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Okay there's this doujin game out called ∀kashicverse -Malicious Wake- and it's totally awesome. So I am going to talk about it in the hopes that it will interest some, and possibly introduce people to a fun, unique, and lovingly designed game that they might have missed.
The basics: ∀kashicverse is a vertical-scrolling shoot-em-up (shmup) game. Like most independently produced shmups in this day and age, the main character is a young girl. She fights other girls piloting ships designed like orchids. Why the girl is doing this is never mentioned, although the constant messages that appear in the log screen imply she's on some sort of exploration mission.
Also, there are glowing flowers everywhere
There's a limit to how innovate and unique shmups can be, but ∀kashicverse manages to be distinct. There is a standard shot button that only has one setting; there are no 'focus' or 'rapid' variants. Instead of lives, there is a shield that is capable of taking a sizable amount of damage before breaking. If you're hit while your shield down, you die instantly, although in the lower difficulties you can auto continue to your heart's content.
Instead of standard power-ups that you collect throughout the level, you have access to "method" skills--powers that let you do things like send out countless laser beams that chase down and clear the screen of weaker enemies, create a decoy that absorbs bullets, or summon your own flower-themed ship (the delightfully named Phalaenopsis Exmachina). The attacks also use up part of a 'gauge' meter; the cheapest methods only cost one gauge, while the most expensive use all eight. Methods are activated by holding down the Method button and inputting commands that are similar to fighting game commands--for example, using the homing lasers requires you to tap down twice, then hit the shot button.
fill the screen with death lasers!!!
Having to put in commands like this may seem clumsy, but it ends up being remarkably flexible since you can activate as many methods as you want--assuming you have enough gauge to spend. As an example, you can use your homing laser method, then follow it up immediately with 'Scissors', a strong but short range laser that takes effect in front of you. The homing lasers clear the screen of small enemies, while the Scissor laser can be used to take down obstacles or larger enemies at the same time.
mostly i'm using this picture because the background is pretty~~
The visuals in ∀kashicverse are astoundingly gorgeous. The flower/orchid theme is combined with a brightly-glowing techno vibe to create something that looks wholly unique. There's nothing quite like seeing tight bursts of bullets blossom into deadly flower patterns; even the bullets themselves are colored and shaped in a way that evoke flower petals.
it's really hard to screenshot bullet-blossoms
Speaking of bullet patterns, they also deploy and change in time to the background music. Enemy movement also follows the game's music, which leads to some interestingly paced boss fights.
by 'interestingly paced' i mean OH GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE I AM
Anyway! If these tiny, brightly colored screenshots and clumsy explanations of the gameplay mechanics have piqued your interest, here are some relevant links:
endless-shirafu's official game page, where you can download the free, three-stage demo.
A complete playthrough of the game (this is the video I took my screenshots from)
Playlist of the game's music, because it is mandatory that all shmups have amazingly catchy music, apparently.
If you do give ∀kashicverse a try, I hope you enjoy it! It is a wonderfully crafted game. :)
The basics: ∀kashicverse is a vertical-scrolling shoot-em-up (shmup) game. Like most independently produced shmups in this day and age, the main character is a young girl. She fights other girls piloting ships designed like orchids. Why the girl is doing this is never mentioned, although the constant messages that appear in the log screen imply she's on some sort of exploration mission.
Also, there are glowing flowers everywhere
There's a limit to how innovate and unique shmups can be, but ∀kashicverse manages to be distinct. There is a standard shot button that only has one setting; there are no 'focus' or 'rapid' variants. Instead of lives, there is a shield that is capable of taking a sizable amount of damage before breaking. If you're hit while your shield down, you die instantly, although in the lower difficulties you can auto continue to your heart's content.
Instead of standard power-ups that you collect throughout the level, you have access to "method" skills--powers that let you do things like send out countless laser beams that chase down and clear the screen of weaker enemies, create a decoy that absorbs bullets, or summon your own flower-themed ship (the delightfully named Phalaenopsis Exmachina). The attacks also use up part of a 'gauge' meter; the cheapest methods only cost one gauge, while the most expensive use all eight. Methods are activated by holding down the Method button and inputting commands that are similar to fighting game commands--for example, using the homing lasers requires you to tap down twice, then hit the shot button.
fill the screen with death lasers!!!
Having to put in commands like this may seem clumsy, but it ends up being remarkably flexible since you can activate as many methods as you want--assuming you have enough gauge to spend. As an example, you can use your homing laser method, then follow it up immediately with 'Scissors', a strong but short range laser that takes effect in front of you. The homing lasers clear the screen of small enemies, while the Scissor laser can be used to take down obstacles or larger enemies at the same time.
mostly i'm using this picture because the background is pretty~~
The visuals in ∀kashicverse are astoundingly gorgeous. The flower/orchid theme is combined with a brightly-glowing techno vibe to create something that looks wholly unique. There's nothing quite like seeing tight bursts of bullets blossom into deadly flower patterns; even the bullets themselves are colored and shaped in a way that evoke flower petals.
it's really hard to screenshot bullet-blossoms
Speaking of bullet patterns, they also deploy and change in time to the background music. Enemy movement also follows the game's music, which leads to some interestingly paced boss fights.
by 'interestingly paced' i mean OH GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE I AM
Anyway! If these tiny, brightly colored screenshots and clumsy explanations of the gameplay mechanics have piqued your interest, here are some relevant links:
endless-shirafu's official game page, where you can download the free, three-stage demo.
A complete playthrough of the game (this is the video I took my screenshots from)
Playlist of the game's music, because it is mandatory that all shmups have amazingly catchy music, apparently.
If you do give ∀kashicverse a try, I hope you enjoy it! It is a wonderfully crafted game. :)
