Kamikaze Lassplanes PS5 Review – A Fun & Flirty Anime Visual Novel With Shmup Gameplay

Developed by Inky Dreams and published by Crunching Koalas, Kamikaze Lassplanes is a hybrid title that blends visual novel storytelling with classic shoot-’em-up (shmup) action. It’s a game that leans heavily into character-driven narrative while punctuating its story beats with arcade-style aerial combat.

At its core, Kamikaze Lassplanes tells a whimsical, slightly risqué tale set in an alternate world where anthropomorphic fighter planes, known as “Lassplanes”, take on human form as young women. These characters are both pilots and the planes themselves, creating a unique fusion of person and machine. The story follows a human protagonist named Walter who becomes entangled with a squadron of Lassplanes, each with distinct personalities, quirks, and motivations.

The narrative revolves around their missions to defend their skies and uncover mysteries tied to their existence and the conflicts threatening their world. Along the way, Walter forms relationships with the Lassplanes, and the story unfolds through dialogue-heavy sequences where tone can shift between comedic, flirtatious, and occasionally more serious moments. The choices you make during conversations subtly influence how events play out, including which endings you ultimately unlock.

The game is split between two main components including the previously mentioned visual novel storytelling and shmup gameplay. The visual novel sections are presented in a traditional format, complete with character portraits, dialogue boxes, and static or lightly animated backgrounds. These scenes are where the bulk of the narrative unfolds, with expressive character art and voice acting helping to sell each personality. Occasional decision points appear, typically offering two responses, which steer character relationships and branching story outcomes.

On the gameplay side, the “New Game” mode, and it's four difficulty options introduces shmup stages that break up the narrative. These segments play like classic vertical shooters. You control a Lassplane in flight, dodging enemy fire while unleashing attacks across increasingly chaotic bullet patterns. This includes upgradeable basic shots, a charged special shot, and plenty of power-ups that aid in clearing the screen of enemy craft as well as healing the Lassplanes. The mechanics are straightforward but satisfying with movement, shooting, and limited defensive maneuvers making the action accessible while still requiring focus and timing.

Beyond the main story campaign, the game includes several modes and features. The “New Game” story mode is the primary experience, combining both narrative and gameplay. “Arcade” mode, as the alternative option, strips away the story elements, letting players jump straight into the shmup stages for score-chasing and replayability. Meanwhile, the “Collection” serves as a gallery, unlocking artwork, scenes, and multiple animated endings based on the choices made throughout the story.

Those branching choices within said story are a key part of the experience, obviously. While they aren’t overly complex, they do provide variation in how the narrative unfolds, encouraging multiple playthroughs to see different character interactions and endings. It’s less about deep narrative divergence and more about exploring alternate routes and outcomes.

Mechanically, the visual novel side is simple and intuitive. You can advance text, make occasional choices, and enjoy the presentation during long-winded dialogue shared between characters of interest. The shmup gameplay, while not groundbreaking, is solid enough to complement this story. It doesn’t aim to compete with hardcore bullet-hell titles, but it provides a fun, fast-paced contrast to the slower, dialogue-driven sections.

The Presentation ...

Presentation-wise, the game leans heavily into anime aesthetics. The character designs are vibrant and expressive, with a playful, sometimes suggestive tone. There are mature themes and flirtatious animations, though they remain more teasing than explicit. The shmup stages are colorful and energetic, though comparatively less detailed than the character art.

The soundtrack fits the game’s tone well, offering upbeat tracks during action sequences and softer, character-focused music during story scenes. Voice acting is available with English and Japanese language options, and the performances generally do a good job bringing the cast to life, enhancing both comedic and emotional moments.

The Verdict ...

Overall, Kamikaze Lassplanes is a niche but charming blend of visual novel and arcade shooter. Its strength lies in its character interactions and lighthearted storytelling, while the shmup gameplay adds variety rather than serving as the main draw. The deluxe edition, which includes a digital soundtrack and additional avatars, offers a bit of extra value for fans who enjoy the game’s music and style.

In the end, this is a game best suited for players who enjoy anime-inspired visual novels with a bit of gameplay mixed in, rather than those seeking a deep or highly challenging shooter. If you’re looking for a quirky, character-driven experience with some arcade flair, it’s an easy recommendation.