OVERALL: 85%
Difficulty: Very Hard!
An old school space shooter published by Atari and developed by now Nintendo exclusive developers Treasure, Ikaruga wa originally on the DreamCast and now imported exclusively to the GC allowing GC gamers to share one of the hardest games and compete for the top spot on the scores sheet.
Gameplay 9/10
Superb controls, easily controlled but needs wide open eyes as you can change your side depending on the enemies fire coming towards you, there are two concepts in the game. White or black, there are only 2 types of enemies, they are either black or white and each one takes more damage from the opposite colour, therefor black is heavily affected by white and otherwise is correct. That doesn't count only on enemies, if your colour is white and you get hit by a black shot the you are doomed. While if you got hit by a white shot, then you gain power to your chain where, when complete you can perform your super attack. Controls are simple, 'A' changes your ship's colour while 'B' shoots and 'L' shoots your special.
Graphics 8/10
It's a DC import so don't expect much difference, though the graphics play smoothly and are very nice. The frame rate is fine with all the shootings and different shooting coming from all sides. The levels are well-designed and well detailed.
Sound 9/10
The sound is excellent, the tracks are cool and the shootings are good. The only problem is no variety in the tracks. Anyways thats no problem because when you are playing you won't even notice if there are some tracks playing or not, as you will be completely focusing on the action. Blink and lose, unless for experts. Explosions and the special attack sounds nice.
Life Span 8/10
Only 5 chapters (levels) in this game which is too short. Is it short? Well not exactly, its so addictive that you will keep coming to it again and again, you can't beat the 5 chapters easily or without training, the first one is a bit easy so is the second, but thats only introducing you to the games atmosphere, from chapter 3 onwards the game really becomes difficult, and belive me it is. The 3 different difficulty settings are available so that you can gain more points increasing your score, on easy, you play normally, on medium, when you destroy an enemy of the same colour, it explodes throwing at you same colour spots, and each time you collect spots or shots, not only does it increase you special meter but increases your score, now on hard whichever enemy colour you destroy will explode at you spots of his same colour, so that gets very difficult when both types are on the screen. And then there are the unlockables, like extra chapter selection etc. You can unlock them by either finishing the game without using a single continue (which is nearly impossible) or play certain amount of time, up to 20 hours. The last thing is the multiplayer, its so fun and even creates competition between you and your friend. By the way, you can push each others ride and killing them.
Overall 8.5/10
Ikaruga is so far the best shoot-em up game up to date. Good graphics, quality sound and great controls. Just to add a point, its one of the most difficult games too, but at the same time not frustrating at all. In other words it's a skills game which needs concentration. You will keep coming to this game to unlock all extras and to beat your previous score and put your name between those successful players on the net. This game is nearly flawless to its genre. And the multiplayer is a blast of fun.
Advice
Its not like Animal Crossing where you just sit back, relax and enjoy your life, its one of the most dofficult games which needs quick reactions and concentration, One of the must buy titles on the GC.
Good Points:
1- The only impressive shooter of it's type on the GC so far and one of the best.
2- Although its hard, it doesn't get frustrating.
3- You'll keep playing this game to beat the top scores on the net and post yours.
4- The multi-player is fun and consuming.
5- You can set the screen vertically or horizontally.
Bad Points:
1- Too hard for normal gamers.
2- It's an import of the DC version.
3- Its an old school shooter and not many are interested in such genre nowadays.
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