dluxx7 Halloween 2021 Spooktacular!: Psychic Assassin Taromaru* (1997,Sega Saturn) Full play through
0* Japanese title is Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru.
Spooky All Hallows Eve greetings everybody!
Halloween season will soon be upon us once again. So, as is tradition on my channel, its time for me to play a supernatural horror themed video game to mark the occasion and, quite honestly, I think I have chosen a real gem of a supernatural/horror game for my Halloween Spooktacular this year.
Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru is a 2.5D side-scrolling action game. Players get to choose one of two characters: demon hunter Tarōmaru or Buddhist monk Enkai. Characters take on an army of monsters and demons using psychic powers. The two characters are similar in attack power, but differ in attack range and abilities.
Gameplay wise, enemies are targeted automatically with a targeting bit that hovers the screen. Players attack with either short fire bursts of energy or charge up energy for a more stronger attack which can also attack multiple enemies. Characters move set range from a normal jump, a slide, and dash. An interesting game feature is that players can hypnotize enemies into joining them in battle to attack other enemies. Additionally, players can cast a protective barrier that repel enemies and absorbs some enemy attacks. There is also a two player co-op mode included.
Perhaps one of the games stand out features are the awesome and bizarre boss fights. The game has all manner of supernatural and demonic creature bosses. For example, in one fight, a mother cuts off her child's head which suddenly morphs into a giant demonic serpent. A giant fire breathing skeleton monster causes havoc oh and did I mention giant armored spider women demons? Yeah, this game is quite something, but in a cool. spooky and interesting way.
Story wise, its your standard save damsel in distress trope. The game takes place in Feudal Japan. Two demon hunters set out on a mission to rescue a kidnapped maiden from an evil warlord who plans to sacrifice her as part of an unholy ritual to summon dark forces.
Here, I do a one player only full play through as Taromaru. Please note, the game is played purely for entertainment and posterity, not expertise, skill, 1CCing or high scoring.
Overall, I really enjoyed this game. The supernatural atmosphere, the insane boss fights and their designs. Music is ok, though nothing memorable. My only issue is that I wish the characters were able to attack and move at the same time or they had a screen clearing enemy bomb attack of some sort, but this is just me nitpicking lol.
An amazing atmospheric, underrated action horror game. I Highly recommend.
Happy Halloween 2021 folks!. Have a great, yet safe one!