Developer NatsumeAtari/Tengo
Publisher ININ Games, Natsume(Digitally)
Platforms Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4
Website(s) of interest
https://www.iningames.com/games/pocky-rocky-reshrined/
https://www.strictlylimitedgames.com/partner-store/
Where to buy:
There will be exclusive Limited and Collector‘s Editions that can be pre-ordered via Gamesrocket, expected to ship in Q3. (UK exclusive)
https://gamesrocket.com/eu/Pocky-Rocky-Reshrined/
Gamestop(both Switch+PS4 options can be selected on the page).
My Brief history with the franchise:
Saying I grew up with this series is more so saying I experienced it off and on. Having fond memories of the US release of the Gameboy Advance game Pocky & Rocky with Becky. I tried out the 1986 arcade release in a niche arcade: KiKi KaiKai when it was around my area for a short while, which was a rare sighting,. This was before it disappeared from sight a few weeks later. I then got to borrow a copy to play Pocky and Rocky on the Super Nintendo from a friend’s collection. This was when I finally got my own system with The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past, Super Mario World, and Super Metroid. Talk about a winning combination. From there I spent a few days playing Pocky & Rocky until I beat it, returning it to my friend. The overhead style was exactly what the doctor ordered. It was just fun, simple, and light-hearted with humor.
What is Reshrined to the series?
Simply put from my perspective a beautifully animated upgrade to the classic SNES or Super Famicom title. However the heroine(Pocky) and her companion’s adventures continue in this third installment of the classic shrine maiden shooting series! Pocky and Rocky Reshrined is a multi-directional scrolling shooter with excellent vintage visuals and music.
That is not all either. Along with the sharp visuals, is the tight controls. You are given smoother frame-rates along with more frantic enemies in this love letter to scrolling shooters. It is more of the same as you played in the past if you are a veteran to the games of old, but looking so much more improved. With some good quality of life difficulty, and quirky pickups. The original developers from my understanding whom made the SNES version of the game had their hands with this. As I can feel originality from the ground up. As if “what made the home console version so good, and how may we make that better?”
Out of the gate the game swims of charm. A ocean of colors, generous animations and that kick of challenge I remember from the original arcade game. Every enemy and attack fills the screen without really slowing down in the slightest on the Switch version. Which was given to us generously by Natsume and all Hound PR related. (A humble thank you to them!). What I remember from muscle memory seemed to at first betray me. I would almost within half of the course get wiped out. Then after several tries I got used to the game.
This meant the game felt new, which was a good thing. That promise of “Reshrined” was and is a true statement. I felt humbled. This game, which resembles my childhood and teens playing through, feeling sweat down my brow, and satisfaction from completing the game’s challenging stages is there. Which for older fans, this is a great thing. I would have personally felt saddened if they taken it easy on the newer crowds. With a more “everyone is welcome to the pool” approach. Instead, it felt like the developers knew if they made it to easy, older fans would feel cheated, clearing this game so fast. You ask me what would I say about this game. It is as if they taken the original KiKi KaiKai, pulled out the arcade board, and had a wizard cast a spell on it. Now you sit there looking at this sentence like “what?” Then I tell you simply it is magical how they made a classic feel so new, and refreshed. Luckily the wizard also figured if you worked enough in the game, collected some coins you can set the game to easy mode, if the youngsters can not handle the challenge. Nothing felt clunky, glitchie, or out of place. The presentation between levels are there. The story told is adorable and really good. As it was when I first popped on the SNES copy for the first time being able to finally understand the story.
Describing the game the best way I can
The game itself shifts between charming animated comic like clips, explaining the current events within the game. Power ups, such as fire talismans and extra Talismans come in droves. Certain enemies give these to you, sometimes from pottery, and random spots. From that you are given a generous spread of well-animated demons. These supernatural spooky ghosts or monsters all over the screen in a chaotic board (level) of enemies all out to kill you. Carefully also tactically placed are traps or enemies tucked into intersections which you either dodge or take them out with some talisman or the many powers of Rocky.
Single-player or co-op you can take on the demons from the mountains, and beyond. Single-player you can per level swap to Pocky, then Rocky. Normal to the hard difficulty are by default accessible. Easy mode is earned from beating the game. Which you would assume would be there out of the gate, with hard mode being the one to earn. I suppose if you want to earn that smooth ride, you first gotta run through the lava. Haha! True to its source it blends “run and fun”, like a love letter to fans who loved the handful of ports and bits in between from the lovable duo pair.
One thing I would have wished for the game to have as an optional twin-stick, so you could aim and shoot a little more precisely when tossing your leaves or talismans. Others might not mind the one stick and push style for me it feels a little sharper when dealing with some moments in the game. Other than that personally the game plays how it should. Each death felt about as fair as it needed to be.
As the whole series is arcade gameplay based. As the game goes on the challenge ramps up. The traps, and some enemies increase of number. Some easy to snipe off from across the screen, others require a swipe with your melee, via Fan attack or Tail swipe. Reducing how much damage you receive also plays a role in the game aside from common sense. If you can prevent as much damage you take in, every power-up you keep on stick, as per hit, you are deducted a powerup. Sounds harsh but also plays into the style of an arcade. That’s if you remember a certain Pink ball named Kirby.
In Closing:
Every so often I want many games from my childhood or early teens to re-sprout from the earth. From what I remember from the original format, but with modern techniques. Soon as this is spoken many assume “Oh Em GeE tHaT mEaNs MoNiZiTiEd CaSh ShOp ItEmS!” No. Not every single remake has this. You can paste me a few, but I can show you many that do not even remotely do this. This game here shows a purely clean bill of health. It offers charm, solid controls, and a good challenge. As well as a fair progression system. Where if you lose all of your lives, you can go to a checkpoint, if within a lengthier level. As far as Pocky & Rocky Reshrined is concerned, it is another solid, and well-priced addition to the PS4 & Switch selection for Physical collectors.
Physical collectors will be relieved to hear that ININ Games will be handling the brick-and-mortar edition of Pocky & Rocky. Which includes all sorts of fabulous editions like a super adorable Rocky doll, the outstanding OST, and the amazing big beautiful box featuring that iconic Rocky stare. A fully packed collectors edition, that makes me drool, as most hardcore Pocky & Rocky fans will want this on their shelves.
