Former player
Joined: 5/22/2004
Posts: 462
Whilst on a search for an obscure, japanese game to make a movie of, I came across this game, Karuraou. It appears to be suited pretty well for a fast and entertaining movie. If only I could find the motivation, I might make one :P I need to do some more playing to see what levels you can skip and what you can't. As it is, I've only beat it once. It'll take me a few more times before I get used to the mechanics enough to make a good movie. It appears this game is loosely based upon the japanese legend of Karura, a fire-bird. I think this is so because one of the moves you learns transforms you into a firebird, and you need it to hurt the boss of the game's first form. It's a pity this game is all in japanese, it would be fun to see what all the people talk about :P EDIT: Here's my run of the intro level. It's not too exciting, considering over half of it is talking. I plan on taking no damage in the levels. This beginning stage is the only one I can think of that you would save any time to take damage, so I think it will be worth it to not get hit at all. It's pretty tough to do :P http://www.filespace.org/dan_/Karuraou_v1_dan_.smv
Former player
Joined: 5/22/2004
Posts: 462
It seems like you can't skip any levels. If you try to, the old man at the next checkpoint doesn't let you go any further. Also, the powerups you learn are given to you in a set order. Certain levels don't give you certain powers, as I thought it was before. Also, it appears as though there is no way to get to the extra old dude's hut by the water palace. If anyone can help me confirm this, I would be grateful. Once I get the super-dash from the first boss, things will speed up quite a bit. That is, assuming I can manipulate enemy drops as I would like. It appears as though the frame you kill an enemy effects the drop, but position/attack used probably influence this too. That's about all I have so far. The bosses I'm not looking forward to are the water temple's boss and the boss of the game's final form. The ice temple and the tower's bosses will be boring fights too. The ice temple not as much so, but I see no way of speeding up the tower's boss, other than hitting him as soon as his eye opens up. The worst thing is, I have to fight him twice :P Strangly, you don't have to fight the air temple's boss twice though. He's a wuss though, so it's alright.
Former player
Joined: 5/22/2004
Posts: 462
This is the japanese version of Sky Blazer, so I'm moving my discussion over there.