Review: Espgaluda 2 Black Label
By: Sean Mitchell
This console generation has been good to fans of the shoot ‘em up (shmup) genre, particularly for those who own an XBOX 360. In America, Microsoft’s box has seen a surprising number of shmup releases ranging from classics to unlikely localizations making their way over from Japan. However, for the most dedicated fans of the genre, importing the games that don’t make the journey across the sea isn’t uncommon. For those who like to import, Japanese developer Cave has released a decent number of shmups for the XBOX 360 in Japan --on region-free discs.
Espgaluda 2 Black Label is one of these Cave developed shmups, and the amount of options and quality it contains is definitely worth the importer’s price of admission.
One of the best things about Espgaluda 2 Black Label is the variety of gameplay modes available. Arcade mode is exactly that, Espgaluda 2’s incarnation that was made for arcades. Black Label mode and XBOX 360 mode feature some modified scoring elements and a few gameplay tweaks between them. Arrange mode features the ability to cancel incoming bullets depending on their color and an altered scoring system. Omake! mode seems to be a giant mish-mash of all the previously mentioned modes, but it’s hard to really know exactly what’s going on.. Each mode features the same general level layout, but with altered bullet-patterns and scoring mechanics to make those shooting for high scores tweak their playstyle accordingly.
Perhaps an overlooked feature to shmup veterans are the XBOX 360 Novice and Black Label Novice modes. These modes allow for many mistakes without punishing the player with death as the standard game is so eager to do. They’re a great way for new players to get a handle on the features of the game, as well as boosting confidence for those who may be intimidated by the sheer amount of havok that occurs on higher difficulties. Anyone not used to shmups or looking to figure out the scoring system through trial and error will find these modes extremely useful.
Each mode contains its own options menu where adjustments of difficulty, gameplay tweaks, and screen and sound setting can be found. While this sort of customization is common in Cave developed titles, it can go a long way to changing the difficulty and settings just enough to meet each individual player’s current needs.
As for the gameplay of Espgaluda 2 Black Label, it features the standard vertical-scrolling shmup fare, along with some special abilities that can dramatically change the difficulty of the game as well as boost scoring. Each character has two different attack buttons that shoot either a laser or a constant stream of bullets. Movement speed is changed depending on which attack is being used and whether or not the button is being held down. Power-ups can be collected to boost attack power, and increase the spread of the normal shot. The glowing center of the character is the hitbox that dictates whether damage is taken or not. Bullets that hit the character, but not that part in the center pass through with no damage being dealt.
Defeating enemies will drop green gems which feed into a counter which is used to fuel the Kakusei mode. A simple button press enters Kakusei mode which slows down bullet speed, but dramatically increases the number of bullets on the screen. If the counter reaches zero while in this mode, the bullet speed will increase back to normal which can lead to lots of trouble. Timing the use of Kakusei mode is key to scoring high and staying alive. Defeating enemies while in Kakusei mode will drop gold which feeds into another counter which controls another Kakusei mode activated by holding down the Kakusei button.
Espgaluda 2 doesn’t have a bomb in the traditional sense, but rather a shield that activates, absorbing bullets and building up power that then unleashes a super shot on nearly everything on the screen. A meter at the bottom of the screen shows how much of this shield/laser charge is left, and in some game modes being hit by an enemy bullet will automatically trigger the shield, using up some of the meter.
There’s a decent enemy variety, with each type having their own attack patterns, but it can sometimes be hard to notice when there are so many enemies and bullets on screen at once. Each level has an end-boss that boasts impressive firepower and durability, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Knowing which attacks to use, when to enter Kakusei mode, and memorizing bullet patterns are key to getting through the later level boss battles unscathed. Having extreme hand-eye coordination and the will of a God doesn’t hurt either.
In the end, Espgaluda 2 Black Label is a must have game for any shmup fan looking for a decent challenge, or a novice looking to improve their skills in the genre. The scoring system and Kakusei mechanics can be confusing, but trial and error through the generous Novice modes can go a long way to self-teaching the game’s mechanics and preparing for the bullet-hell that’s to be found on the higher difficulties. Don’t be afraid to give this game a shot, it feeds on your fear.
4 Stars out of 5
