Ikaruga (2001)

Been slowly chipping away at stages 4 and 5 in stage select, and then today it all came together at once and I rolled credits on my first full attempt! I can sense the absurd skill ceiling still infinitely high above me, can imagine finding a line of perfect monochromatic death through the whole thing, but for now I'm content with my clumsy win.

It's been 15 years since I last beat Ikaruga, and nothing's gone like I planned back then. For better and for worse, I ended up someplace else entirely, with new scars and new aspirations. But I'm still here, striving.

I remember hearing and reading about this game when I was younger, and always with a sense of awe—that it is among if not the pinnacle of this type of bullet hell experience. And I think had I encountered this game twenty years ago, when in my twenties and still a little obsessed with games like Einhander, I would have loved it. Now...

To be clear: It's a helluva game. Very well made, good music, kinetic as all hell. But while I don't shy away from things requiring challenge or dexterity (I did just spend 200 hours in Elden Ring getting the platinum across two playthroughs and obliterating anything and everything that moved), I honestly felt while playing Ikaruga that my eyes could not keep up with what was required. Made it to the third chapter, and I might have continued on if not for the pretty terrible load times—if I'm going to die a lot and beat my head against a thing, being kicked all the way back out to the title screen every time is a bit on the annoying side. But in the end, while I was able to push through to about the game's mid-point, I can't say I was enjoying it enough on a moment-to-moment level to want to push through the eye strain.

I can totally see why this is so beloved, and in a previous life I could imagine myself getting totally wrapped up in the challenge of this, but I'm just not there anymore, nor do I love this genre as I once did. Glad I finally experienced this, but I don't see myself wanting to put in the work to see it through.

This game… I’ve said it before, it’s cool but so hard. I thought once I got used to the color changing mechanic it would be fine but the game is still just brutal. Feels like most of my deaths are either hitting or getting pushed into some obstacle or wall. 3rd level, I just can’t seem to get it together to clear it consistently.

I like some of the encounters in this game, bosses and minibosses and such. Presentation is super cool, neat camera movements and hummable music that make it feel really epic. But overall it feels so annoyingly designed to me. So much memorization of little obstacles to inch your way around or barely slip through or avoid getting pushed into.

I definitely do prefer some of Treasure’s other games (the run & guns and rail shooters), and prefer my shmups from other developers. Will be giving Radiant Silvergun another go though at some point now that I’m more used to this sort of game.

First note: Yes it is that hard.

Ikaruga is a prime example of a Danmaku "Bullet Hell" Shoot-em-up. You play as a little ship and blast enemies out of sky with your ship's lasers. One catch, there are dozens, sometimes hundreds of projectiles on the screen at once. Ikaruga is reminiscent of a game called 'radiant silvergun', although it's hard to tell. The Japanese Danmaku games aren't very popular in the west, but Radiant Silvergun accomplished it and Ikaruga takes its one step further.

It is hard, tough as nails but surprisingly meditative. The graphics are beautifully detailed for a game of this genre. You have the ability to switch from black to white. This helps in two ways, each colour is immune to projectiles of the same colour. Differently coloured projectiles are also effective for different enemies. White is more effective against black and vice versa.

It is a short game, but with many modes and difficulties, it's hard to beat. Many players find this difficult on the easiest mode, some failing even on the first level. And on the levels there is a structure to those. You have many hazards such as moving blocks, enemies and two bosses per level. A mini-boss and an end level boss. These bosses are huge power houses shooting out hundreds of projectiles, normally using both colours to beat you. Switching quickly and using your special, which is powered by absorbing projectiles of the same colour will help you.

1001 Games - #484

Pros: simple & well-executed concept, rewards dedication, excellent graphics

Cons: fiendishly difficult, barebones story doesn't come through, some may find it too short

Recommendation: Despite my mentioning of the story, this is by far the most insignificant critique I think I've ever mentioned. Obviously the story of Ikaruga isn't important, the gameplay is. In that regard, Ikaruga is a triumph. The simple black vs. white concept is utilized in a multitude of different ways. My only real problem is the difficulty. While the challenge is welcome by many, it can be a real turn off when one can only consistently reach the 3rd level. Others also complain about the length, but I think for a game as difficult as Ikaruga, five stages is more than enough challenge.