Malicious (video game)

MALICIOUS
Developer(s)	Alvion
Publisher(s)	Alvion
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3 PlayStation Vita
Release date(s)	PlayStation 3 JP October 27, 2010[1] PlayStation Vita JP TBA
Genre(s)	Action game
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	CERO: B[1]
Media/distribution	Digital Download via PlayStation Store

Malicious (マリシアス, Marishiasu^?) is a download-only 3D action game developed and published by Alvion for the PlayStation 3^[2] and the PlayStation Vita. The game is meant to offer a simple play experience^[3]. Malicious was released on October 27, 2010 and is available to download from PlayStation Store in Japan^[1] at the price of ¥800. Because of the game's critical success^[4], and enhanced port of the game was announced for the PlayStation Vita^[5]. The port remains a download-exclusive, much like its PS3 counterpart^[6]. No release date for the PlayStation Vita port of Malicious has been announced.

Gameplay

The Cloak of Ash guards the vessel of spirits against Malicious' attacks.

The main goal of the game is to defeat a dangerous group of creatures known as the Malicious^[3]. There is no actual stage progression in Malicious. Instead, all stages start the player off directly in big fights against a boss and his subordinates.^[7]

For weapon, the player makes use of a special black cloak that hangs from the main character's neck called the Cloak of Ash (灰の外套, Hai no Gaitou^?)^[8]. The cloak, created using technology from the great prophets, changes into a variety of forms. As an example, the cloak can becomes a fist for close range melee attacks. It can also become a projectile weapon, making use of "demon bullets" to target multiple enemies with a lock on.^[3]

The cloak can also wrap around the character to guard against incoming attacks.^[3]

The player is able to freely select whichever stage to come next. The ordering could be important, as defeating a boss gives the character that boss's powers in the form of a new action. The character also gains power in other areas, including increased jump height and the ability to lock on to a greater number of enemies with "demon bullet" blasts.^[7]

As the player takes damage during the game, parts of the main character's clothes and body will disappear. However there are certain places where the player can get healed up when certain conditions are met, which will restore the missing parts of the main character's body (clothes, however, can't be restored.)^[9]

Plot

Characters

The main character of the game is a vessel of spirits who, in order to save the world, was sent by the elders to subdue the Malicious. The gender of the vessel is decided by the player.^[9] If the player chooses "male" as the gender, the vessel will assume the name Valeria, or Elica if player chooses "female".

External links

• Official website (Japanese)
• Official trailer (Japanese)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Alvion Inc.. "マリシアス MALICIOUS". Alvion Inc.. http://malicious.alvion.jp/. Retrieved October 18, 2010. 
2. ^ Anoop Gantayat (Jun 11, 2010). "Malicious: A New Downloadable Action Game for PS3". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/06/11/malicious_site/. Retrieved August 30, 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Anoop Gantayat (Aug 19, 2010). "First Details: PS3's Malicious". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/08/19/malicious_preview/. Retrieved August 30, 2010. 
4. ^ Anoop Gantayat (August 23, 2011). "PlayStation Vita Gets Malicious". Andriasang. http://andriasang.com/comxoa/. Retrieved September 17, 2010. 
5. ^ Anoop Gantayat (August 24, 2011). "PlayStation Vita Malicious is a Port". Andriasang. http://andriasang.com/comxpn/. Retrieved September 20, 2010. 
6. ^ Anoop Gantayat (August 23, 2011). "Malicious Vita Is a Download Exclusive". Andriasang. http://andriasang.com/comxog/. Retrieved September 20, 2010. 
7. ^ ^{a b} Anoop Gantayat (August 30, 2010). "Suck Up Boss Skills in PS3's Malicious". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/08/30/malicious_boss_skills/. Retrieved August 31, 2010. 
8. ^ Famitsu (August 31, 2010). "『マリシアス』最新映像を公開". Famitsu. http://www.famitsu.com/news/201008/31032818.html. Retrieved August 31, 2010. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Anoop Gantayat (October 29, 2010). "Clothing Damage: Malicious Style". Andriasang. http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/10/29/malicious_dev_commentary/. Retrieved October 29, 2010.