Cave brings its unique brand of "bullet hell" to Xbox 360 gamers as they blast their way through hordes of foes and avoid screen-filling attacks in Akai Katana. Set in an alternate reality resembling early 20th-century Japan, Akai Katana tells the story of rebels fighting against an empire that has gained power largely through human sacrifice. Players use their fighter planes and powerful swords to destroy enemies in "Original (Arcade)," "Slash," and "Climax" modes, with online leaderboards and replays to relive past successes, and two-player co-op action in the "Original" mode.
Incredible Cave shooter/shmup with samurai bosses and diesel-punk plane, tank and battleship enemies
Akai Katana is an amazing shooter/shmup, a classic side scrolling/horizontal shooter made by Cave.
Diesel-punk meets samurai is the aesthetic here and it works to great effect: each of the fighter craft are diesel-punk designs while attack mode unleashes a large samurai sword -- this would be the laser attack weapon in other Cave shooters -- from your fighter craft and both mid and end level bosses reinforce the diesel-punk meets samurai as the mid bosses are all some kind of large fighter or tank in diesel-punk style and the end bosses are all super powerful samurai opponents. Note that every stage in Akai Katana has both a mid and end level boss; these elements and the level/stage design definitely add to the gameplay and challenges that Akai Katana throws your way.
With a catchy, driving soundtrack, challenging side scrolling shooting action, dramatic scrolling landscapes with various man made and natural features, amazingly detailed and somewhat still cartoonish enemies, large, challenging bosses and classic bullet hell satisfaction, Akai Katana is a great side scrolling shooter/shmup that does everything right.
Be warned however that of all the Xbox 360 Cave shooters I have played, Akai Katana is the hardest to learn with steepest learning curve even with the easiest settings chosen; there is a lot going on in this game with respect to tactical play and moving back and forth between attack mode and defense mode and careful, selective use of bombs. However, that also means more replay value!!!
Akai Katana for Xbox 360 is highly recommended!Read full review
Akai Katana is yet another great SHMUP by Cave, It takes a lot of skill to get that perfect 1CC run, but I've had so much practice that it's not that big of a deal.