenzy

Released in 2003, Guilty Gear Isuka is a spin-off of the popular Guilty Gear fighting game series. Developed by Arc System Works, Isuka introduces several new features to the franchise, including cooperative gameplay for up to four players.

A Cast of Misfits

Guilty Gear Isuka features a roster of 23 characters, including all of the characters from Guilty Gear XX #Reload. Newcomers to the series include A.B.A, a vampire hunter who uses her blood as a weapon, and Robo-Ky Mk. II, a customizable robot who can mimic the moves of other characters.

Each character in Guilty Gear Isuka has their own unique fighting style and special moves. This diversity makes for a wide range of gameplay possibilities, and ensures that there is a character to suit every playstyle.

Beat-Em-Up Action

In addition to the traditional one-on-one fighting modes, Guilty Gear Isuka also features a GG Boost Mode, which turns the game into a beat-em-up. In GG Boost Mode, players can team up with up to three other players to fight against waves of enemies.

GG Boost Mode is a great way to experience Guilty Gear Isuka with friends, and it offers a more chaotic and action-packed experience than the traditional fighting modes.

Make an Abomination

One of the most unique features of Guilty Gear Isuka is the ability to customize Robo-Ky Mk. II. Players can equip Robo-Ky with the moves of other characters, creating a truly unique and personalized fighting experience.

This customization system allows players to experiment with different combinations of moves and create their own unique playstyles. It also adds a layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully consider which moves to equip Robo-Ky with in order to maximize his effectiveness.

Beautiful Characters and Environments

Guilty Gear Isuka is known for its beautiful sprite art and detailed environments. The characters are all incredibly expressive, and the backgrounds are full of life and detail.

The game’s art style is a perfect fit for the over-the-top and chaotic gameplay. It helps to create a truly immersive experience that draws players into the world of Guilty Gear.

Jaw-Dropping Heavy Metal Soundtrack

Guilty Gear Isuka features a soundtrack composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari, the creator of the Guilty Gear series. The soundtrack is a mix of heavy metal and rock, and it perfectly captures the game’s intense and energetic gameplay.

The soundtrack is one of the most memorable aspects of Guilty Gear Isuka, and it helps to create a truly unique and unforgettable gaming experience.

Conclusion

Guilty Gear Isuka is a unique and unforgettable fighting game that offers a wide range of gameplay possibilities. With its colorful cast of characters, chaotic GG Boost Mode, and customizable Robo-Ky Mk. II, Isuka is a must-play for fans of the Guilty Gear series and fighting games in general.

Review Score

8.5/10

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Castle Shikigami 2 (2003)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Castle Shikigami 2: A Sci-Fi Bullet Hell Masterpiece

Released in 2003, Castle Shikigami 2 (SS2) is a vertical-scrolling shooter (shmup) that combines intense bullet-hell action with a compelling story mode and a cast of seven unique characters. Developed by Alfa System and published by Capcom, SS2 is the sequel to the 1999 game Shikigami no Shiro.

Gameplay

As in most shmups, SS2 puts you in control of a small fighter as you attempt to make your way past several stages filled with enemy ships charging and attacking you in different patterns. You can shoot down enemies to collect power-ups that enhance your firepower and speed.

What sets SS2 apart from other shmups is its unique weapon system. Similar to the Psyvariar series, SS2 allows you to enhance your power and rate of fire by scraping incoming bullets. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as you must carefully position your ship to maximize your firepower while avoiding enemy fire.

Another unique feature of SS2 is its cast of seven distinct characters. Each character has their own unique fighter, as well as their own psychic powers that manifest in-game as bomb-type attacks and other special moves. This variety of characters and abilities gives SS2 a lot of replayability, as you can experiment with different playstyles to find the one that suits you best.

Story Mode

SS2 features a story mode for each character, in which they have different dialogue and plot-sequences for each boss fight. The story mode is fully voiced in Japanese, and it does a great job of fleshing out the characters and their motivations.

The story of SS2 takes place in a futuristic world where the Earth has been invaded by an alien race known as the Shikigami. The Shikigami are powerful beings who possess psychic powers, and they have enslaved humanity. The seven playable characters are all members of a resistance group that is fighting to liberate Earth from the Shikigami.

Characters

The seven playable characters in SS2 are:

  • Akira Inugami: A young man who is the leader of the resistance group. He is a skilled fighter and pilot, and his psychic power allows him to create powerful energy blasts.
  • Rei Ayanami: A mysterious woman who is Akira’s second-in-command. She is a powerful psychic, and her abilities include telekinesis and mind control.
  • Asuka Langley Soryu: A hot-headed and impulsive young woman who is one of the best pilots in the resistance group. Her psychic power allows her to create a powerful force field around her ship.
  • Misato Katsuragi: A mature and intelligent woman who is the chief scientist of the resistance group. Her psychic power allows her to hack into enemy systems and disable their weapons.
  • Ritsuko Akagi: A brilliant scientist who is Misato’s assistant. Her psychic power allows her to create powerful illusions.
  • Maya Ibuki: A skilled hacker who is responsible for maintaining the resistance group’s communications network. Her psychic power allows her to create powerful viruses that can infect enemy systems.
  • Hikari Horaki: A young woman who is the newest member of the resistance group. She is a skilled fighter and pilot, and her psychic power allows her to create powerful barriers.

Graphics and Sound

SS2 is a visually impressive game for its time. The graphics are colorful and detailed, and the character designs are top-notch. The game also features a great soundtrack that perfectly captures the game’s intense and futuristic atmosphere.

Conclusion

Castle Shikigami 2 is a fantastic vertical-scrolling shooter that offers intense bullet-hell action, a compelling story mode, and a cast of seven unique characters. If you’re a fan of shmups, then you owe it to yourself to check out SS2.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

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