Game Review] Ukiyo-e in motion! The legendary action game "GetsuFumaDen" has been reborn as a challenging roguelike action game! GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon" Experience Report

The Nintendo Switch version of "GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon" was released by KONAMI on February 10, 2022 (Steam version available from February 17).

The game, a 35-year-old sequel to the NES game "Tsuki Fuuma Den," features a modern twist on "ukiyoe-style roguelike sword-fighting action," and has been in early access since May 2021, but has now finally been released in its official version.

The main character, Tsuki Fuuma, is the twenty-seventh generation of the Tsuki Clan, who once defeated the Demon King, Ryukon Demon. He ventures into Hell to explore its anomalies and find his missing brother.

The basic 2D action style remains the same, but the graphics have been given an ukiyo-e touch, further accentuating the eerie and horrifying atmosphere that the previous title pursued. The fact that this Ukiyo-e, rather than image boards or movies, can be played as an action game in motion is a surprise to anyone who has played "Getsu Fuuma Den.

The gloomy scene of hell is terrifying, but the inhabitants, such as demons, ghosts, and hungry ghosts, are also terrifying. It is as if they appeal to the very essence of the Japanese people, and it reminds me of my childhood memories of seeing pictures of hell and being frightened of the afterlife.

You can fight the "Dragon Bone Demon," the last boss of the previous game, on the first screen!

These guys are not the kind of sweet opponents that can be beaten with a series of button presses. You will need to use techniques such as getting out of the way of an attacker or going around them.

The bosses waiting for you at the end of the stage are so big that they make Getsu Fuuma look small. Since you cannot win just by attacking blindly, you are required to watch their movements carefully. In a good way, the game reminds me of old video games, and it is fun to improve little by little.

Getsu Fuuma can use a variety of weapons, including two "main weapons" that can be used at will and two "secondary weapons" with limited ammunition and time recovery, for a total of four weapons. Swords and battle umbrellas can counter enemy attacks, and blunt weapons can build up power to deliver a powerful blow. The kunai can fly while reflecting off walls, and the gunpowder ball is more powerful but has fewer bullets.

The roguelike element of the game is also interesting, as the weapons and map structure change each time you play. In one of my plays, flying weapons such as flintlock rifles and bows and arrows appeared frequently, but in another play, I enjoyed a different development each time, with a bias toward close combat weapons such as hand armor and double-edged weapons (swords and iron fans).

In the previous game, players were able to explore the 2D field, buy items at stores, and do other preliminary work, but in this game, too, it is important to make preparations at the Geki's mansion, which is their base of operations. The player must collect materials obtained from defeating the demons and the departed to create new weapons and improve the abilities of Getsu Fuuma himself in order to advance to the depths of hell.

However, the materials they have collected will be wasted if they run out of energy in the middle of the journey. The decision must be made as to whether to continue onward or to retreat and take the materials with you. With the materials obtained, Getsu Fuuma will gradually become stronger, and new weapons will appear on the map. The RPG-like elements of the previous game have been carried over in a different form.

The player can create new weapons and increase his or her power at the Gekijo's mansion, which serves as the main base of the game.

Therefore, in the early stages of the game, it is a good idea to repeatedly collect materials on the first level, defeat bosses, and return to the Gekijo's mansion.

In fact, after defeating the boss, there is an entrance to the Gekijo's mansion at the end of the line of torii gates that lead ahead. If you are not accustomed to this, you may not notice it, and you will tend to repeat defeating and killing the bosses. This means that you will not be able to bring back materials and you will not be able to become stronger.

Let's clear only one side of the game, collect materials little by little, and steadily increase your power. There are many kinds of materials, and it may be confusing for those who are not used to it, but as you continue to play, you will understand what it's all about.

In fact, after the boss, there is an entrance that leads back to Mr. Tsuki's mansion.

Weapons "drawings" can be obtained from enemies and treasure chests. With these, you can create new weapons.

The handling of "drawings" is one of the points that have been greatly improved since the early access version.

When fighting enemies, various kanji characters appear, but it is difficult to tell what happened if you are not familiar with them as well. This means that certain conditions have been met and a special effect is in effect. For the time being, just remember "flash," "dim," "collapse," and "kill.

If you hit the opponent while he is attacking, you will get "Sen," which increases the power of the attack, and if you attack without being found, you will get "Chu," which causes heavy damage. If you attack too many times, the enemy will collapse, and if you attack at this time, you will be killed by a single blow if you are a small fish. ......

The "flash" is a so-called counter hit.

When an enemy's posture collapses after an attack, the attack becomes a "collapse.

If you attack an enemy in a "crumpled" state, you will be hit with a "kill" that deals a large amount of damage. The "kill" can also be aimed at bosses, so being aware of it will change the way you play the game!

This title combines the nostalgic 2D game with a modern roguelike flavor, offering the thrill of defeating tough enemies and the fun of slowly collecting materials for power-ups, creating new weapons, and using the various weapons that appear at random.

The following are some of the major changes from early access.

A new difficulty level, "Trainee," has been added to the game to make it easier to collect materials and enjoy the game more casually than in the early access version. However, the game is quite challenging even on "Trainee," and the power-up system is peculiar, so it may take some players some time to understand the game.

However, once you become accustomed to the game, and have some understanding of the power-ups and the special effects mentioned above, you will be able to fully enjoy the powerful visuals of the battles.

It is also interesting to note that during last year's early access, the game was developed in the manner of an indie game, with input from users. The addition of the "master" and the "drawings" that are no longer lost when you die are good examples of how this was done to improve the game.

If you are looking for a challenging game, want to take your time, and are confident in your 2D action skills, give this title a try.

If you are new to the game, you should not hesitate to choose "The Master."

Each time you take an item, the power-up items that light up at the bottom of the screen move from left to right. For now, let's just remember to push the stick in on the third "life force enhancement" item.

Reinforcement (casting) using materials at Mr. Tsuki's mansion. This is like opening a slot to insert an enhancement item, or attaching an enhancement switch to a weapon. Note that at this point, the weapon's capabilities have not been increased.

The actual strengthening (activation) can only be done during the stage, not in Mr. Tsuki's mansion. The weapon's ability is increased by inserting an enhancement item into the slot opened in Tsukiji's mansion or by turning on the enhancement switch attached to the weapon. (Note that the enhanced abilities are only available for the duration of the play, and are lost when the player returns to the Moon Clan's mansion.

Apart from the above enhancements, it is also possible to rank up the weapon itself (dan reinforcement). When a weapon is ranked up, its ability is increased. This effect is also only available for the duration of the game.

Game Information.

GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon

Maker：KONAMI

Distribution：Steam, Nintendo Switch

Now on sale

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: Digital Deluxe Edition 3,828 yen (including tax), Normal Edition 2,728 yen (including tax)

Genre: Ukiyoe-style roguelike sword-fighting action

CERO rating: D