Very fun demo, I played it from start to end (I think). I was underwhelmed at first, but then I realized how many maneuvers there were. After that it got a lot more fun. The circling of the pickups was the only thing that annoyed me a bit.

Looking forward to the full version.

Looks interesting!

Tutorial signs expand on the controls a little more. Here is my rough English summary if any one is curious:

1. Move = left/right arrow keys
2. Dash = double-tap arrow keys
3. Slide = push attack whil dashing
4. double jump = push z while jumping
5. Msg: ???
6. Upper Fang = Hold up, push attack
7. Low Fang = While jumping, hold down, push attack
8. Climb = Jump towards wall, hold left/right, push attack.
9. Msg: You can even perform Climb on the moving platforms!
10. Msg: You can't perform Climb on the glass walls.
11. Tornado Attack: Take a running jump towards a wall, push Jump again when you hit the wall.
12. Msg: ???
13. Tech 1 = Use Upper Fang attack combined with Jumping to get a high jump.
14. Tech 2 = When performing Tornado Attack, in places where you can't use a second Jump, you can use the Upper Fang attack instead.
15. Tech 3 = Not sure. Something about using "Sliding Low Fang" while doing Tornado Attack.


Not sure if I am correctly interperting how the Tornado Attack is supposed to work though.

As usual the graphics are crazy awesome. At first I thought the gameplay was a bit shallow but the many different moves spice it up quite a bit, even if the enemies are mostly mindless and have repetitive patterns. Though this is only the first level, so I'm not sure what to expect from the rest of the game.

The game did suffer from a very annoying ammount of slowdown during the boss fight which made my commands unresponsive, and so made me die twice the ammount of times I should have. Seems like some kind of memory leak in that specific battle, at least for me.

Does the Mana serve any point in the game so far, or is it there in the demo just to look pretty?

Graphics remind me of megadrive

I enjoyed the demo very much. I died a few times until I got used the the Z, X, C key combinations.

I didn't have problems with slowdown on the boss.

I like how simply detailed it is.

I really hope the final version includes a time trial mode. I'm almost positive that the first level can be completed in about 15 seconds if you run the entire way, dashing and boosting at the proper times.

Playing like this completely changes the feel of things. It's like Megaman Zero meets Sonic the Hedgehog.

Is there any way to turn down the volume in games like these?

Great little demo can't wait for the full game.

Wasn't too keen on this. It felt tired and repetitive, sure it got difficult in that second area which made it more fun. But I couldn't play much more than that. I'm hoping the full game has some tricks to make it different than the million+1 near identical GBA games.

WOW! I think JLC also knows how awesome this gets when you speed run/kill the levels with one life, ripping enemies apart, and building up sick mana for a super high score.

I love all of the moves!

Sweet, thanks for linking to my instructions.

If anyone needs help with Japanese text for this or any other game - let me know in its comments. Definitely need the practice.

You know, when the full version comes out, I'm going to be the one that is first in the ranking. :3

I hope they put in a time attack mode because speed runs here are cool (except for the mini-bosses and the boss, going aggressive there is just asking for you to lose your mana).

Also, thanks James for the instructions! :o

Re: The Mana (those little balls that float around).

It does serve some kind of purpose, every 500 you collect, I think, will restore your health:

マナ５００毎に体力回復及びプレイヤーの追加がされます。

James: That fact is true. If you're a speedrunner, you should get that extra life+restoration at least at the end of Act 3; if you are trying to get all mana, you'd get it after you kill the three eagles quickly at the beginning of that act. :3

These are the maximum amounts of mana you should be getting after the end of an act for a high score (mana is multipled at the end of the stage to your score):
Act 1: 178
Act 2: 496
Act 3: ~785
Boss: ~1015

Now, I could make my score slightly higher if I knew how to get more mana from the boss, but I don't think that's possible, so I'm going to stay and enjoy my spot at the top.

excellent! any chance of recording it then? ;)

Definitely a bit tougher than Akuji the Demon or Guardian of Paradise, which is a good thing.

The spidery boss reminded me a little of some boss from the Mega Man X series, which isn't bad either.

The full game should be a good one, if this is any indication.

Tim: Sorry, but the video recording programs weren't really working out for me right now. All I have is this subpar run with no sound: http://youtube.com/watch?v=90aixzleT5s

I know that in my 134000 run (I don't remember how I did it), I never knew that you could use C to pick up mana.

Okay, I want to ask you all a question: Do you mind if I break the trial's online ranking? Three votes will decide whether or not I do it (and explain why it's possible).

Does anyone know when the full version will be out?

Never mind, Buster just posted three different links for purchasing the game. They are all in Japanese and I am wondering of a way to purchase this game.

I'm interested in purchase this game,too. But I can only use Paypal for international purchasing.
I can't use these japanese ones.
What's a pity!

This is clearly an improvement over Akuji The Demon, but something bugs me :

What's the point of having a double jump AND AT THE SAME TIME the possibility to jump way higher by jumping & then doing a Upper Fang attack ? Pretty useless methinks.

The double jump is good for reaching higher places, but you're vulnerable to enemies or attacks above you. The Upper Fang attack, on the other hand, won't let you jump as high as the double jump does, plus it goes faster, so it's a bit harder to control, but it's great for smashing enemies that're right above you, like those crows.

Is anyone elso interesting in getting the full version? I was wondering if Shih Tzu or someone who speaks Japanese could contact Buster and ask him how American fans can get a copy of this game.

European fans, too ;)

Please don't break the ranking, Choja. But, watching your video/speedrun was nice!

Now, someone mentioned clearing the first act in/under 15 seconds... I'm tempted to see if it's possible. Either way, this game is fun.

Also, how would you do it?! Wait, no, don't tell, then someone'd disregard the "nah it'd ruin the expirience for some" bit, and break it.