A Japanese Arcade Oddity
It’s funny how things play out. Seemingly by pure coincidence I have fallen into a pattern of reviewing shooters as of late, and it’s safe to say they have been a mixed bag. This time around it’s another blast from the past with Mamorukun ReCurse!, a game which originally debuted in Japanese arcades.
However, you wouldn’t have had to have been around in the 80s to play it. Oh no, the original released in 2008 which in itself is a signal of how different the arcade culture is in Japan from dear old Blighty. Still, if you want 2p pushers and an old Time Crisis cabinet which is slowly falling to bits, your local seaside town has you covered.
Anyway, Mamorukun ReCurse! marks the return of the cult classic, although you’ll have been forgiven for missing it as the original never quite made it to these shores. It’s bright, bold and clearly steeped in traditional Japanese mythology. Despite the Japanese dialogue being subtitled, it’s a bit bonkers and not always easy to keep up with. In a nutshell, you find yourself battling evil forces in the Underworld. That’s all you need to know.
Gameplay and Controls
The shooting action plays out over the vertical plane from an overhead perspective and you have full control of when to proceed without a creeping scroll shunting you forwards, something that differs from most other shooters of this ilk. One of the big additions in Mamorukun ReCurse! is the ability to play with a twin-stick setup, as opposed to the original. This allows you to move and fire with both thumbsticks for a more fluid playstyle. Mamorukun ReCurse! is simple enough to play this way as there are just the thumbsticks, one button for your curse ability (more on that in a sec) and another to switch characters. That all you’ll need.
As with many shooters, the goal is simple. Make your way to the end of the stage whilst blasting as many baddies as possible. Each one is relatively brief, lasting a few minutes or so at a time. Each playable character has their own pattern of fire, so experiment with each to find your best fit.
Curse Mechanics and Character Switching
Alongside bog standard bullets however, there is another weapon you have at your disposal. The “Curse Bullet” mechanic can prove crucial for survival, giving you the power to clear enemy projectiles, slow down obstacles or curse yourself to deal greater damage by entering the illuminated field. Be careful about where you cast the curse though, as it’s possible to increase enemy damage too. It’ll probably take you a little while to figure out exactly how to use your curse to get the desired effect, but when you do it works really well and is a very powerful ability.
There are a handful of different ways to play Mamorukun ReCurse! The story mode sees five stages that can branch in different directions, weaved together with a narrative which is pretty bananas. You assemble a team of five heroes, and each time you lose a life play switches to a different shooter along with their distinctive style.
If you’d prefer a more streamlined experience, then the arcade mode is probably a better fit for you. This also comes with a tutorial option to help you get your bearings. Although if you’re expecting all of your questions to be answered, think again.
Finally, the challenge courses offer a predetermined set of battles which is a mix of the stages from the other modes, and the boss battles. This is where the worldwide online leaderboards come into play if you’re into that kind of thing.
There are a few different stages in Mamorukun ReCurse!, but not an awful lot and these are repeated across the different modes. As wonderfully diverse as they are, it means you’ll be replaying each one very frequently which is a shame.
There’s an array of goodies to unlock as you play, including alternate character costumes and a library of artwork which can be viewed in the gallery. Mamorukun ReCurse! supports the widescreen format too, or you can opt for the original aspect if you want a more traditional experience. Despite the tweaks and additions, Mamorukun ReCurse! has had very little done to it visually, but still looks pleasant enough despite approaching its 20th birthday.
Mamorukun ReCurse! gives you the option to amend the difficulty like any good shooter too, but things get progressively more challenging anyhow (I’m looking at you Karakuri Castle).
A Cult Classic with a Pricey Punch
Despite some mod cons, Mamorukun ReCurse! remains fundamentally the same game, there isn’t hours upon hours of gameplay here (unless you’re into deja vu). It was for this reason I was shocked by the £20.99 price tag, it feels way too expensive compared to some other shooters you could pick up out there for nearly half the price. Despite this it’s still good fun and will definitely appeal to those gamers who enjoy curiosities of the genre.
Mamorukun ReCurse! is a solid shooter with plenty of charm appeal thanks to its Japanese heritage. Although it’s not the best example of the genre, it is very appealing to have the opportunity to play this cult arcade hit.
Important Links
Curse Your Enemies (and Yourself!) in Mamorukun ReCurse! – https://www.thexboxhub.com/curse-your-enemies-and-yourself-in-mamorukun-recurse/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/mamorukun-recurse/9pfb5kp8nskz
