The original PSP version of Goku Makaimura released last year recreated the original adventure from over 2 decades ago but with rich and vibrant visuals along with a revamped game engine that runs in 2D but also features 3D sequences as well. In the first level which is titled "Forest of Evil," the action is reminiscent of the classic Makaimura where the knight battles a crowd of enemies that approach on the ground and from the air. A spitting Venus flytrap sends deadly kisses through the air and a gruesome mid-level boss shoots squishy eye creatures.

The new Goku Makaimura Kai is an updated version of the PSP game where Arthur reprises his role but with some improvements that are evident in the first level. For one, Arthur can perform a double jump immediately without having to power-up. Arthur can also pick up a shield in the first level that's slung to his back when not in use. To defend against attack, push down on the d-pad and he'll raise the shield to blunt projectiles. There's a red-white dragon shield which can be used as a temporary airlift to access otherwise unreachable areas. Magic can now be used at any time by simply pressing and holding the attack button to charge up. Keep an eye on the gauge located on the lower-right corner and release the button once it's full to activate magic such as throwing out waves of fire, turning into a whirlwind, and scanning the local area for hidden bonuses.

Jan Code: 4976219022903

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

» Press "START" on the title screen for Goku Makaimura Kai and the following options appear:

NEW GAME / Begin a new adventure as Arthur
LOAD GAME / Resume a game from memory stick duo
OPTION / Adjust button configuration and set BGM/SE volume levels
TITLE SELECT / Return to the game selection screen

» Start a NEW GAME and you'll be able to choose the following Life Stock options:

Life Stock Type A / 02 Lives and 03 Credits for Continue
Life Stock Type B / 05 Lives and 05 Credits for Continue
Life Stock Type C / 07 Lives and 07 Credits for Continue

Note that there are no unlimited continues in the game.

» The first level starts off with the same intro snippet as the original game where a castle is under siege by dark forces. A knight-hero rides in on a horse and spies the damage being wrought. He charges in and finds a crown on the ground - a swirling demonic visage appears in the background and has a princess in its hands before vanishing. The title screen appears soon afterwards. Arthur can now perform a double jump immediately without having to reach the end of the first level. The red-white dragon shield can also be used as a temporary airlift. Simply jump and jump again + push up on the d-pad and Arthur will ride upon the shield for 5 seconds before it disappears. Different shields have different abilities.

» The first end-level boss is still the cow-skull shaman who blasts eldritch magic. It hovers over Arthur and showers fiery torrents which light up the ground and stay lit for a little while. To defeat it, jump up on the headstones and shoot weapons at it - every time four attacks hit, it bamfs away before regrouping and returning to battle. You can save your progress to memory stick after defeating him.

» There is no Original Mode where armor stock is kept in reserve in the Kai version of Makaimura. When Arthur is hit, his entire armor is gone. Special magic attacks are also available once a special attack icon is gathered from an urn or a chest. To use, simply press and hold the attack button and your special magic attack gauge will charge up. Release the button and it's triggered.

» The second level called the "Nest of Blood" is identical to the original game from last year where Arthur navigates through lava pits, the mid-level coral snake, and the spiders thereafter. The second level looks like the first one at the outset but is filled with platforms that rise and fall which make it a tricky prospect when jumping due to the lava field below. Winged demonic insects fly around but they don't break Arthur's armor - they just clamp onto him and prevent him from reaching full height when jumping. Shake them off by wagging the d-pad left and right and they'll be flung. There's one point which requires that the knight walk off a ledge and then almost fall into the lava but press jump at the first moment he steps off the ledge and he'll jump onto the next platform. This point is located right before meeting the the mid-level boss which is a coiled serpent who shoots purple eldritch fireballs from its maw. Touching any part of the snake will kill the knight. After defeating the snake, be wary of the intermittent lava tidal waves which wash over everything in its path. Only the power of the double jump will save knight's hide... Later in the level, spiders and baby spiders are added to the enemy attack. The baby spiders smash themselves against walls in an attempt to destroy Arthur. There's also two minotaur-like creatures who roam the platforms and attack with axes. When a minotaur is attacked, it has the sense to shield itself with its weaponry.

» The boss at the end of the second level is a massive spider-like creature which shoots blue bile from its maw while Arthur attacks it from below. It'll also pile-drive its pincers into the ground. When destroyed, it explodes in a mess of green bile and explosive force.

» After completing the second level, the game prompts another save point - only three data save files may be created on the memory stick which is a poorly thought out limitation.

» Either d-pad or analog nub may be used to control the knight Arthur.

» The purple shrouded specters in the first level don't just kill by touch alone - if you watch them, they'll slash out their red claws when passing Arthur, causing his armor and later his entire body to disintegrate.

» The first level's mid-boss is a trunk that sticks out of the ground and opens a big eye while it releases eye-tadpoles of sorts. As the knight's weapons hit it, squishy sounds of hammered flesh may be heard.

» If you stand on top of a gravestone and jump while spooks are passing below, they'll raise their heads to look at the knight but make no attempt to rise higher to slash him dead.

» The vultures that dive bomb may be destroyed by shooting upwards when they prepare for descent.

» The cauldrons filled with bubbling yellow liquid have different effects on the knight - the cauldrons can turn the knight into a big and clumsy version of himself while another dunking might turn him into a chicken. Another effect is turning him into a micro version of himself. We've also witnessed the knight being changed into a big house frau who moved in slow motion as spirits went on the attack. A magician also appears from time to time to shoot magic spells at the knight and we were hapless enough to turn into a grasshopper once.

» The third level throws skeletal warriors and the elements at Arthur. The skeletal warriors first appear as skulls littered about the stage but they'll pop out and attack with spears drawn at inopportune moments. The wind and rain also provide adversity for Arthur as they provide resistance to his movement and beat against his jumps. There's a twister mid-level which spins Arthur up if he should get caught in its whirling force. This particular level is beautifully designed and drawn. Eye candy. There's a bunch of ogres later in the level that pound the ground with their fists to immobilize Arthur temporarily. When an ogre is destroyed, it explodes in a storm of blood and guts. Rolling rocks, snake-like creatures that exhale flames, and lightning strikes that disintegrate ledges also provide obstacles.

» Overall, a challenging and well executed addition to the Makaimura series with crisp visuals and resonant music.

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