For those who played it, Ikaruga’s polarity-switching, vertical-scrolling sh’mup action left quite an impression. Originally a Dreamcast title in Japan, it was released in the US on the GameCube as well as, eventually, Xbox Live. A spiritual successor to the Saturn’s stellar Radiant Silvergun (also available for digital download these days), Ikaruga was obscenely hard, demanding awareness, timing, and accuracy from players.
Now, G. Rev, the creators of Ikaruga, are bringing their latest sh’mup to the 3DS eShop. Kokuga, unlike its predecessors, is a more free-roaming endeavor that appears to have a slower pace. Players inhabit a tank, not only guiding it around maps, but blasting enemies with its rotating turret. In addition to the single-player action and a card-based power up system, Kokuga will also feature 4-player co-op as well as download play for those whose friends don’t purchase it.
Kokuga is slated for release in North America tomorrow, June 27.
Source: Kokuga