Rave :: Castle Shikigami 2

The pinnacle of my console gaming career was during late Summer 2006. Like any self-respecting gamer, I spent a good part of every week at my friend's house in Flushing, Queens (an area most notable for general shadyness - as well as its rather formidable population of nerds). For hours on end, we played the goods, bads, and uglies of video games on his hacked XBox. A game that particularly caught my attention was a Japanese release that I have been looking for ever since.

Fast forward a year later, and here I sit ecstatic, having finally managed to track down a copy of "Shikigami no Shiro," released in the US as Castle Shikigami 2.

Unenlightened Friend says: "Wtf? it's an old, 2004 released arcade game."

Shikigami no Shiro 2

Yes. However, Shikigami no Shiro is also an addictive-as-crack and cheap-as-dirt Japanese vertical shooter. Do not be deceived. While it can be played single player, it is infinitely more fun co-op for obvious reasons. It also clears any doubt that Japanese video game creators are crazy. Between the spiraling waves of pelting neon bullets that catch your psychedelic eye in the later stages, the trippy ass and clearly fobby dialogue, and the gameplay modes that are nearly impossible without hacks, this game is a gem. It includes several playable characters that have very different abilities which take some time to master. The graphics are generally smooth, of excellent quality, and offer enough crazy colors to be a candy raver's dream.

Perhaps my favorite part of the gameplay is its shooting system. First, you are soaring above a futuristic skyline and being pelted with an unending assault of particles that want to hurt you. Second, your weapons aren't truly efficient unless you are as close to oncoming bullets as possible without getting shot. Now that's just gold.

All I'm saying is, if you see this new or used at your local game shop, don't hesitate to blow the $8.50 plus tax and proceed to be blown away.

Screens!