Pocky & Rocky Reshrined | PS4

Beautiful, and brutally challenging is the return of this retro classic. In the way of remasters it is more than an HD upgrade this time around, and by design features stage elements not seen in the original 80's arcade release. The game I speak of is none other than "Pocky & Rocky Reshrined". Formerly known in the East as "Kiki KaiKai". At heart it stays true to that original, and is still a manually driven shooter with multi-directional aiming. You take control of one of 5 characters that are gradually made playable, and available through Story mode progression. Each with their own take on gameplay mechanics, and involvement in the unfolding plot. This includes the titular shrine maiden Pocky, and her Tanuki partner Rocky. 

While minding the shrine one day, under a treaty of peace with the local Yokai and the fabled Gods of Fortune, Pocky's shrine maintenance is interrupted by a worried Rocky. Rocky comes calling with news of the Gods having broken the peace treaty. To figure out what's going on Pocky, and Rocky head out to deal with the problem. Unveiling in the process a hooded mystery man who seems to be the culprit ...

Content in this 16-Bit Reshrined rendition of Pocky & Rocky comes complete with two ways to experience the game's stage by stage narratively driven playthrough. You'll find that Story mode offers up a single player campaign with three different difficulty settings in tow. There's Easy, Normal, and Hard. The latter two being initially unlocked, and Easy requiring a set amount of collected coins to be able to play on. A currency that is dropped by dispatched enemies. With each difficulty setting change so too changes the enemy projectiles, health, and numbers. Making it as easy or as difficult as the player desires. Do note though that at Normal the game is still brutally unforgiving. The only thing to stave off said difficulty troubles is the controller mapping option in the OPTIONS menu. I found that placing the shot on R2 was a big help.

Speaking of controls, there are four buttons in the game that each have their own function in accordance to shmup combat, and defense. There's an all out special attack for clearing the screen of mobs, or doing heavy damage to bosses. Outside of that each of the 5 characters have their own unique shot types. Even between Pocky and Rocky the elemental shots differ significantly. Shots are powered up, up to 3 times by collecting 3 of the same kind. These shot types also play into secrets tied to stage NPCs, and specific enemies. Alongside the shots the characters also have defensive options, at least some of them. Pocky and Rocky can wave away using their shrine maiden staff and tail, respectively. This works on smaller enemy types as well as projectiles. Hitting projectiles can send said projectile back to their owner inflicting damage just like your main shot. Lastly Pocky and Rocky both have an escape dive that will give them enough distance from pursuing enemies to regain focus. Beyond characters like the main two protagonists you'll find variations to this. A certain unlockable female alternative, for example, is weaker by design with less defensive options, but when powered up can deal massive damage in comparison to her character counterparts.

Which character you play as is initially chosen for you by default on a stage by stage basis throughout Story mode. Each character rotating use on their own uniquely themed stages. Stages are mostly as you'd expect having that otherworldly or feudal Japan look about them. Some even stepping it up a notch to ship armada style level. The variation in level design is intricate, and there are plenty of secrets to uncover as you inch your way to the bosses and to the end. 

Stages are a proper slog that take you through constantly respawning mobs of lesser enemy types at your own pacing. Each type of enemy you happen upon having their own unique attack patterns, and projectiles. When you've progressed past these waves of lesser enemies you'll confront sub-bosses, and actual bosses. Bosses usually have transformative stages that occur after enough damage is taken. Ultimately ending up in a splash of coins to be collected when they are fully defeated. This process, from beginning to end, isn't linear or straightforward by any measure. There are branching paths, and varied pathways to make your way through. Each providing either new enemy encounters or looting opportunities. Aside from the previously mentioned shot type power-ups you'll also find hidden in boxes shields, and health refills. If you get lucky you'll even find hidden NPCs that when shot and fanned will give you a slot machine reward ranging from 1ups to MAX ENERGY.

Once you complete Story mode or collect a total of 10,000 coins you can unlock Free Mode. This extra mode is the 2-player co-op alternative centered around the same set of stages. Complete with a choice of character. As with the Story mode it is a 16-bit retro adventure which puts the original 80's arcade game to shame while simultaneously honoring it's legacy. Whichever mode you choose to play you'll find an online leaderboard waiting for you with which to upload your highest score. 

In the way of visual settings you can turn the scanlines up to 9 for a more arcade cabinet kind of experience. This is the only setting you can tweak outside of the volume settings. I do recall there being a stats menu as well showcasing a laundry list of stats tied to gameplay feats.

The Verdict ...

I like shmups. I'm shmups' biggest fan. That being said I was kind of held back by the brutal difficulty of this game. It is very challenging, and as one reviewer put it, it is a shmup that you can't just rush through. You've got to be slow, and methodical with this one. That aside "Pocky & Rocky Reshrined" is a beautiful homage to a beloved classic. A retro revamp done right. It is also more than a copy and paste kind of deal. There is plenty of new to impress veteran players of the original. It also gives the player goals to work towards such as unlocking new playable characters for co-op, or an easier difficulty setting if you are struggling. The true replay value comes with achieving that highest score. For shmup enthusiasts it's an easy recommend. Even at the thirty dollar price tag. Collector's will also likely want to get the pricier boxed editions that come in limited and collectible variations with a plush Rocky included. That and a themed Rocky box. These editions will be made available in Q3 of this year with regular boxed editions made available for the EU.