Heavenly Guardian

genre=Scrolling shooter
modes=Single-player, Two-player
ratings=CERO: A
ESRB: E
PEGI: 3+
platforms=PS2, Wii
media=DVD
requirements=
input=

"Heavenly Guardian", known in Japan as nihongo|Yukinko Daisenpuu ~Sayuki to Koyuki no Hie-Hie Daisoudou~|雪ん娘大旋風～さゆきとこゆきのひえひえ大騒動～|translated on Starfish's site as "Snow Girls Winter Blast" and as Legend of Sayuki in Europe, is a scrolling shooter game developed by Starfish. It was self-published in Japan, published by UFO Interactive Games in North America, and published by 505 Games in Europe. It was released on the Wii in all three regions, and on the PlayStation 2 outside of Japan.

History

Heavenly Guardian was originally a PS2 sequel to Taito's "Kiki KaiKai" series (better known as "Pocky & Rocky" outside of Japan) called simply Kiki KaiKai 2. The game was canceled, as Starfish lost the "Kiki KaiKai" license, but would later resurface as a Wii game entitled Kiki Kai World. Kiki Kai World was mostly similar to the canceled PS2 game, but with the main character's miko outfit recolored from red to blue. Instead of being a direct sequel to the original, it was more of a "spiritual successor," as to avoid legal issues with Taito and its parent company, Square-Enix. [ " [http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/08/full-kiki-kai-w.html Full Kiki Kai World Details: PS2 This Year, Wii 2008] " "blog.wired.com". URL Accessed on June 8, 2008]

To further separate the game from "Kiki KaiKai", the graphics and theme of the game were completely redone, replacing the miko heroine with a snow goddess named Sayuki. When approached about the subject, a company spokesperson said "To make a long story short, Taito, who is now owned by Square [-Enix] , had some issues with us and we had to let the title go," implying that Square-Enix was the reason behind the initial cancellation.

Although Starfish chose to only release a Wii version in Japan, UFO released a PS2 version in North America, due to having control over the release platforms in the region. [ " [http://www.siliconera.com/2008/04/11/ufo-interactive-discusses-heavenly-guardian-and-the-monkey-king/ UFO Interactive discusses Heavenly Guardian and The Monkey King] " "www.siliconera.com". URL Accessed on June 8, 2008] 505 Games is also releasing both versions in Europe.

tory

The story is different in single- and multi-player modes, but the gameplay remains identical.

In single player, the story centers around the snow goddess Sayuki's love for a boy who lives in a nearby village. Upon visiting the village one day, she learns that the boy has fallen under a curse, sleeping permanently. Sayuki then travels across the land with her pet snow rabbit, Toto, to find the ingredients for the cure to his curse.

In multiplayer, the story is about a beauty contest held by the Snow Goddess Tribe. Sayuki and her younger sister, Koyuki, decide to compete for first place. The contest is a trial race for the two sisters to destroy the most ghosts and collect the most snowballs in their path,

Features

Heavenly Guardian, like the "Kiki KaiKai" series, is a scrolling shooter where you move your character in any direction and fire projectiles at your enemies. It can be played alone, or cooperatively with a second player controlling Sayuki's sister, Koyuki. In single-player, Sayuki is followed by Toto, her pet snow rabbit, who shoots freezing shots in the same direction Sayuki attacks.

Upon defeating bosses in the story mode, they can be rebattled in the Boss Attack mode.

The Wii version can only be played using both the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Unlike the PS2 version, which only allows you to fire the direction your character is facing, the Wii version offers the option to aim where you fire with the Wii Remote's pointer. This can either be permanently on (called "FlameIN" on the option menu) or be switched on by holding the Z button on the Nunchuk. While aiming you cannot use Toto's freezing shots as he acts as the cursor.

Reception

Altought just few magazines reviewed the game, Heavenly Guardian received very poor ratings by the press. Gamespot reviewer Kevin VanOrd gave the PlayStation 2 version of the game a very bad 3.0 out of 10.0 in [http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/kikikaiworld/review.html his review] , citing archaic mechanics and frustating gameplay as negative aspects of the game. He closed his review with "Don't be fooled by the promise of fun throwback gameplay. Heavenly Guardian may look to the past, but it is too bland and frustrating to evoke fond memories of "the good old days.".

IGN editor Sam Bishop also wrote both versions of Heavenly Guardian, rating it with 4.0 out of 10.0, his closing comments starting with "Heavenly Guardian is an affront to everything that games are now and were back in the day.". [ [http://ps2.ign.com/articles/865/865196p1.html PS2 review] ] [ [http://wii.ign.com/articles/907/907212p1.html Wii review] ]

References

External links

* [http://namakoteam.com/kikikaikai/ Archived version of the official Japanese site of the canceled Kiki KaiKai 2]
*UFO game site: [http://www.ufointeractivegames.com/details.asp?k=2400&p=ps2 PS2] , [http://www.ufointeractivegames.com/details.asp?k=2422&p=wii Wii]
* [http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/pockyandrocky/pockyandrocky.htm Overview of the Pocky & Rocky series]
* [http://www.arcade-renaissance.com/2007/11/kiki-kai-world-name-change.html Kiki Kai World Name Change]
* [http://www.s-f.co.jp/en/soft/wii/yuki/ English Snow Girls Winter Blast site]