Mamorukun Curse! (PSN)

When I first heard the title "Mamorukun Curse!" I had no clue in hell as to what it was about. Through the usual Youtube, and internet research though the details about the game did begin to emerge. Even so it wasn't until I actually got my hands on the game that it all began to truly make sense. The title "Mamorukun Curse!", which is odd in it's own right is actually a play on words that most anime lovers will understand. In most anime situations that involve younger characters "kun" is added to their name as a sign of affection in the shared character dialogue. Hence the title, "Mamomorukun's Curse". The main character of the game who goes by the name "Mamoru" ended up meeting his untimely demise as he was crossing a road in the real world. This vehicular tragedy ended up sending poor Mamoru barreling head first into the afterlife along with a handful of other boys, and girls from other parts of the real world. This newly banded army of friends found that not only they were dead, but that in order to gain a second chance at life in the real world that they'd have to aid the eccentric afterlife tour guide, "Fululu (pronounced "Fururu")" in the removal of an otherworldy threat. It is this vaguely fleshed out plot setup that is the basis for this full-fledged Japanese shmup (Shoot'em Up).

Mamorukun Curse!, as it is called is an interesting shmup that was brought stateside by the awesome guys, and gals of UFO Interactive. While they definitely had their hands in the North American release it was the guys, and gals behind 'Ikaruga' that helped in creating this wacky afterlife oriented masterpiece. Both G.REV, and GULTI teamed up to deliver a shmup experience like none other I've seen before. I had expected some color switching, or something similar to "Ikaruga", but thankfully the developers went an entirely different route with their kawaii (cute) anime inspired creation.

The game that is "Mamorukun Curse!" is a thorough experience that will have the gamer enjoying all of the previously released Japanese content. For $19.99 you will not only get the core game, but you'll also get all the DLC in the same digital download. Being the all encompassing title that it is I will unfortunately not be able to tell the DLC from the actual core game though. While some would consider this a downside to my review I assure you you'll still get all the details just the same. When it comes to in-game offerings "Mamorukun Curse!" is filled to the brim with content. At the heart of it you'll be blessed with three different modes (Netherworld Adventures, Arcade, Story), two of which have their own separate practice modes for all those highscore seekers out there. Also included is a very kawaii "GALLERY" mode which contains multiple menus filled with unlockable art, and videos from the game.

Before I get into the mode descriptions I feel it's only right to share some info with you on the colorful cast of characters that inhabit this wacky afterlife based shooter. In total you'll find that there's six different characters including both girls, and boys. Mamoru, who happens to be the main protagonist of the story is one of the male characters. He has a slight 'Sora' (Kingdom Hearts) look about him, minus the black hair of course. You'll find that he's blonde haired, short in height, and that he has two different choices of in-game costumes (Original & Alternate) as every other character does. One of his costumes is a revealing short shirt, and matching shorts combo while the other is a more classical black outfit with an old fashioned cap. Next up is a wintery blue-haired girl named "Mayuno" with what looks to be a more traditional blue kimono as well as a white long-sleeved dress with frilly matching knee high stockings. Following in order the next character up is an eccentric looking fellow with an artsy set of attire named "Kinya". He has a slender build, and that guy next door kind of look about him (sort of like a magazine model).

The next girl up who happens to be a blonde haired as well is known in the game as "Beniko". Beniko just so happens to be my favorite go to character in 'ARCADE' mode. She's sports two different costumes which include a baby blue schoolgirl style uniform, and a modern-day black kimono getup with a single stocking and garter belt (Super Sexy Nose Bleed ^.^). Fululu (otherwise known as "Fururu") also gets her place amongst the interesting cast of playable characters. This foxy female tour guide from Hades (just kidding ... it's the netherworld) comes all decked out with two very different super sexy sets of pink attire, which in turn match her fluffy pink fox tail. What would a cast of rainbow colored characters be without a purple haired sexy samurai? Well "Rukino" answers that question, and takes her rightful place among the group as well. Her multi-colored colored attire looks entirely different form the rest of the cast, and most definitely ranks among my favorite costumes out of the lot. Her katana wielding alternate definitely caught my undivided attention during my playthrough. Last, but not least is another netherworld guide who has a more dark nature about her. This gothic female vixen sports braided pink hair as well as a nun outfit, and a sexy fashionable modern-day shirt, and short combo. Her clothes are black which definitely go well with her hot pink features!

Each character in the game comes equipped with what are known as "Demons". These demons who often times match the colors of the characters' costumes act as their shot type within the game. These kawaii little creatures which range from a bunny to a devil all shoot different types of shots. The developer obviously took note of the "Gradius" offerings, and incorporated a standard selection of upgradable (Power-Ups) satellite based projectile types. These shot types come in both 'Novice', and 'Advanced' selections for the different types of gamers out there. There's wave shots, straight shots, homing shots, and even Fululu's own unique brand of "No Holes Barred/Strongest" shots. Picking which projectile/shot to go with is simply done by selecting the character associated with that shot type. The three different modes found within "Mamorukun's Curse!" will have you playing with only a single chosen character, or up to five chosen characters depending on which mode you choose to play. As such in order to get the most out of your in-game experience you will need to choose the character/s that best suit your playing style. In some circumstances the characters take place of lives, so it's best to keep them alive as long as possible.

Aside from the standard upgradable shots you'll find that there's also another unique projectile feature that will aid you in the often times hardcore playthroughs of the in-game modes. These universal powers known as "Curse!" can assist each character in one of two ways. If you choose to throw the large spherical projectile into a creature it will either damage them, or cause them to shoot additional bullet hell in your direction. The benefit of this is that if you manage to destroy the creature you will be rewarded with even more color gems (gems = points) than you would have by just killing it outright. The secondary option is to toss the "Curse!" onto the ground, and run your current character into the center of it. This will enhance your standard shot temporarily making it more devastating to onscreen baddies. Your shots at this point will be larger in size, and will be orange in color. The thing to understand is that the "Curse!" power is a limited feature. It goes by a gauge/meter that is located onscreen. When the gauge/meter is empty you can activate the "Curse!" power. Once it is activated though the gauge/metter will fill with red, and will be unusable until the red empties out. the "Curse!" power is good for clearing the screen of enemies quickly, and since the game is timed (5 mins) it's best to use it frequently.

Now onto the game modes ...

As I said several paragraphs before "Mamorukun Curse!" has three available modes, two of which have practice modes for those who are looking to get that highest score. The first mode you'll find in the main menu listings is one titled, "Netherworld Adventures". In this mode type you will be doing multiple playthroughs of various levels, taking on challenges, and battling bosses for completion. The "Netherworld Adventures" menu is divided by courses, and through completion of each course oriented section you will obtain the more difficult challenges to be unlocked (Easy - Hard) within. You'll  also find that the courses menu is ultimately divided up into six different categories which are each measured by difficulty (flame icons 1-5). These categories include "Casual", "Basic Test", "Applied Test", "Netherworld Travel", "Fululu's Challenge", and "Nowa's Challenge".

Each course/category will require that you make a complete playthrough with three chosen characters in any order that you choose. The characters in essence act as your lives, and once those lives are exhausted it's "GAME OVER" for you. Keep in mind though that as with any mode "Mamorukun Curse!" this mode also has time power-ups, and live power-ups that will help extend gameplay. Often times you'll find that the time extension power-ups are dropped by stronger enemies while the live power-ups are hidden in chests/boxes. Before I forget to mention it, you should also know that each mode within "Mamorukun Curse!" is timed, so finishing before all of your flames extinguish should be your main focus. The flame based timer can hold multiple flames which act as multiple timer countdowns. If you need to practice for a real "Netherworld Adventures" playthrough a practice mode is offered that will not count your score on the "RANKING" scoreboards.

Arcade mode, which is the next mode available in the main menu is the one where all of the highscore hounds will spend most of their time. Unlike 'Netherworld Adventures', "ARCADE" will have the game playing through a more straightforward version of the game. This mode, or version will have the gamer choosing only one character. Instead of the characters taking the place of lives your character will have their own three hearts/lives. The same rules apply to this mode as it does any other found within the game.Your goal is to make it through the top-down 3D rendered stages without losing all your lives, or running out of time. This task of course is complicated by plenty of bullet hell, and numerous types of enemies ranging from the easy to kill, to the more difficult to destroy. As with "Netherworld Adventures" you'll find that you can choose different stages, challenges, and boss battle stages to play through. Keep in mind though that you will only be able to play for a total of five minutes with whatever you choose to do. This mode type also comes complete with it's own "Practice" version for those who only want their best scores to be shown on the Ranking leaderboards.

Finally we arrive at the last available mode listed on the game's main menu which unfortunately does not come with a practice version. This mode, known as "Story" tries to flesh out the tale that the artist, and game developer tried to incorporate into their gameplay. As my introductory paragraph states this mode is all about Mamoru, and his newly met afterlife acquaintances who have all found themselves in a bit of a pickle (predicament). While the intro movie tells the tale well enough the translated character dialogue is so off-the-wall it's hard to decipher what exactly it is that the characters are talking about at times. Unlike the other two modes you will take control of all five standard characters (minus "Nowa") as you traverse the afterlife/netherworld in hopes of defeating the menace that is tampering with the gates. Your five characters who are chosen in the order of your choosing will once again act as your lives. Once you run out of characters/time it is "Game Over", but like any other mode characters/time can be regained through power-ups.

Now onto extras ...

Like the rest of the core gaming experience, "Mamorukun Curse!" is filled to the brim with extras. Not only will you be earning a significant amount of PSN trophies, but you'll also be unlocking numerous pieces of digital character art, and movies along the way. The "GALLERY", as it is called includes five different sub-sections. The sub-sections in turn include "Illustrations", "Bonus Illustrations", "Arcade Movie", "Story Movie", and "Credits". I found plenty of character designs (original & alternate) as well as several sexy painted stills featuring the sinfully adorable cast of characters. There's plenty of eye candy for any anime enthusiast out there, more so "Moe (affectionate lovers of the more innocent/younger characters in anime)" lovers though.

Now onto the verdict ...

As innocent, and as easy as this shmup may look to you, it most definitely is not! It should be no surprise that the game is as hardcore in nature as it is since the development team who worked on the well-known "Ikaruga" also had their hands in the development of this particular title. Being the often times frustrating experience that it is "Mamorukun Curse!" should still not turn you away tough. It's the type of game that is a highscore seekers' dream. I often times felt inclined to return, and try to beat my latest highscores even though I'm nowhere near the expert level yet. When playing you have to keep in mind that all the enemies come in a set pattern, and that they will always appear in the same places/ways. Learning their movement patterns, and bullet hell patterns is the key to gaining your best score ever. You should also keep in the back of your mind that this game's challenge comes mainly in the form of tightly limited time spans. It is meant for the gamer to play quickly yet efficiently at the same time. Each level found within the game offers multiple paths, some of which are easier than others. Often times you find the more difficult routes to be the most rewarding though.

I absolutely fell in love with this shmup, and am grateful that 'UFO_Interactive" decided to port it to the states. It's not often that a developer/publisher will include a complete package deal for a decent price. While some gamers make thing the $19.99 price tag is a bit steep I assure you it's worth every penny. This is the type of game that will have you returning for more despite your brutal losses. I, myself will definitely be returning, and as as shmup enthusiast from way back I intend on trying to achieve the top spot on the leaderboards. So, the question remains. Do I, "OtakuDante" think this game is worth buying? With a resounding voice I sternly say to you "Hell Yes!!! Go buy that !@#$ now!!!". If you don't you're gonna miss out on a very cool experience, just sayin'.