12.2.2004

You reckon you are a pretty good gamer, eh? You’ve collected all 120 Shine Sprites on Super Mario Sunshine, aced every stage on Super Monkey Ball, finished Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty on European Extreme mode and even completed every Final Fantasy game to date 100%. You are a natural born gamer. So, you shouldn’t find it too difficult then, to pass even the first stage of this trivial shoot-em-up. You turn on the GameCube, begin the game and effortlessly shoot down a few harmless spaceships that approach you. Then several more approach you, beginning with three at once…then nine…then double that…then double that again…then enough to fill the screen…all of which are firing lasers towards you like a snow storm at blinding speed,leaving you just about enough time to blink, before your craft is destroyed by an onslaught of evil beams. All of this by the way, has happened within a minute.Ikaruga is a top-down scrolling shoot-em-up, with the same principles to other top-down shoot-em-ups like Tyrian, or the side-scrolling Super R-Type. Lots of spaceships to shoot down, lots of power-ups and lots of fast paced action; such was the way with retro games of its genre. The visuals are sweet. The highly detailed backgrounds look brill as do the explosions and the sheer amount of enemies and lasers on screen at any one time is simply breathtaking. However the advances in 3D graphics and special effects should be revolutionising modern games, hence the differences between Super Metroid and Metroid Prime or Mario Bros. and Super Mario 64. So, if Ikaurga doesn’t have incredibly lush three-dimensional graphics, then what makes it so special?Well, the main feature of its unique brilliance is the puzzle element you have to concentrate on while trying to stay alive. Tapping the A button changes your ships colour between white and black, and your type of laser is dependant on your ships colour. The enemies themselves vary between black and white as well. If you are shot by an enemy of the opposite colour to your own, you explode and lose a life, but a laser from the same colour will become absorbed by your ship, which in turn charges a power bar; once full this can unleash a lethal laser attack. It all sounds simple enough, until you are attacked by both kinds of enemy at the same time. Absorbing all white bullets that you come across sounds like the best tactic, but then you need to consider the mass of black ones as well, hence the constant need to switch colours.The real challenge of any stage though is the boss. A warning message flickers on the screen and at this point you know you are in trouble. A giant boss consuming the entire screen with enough firepower to crack the world in half suddenly appears and it’s that versus your little ship. Each fight is as much down to tactics as skill and the next one always makes the previous seem like a complete wimp. You can see that to succeed, you must be patient and your progress itself is dependant on how quickly you can learn the enemy patterns of attack and the most effective way in which to counter them.But any game is not without its downfalls. In the olden days, games were solely about blowing things up, and when 3D arrived, everything suddenly began having a plot. This game is on a reflex level basis only, so if you are looking for depth then Ikaruga’s simplicity is not for you. Another downfall is the lack of stages. Although insanely long and difficult, there are only 5 and a handful more might have given this a five star rating. Plus, it is a little bit overpriced for an arcade conversion with a few new features. If it is released on Player’s Choice anytime soon, then you should definitely invest in this title, otherwise buy it second hand or at least consider whether it is really worth £30. Besides these drawbacks though, this is constantly testing your skills and is a pure gaming rush from start to…whatever point you can reach because it certainly will not be the end.To cut a long story short, Ikaruga is the ultimate title for hardcore action junkies who love the games of old and if you haven’t lived through the retro shoot-em-up era, you should experience this genre before it dies out.

26.4.2003

I will review that game from my import japanese version on Dreamcast as a reference, i can tell you right away that game is absolutly amazing, from the GRAPHICS to the very accurate CONTROLS that makes the gameplay realy enjoyable.Treasure Video Games are the masters of the 2D scrolling shooters with their previous title RADIANT SILVERGUN on the Sega Saturn which is the reference of the 2D scrolling shooters.The graphics of Ikaruga are just amazing on the Dreamcast just some slowdowns at the end of the bosses were the hole screen is filed with explosion (which looks amazing by the way...) but, the GameCube version is sure to have realy smooth graphics at any time throughout the game.This version

31.3.2003

YES!!! Thank you Infogrames! This game is a real gem. Originally published in Japan for the now (sadly) defunct Sega Dreamcast, it sold by the bucket load. Apparantly almost every Dreamcast owner in Japan had a copy. No wonder there was a shortage!This game is a sequel to Radiant Silvergun which was released for the Sega Saturn in Japan. Ironicly enough, that was never published in the U.S. or Europe, and Ikaruga almost suffered the same fate! But somebody at Infogrames stood up and made a stand. Great! This title takes what made the Saturn original so damn hot, and improves it ten-fold.The graphics, although partly 2D, are some of the best on the Gamecube.

19.11.2005

I've always loved shooters like this and played them in the arcades (in the 80s and early 90s) all the time. R-type...1943 (i got to the last boss on 10p!)..Tiger Shark...but without doubt, this is the best shoot em up i've ever played. There were times early on when i felt like giving up on this (especially after seeing the high scores at ikaruga.co.uk) as it's a very tough game. At first some sections can seem overwhelmingly tough....i couldnt believe level 4 when i saw it for the first time, there's so much to avoid. What surprises me is that i don't get frustrated by this game, i never complain when i die. I've clocked up 35 hours of play so far, and can easily see myself putting in another 35.

19.2.2004

Very little stop Ikaruga from being a perfect game. The graphics are amazing, clean and crisp. The frame rate is very fast and the particle affects are beutiful and also the lightning is brilliant. And the ships are great too. But i do sadly have a few whines. Like the bordered window which i suppose cant be helped becuase Ikaruga was a scrolling arcade game, meaning the screen was higher than wide. My other whine is though its extremely hard (hardest game ive played) its quite short. Only 5 levels, an extra 3 would of been nice. And im also not really sure if its good value for money. Considering it is quite short.But dont let these whines trouble you,

22.9.2004

Treasure dazzle again with that special brand of gaming bliss fans have come to expect - frenzied 2D action with the emphasis on an addictive core gameplay mechanics, rather than superfluous graphical effects that have increasingly come to typify modern game development. Ikaruga is a game based on a single, maddeningly addictive concept, and a supremely realised risk/reward structure. Hard to learn and harder to master, Ikaruga is neither for those who want a game of docile progression, nor for those who balk at games where attaining high scores is the aim - the game lasts just 25 minutes, but within the context of devising the most profitable strategies through each level, this is the perfect length.

24.10.2003

Wow...... What a game! Initially this game destroys you with it's difficulty but with repeated plays you realise the genius behind it as you progress further. The graphics are amazing, they've got a definate style about them and the amount of sprites the game chucks out later on is mind boggling. As a whole the slowdown in the game is not a problem (some of the later levels whizz along at fair old pace), however slow down is a visable when some of the bigger explosions happen but it doesn't detract from the game. The sound is cool also, but I can't say I remember the music tracks too much as i'm normally concentrating on staying alive! The game also rewards you for the amount of time you play with extra features,

25.10.2003

As the title of my review explains, that is what you do in this game...a lot, but in a weird, strange way, its a good thing.Ikaruga is a very addictive, easy to play, extremely difficult game. While it may not win any awards for best graphics, it certainly makes up for it in gameplay.There is a bit of slowdown when you defeat a massive boss, but since you aint shooting, you can let it slip. While on the surface the game looks simple, theres also a lot of strategy with chains and changing colours.Ikaruga is short, sweet and very satisfying. Although has no real replay value, the addiction is enough to keep you coming back for more.All in all, a well worth purchase.

17.5.2003

..words really cant expian this game. I've imported this and it has aged very very well the 3d backdrops are great and the ships are desgined very well in par with current graphic's ... There arn't that many levels to the game and may seem slightly repetiative but the game is as hard as concrete nails and really only hardcore and retro gamers should get it but because its so hard it gives great replay value after u complete it and with great things to unlock so if you are good at games (very good) this game and you wont be dissapointedone word of caution it is hard so if you're just a "wannabe" gamer (you know who you are), dont cry if it too much for ya HAHAHAHAHA

20.2.2004

This has to be one of the most addictive yet intuitive games out there.the special feature about this game is the fact that you can change your aircrafts colour between Black and White. this means that if your craft is white then you can absorb all the white bullets that are shot at you. (and vice-versa with the black)The game has loads of unlokables and a mode called Challenge mode. its a mode where you have to play for the best score and the submit your score using a password on the internet to win for a prize.You would be playing this game for..... God knows How Long! (its that addictive)This is a must have Gamecube GameGood buy

13.8.2003

This is an old-skool, top-down shooter given a lovely coat of paint thats been cranked up to the max!This game is tough but always has you coming back for more. Once you have battled your way through a stage you can go back and practice that stage in isolation or see a demo of that stage being played. This allows you to get each stage sussed, go back and try and crack the game without losing a life!!!This is intense, unforgiving gameplay but the collision detection is spot-on.In other words if you die - its your fault! Now where's my Gamecube...

23.9.2013

This game is just fantastic. Really simple but addicting... One of a kind experience. I haven't really had a game like this before, for it's just about 25 minutes long. But it is hard... even in easy mode I still keep on dying all the time, and there is still the chain combos that will keep you playing for tens of hours. Every wave of enemies is like a puzzle that you have to figure out and solve. And even if you are constantly dying, somehow you don't get annoyed but just want to keep on improving your game. You have only yourself to blame. :P

17.1.2007

Simply, its just a Unlooked treasure of a game.Myself and hundreds of others count ourselves lucky to play such a gem of a game!If its not too late, try this game, definitely one of the best games out there, and one of the best games on a truly unique console, the GC!

9.4.2003

The Gamecube may not be short on classic/arcade games, but Ikaruga blows the competition away. With it's simple yet highly immersive gameplay and beautiful visuals, Ikaruga is a must have for all thos retro junkies out there.

31.1.2016

Jhon's son is writing.I liked this game because it was hard,fun and it had good controls.

Ikaruga (GameCube) - Reviews

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