Developed by Tchagata Games
Released for XBLIG (8/2014)
Also on PC
Nandeyanen!? - The 1st Sutra is a horizontal shmup released for XBLIG in August 2014 and later in 2015 for PC. The game is your traditional bullet-hell shooter and feels like something you'd play in a Japanese arcade. The graphics are composed of high-resolution sprites featuring some nice artwork and coloring. The game looks really good in motion though there is some noticeable screen-tearing (though this is a common issue with many 360 titles). Enemy bullets are bright and pink, making them hard to miss. Rather than piloting a ship, you control a flying tengu, one of those dudes from Japanese mythology with the long-nose. Your enemies consist of various yokai which makes for an interesting and strange assortment of foes to shoot.
Any shmup worth its salt needs something to set itself apart from the pack, and Nandeyanen!? - The 1st Sutra features a "pod" button you can use to summon some help. This can be used to parry bullets (similar to Street Fighter III's parry move) or take down enemy shields by having the pod emit a blast. You can use three pods at a time at which point you'll have to wait for them to recharge. Another somewhat unique feature to this game is the lack of weapon power-ups, your shot remains at a consistent strength throughout the entire game, but the enemy placement was obviously laid out with this in mind so it never becomes an issue. Certain enemies throughout each stage will drop a relic, and if you collect enough of these you can knock off about a quarter of the stage boss's health meter before the fight even starts. You also have a bomb that will clear the bullets off the screen, which will come in handy when you have a curtain of bullets coming at you.
At first you might be surprised at how large your character sprite is, but like in most bullet-hell style shooters your hit-box is actually quite small. In Nandeyanen!?, your hit-box is the little circle on your characters belt, which also shines to indicate when your pods have recharged. The only real complaint I have against the game is that it only features three stages. The stages are quite lengthy and feature both a mid and final boss battle, but it's all over too quick and the game really could have used another level or two. Even with the short length, this is still a fun title worth coming back to every now and then. The game does offer three difficulties to provide some extra challenge as well as a bonus gallery featuring some concept art you can unlock. Upon completion, the game teases that the 2nd Sutra will be coming soon but unfortunately that doesn't look like it's ever going to happen.
Final Verdict: Nandeyanen!? - The 1st Sutra is short shoot 'em up title featuring only three levels, but it's very competently designed and a joy to play. Shmup fans should check this one out.
Related Links:
Nandeyanen!? - Tchagata Games Official Site
No comments:
Post a Comment