Update: December 13, 2007
«©NCSX» Kohtarou Kuga, Gennojo Hyuga, Roger Sasuke and two more familiar faces are joined by five new heroes in Arc Systems' latest edition of Shikigami no Shiro. One of the new characters is named Reika Kirishima, a 17 year-old with green hair who sort of looks like the Japanese actress whom the designers apparently named her after. Following the formula of previous release in the Shikigami series, the latest game features the "Tension Bonus System" which is a score multiplier that's triggered by way of close proximity to enemy bullets. Get grazed by buckshot and marvel as your points are increased by up to 8X depending on how skillful you are at deftly maneuvering and getting buzzed by oncoming fire. Near misses will also power up your weapon systems with a brief jolt. The Tension System wrinkles the gameplay in such a way as to behoove one to avoid but also draw towards bullets. Quite a conundrum. New to Shikigami III is the "Hi-Tension System" where unleashing a bomb triggers a temporary 8X multiplier. In addition to the standard game option, players may enjoy the Dramatic Change Mode, the Boss Attack Mode, and a Practice Mode. There's also an Art Gallery, a Story Recollect section, and a Juke Box option to explore. Jan Code: 4510772070096 View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.
NCS Game Notes
In the first level of the game, the camera pans across a castle before pulling back to take in the flight of your chosen hero. In our play test this morning, we select Kohtarou since he's tried and true. He'll giggle a bit and speak a smidge before letting loose with all of his firepower. The first few enemies are a lazy bunch that won't offer much resistance. They'll blow out slow moving green-colored shots that you'll be able to graze without any problems. Destroying enemies results in the release of coins which are magically attracted to Kohtarou so he won't have to dash around the screen to grab them like a greedy goose. Forge ahead and the firepower gets denser but is still manageable for anyone that's played (and mastered) the previous Shikigami games. The first boss is a bird-like ship that flaps its wings and throws out persistent conglomerations of green shots. It's a patsy however and it'll soon be smoking from the damage you've inflicted upon it. As it slowly dies, it'll increase the amount of firepower that it shoots out before succumbing. Shikigami no Shiro III doesn't stray far from its roots but it's a given that the developer wouldn't tweak too much and risk alienating its fan base. Xbox 360 games don't really sell well but this one was one of our better selling X360 import games this year.
Characters
Kuga Kohtarou / Yuhki Sayo
Hyuga Gennojo
Fumiko Odette Vanstein
Roger Sasuke
Emirio Stanbelk
Baru Harai
Kim Mihee
Kirishima Reika
Ise Nagino
Munchausen Game Modes
1P(2P) Side Mode
2P Mode
Dramatic Change Mode
Practice Mode
Boss Attack Mode
Art Gallery
Story Recollect
Juke Box
Internet Ranking This document is ©NCSX 2007. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.
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