Deathsmiles I・II

About

"Deathsmiles I && II" is a classic bullet hell shoot 'em up game featuring cute, gothic-themed characters. The player controls a angelic girl riding a variety of mystical creatures, battling against hordes of devilish enemies. With multiple game modes, difficulty levels, and a soundtrack by well-known Japanese video game composer Akari Kaida, this compilation offers a challenging and enjoyable experience for both new and veteran shoot 'em up fans.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

story2 negative mentions

Deathsmiles 1 is considered a masterpiece and offers a fantastic gothic visual style with engaging gameplay.
The compilation features low input lag and accurate slowdown, making it a solid port of both games.
Deathsmiles II, despite mixed reviews, is seen as a competent sequel with creative elements and multiple endings that can keep players engaged.

Deathsmiles II is criticized for its lack of level design, making all levels feel the same and overly easy to complete.
The collection is viewed as overpriced, especially when compared to the original release of Deathsmiles, which offers more content for a lower price.
Many players feel that the DLC characters should have been included in the main package, as the current pricing structure is seen as exploitative.

graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The graphics in the game have received mixed feedback, with some praising the Halloween aesthetic and vibrant designs, while others criticize the lack of detail and a significant downgrade from its predecessor, Deathsmiles II. Despite the visual shortcomings, the game's aesthetic is still considered one of the best in the bullet hell genre. Overall, the graphics seem to distract from the gameplay experience for some players.
- “Best aesthetics in a bullet hell, period.”
- “While the graphics might lack in detail, the designs and colors really stand out.”
- “The visuals are so captivating that they can distract from the gameplay.”
- “Secondly, Death Smiles II is a major downgrade graphically.”
- “The game uses many of the same enemies from the first game, which very clearly fit the Halloween aesthetic it was going for, yet they feel out of place here.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Players find the gameplay engaging and rewarding, with many expressing a desire to invest hours into improving their high scores. However, there is a notable lack of explanation regarding the game mechanics, which can hinder initial understanding. The level design is praised for effectively utilizing horizontal gameplay, complemented by an impressive soundtrack.
- “Now that I better understand the mechanics, I'm certain I will spend many hours on this game trying to improve my high scores.”
- “It also has an amazing soundtrack and good level design, which is very aware of the perks of horizontal gameplay.”
- “Finally, the gameplay mechanics are not explained at all.”
- “It also has an amazing soundtrack and good level design which is very aware of the perks of horizontal gameplay.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story lacks an introductory context, leading to confusion regarding the plot's middle and end. Reviewers suggest that the original arcade machine or Xbox 360 manual may have provided necessary background information that is missing in the current version.
- “One issue is that there's no introduction to the story, which makes the middle and end of the plot confusing. I'm assuming the original arcade machine or Xbox 360 manual had the plot written on it.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky and amusing boss characters, such as an evil Santa, which adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the classic shoot 'em up experience.
- “A classic shmup I first played on 360 with funny bosses like Evil Santa.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is praised for its amazing soundtrack, which complements the well-designed levels that effectively utilize horizontal gameplay.
- “It has an amazing soundtrack and good level design that is very aware of the perks of horizontal gameplay.”