Now is the time for god hunting.
- JP release: 24th October 2003
- NA release: N/A
- EU release: N/A
- Developer: Alfa System
- Publisher: Kids Station
- NGC Magazine Score: N/A
- Mods Used: None
Castle of Shikigami 2 is a vertical scrolling shooter made for arcade systems and then ported to consoles. While the PlayStation 2 version made its way to Europe and North America, the GameCube version was only released in Japan. As I’m not a big fan of the genre, I can’t help but compare it to Ikaruga. It has some nice screen options, including turning the game sideways for utilising the full screen, although it doesn’t quite go as far as Ikaruga, which allowed you to have adjusted controls to play the game sideways.
One thing that is impressive is the vast amount of characters you can choose from. Each of them have different projectiles which both look different and move in different patterns, plus special attacks and bombs. This would create a different feel whenever you played as someone new.
Another interesting feature is how you power up your attack. The basic version already covers a fair amount of the screen, but if you get close to an enemy’s projectile, your attacks will increase and cover the entire screen. In many parts of the game there are so many bullets that this won’t be an issue, which is where the bombs come in: you have a healthy amount and they also remove all the bullets on the screen.
One thing the game doesn’t do is spectacle. The 3D backgrounds feel like a random video playing in the background rather than anything your character is flying through. Still, even if the background was a black screen, it wouldn’t affect the enjoyment of the game.
Fun
This game is just a great deal, especially for that $10 price, and it offers up a good variety of challenging levels, some unique and interesting play mechanics, and lots of challenge. So, if you’ve still got a place in your heart for no-nonsense action such as this, and you’re up for some grueling levels that will really test your twitch reflexes, go find yourself a copy of Castle Shikigami 2.
Greg Kasavin, GameSpot
Remake or remaster?
A remaster was made, including a new English translation.
Official Ways to get the game
Castle of Shikigami 2 is available on PC and Switch.
Europe
Japan
North America
GameCube Games by Date
2002: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2003: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2004: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2005: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2006: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
