Legend of Kage 2 Review: Back From The Dead

“The Legend of Kage” - the original is remembered as a bad port of a great arcade game, which was pretty much the norm back in ’85. Who would have thought that game was going to ever see a sequel, much less a sequel 23 years later. Even by today’s lenient standards, releasing a sequel 23 years after the original is quite far from the norm, in fact, “Legend of Kage 2” might stand alone at the top of that category. Many things about the games industry have changed over the last two decades, but one thing has always remained true; there’s always room for another ninja game - especially a good one.

“The Legend of Kage 2″ starts off by offering two playable characters, Kage and Chihiro, each with their own story, which unfolds as they try to rescue the Princess Kirihime. There hasn’t been a story in a ninja game that has really pulled me in since the original “Ninja Gaiden,” and “Kage 2” is no different. While there are a few characters that get really fleshed out as the story unfolds, it’s your basic ninja-themed plot; save the princess, and/or save the village. I’m fine with that. I don’t play ninja games to become engrossed with the story – I play to be a ninja, which is something that “Kage” definitely lets me be. [Read more]

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Review: A Whole New World

I’ll admit it. I was wrong. A few weeks ago when I previewed “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia” I was concerned that Konami was stepping too far away from many of the elements that make a “Castlevania” game a “Castlevania” game. I cited some of the many changes, like the weapons system, female character, lack of a Belmont, and the fact that the game took place outside of Dracula’s castle. However, after spending many, many hours with the DS game, I will be the first one to admit that I was wrong. “Ecclesia” definitely steps away from many of the conventions that have made “Castlevania” titles so memorable over the years, but the changes and tweaks to the formula really pay off in the end, and Shanoa’s journey is worthy of comparison to anyone with the last name Belmont.

Pretty much everything about “Order of Ecclesia” is different from all of the “Castlevania” games that came before it. The weapons system, the magic items, the characters, the setting, even the goal of half the game (hint: it isn’t to take down Dracula) are vastly different than everything from “Simon’s Quest” to “Dawn of Sorrow.” [Read more]

Prey The Stars Review: Get In My Belly!

What happens when you mix hungry monsters with a need to save the world? You somehow get Koei’s newest DS game, “Prey the Stars.” It’s one of the oddest, and most unique titles to grace the portable platform in a while. As an added bonus, it can also be a lot of fun, and a really satisfying experience, especially for anyone looking for a new multiplayer game to play with their friends.

“Prey the Stars” starts off with a rather wacky, slightly humorous, and, overall, pretty random story line where you, the aforementioned hungry monster, need to eat everything in sight to save the world. You play as one of four creatures looking to devour everything in their path, and not let anything get in their way as they do so. The single player campaign is full of goals and missions to complete as you make your way through the game, moving on to bigger and better meals along the way. As you advance you collect spirits which take you to new areas, and unlock power-up skins, and basically help you save the world.

The power-up skins that are unlocked as you complete each area not only allow for you to customize your character, but also help increase your monster’s ability in three different areas, all of which are vital to the gameplay. If you need a little help with biting power, spirit sucking, or element licking, the skins are the only way to go. Each monster has different strengths, and correctly using the unlockable skins can either compensate for your character’s deficiencies, or really play up your character’s strengths. [Read more]

Time Hollow Review: No Time Like The Present

Konami’s latest DS title, “Time Hollow” might as well have been named “Butterfly Effect: The Game,” since it borrows so heavily from the scientific theory that the movie was based on. The basic gist of the theory (and the game) is that if you go back in time and change something, no matter how small it is, it will have some kind of repercussions on the future. If you can wrap your head around that concept, and enjoy tinkering with the past courtesy of a pretty sweet point and click adventure, then “Time Hollow” could be the perfect game for you.

In the game, you play as Ethan Kairos who wakes up on the morning of his seventeenth birthday to find a pen that can draw holes that allow him to see and interact with events in the past. The catch being that he can only interact with specific occurrences, and only if he has all the pertinent information, like the exact time and place. Essentially, Ethan must play detective (and God) to find out what has happened to his parents who have disappeared in the parallel time that he wakes up in. As Ethan begins to change things in the past, his actions effect the present, and alter the way the world is – sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse.

The game starts off with mundane investigation to get you used to using the pen, but it very quickly turns into a murder mystery the likes of nothing the DS has seen before. A true villain rises up, and it’s in Ethan’s hands to put the pieces together to make sure that everything and everyone in the future is taken care of and made right. Murder, revenge, deceit, and love all play vital roles in “Time Hollow,” all of which drive home the idea that the ethical decisions that Ethan is forced to make in the game may be a bit too much for the DS’s younger crowd to really comprehend. [Read more]

Bangai-O Spirits Review: Processor Overload

The phrase “hell in a handbag” would be appropriate for anyone that carries their copy of “Bangai-O Spirits” around in a handbag. It’s a spastic, frantic 2D shooter, designed by the legendary Treasure, that sets a whole new standard of frustration for DS users, but that isn’t to say it’s a really great little game.

I never had the privilege to play the original “Bangai-O” on the Dreamcast, but, if it offers as much challenge as “Spirits” does, my thumbs may be better off. The basics of the game are explained through one of the most entertaining tutorials I have ever been through. The basic gist of the game is to take out the designated targets in each level. To do so you control your Bangai-O (read: mech) is equipped with a variety of different weapons, ranging from napalm to a freeze attack - certain attacks are better suited for different kinds of enemies. You also have the option of going out with a bat or a sword for close contact melee hits, as well as a dash move that can help you speed through levels. Most of the weapons can be mixed with other ones to create a stronger, multipurpose shot - pairing a homing gun with a bounce gun creates bouncing homing missiles. As if that wasn’t enough firepower to take down your enemies, there is a whole other set of EX weapons that can be charged to release an increased number of shots fired. To mix things up even more, those shots fired increase in power if you are getting shot at. I realize as you’re reading this, you’re getting more and more confused, but that’s why there is a 17 stage tutorial, and one of the reasons that I generally shy away from mech games.

This game isn’t for everybody, mostly because its controls are on a level twitchiness that only young children hopped up on Mountain Dew and Pixie Stix can achieve. You have to be fast to survive in “Bangai-O Spirits.” If you can’t pull the right trigger fast enough you’ll be bound to repeating the same level over and over again. On the up side, if you get too frustrated with one level you can just opt to play one of the other 160 plus levels that are unlocked from the very beginning of the game. The downside, of course being that there’s a very good chance that the new level you choose will be just as hard. The thing is, that’s one of the spots where the game really shines. Repeating a level over and over, in order to get the right weapon combo, mixed with the right timing, as well as figuring our which order to kill the enemies in really puts even hardcore gamers to the test.

The main game comes with a variety of different levels that can be selected, ranging in difficulty and creativity. There are puzzle levels that challenge your skills at figuring out just how to make it to the end. The evil geniuses at Treasure have included their own selection of levels that really demonstrate just how ruthless they are, barely allowing the player to breathe before they are inundated with hundreds of bullets. Again, there are over 160 levels to choose from, there’s going to be something for everyone. Even if there isn’t, “Bangai-O Spirits” has you covered.

Let’s say there’s a level where you are having trouble getting past one spot, “Spirits” includes an in-game level editor, which essentially allows you to change the board around on the fly. Add or remove enemies, walls, targets, and power ups, to make your life easier, or harder, whichever you prefer. You also have the option to create levels from scratch, which should appeal to both the creative and sadistic gamers out there.

It’s really quite impressive how much freedom the game gives you, and it even allows you to share your creations via an innovative sound load feature. If you have a level that you want your friend to check out, all they need to be able to do is hear the sound file that contains the data for that level. It’s essentially how a modem works, but it allows for creations to be shared with ease.

As I mentioned, “Bangai-O Spirits” is not for the faint of heart. The level of timing perfection that is needed to beat some of these levels has not been seen in a long time… pretty much since Treasure released their last game. As long as you’re willing to deal with the repetition and frustration that come along with this game, as well as the fairly complex controls, it’s a bit of a gem. “Bangai-O Spirits” get’s a 26 out of $30*.

*TrueGameHeadz reviews are based on a sliding scale to help you, the gamer, make better purchasing decisions. The review ratings are based on the cost of the game, so, if an Xbox 360 or PS3 game costs $60, they can get a rating of what the game should cost, somewhere in the range of 0-60. So for this review, “Bangai-O Spirits” received a 26 out of $30, meaning the price that seems appropriate is $26, and if it is ever priced $26 it is a definite purchase. In more traditional terms, 26 out of $30 equals 8.6.