Espgaluda

Last updated
Espgaluda
Espgaluda arcade flyer.jpg
Developer(s) Cave
Publisher(s) AMI
Director(s) Tsuneki Ikeda
Producer(s) Kenichi Takano
Designer(s) Akira Wakabayashi
Hideki Nomura
Hiroyuki Tanaka
Kengo Arai
Programmer(s) Takashi Ichimura
Tsuneki Ikeda
Artist(s) Tsukasa Kado
Composer(s) "SOU1"
SeriesEspgaluda
Platform(s) Arcade, EZweb, i-mode, PlayStation 2, Yahoo Mobile
Release
  • JP: November 2003
Genre(s) Bullet hell
Mode(s) Single-player, co-op
Arcade system PolyGame Master

Espgaluda [lower-alpha 1] is a 2003 manic shooter by Cave and published by AMI. It is the spiritual successor to ESP Ra.De. and is followed by Espgaluda II .

Contents

Gameplay

Arcade version screenshot PGM Espgaluda.png
Arcade version screenshot

Espgaluda is an arcade game which involves firing bullets and lasers at enemies, with the ultimate goal being to gain points and make it through all of the game's levels. The player character has an energy gauge that can be depleted either by using a shield attack or being hit by a bullet, which activates an automatic guard barrier. When this barrier is activated, the player fires a laser and is momentarily invincible. If the gauge is depleted when the player character is hit by the bullet, the player loses a life. The player collects gems and, when they enter Kakusei mode, the gem counter drains. While draining, the enemies turn purple, and the bullets and enemies begin to move more slowly. When enemies are defeated, their bullets turn gold, which adds to the score multiplier. When it ends, the player goes into Kakusei Over mode, where bullets turn red and travel faster than normal.

Development

Espgaluda was produced by Kenichi Takano and directed by Tsuneki Ikeda, co-founders of Cave whose previous works include the DonPachi series. [1] [2] [3] [4] Ikeda also served as co-programmer alongside Takashi Ichimura. [1] [5] Akira Wakabayashi, Hideki Nomura, Hiroyuki Tanaka and Kengo Arai also acted as co-designers. [1] [6] [7] [8] Artist Tsukasa Kado was responsible for both world building and character designs. [1] The soundtrack was composed by "SOU1" under supervision of Toshiaki Tomizawa, another co-founder of Cave. [2] [3] [9] [10] The team recounted its creation process and history through various publications. [11] [12]

Release

Espgaluda was first released in arcades by AMI in November 2003. [13] On March 15, 2004, a soundtrack album containing music from the game was published in Japan by Cave. [10] [14] On June 17 of the same year, a conversion for the PlayStation 2 was developed and published by Arika in Japan. [15] The PlayStation 2 version included different modes such as arcade, simulation, arrange, and a walkthrough DVD video featuring high-level replays. [16] [17] [18] [19] In arcade mode, players can configure screen orientation and other settings. Simulation mode simulates an arcade mode stage where players can practice of sections under pre-defined conditions. [17] [19] Arrange mode is a PlayStation 2-exclusive feature and introduces more aggressive enemy patterns, new playable characters, an arranged soundtrack, among other additions and gameplay changes. [16] [17] [19]

In 2005, Espgaluda was split into two separate parts and distributed by Cave through the Gaesen Yokocho service for EZweb, i-mode and Yahoo Mobile phones. [16] [20] Both parts were later merged into a single release titled Espgaluda DX, featuring enhanced graphics and a special mode. [16] [21]

Reception

Espgaluda garnered positive reception from critics who reviewed it as an import title, [23] with the PlayStation 2 conversion being regarded by outlets like Kotaku Australia and TheGamer as one of the best shoot 'em ups on the console. [24] [25] According to Famitsu , the PlayStation 2 version sold over 10,125 copies in its first week on the market and approximately 17,755 copies were sold during its lifetime in Japan. [26]

Famitsu's four reviewers gave the PlayStation 2 conversion a positive outlook. [22] Game Watch's Toyotomi Kazutaka praised the extra additions of the PlayStation 2 port such as arrange mode, as well as its "Kakusei" and guard barrier mechanics. [19] Edge commended the PlayStation 2 release for its accessibility, "Kakusei" and guard barrier mechanics, scoring system and extra modes but criticized the loss of visual fidelity due to screen resolution differences. [17] Consoles +'s Kael also gave positive remarks to the PlayStation 2 version for its gameplay and music but criticized the short length. [18] Hardcore Gaming 101's Craig Gabrielson noted its scoring system and accessibility in a positive light but criticized the visual variety in terms of stages and soundtrack. [16]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: エスプガルーダ, Hepburn: Esupugarūda

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toaplan</span> Japanese video game developer 1979-1994

Toaplan Co., Ltd. was a Japanese video game developer based in Tokyo responsible for the creation of a wide array of scrolling shooters and other arcade video games. The company was founded in 1979 but its gaming division was established in 1984 by former Orca and Crux employees, who wanted to make games, after both companies declared bankruptcy. Their first shoot 'em up game, Tiger-Heli (1985) on arcades, was a success and helped establish Toaplan as a leading producer of shooting games throughout the 1980s and 1990s that would continue to characterize their output.

<i>Tiger-Heli</i> 1985 video game

Tiger-Heli is a vertically scrolling shooter game developed by Toaplan and released for arcades in 1985. It was published in Japan by Taito and in North America by Romstar. Controlling the titular attack helicopter, the player must fight endless waves of military vehicles while avoiding collision with their projectiles and other obstacles. The Tiger-Heli has a powerful bomb at its disposal that can clear the screen of enemies when fired. It was the first shoot 'em up game from Toaplan, and their third video game overall.

<i>Twin Cobra</i> 1987 video game

Twin Cobra, known as Kyukyoku Tiger in Japan, is a vertically scrolling shooter developed by Toaplan and released for arcades in 1987 by Taito in Japan and Europe, then in North America by Romstar. It is a sequel to the 1985 arcade game Tiger-Heli. Controlling the titular attack helicopter, the players must fight endless waves of military vehicles while avoiding collision with their projectiles and other obstacles. It was the fourth shoot 'em up game from Toaplan, and their tenth video game overall. It was ported to multiple platforms, with each done by different third-party developers that made several changes or additions.

<i>Truxton</i> (video game) 1988 video game

Truxton is a 1988 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game originally developed by Toaplan and published in Japan and Europe by Taito, as well as in North America by Midway. Set in a future where the Gidans alien race led by Dogurava invaded the fictional planet Borogo, players assume the role of fighter pilot Tatsuo taking control of the Super Fighter ship on a last-ditch effort to overthrow the alien invaders.

<i>Batsugun</i> 1993 video game

Batsugun is a 1993 vertically scrolling bullet hell arcade video game originally developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and Europe by Taito, as well as Korea by Unite Trading. The last shoot 'em up created by Toaplan, the title takes place on a distant Earth-like planet where a global takeover operative led by king Renoselva A. Gladebaran VII is set into motion, as players assume the role from one of the six fighter pilots conforming the Skull Hornets squadron taking control of submersible jets in a last-ditch effort to overthrow the invading military force from the planet. Its gameplay mainly consists of shooting mixed with role-playing game-esque elements using a main two-button configuration.

<i>DoDonPachi</i> 1997 Video game

DoDonPachi is a vertically-scrolling bullet hell shoot' em up developed by Cave and published by Atlus in 1997. It was the second game developed by Cave, and the sixth on Cave's first-generation arcade hardware. As with its predecessor DonPachi, the title is both a Japanese term for expressing the sound of gunfire, and a term that relates to bees. The sequel to this game is DoDonPachi II, which was made by a different developer. The original developer later released its own sequel, DoDonPachi DaiOuJou.

<i>Twinkle Star Sprites</i> 1996 video game

Twinkle Star Sprites is a competitive vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game created by ADK and published by SNK in 1996. It was ADK's last production for the Neo Geo. Two players are each in separate, side-by-side, vertically scrolling levels. Combinations of shots and timed power-ups damage the other player. These attacks also serve as counters to the opponent's attack.

<i>Recca</i> 1992 video game

Recca is a 1992 scrolling shooter video game developed by KID and published by Naxat Soft for the Family Computer. Controlling the titular space fighter craft, the player is sent to counterattack an invading alien armada while avoiding collision with their projectiles and other obstacles. The ship has a powerful bomb at its disposal that can be used as shield and clear the screen of enemies and bullets when fully charged.

<i>Progear</i> 2001 video game

Progear is a 2001 horizontally scrolling bullet hell arcade video game developed by CAVE and published by Capcom for the CP System II board. Set in the fictional kingdom of Parts, players assume the role of children controlling a plane equipped with the titular propelling engine to overthrow the Metoruin sages and their new world order. It was the sixth shoot 'em up game from CAVE, their first horizontally oriented shooter, and their eighth video game overall.

<i>Dangun Feveron</i> 1998 arcade game

Dangun Feveron is a 1998 vertical-scrolling shooter arcade game developed by Cave and published by Nihon System in Japan. Players control a fighter craft and must destroy waves of enemies throughout a series of scrolling stages that increase in difficulty. The game's scoring system is designed to encourage players to destroy as many enemies possible, as points are subtracted based on how many enemies leave the screen. It is known for its elaborate disco-inspired presentation, soundtrack, and sassy voiceovers.

<i>DonPachi</i> 1995 Video game

DonPachi is a 1995 vertical-scrolling shooter arcade game developed by Cave and published by Atlus in Japan. Players assume the role of a recruit selected to take part in a secret military program by assaulting enemy strongholds in order to become a member of the "DonPachi Squadron".

<i>Battle Bakraid</i> 1999 video game

Battle Bakraid is a vertical scrolling shoot 'em up arcade game by Eighting released in 1999. It is the spiritual successor to the 1996 arcade game Battle Garegga. Players control one of nine fighter jets and shoot enemies, collect power-ups, and defeat bosses to advance through the game.

<i>Halleys Comet</i> (video game) 1986 arcade video game

Halley's Comet is an arcade vertically scrolling shooter video game developed by Pacific Manufacturing Ltd and published by its parent company Taito. Released in 1986 worldwide, Halley's Comet is a vertically scrolling shooter in which the player defends various planets around the Solar System from a direct collision with Halley's Comet and the various alien swarms which accompany it.

<i>Xexex</i> 1991 video game

Xexex, released as Orius in North America, is a 1991 side-scrolling shoot 'em up arcade game by Konami. It draws on Irem's R-Type and Konami's other shoot 'em up Gradius, while adding the tentacle mechanics of Irem's other shoot 'em up XMultiply. In the game, players take control of the Flintlock space fighter in a mission to rescue Princess Irene La Tias of Planet E-Square, who has been captured by the evil galactic warlord Klaus Pachelbel.

<i>Espgaluda II</i> 2005 Video game

Espgaluda II (エスプガルーダII) is a bullet hell shoot'em up originally released by Cave in the arcades in 2005 as a sequel to Espgaluda. An Xbox 360 release, titled Espgaluda II Black Label, was released in 2010 in Japan. It was released in September 2021 for the Switch worldwide.

<i>Fire Shark</i> 1989 video game

Fire Shark is a 1989 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and Europe, and by Romstar in North America. It is the sequel to Flying Shark, a game released in 1987 on multiple platforms. Set in the year 1991, the game focuses on a mysterious armada launching a worldwide attack from a small island in the Mediterranean Sea. Players take control of the titular biplane to counterattack the enemy forces.

<i>Grind Stormer</i> 1993 video game

Grind Stormer is a 1993 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game originally developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and North America. It is considered to be the spiritual successor to Slap Fight. Based around a video game within a video game concept, players assume the role of a young secret agent assigned by the government taking control of the NA-00 space fighter craft in an attempt to defeat the titular virtual reality simulator, rescue the abducted players who lost against it and unveil its true purpose.

<i>Eschatos</i> 2011 video game

Eschatos is a scrolling shooter, developed and published by Qute, which was released on April 7, 2011 for the Xbox 360. Despite the original Xbox 360 version only being released in Japan, it was a region-free release. A version for Microsoft Windows, published by Degica, was released in 2015. In 2021, Eschatos was ported to the Nintendo Switch exclusively in Japan, and was released worldwide on the Switch and PlayStation 4 the following year. Apart from the main game, two previous Wonderswan games by the developer, Judgement Silversword and Cardinal Sins, came bundled with the Xbox 360 release of Eschatos.

<i>Dogyuun</i> 1992 Video game

Dogyuun is a 1992 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Toaplan. Set on the colonized fictional planet of Dino in the future, where an alien race of metallic robots have invaded a police communication center and held its inhabitants as hostages, players assume the role of two fighter pilots taking control of the Sylfers bomber space fighter crafts in an revenge attempt to overthrow the invaders and free the surviving colonists after one of their comrades is killed by one of them during a reconnaissance assignment.

<i>ESP Ra.De.</i> 1998 video game

ESP Ra.De. is a 1998 vertical-scrolling bullet hell arcade game originally developed by Cave and co-published by Atlus and Nihon System in Japan. Set in the year 2018, players assume the role from one of the three ESPers to overthrow Lady Garra and her Yaska syndicate from taking over Tokyo.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Cave (2003). Espgaluda (PolyGame Master). AMI. Level/area: Staff.
  2. 1 2 "CAVE 15th Anniversary ~Shoot'em All!!~". Monthly Arcadia (in Japanese). No. 118. Enterbrain. March 2010. pp. 46–55. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-09-14 at the Wayback Machine ).
  3. 1 2 "Dossier Shoot 'em up". IG Magazine (in French). No. 8. Ankama Presse. May–June 2010. (Translation by Gaming.moe. Archived 2019-02-13 at the Wayback Machine ).
  4. ↑ "池田 恒基". ケイブシューティング史 こんにちは17年 ありがとう16年 (in Japanese). Cave. 24 August 2010. pp. 199–202. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-10-28 at the Wayback Machine ).
  5. ↑ "市村 崇志". ケイブシューティング史 こんにちは17年 ありがとう16年 (in Japanese). Cave. 24 August 2010. pp. 180–182. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-01-02 at the Wayback Machine ).
  6. ↑ "田中 周幸". ケイブシューティング史 こんにちは17年 ありがとう16年 (in Japanese). Cave. 24 August 2010. pp. 183–186. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-05-10 at the Wayback Machine ).
  7. ↑ "野村秀樹". ケイブシューティング史 こんにちは17年 ありがとう16年 (in Japanese). Cave. 24 August 2010. pp. 191–194. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-11-05 at the Wayback Machine ).
  8. ↑ "若林 明". ケイブシューティング史 こんにちは17年 ありがとう16年 (in Japanese). Cave. 24 August 2010. pp. 195–198. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-05-10 at the Wayback Machine ).
  9. ↑ "エログラサンとか言うな - SOU1インタビュー". The Interviews (in Japanese). paperboy&co. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-01-21. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-12-19 at the Wayback Machine .)
  10. 1 2 Fuentes, Edgar S. (June 10, 2020). "Vandal Game Music: CAVE. Un rítmico despliegue balístico — Repasamos la amplia carrera musical de una las compañías más importantes en shooters de nave". Vandal (in Spanish). El Español. Archived from the original on 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  11. ↑ "ボーナス！ケイブ事実！ - 怒首領蜂". ケイブシューティング史 こんにちは17年 ありがとう16年 (in Japanese). Cave. 24 August 2010. pp. 203–224. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine ).
  12. ↑ "Espgaluda – Developer Interviews". Shmuplations. August 20, 2015. Archived from the original on 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  13. ↑ Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). "AMI; ケイブ Cave". アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)[Arcade TV Game List Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005)] (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. pp. 17, 26. ISBN   978-4990251215.
  14. ↑ Greening, Chris (August 1, 2012). "ESPGaluda Original Soundtrack". vgmonline.net. Video Game Music Online. Archived from the original on 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  15. ↑ "エスプガルーダ (PS2)". PlayStation Official Site Software Catalog (in Japanese). Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Gabrielson, Craig (March 14, 2014). "Espgaluda". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 2021-04-04. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "Testscreen - Espgaluda (PS2)". Edge . No. 139. Future plc. August 2004. p. 104.
  18. 1 2 3 Kael (August–September 2004). "Test (Import): Espgaluda - Vole, Petit Papillon... (PS2)". Consoles +  [ fr ] (in French). No. 151. M.E.R.7  [ fr ]. p. 100.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Kazutaka, Toyotomi (June 30, 2004). "★PS2ゲームレビュー★: 弾幕シューティングの登竜門 -「エスプガルーダ」". GAME Watch (in Japanese). Impress Corporation. Archived from the original on 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  20. ↑ "iモードシューティング「エスプガルーダ 前編」". ITmedia Mobile (in Japanese). ITmedia  [ ja ]. February 25, 2005. Archived from the original on 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  21. ↑ Tsuda, Keimu (May 18, 2005). "ケイブ、256KB Vアプリ対応シューティング「エスプガルーダDX」". K-Tai Watch (in Japanese). Impress Corporation. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  22. 1 2 "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: エスプガルーダ". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 810. Enterbrain. June 11, 2004.
  23. 1 2 "Espgaluda (PS2)". Game Fan  [ fr ] (in French). No. 2. Japan Culture Press. July–August 2004.
  24. ↑ Vas, Gergo (April 18, 2013). "The Coolest Japanese Video Games With Over-The-Top Action". Kotaku Australia . G/O Media. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  25. ↑ Cheeseman, Ian (July 25, 2020). "10 Of The Best Shoot Em' Ups For The Playstation 2 - There were a lot of great shoot em' ups present on the Playstation 2 over the years. Here's a look at 10 of the all-time best". TheGamer. Archived from the original on 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  26. ↑ "Game Search". Game Data Library. Archived from the original on 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.