Game:

Counter-Strike: Source (2004)

Duration: 0:00

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1

Hello again folks, another cave title recommended by a friend and it's Espgaluda.

Lots of frustration went into this really but after finding a good route and ways to cheese the final boss, it's a fun entry into the bullet hell genre second to Touhou. It's mainly because of the games gimmick aka Kakusei mode.

Plot is pretty grim along with a harsh intro stage. Keep it short, a queen handed down her powers to her descendants, the king aka Jakou didn't have these and wanted to exploit the queen's powers and subjected both Ageha & Tateha to a super soldier program. Queen didn't like it and put her powers into gems to stop Jakou, they found a workaround somehow.

Lead researcher Hiodoshi had a change of heart and took both Tateha and Ageha in hopes that they can live a normal life. Eventually Jakou's henchmen found them, refusing to give both Tateha & Ageha, Hoidoshi was shot in cold blood in front of them, awakening their powers and head back to shinra (no not that one) to beat Jakou.

Anyways, it's your usual cave game. unfocused shot and a focused laser shot. Both shot types for Ageha and Tateha are fine really but Tateha is a bit more cumbersome to use. The thing that makes it stand out and also approachable is Kakusei mode.

For simplicities sake, it allows our characters to slow down bullets so you can dodge much easier. It consumes those green gems that you get for beating enemies. Also while in Kakusei mode, if you beat an enemy or boss with their bullets still on the screen, they cancel out and you're awarded with medals/ingots. It's very satisfying to get bullet clears when you take someone out in Kakusei mode. Your shot also gets stronger when in this mode.

Be warned though, once the gems are out your placed in Kakusei Overmode, you do get more score for this actually at the cost of bullets turning red and becoming much faster. There's about 4 levels of it, once you max it out you'll get this blue blur on your character and your gem value multiplies, it will however reset if you got hit (excluding autobomb.)

Shot types though, Ageha is the forward type and Tateha is spread.
Ageha in non kakusei is fine, even better when in kakusei mode since his lasers are more powerful.
Tateha is fine, wide shot good plus her focus shot in non kakusei is stronger than Ageha's. Tateha in Kakusei though, while her non focus is good, focus is too weak unlike Ageha's.

Honestly though I think both are good shot types, Ageha doesn't have much coverage but the speed makes up for it. Tateha isn't as fast but covers the screen a lot. Kakusei mode, Ageha is the man/woman (did I mention they change genders in kakusei mode?) because strong focus shot. Tateha, does have a strong unfocus in kakusei too but a not so good focus shot, which is an issue really since you you do use the focus shot a lot to dodge.

Bombs, very flexible actually since it's a meter. You can bomb a max of 4 times or charge it up for lotsa damage. My suggestion if you charge, leave a small bit before it reaches the middle, that way you can bomb three more times. Alternatively though you can charge twice and leave a small chunk again before the meter drains so you can bomb 3 times.

This game also showed me just how fun scoring is, all those medals every time get a screen clear is satisfying as hell. Scoring is very esential here too since the next extend is at 14 mil.

Patterns aren't too tough really, kakusei mode also helps when you get cornered or find a pattern that's too tight. Final boss is a real doozy BUT I did find out you can spam your bombs on him and just practice the final phase.

Overall, would I recommend it as a good entry into the bullet hell genre? Yes, kakusei mode really just makes it approachable, the bullet screen clears makes it that the screen isn't always flooded with bullets, great bomb meter mechanic, nice visuals and good music. I highly recommend it, the gimmick is highly addictive!

TImestamps:

0:00 - Stage 1
0:55 - 1st Mid Boss
1:47 - 1st Boss (Seseri)
2:40 - Stage 2
3:40 - 2nd Mid Boss
4:56 - 2nd Boss
6:07 - Stage 3
7:29 - 3rd Mid Boss
9:39 - 3rd Boss
11:10 - Stage 4
12:21 - 4th Mid Boss
14:21 - 4th Boss
15:48 - Final Stage
17:45 - Final Mid Boss
20:35 - Final Boss (Phase 1)
21:27 - Final Boss (Phase 2)
22:53 - Final Boss (Phase 3)
25:06 - Ending & Results

If you like my runs be sure to check out the group I'm in if you want to see us play more good ol fashion retro games!
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