Simply labeling Ikaruga as a sequel to the cult Sega Saturn favorite Radiant Silvergun would be a mistake. It's so much deeper than that, thanks to a strategic angle involving two separate ship polarities and literally hundreds of thousands of bullets. Beloved on the Dreamcast and Nintendo GameCube, Xbox Live Arcade subscribers finally get their chance to download the game this week for a mere 10 bucks (800 points). It was worth the wait, as this is the best version of Ikaruga yet.

Ikaruga contains five stages of near-impossible odds, as hundreds of enemies spew black and white gunfire at you. Your ship has the ability to absorb this gunfire, but only one color at a time (dark polarity absorbs dark gunfire, for instance). You must flip your spacecraft back and forth between colors (called polarities) to absorb the same color gunfire or risk death. It's a strategy that will take some time to master, but it pays off. With each enemy bullet you absorb, you build up powerful energy that can be fired back in concentrated doses.

Think you can survive this? Think again.

Ikaruga's gameplay is masterful. You could just blaze through the game blasting everything in sight. However, to achieve a high score, you'll need to chain together combos, shooting three enemies of the same color multiple times in order to add to a multiplier. Considering the already progressive difficulty scale, this sounds easier than it actually is. You'll barely be able to survive level two, much less see the light of day in level three and above unless you really know what you're doing. With that said, practice makes perfect, since the game gives you the option to go directly to specific levels once you unlock them.

One neat new addition to the XBLA edition of Ikaruga is the ability to save replays. Not only can you save your gameplay sessions on each stage, but you can also download other players' replays to see how well they suffice. It's a fantastic idea, one that may give you an idea on techniques to survive. The only downside is you have to turn off the continue option and use the game's default settings. At least this keeps cheaters from beating the system.

With presentation, Ikaruga sets the standard for Xbox Live Arcade. The game is a visual stunner, with outstanding 3-D backdrops, tons of on-screen enemies and wonderfully coordinated bullet formations, all without a hint of slowdown (except during the end boss explosions). Hitoshi Sakimoto's background music is wonderful, and the sound effects deliver where necessary. Better still, the option to play the game from a vertical standpoint is included. Granted, you'll need to turn your TV on its side to get the full effect, a feat not easily performed with big-screen televisions and delicate plasma models.

Along with replays, you can check on the top-tier Ikaruga players through online leader boards or you can hook up with a buddy through Xbox Live, facing the fire in a two-player session. (You can play off-line as well, through the same unit or through System Link.) Online play runs smoothly, but involving a second player can be downright confusing with all the on-screen commotion going on. Still, the option's there, if you want to take advantage of it.

Ikaruga is anything but a weak shooter. This is an incredibly hard game that will leave you cursing on more than one occasion. If you stick with it, however, you'll soon reap its rewards. Ikaruga sets a new standard for Xbox Live Arcade, and it simply can't be beat.

Related Links

Ikaruga Game Guide

Ikaruga Xbox Live Arcade page

Our Final ScoreExcellent

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