Not quite choc-a-block full of ninja's but set in a sumptuous, feudal setting non the less as Psikyo lets its imagination run a bit amok. The ninja count doesn't score Sengoku Blade down either in the shooter sequel to the arcade cracker Sengoku Ace. Classy shooter set in Edo period Japan but with mechanised adversaries such as Shinto temple ships, Noh devil masks, and white wolf faced ships. Has the option to choose arcade mode without the anime cut scenes and in game speech. Some real characters to choose from too with a Water Margin style monk complete with wooden beaded necklace or perhaps a samurai helmeted mechanical robot, each having their own unique pod such as the monk's hawk. With such attention to characterisation its no wonder the bonus disk is so packed with fan art. Some great smart bombs such as firing giant Chinese characters out. The backgrounds are luscious and as detailed as the sprites especially the cliffs of China with Buddha statues. The music is appropriate too with some lovely koto notes to shred your nerves further still. Selectable difficulty from Monkey to Very Hard, but thankfully power ups lost on the previous life can be rescued if you're brave enough.
The bonus disk also includes arcade posters for Sengoku Ace, Gunbird and Strikers 45 as well as fortune telling with great advice like 'drink milk everyday.' A belting game. Anything that stirs up memories of the Water Margins of Lanshanpo couldn't be anything else in Genki's eyes. Hats off to Psikyo or risk a shuriken slicing it off.
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