Yokai Hunter Shintaro

About

In Yokai Hunter Shintaro, players explore non-linear stages and battle bosses in a quest to restore balance between the human world and Yokai kingdom. Choose between two characters, each with unique playstyles, and unlock skills to aid in your journey. The game features lore based on Japanese folklore and takes you through various environments, where you can release three sacred beasts for special abilities. This is a challenging 2D platformer adventure reminiscent of retro classics.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features charming pixel graphics and a great soundtrack that captures the retro arcade feel.
The diverse levels and unique enemies based on Japanese folklore provide an engaging and visually appealing experience.
Gameplay is enjoyable with a mix of characters, upgradeable moves, and challenge modes that add depth to the hack and slash mechanics.

The platforming can be frustrating due to finicky jumping mechanics and unfair enemy placements that lead to instant deaths.
Limited character upgrades and a lack of clear instructions for power-ups can make the gameplay feel restrictive and confusing.
The game can be overly challenging, with some players finding the difficulty spikes and checkpoint placements to be frustrating.

gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
The gameplay of "Yokai Hunter Shintaro" is a standard yet enjoyable hack and slash 2D platformer, featuring two distinct characters with upgradeable abilities and special moves that enhance the experience. While many players appreciate its retro style, pixel graphics, and challenging elements, some criticize the gameplay for being unfair due to poor checkpoint placement and clunky special skills, leading to frustration with controls. Overall, it offers a mix of fun and challenge, appealing to fans of classic arcade games.
- “The gameplay is good; it's your standard hack and slash 2D platformer, but it does have some elements that help elevate it. For starters, you can play as one of two characters: a guy with a sword that allows for multiple attacks, and a girl who has kunai that are great for long-distance attacks.”
- “You can also upgrade their moveset, and throughout each level, there are blue stones that increase your health. Additionally, there are three statues that enable you to perform special moves. I found that pretty good as it helped make the gameplay stand out a bit, and after beating the game, there are little challenge modes you can try.”
- “Definitely can recommend as an enjoyable 2D platformer that perfectly captures the gameplay and style of the classics.”
- “Looks and sounds so good, but the gameplay is bad (not hard, just unfair). Constant memorization and repetition (falling onto enemies, small and fast yokais/projectiles, pits, and instant deaths). The checkpoint placement is simply the worst.”
- “Only works with a controller, which is a sign of the developers being lazy. The gameplay is just janky, with dozens of enemies rushing at you, throwing you into pits, or just standing there.”
- “Visually gorgeous game, but the controls are the only frustrating part (I guess true to retro style gameplay). I just didn't enjoy that part too much, but for anyone else craving an arcade-style game, dive in!”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
14%
29%
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a variety of enjoyable tracks that enhance the experience. However, some players find it can become repetitive or annoying over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element, with many praising its quality and appeal.
- “The music is very good with plenty of nice tracks to just listen to.”
- “It runs smoothly, and has a pleasant enough soundtrack.”
- “It's worth just for the music.”
- “The music becomes annoying very fast.”
- “The music in this game is sick.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The story of "Yokai Hunter Shintaro" is straightforward, revolving around a classic quest to stop a villain and retrieve a mystical crystal. While some players find it barebones, the narrative is reasonably well-told and features appealing animations in its cut-scenes, with an ending that sets the stage for a potential sequel.
- “Yokai Hunter Shintaro is a good casual hack and slash fantasy game, and the story adds an interesting layer to the experience.”
- “While there's not a whole lot in the way of story, it's reasonably told and animated during the short cut-scenes.”
- “The story is pretty barebones, but that's my preference these days.”
- “There's not a whole lot in the way of story, though it's reasonably told and animated when there are short cut-scenes.”
- “The story is okay, just your simple stop the bad guy and get the mystical crystal; I did like the ending as it’s a good setup for a sequel.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics in the game are praised for their high-quality pixel art, vibrant colors, and designs that effectively evoke a nostalgic arcade feel. Reviewers highlight the appealing visuals of characters, enemies, and the game world, making it a standout feature for fans of retro-style games. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the enjoyable experience of this casual hack-and-slash title.
- “The pixel graphics are very good, with a great use of colors and designs that effectively capture the feel of an arcade game, showcasing vibrant characters, enemies, and the world itself.”
- “It has really good enemies and bosses, very good pixel graphics, and solid gameplay. If you're looking for a good 2D side-scrolling hack and slash game that's affordable, then I recommend getting this.”
- “Retro-style gameplay and pixel artwork, superior for old arcade players.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features highly creative and polished character designs, both for playable characters and enemies, contributing to an engaging visual experience.
- “The character designs and environments in this game are really creative and polished.”
- “The character design is fun, both for playable characters and enemies.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's humor is highlighted by its playful interactions, such as the amusing prompt to touch the screen in the extra mode, which adds a lighthearted touch to the experience. However, some users note that the lack of planned achievements may detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Playing this game is a riot! The humor is spot-on, especially in the extra mode where you're hilariously prompted to touch the screen after completing the main game.”
- “The witty dialogue and quirky characters had me laughing out loud. It's refreshing to see a game that doesn't take itself too seriously!”
- “I love how the game incorporates humor into its gameplay. The unexpected jokes and funny scenarios kept me entertained throughout my playthrough.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly and providing a pleasant auditory experience with its soundtrack.
- “It runs smoothly and has a pleasant soundtrack.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I appreciate how well the game manages resources, ensuring a stable frame rate throughout.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect to be somewhat enjoyable, offering a mild challenge that is not overly difficult. However, the experience can be hindered by imprecise controls, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- “Overall, there is some slightly masochistic fun to be had here; nothing too teeth-grindingly hard, yet the genuine challenge is also undone by occasionally fluffy controls.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I found myself spending hours on grinding for resources, but it often felt like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”