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Akai Katana

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Akai Katana
Developer(s)Cave
exA-Arcadia (EXA Label)
Publisher(s)Cave[a][b]
Director(s)Tsuneki Ikeda
Producer(s)Kenichi Takano
Designer(s)Hideki Nomura
Programmer(s)Tsuneki Ikeda
Shinobu Yagawa
Daisuke Koizumi
Toshihiko Sera
Artist(s)Mushimaro Tachikawa[3]
Composer(s)Ryu Umemoto
Platform(s)
Release
August 20, 2010
  • Arcade
    • JP: August 20, 2010
    Arcade Shin
    • JP: July 24, 2012
    Arcade EXA Label
    • WW: February 17, 2022
    Shin
    Xbox 360
    • JP: May 26, 2011
    • EU: May 11, 2012[1]
    • NA: May 15, 2012
    • AU: August 28, 2012[2]
    Windows
    • WW: December 15, 2022
    Switch, PS4, Xbox One
    • JP: December 15, 2022
    • WW: June 29, 2023
Genre(s)Bullet hell
Arcade systemCAVE CV1000-D

NESiCAxLive (Shin)

exA-Arcadia (EXA Label)

Akai Katana[c] is a bullet hell shooter video game developed by Cave that was released on August 20, 2010 in arcades. A video game console port, Akai Katana Shin,[d] was released on the Xbox 360 on May 26, 2011 in Japan. Rising Star Games released the game in North America and Europe on May 15, 2012.

It is the fourth horizontal shoot 'em up game from the company, the prior three being Progear, Deathsmiles, and Deathsmiles II. The game's soundtrack was composed by Ryu Umemoto.

On February 17, 2022, an enhanced definitive version titled Akai Katana EXA Label was released in arcades on exA-Arcadia.

City Connection re-released the game as Akai Katana Shin for Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on December 15, 2022.[4]

Gameplay

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Arcade version screenshot.

Plot

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Set in a parallel world resembling Japan's Taishō period, the people have discovered the powerful Blood Swords, the titular Akai Katana. Requiring human sacrifices to unleash their immense destructive power, these swords have been used by the empire to crush neighbouring countries. However, all the bloodshed and power gained through sacrificing close family members has made some of the swordsmen reconsider. With new fighter planes and the powered up swords at their disposal, this small band of rebels now fight back against the tyrannical empire.

EXA Label

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On February 17, 2020, exA-Arcadia released a definitive version titled Crimson Katana EXA Label outside of Japan or Akai Katana EXA Label within Japan. There are 4 selectable play modes: Original, Zetsu, Shin and EXA Label. Each play mode has an additional difficulty level called Kiwami or Extreme. Only the EXA Label versions of Zetsu, Shin and EXA Label modes allow for 2 player simultaneous play which is not possible in the Xbox 360 or subsequent ports. Original mode removes the crippling slowdown seen in the original CV-1000 arcade version and smooths out the gameplay experience. Zetsu is an arranged widescreen version of the arcade original but now includes the ability to fight the true last boss in the EXA Label version. Shin on EXA Label is based upon the Xbox 360 version and not the later NESiCAxLive version. EXA Label is an all new arranged mode adding a complete FM soundtrack which was completed posthumously by Keishi Yonao and the extra stage from Shin. This mode focuses on bullet canceling and scoring. There are 3 selectable soundtracks: Original, Arranged, & FM that are available in any play mode. The DLC voice packs from the Xbox 360 version have been incorporated into each play mode. Input latency was reduced to 1 frame using exA-Arcadia technology.[5]

Reception

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Famitsu gave the game scores of 8, 8, 8 and 9 from four reviewers, adding up to a total score of 33 out of 40.[11] As Rising Star's inaugural U.S. title, Tech-Gaming found the game a "promising offering, offering stateside shoot ‘em up fans an exceptional entry into an increasingly niche genre.", and praised the title's depth of play mechanics.[15] GameSpot gave the game a score of 8 out of 10, describing it as "a well-crafted dose of over-the-top bullet-hell action."[12] Destructoid gave the game a score of 9 out of 10, concluding that "you may just find yourself ascending to bullet hell heaven if you dedicate some time to learning the game’s obscure but absolutely thrilling mechanics."[8]

Mean Machines described it as a "must-have blaster" for the Xbox 360, praising the gameplay, the "masterpiece" 2D graphics, and the "fantastic" hard rock soundtrack.[16] Crunchyroll praised the challenging gameplay as well as Umemoto's "insane guitar" music as possibly "soundtrack of the year," concluding that "anyone interested in the genre should pick this one up and reward said risk with a small swirling bundle of gold."[17]

Notes

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  1. ^ Xbox 360 version published by Rising Star Games in North America and Europe.
  2. ^ Nintendo Switch, Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions published by City Connection.
  3. ^ Japanese: 赤い刀, Hepburn: Red Katana
  4. ^ Japanese: 赤い刀 真

References

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  1. ^ Burleson, Kyle MacGregor (May 5, 2012). "Cave shooter Akai Katana descending onto the Xbox 360". Destructoid. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Akai Katana". GameSpot AU. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "QUATRE AILES". Mushimaro Blog. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  4. ^ "Akai Katana Shin for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch launches December 15". Gematsu. 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  5. ^ "CRIMSON KATANA EXA LABEL". exA-Arcadia. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  6. ^ "Akai Katana for Xbox 360". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  7. ^ "Akai Katana for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Pinsof, Allistair (May 17, 2012). "Review: Akai Katana". Destructoid. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  9. ^ Patterson, Eric L. (May 15, 2012). "EGM Review: Akai Katana". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  10. ^ Woger, Martin (June 26, 2012). "Akai Katana - Test". Eurogamer (in German). Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Famitsu review scores - Pandora's Tower score". N4G. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  12. ^ a b Walton, Mark (May 17, 2012). "Akai Katana Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  13. ^ Hatfield, Daemon (May 16, 2012). "Akai Katana Review". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  14. ^ July 2012, p.107
  15. ^ Allen, R., Tech-Gaming, Akai Katana Review, Retrieved June 2nd, 2012
  16. ^ McFerran, Damien (19 May 2012). "Akai Katana review". Mean Machines. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  17. ^ Luster, Joseph (May 15, 2012). "Review: Cave's "Akai Katana" Shoot 'em Up Scores Big". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
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