Kemono Heroes (PS5) | Review | Fast & Furry-ous Arcade Platforming Action!!!

Kemono Heroes, is an action-packed arcade inspired co-op platformer steeped in Japanese mythology. It is brought to us by publisher Jandusoft and Mad Gear Games, respectively. It features an untold story subliminally suggested to us through opening cutscenes, and an oddly named first trophy. It seems four furry heroes are tasked with stopping an ominous apocalypse brought about by the death stare of the moon. Something that has unleashed every evil spirit into this feudal Japanese animal kingdom setting. As a female Tanuki, a male Monkey, a male Red Fox, or a white haired Fennec, each of which are named, you will solo or couch co-op through multiple stages as you collect coins, upgrade your weaponry, and deal the death blow to wayward spirits.

It's sword slashing, and projectile shooting that lead the action forward in this stage by stage experience. After choosing from one of three difficulty settings you will be prompted to select your hero. If you have local friends to play up to three more friends can join in each taking up the role of the remaining heroes. The heroes in question initially come armed with a base weapon, and a throwing weapon that can be shot in multiple directions, that and a screen clearing super power move dependent upon a blue orb power-up. 

As you progress through each stage's two parts you'll kill enemies using your weapons, and later tools that are unlocked as needed. This includes a grappling hook for reaching out of reach platforms, and bombs for clearing pathways. Putting everything to use including a dash maneuver, and strafe you will effectively clean house while moving to and end of the screen area that sometimes harbors a shop vendor, and other times a boss fight. The shop vendor will sell you upgrades for your base weapons, super power, and health while offering up lesser expensive health and super power refills if needed. That, and 1ups for extending gameplay sessions. All of which costs the coins you accumulate along the way via chests, and enemy spirits. 

Damage can come from a variety of sources as you play through each stage, but mostly it's enemy attacks or contact with enemies that will deplete your health meter. Thankfully food items will occasionally drop from defeated enemies. The super power also comes in handy when in a situation where enemies are constantly spawning. If you do happen to lose all credits during a playthrough session you can choose to continue. This is done if you have the coins to collect during the GAME OVER screen. Additionally extra lives are earned in-game, and are also offered for a price at the resident vendor. 

The Presentation ...

The sprite work in Kemono Heroes is brilliant, and harkens back to an era of arcade gaming that really showcased artistic talent.. The animal kingdom characters along with the mythological spirits of Japanese lore tie-n, perfectly, the feudal Japanese theme that overarches the entire experience. Content-wise the character design is mildly kid friendly with some violence added in via the fighting. It also harbors a harmonic and almost symphonic composition of theme specific chiptunes that highlight each stage in a fun-loving, adventurous, and whimsical kind of way.

The Verdict ...

Kemono Heroes, is definitely an indie throwback worthy of the price. It's couch co-op or single player options will suit most any gamer as both experiences are doable regardless of the number of participating players. Visually it is a well animated, and created arcade platformer that puts to use Contra-like running & gunning as well as some hacking & slashing. The sum of it's working parts are all complimentary. I particularly loved the inclusion of the Japanese mythology, and the feudal Japanese settings. Even the character design is worth noting. If you have the money to spare be sure to give this one a go. It's a good family & friend game, especially for those of you who have people at home to game with. Solo are not to be left out either as the experience going alone is nothing to shake your head at.