Umihara Kawase Shun
- November 24, 2015
- Studio Saizensen
Get on Steam"Umihara Kawase Shun" is a challenging physics-based platformer game where players control a fisherwoman with a grappling hook. Traverse through various levels by running, jumping, and using the hook to grab onto surfaces and objects. The game features fast-paced action, puzzle-solving, and requires precise timing and quick reflexes. With numerous stages and secrets to uncover, players will face a variety of obstacles and enemies on their journey.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Umihara Kawase Shun offers a unique and fun grappling hook mechanic that allows for creative platforming and routing through levels.
- The game features a catchy soundtrack and improved visuals, making it an enjoyable experience for both casual and hardcore players.
- It has a good balance of challenge and accessibility, with a continue system that helps players progress through difficult stages.
- The port has several issues, including a lack of key remapping options and a somewhat barren interface compared to other versions.
- Some players find the difficulty curve to be inconsistent, with certain levels being excessively hard while others are too easy.
- Boss battles are often criticized for being tedious and not well-designed, detracting from the overall experience.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its improved mechanics and visuals compared to the previous installment, featuring a unique grappling hook that enhances traversal through intricately designed maps. Players appreciate the physics-based mechanics, which offer both casual enjoyment and deep mastery potential, alongside collectables and branching paths that add variety. However, some reviewers express a desire for a new mechanic to further distinguish the game from its predecessor.
“Wonderful atmosphere, and impeccable gameplay and kinesthetics that can be enjoyed as a simple platformer with a grappling hook, or as something you spend years mastering.”
“One of the most interesting, challenging, mechanically intricate, and fun platformers I have ever played.”
“Umihara Kawase is a unique platformer with a grapple mechanic that feels and plays amazing.”
“I don't know, I wanted that extra step to really distinguish itself besides the better visuals and tuned-up gameplay.”
“The goal in these games is traversing a labyrinth of maps which are built around the grappling hook mechanic (your main traversing tool).”
“Collectibles and branching paths help add some variety to the gameplay.”
- music11 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its catchy and enjoyable quality, contributing positively to the overall experience. While some reviewers note a reduction in the number of field themes compared to the original, the tracks remain engaging and fit well within the game's quirky platforming style. Overall, the soundtrack is described as nice and comfy, though it may evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of earlier gaming eras.
“A really fun and quirky platformer with an excellent soundtrack.”
“It also has a very catchy soundtrack, where finally making it to the next well-designed level comes with the joy of getting to hear a new backing track as you grind out all of your lives before you have to try again.”
“Music is top tier.”
“Just don't expect any HD textures or any music that doesn't sound like it was from the SNES/PlayStation 1 era.”
“The OST is nothing special, but it is really nice and comfy.”
“It should be noted that versions of the songs used in this release all come from Sayonara Umihara Kawase.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have evolved from pixel art to drawn sprites and 3D environments, enhancing the overall visual experience with more lively fields and complex layouts. However, some users feel that the changes are minor and that the "steam edition" lacks significant updates in graphics or interface. Overall, while the visuals are improved, there is a desire for more distinct enhancements.
“The art style has transitioned from pixel art to drawn sprites and 3D environments, which adds a fresh visual appeal.”
“This time, 3D was incorporated into the graphics, making the fields more lively and the layouts more complex.”
“I appreciate the loading screens of tutorials that utilize visuals effectively.”
“I don't know, I wanted that extra step to really distinguish itself beyond just better visuals and tuned-up gameplay.”
“It's kind of minor for some, but not so much for others: the art style has transitioned from pixel art to drawn sprites and 3D environments.”
“This 'Steam Edition' doesn't have any changes in graphics or interface.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its wonderful design, enhanced by nostalgic elements like lower resolution and eyecatch art, which contribute to a rich experience. Players appreciate the balance between accessible gameplay and the potential for mastery, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated gamers.
“Wonderful atmosphere, and impeccable gameplay and kinesthetics that can be enjoyed as a simple platformer with a grappling hook, or something you spend years mastering, or anything in between.”
“I'd still say that my preferred way to play is the second edition, partly for nostalgia and partly because the little things like the lower resolution and the eyecatch art subtly contribute to the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I was hoping for.”
“Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player.”
“I found the overall atmosphere to be lifeless, making it hard to stay invested in the game.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The PC port of the game shows good performance overall, but it suffers from rough edges in the user interface and lacks reasonable key bindings for keyboard controls.
“The PC port has a lot of rough edges with the UI and the lack of reasonable bindable keys for the keyboard, but performance is good.”
“PC performance is pretty good.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The story of "Umihara Kawase Shun" follows the titular character on a whimsical quest through abstract environments, utilizing her elastic fishing line to capture enemies for her sushi-making endeavors. The narrative blends quirky humor with a unique premise, emphasizing the playful and surreal nature of the game.
“Umihara Kawase Shun is the continuation of the adventures of the titular protagonist. Once again, she is on a quest to navigate abstract geometry with the aid of her elastic fishing line and capture every enemy in her pink backpack, because sushi ingredients don't have any rights.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent narrative, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is minimal, leaving the protagonist feeling one-dimensional and unrelatable.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or emotional impact.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is marked by a sense of frustration due to the overwhelming difficulty, as most enemies can defeat players in a single hit, creating a challenging and sometimes disheartening experience. However, there are moments of relief, such as encountering certain enemies that provide unexpected advantages, adding a layer of complexity to the emotional journey.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly noting that while certain challenges, like the tadpole and double rematches, are not overly difficult, they still require repetitive effort that can feel monotonous.
“Even if the tadpole is not that hard, it doesn't take away from the fact that it is very tedious, and the same goes for the double rematch.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find myself spending more time grinding than actually enjoying the gameplay, which is frustrating.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing design of the enemies, particularly the fish, which adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay. Players also appreciate the unique and challenging mechanics, such as using a fishing rod for rappelling, which contribute to the overall fun and comedic experience.
“The unique system of rappelling yourself using the fishing rod is awesome and quite challenging, and the funny enemies (fish) located around the map are quite amusing and made me laugh.”
