- May 29, 2018
- Nicalis
Ikaruga
Infuriatingly difficult, but perfectly constructed. Ikaruga is the PC's best bullet-hell shooter.
Platforms
About
Sometime in the not-too-distant future, dictionaries will include a new word that will mean 'incredibly hard', 'super-fast' or even 'I need a lie down'. That word will be 'Ikaruga'. Yes, Ikaruga is a tough game. But tough in a good way. The kind of tough that kept you constantly feeding coins into arcade machines just to get 'that little bit further...' An old-school style vertically-scrolling sh…
gameplay3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
Ikaruga Review
Ikaruga is not so highly revered by chance, despite its near accidental creation. It is the result of a combination between an incredibly talented team making the most of excellent hardware, bringing in the unique double polarity gimmick that stealthy introduces puzzle solving mechanics into a bullet hell shmup. So it's no great surprise it not only remains an incredibly compelling experience but it lands smoothly on top of the currently available shmup list on Nintendo’s hybrid console library. Beyond portability what truly drives this version above all others is the possibility of throwing a Joy-Con to a friend for a spot of co-op play anytime, anywhere as easy as your ship switches polarity. The perfect shmup on the perfect system. The old king sits once again in its rightful throne atop the shmup mountain.
90%Ikaruga (Nintendo Switch)
In the end, if you’ve played Ikaruga on any other previous platform, then you’ve played what is available on the Switch. However, that’s also the beauty of it all. Ikaruga is a timeless classic and a game that is worth picking up again and again. The main question is should you pick it up. With the obvious answer being, HELL YES. Casual gamers will welcome the challenge, while SHMUP masters will feel right at home. Plus, now you can take it on the go!
100%Ikaruga (Nintendo Switch)
Overall, Ikaruga is a great shooter but not quite what I was expecting. The length of the game combined with the difficulty may deter most people but the game is customizable enough to be fun for anyone. The game even features a couple 2-player options so you can invite a friend along for the ride. If you’re a fan of shooter games, Ikaruga is definitely worth checking out. From the combo system, to the light/dark switching, it offers some unique gameplay elements even for genre veterans. Just be ready for a healthy challenge!
80%
