Ikaruga

Ikaruga gameplay focuses on the mechanics of polarity reversal. Only bullets of opposite polarity can destroy a player’s ship. Bullets of the same color are absorbed and converted into special weapons. Changing the polarity of the ship also changes the color of the shells and such bullets do double damage to enemies using the opposite color of shells. Thus, most of the game is the choice between a high level of damage and relative invulnerability. Especially these distinctive features of the gameplay are manifested in boss fights, which, like the player, use both types of polarities. Also in the game, the player often faces a choice: substitute your ship under shells to absorb them, or, by reversing the polarity, destroy the enemy’s ships.

Experienced players use the chain attack method. So, having hit three identical opponents in succession, the player gets more points, then repeating again and again, the player can get more points each time, and sometimes even extra lives (chances). Also in the game, a strategy is possible only to absorb bullets , in which case the bosses retreat after a certain time.

Despite the fact that only four people are responsible for creating the game, Ikaruga boasts a three-dimensional image and an excellent soundtrack. On home consoles, you can use the TATE modification. It allows you to turn the image of the game from vertical to horizontal, and vice versa, which fundamentally changes the style of the game. Another interesting feature of the game is the presence of an arcade model, which can be played with an infinite supply of lives for one loan from the main campaign. This is a good training before especially difficult levels with bosses.

In addition, Ikaruga supports a simultaneous game with two players, a flexible training mode where all actions are shown in slow motion. The game has a gallery about the creation and features of the game, which adds variety to the sensations of the game.

A few years ago in a small island state, Horai, the country's leader, Tenro Horai, discovered Ubusunagami Okinokai - Power of the Gods. Energy came from an object that was dug from the depths of the earth and gave unlimited power to its owner. Shortly after Tenro and his followers, who called themselves “Divine Ones,” conquest of countries began, one after another. The "elect" did this "in the name of peace."

Meanwhile, a freedom federation called Tenkaku appeared to challenge Horai. Using fighter aircraft called Hitekkai, they fought with the hope of freeing the world from Horai power - but all their efforts were in vain. They were no match for Horai and were eventually almost completely exterminated. Miraculously, one young man survived. His name was Shinra (森羅).

Wounded near a remote village called Ikaruga, inhabited by elderly people who were exiled by the conquests of Horai, Shinra was found and cured. Shinra regained his health and vowed to defeat Horai, and the villagers entrusted him with a new fighter plane, which they built on their own, called Ikaruga, translated as a turtledo .

Ikaruga was not an ordinary airplane; it was developed by the former technical genius Amanai (天内) with the help of Kazamori (風 守) and village leaders. Hidden in a secret underground bunker, it was called the “Akala Sword”, this is the first fighter built, combining energy polarities and capable of successfully switching between the two.

In a two-player game, Kagari (篝), the mercenary of Horay defeated by Shinra, joins Shinra. After Shinra saved her life, she decided to switch sides and join the resistance. Her ship, Ginkei, is modified by the Ikaruga people, who gave him identical abilities.

The game was developed by a team of three people, led by the leading game developer and game designer Hiroshi Iuchi. The team also included: programmer Atsumoto Nakagawa, designer of objects and characters Yasushi Suzuki. Ikagura was the first game for which Treasure released a video, even ahead of Konami .