Difference between revisions of "Ikaruga"

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==Gameplay Overview==
 
==Gameplay Overview==
 
The gameplay of ''Ikaruga'' revolves around the black and white polarity system, which entails the following:
 
The gameplay of ''Ikaruga'' revolves around the black and white polarity system, which entails the following:
[[File:Ikaruga_HUD_(Dreamcast_version).png|260px|thumb|right|<center>From top to bottom, the HUD shows the score, the enemy’s health bar, the chain status indicator, the Energy Bar and the lives stock</center>]]
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[[File:Ikaruga_HUD_(Dreamcast_version).png|250px|thumb|right|<center>From top to bottom, the HUD shows the score, the enemy’s health bar, the chain status indicator, the Energy Bar and the life stock</center>]]
 
* bullets are either black or white, and the player’s ship can freely switch between the two polarities: bullets of the opposite colour will destroy it, while those of the same colour will be absorbed (and charge an [[Ikaruga#Energy_Release|Energy Bar]])
 
* bullets are either black or white, and the player’s ship can freely switch between the two polarities: bullets of the opposite colour will destroy it, while those of the same colour will be absorbed (and charge an [[Ikaruga#Energy_Release|Energy Bar]])
 
* enemies are also either black or white, and when destroyed can release revenge bullets of their own colour, depending on the game’s [[Ikaruga#Game Modes|difficulty mode]]
 
* enemies are also either black or white, and when destroyed can release revenge bullets of their own colour, depending on the game’s [[Ikaruga#Game Modes|difficulty mode]]
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* enemies killed in sets of three of the same colour make a chain, which yields a varying amount of points up to a maximum value ([[Ikaruga#Score system|‘Max Chain’]])
 
* enemies killed in sets of three of the same colour make a chain, which yields a varying amount of points up to a maximum value ([[Ikaruga#Score system|‘Max Chain’]])
  
In order to advance in the game, the player has to get accustomed with switching polarity back and forth according to on-screen bullets, potential revenge bullets (if any) and, eventually, the polarity of the enemies (in order to deal more damage). [[File:Ikaruga_Hitbox.jpg|thumb|left|280px|<center>The hitbox of the two ships has an oblong shape (please note that this is only an approximation)</center>]]Although the ships have a small hitbox - a trait that is often associated with bullet hell games - ''Ikaruga'' plays very differently from them, with the focus being on having the correct polarity based on the situation more than on dodging bullets (though still relevant). The game also presents navigational challenges where the player must steer away from enemies and environmental hazards. On some sections, speedkilling specific sets of enemies can trigger 'bonus' ones to spawn, which potentially allows for more chains. There are no power-ups or items, nor a rank system (although losing a life on some sections causes them to get toned down a bit).
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In order to advance in the game, the player has to get accustomed with switching polarity back and forth according to on-screen bullets, potential revenge bullets (if any) and, eventually, the polarity of the enemies (in order to deal more damage). [[File:Ikaruga_Hitbox.jpg|thumb|left|280px|<center>Approximate hitbox of the ships</center>]]Although the ships have a small hitbox - a trait that is often associated with bullet hell games - ''Ikaruga'' plays very differently from them, with the focus being on having the correct polarity based on the situation more than on dodging bullets (though still relevant). The game also presents navigational challenges where the player must steer away from enemies and environmental hazards. On some sections, speedkilling specific sets of enemies can trigger 'bonus' ones to spawn, which potentially allows for more chains. There are no power-ups or items, nor a rank system (although losing a life on some sections causes them to get toned down a bit).
  
 
=== Controls ===
 
=== Controls ===
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* the lasers move at a varying speed (slower when turning around, faster when going straight) and lock on enemies based on their '''proximity''' to the position of the release and the '''preferred path''' of the release (the lasers travel from the rear and lateral side of the ship to the front and eventually back below it). These two factors generally play an equal role but, depending on the section, the enemies and the number of lasers released, one can sometimes weigh more than the other
 
* the lasers move at a varying speed (slower when turning around, faster when going straight) and lock on enemies based on their '''proximity''' to the position of the release and the '''preferred path''' of the release (the lasers travel from the rear and lateral side of the ship to the front and eventually back below it). These two factors generally play an equal role but, depending on the section, the enemies and the number of lasers released, one can sometimes weigh more than the other
 
* if there are multiple enemies both next or below and in front of the ship (more than can be targeted), usually the Energy release takes down a few of them from each area
 
* if there are multiple enemies both next or below and in front of the ship (more than can be targeted), usually the Energy release takes down a few of them from each area
* if their original target is taken down or moves away, the lasers can either redirect to another enemy or just fly off-screen
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* large and durable enemies generally attract more lasers. If their original target is taken down or moves away, the lasers can redirect to another enemy or just fly off-screen
 
* there might be some instance where a given Energy release would appear to have a bias toward keeping chain integrity, but there is no actual evidence in support of this, and any such case can likely be interpreted as normal behaviour after taking into account some of the points above or other idiosyncrasies of the Energy release mechanic.
 
* there might be some instance where a given Energy release would appear to have a bias toward keeping chain integrity, but there is no actual evidence in support of this, and any such case can likely be interpreted as normal behaviour after taking into account some of the points above or other idiosyncrasies of the Energy release mechanic.
  
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''Ikaruga'' can be played on three difficulty modes. The basic gameplay difference is in the revenge bullets which are released when enemies are destroyed:
 
''Ikaruga'' can be played on three difficulty modes. The basic gameplay difference is in the revenge bullets which are released when enemies are destroyed:
 
* '''Easy''': enemies never release revenge bullets
 
* '''Easy''': enemies never release revenge bullets
* '''Normal''': enemies of the same polarity as the last hit release revenge bullets. The number of the revenge bullets depends on the enemy (the larger and more durable it is, the more bullets released)
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* '''Normal''': enemies of the same polarity as the last hit release revenge bullets. The number of revenge bullets depends on the enemy (the larger and more durable it is, the more bullets released)
* '''Hard''': enemies always release revenge bullets. Enemies of the same polarity as the last hit release the same number of bullets as on Normal; enemies of the opposite polarity to the last hit release half the number of bullets (which also move at a slightly slower speed).
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* '''Hard''': enemies always release revenge bullets. Enemies of the same polarity as the last hit release the same number of bullets as on Normal; enemies of the opposite polarity to the last hit release half the number of bullets (which also move more slowly).
  
 
There are also changes to some of the enemies' patterns and attacks, bullet patterns and Boss fights. With respect to Normal mode:  
 
There are also changes to some of the enemies' patterns and attacks, bullet patterns and Boss fights. With respect to Normal mode:  
* on Easy, there may be less enemies on some sections (Chapter 3 and 4); enemies may shoot less bullets; bullet patterns may be different (Chapter 2); the Bosses may have less HP (Chapter 4 and 5) and their attacks may be less dangerous (all Chapters)
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* on Easy, there may be less enemies on some sections (Chapter 3 and 4); enemies may shoot less bullets; bullet patterns may be different (Chapter 2); the Bosses may have less HP (Chapter 4 and 5) and their attack may pose less of a threat (all Chapters)
* on Hard, enemies may shoot more bullets; the Bosses' attacks may be more dangerous (all Chapters).
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* on Hard, enemies may shoot more bullets; the Bosses' attacks may pose more of a threat (all Chapters).
  
More details abour some of these changes are provided on the [[Ikaruga#Enemies|Enemies]] and [[Ikaruga#Bosses|Bosses]] sections.  
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More details about some of these changes are provided on the [[Ikaruga#Enemies|Enemies]] and [[Ikaruga#Bosses|Bosses]] sections.  
  
As a result of these differences, optimal strategies and [[Ikaruga#Score system|scoring]] potential can change notably across the various difficulties.  
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As a result of these differences, optimal strategies and [[Ikaruga#Score system|scoring]] potential can change considerably across the various difficulties.  
  
 
====Prototype Mode====  
 
====Prototype Mode====  
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* '''Chaining''': taking down three enemies of the same polarity in a row makes a chain. Each following chain can be of the same or of opposite colour, and can be added immediately after or minutes away from the previous one: what matters is only that the enemies are killed in sets of three of the same colour. Every destructible enemy that appears in the game has a polarity and can be chained (with the only exception of the parts of which Main Bosses are made). The first chains give a varying amount of points, starting with a value of 100 points, then 200, 400 and so on, doubling each time up to 25600 (ninth chain and over). For every chain worth 25600 points, a robotic voice can be heard uttering either ‘'''Max Chain'''’, ‘'''Excellent'''’ or ‘'''Splendid'''’.<br>The chain is broken when the player fails to kill enemies in triplets of the same colour or dies, and resets at the start of each stage. A (max) chain break costs a minimum of 204900 points (25600+204800-25500, i.e. chain dropped + 8 missed max chains - first 8 chains), assuming that another chain is restarted immediately after and no other triplets of enemies are missed out (which is almost never the case).<br>It is clear that, in order to score more points, as many enemies as possible should be chained (which also implies going for quick kills on sections where time-based bonus enemies are spawned) and that the chain should not be dropped. There are very few sections where anything other than elementary chaining can be left to improvisation - the game very much requires predetermined strategies to come up with good scores. These can of course be of a varying complexity, but even basic routes tend to give better results than on-the-fly chaining
 
* '''Chaining''': taking down three enemies of the same polarity in a row makes a chain. Each following chain can be of the same or of opposite colour, and can be added immediately after or minutes away from the previous one: what matters is only that the enemies are killed in sets of three of the same colour. Every destructible enemy that appears in the game has a polarity and can be chained (with the only exception of the parts of which Main Bosses are made). The first chains give a varying amount of points, starting with a value of 100 points, then 200, 400 and so on, doubling each time up to 25600 (ninth chain and over). For every chain worth 25600 points, a robotic voice can be heard uttering either ‘'''Max Chain'''’, ‘'''Excellent'''’ or ‘'''Splendid'''’.<br>The chain is broken when the player fails to kill enemies in triplets of the same colour or dies, and resets at the start of each stage. A (max) chain break costs a minimum of 204900 points (25600+204800-25500, i.e. chain dropped + 8 missed max chains - first 8 chains), assuming that another chain is restarted immediately after and no other triplets of enemies are missed out (which is almost never the case).<br>It is clear that, in order to score more points, as many enemies as possible should be chained (which also implies going for quick kills on sections where time-based bonus enemies are spawned) and that the chain should not be dropped. There are very few sections where anything other than elementary chaining can be left to improvisation - the game very much requires predetermined strategies to come up with good scores. These can of course be of a varying complexity, but even basic routes tend to give better results than on-the-fly chaining
 
* '''Boss time bonus''': during Boss fights there is a countdown timer (starting from 100 seconds for Main Bosses) which stops when the Boss is defeated. Each remaining second is worth 10000 points, therefore speedkilling is rewarded. Some Mid-bosses also give a time bonus, but the timer starts from a lower number (if the Main Boss is not killed afterwards, the time bonus that was racked up is lost)
 
* '''Boss time bonus''': during Boss fights there is a countdown timer (starting from 100 seconds for Main Bosses) which stops when the Boss is defeated. Each remaining second is worth 10000 points, therefore speedkilling is rewarded. Some Mid-bosses also give a time bonus, but the timer starts from a lower number (if the Main Boss is not killed afterwards, the time bonus that was racked up is lost)
* '''Extend bonus''': Each life that is in stock at the end of the game is worth half a million points. The player’s life stock starts with two lives by default (game is over if you die three times) and extra lives can be gained by scoring (the first one after reaching  three million points and the others after every five million, with the standard Extend conditions)
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* '''Extend bonus''': Each life that is in stock at the end of the game is worth half a million points. The player’s life stock starts with two lives by default (game is over after dying three times) and extra lives can be gained by scoring (the first one after reaching  three million points and the others after every five million, with the standard Extend conditions)
 
* '''Bullet eating''': absorbing a single bullet gives 100 points, while sitting on a laser beam yields 100 points per frame (the uncommon homing shots fired off by some enemies are worth 500/1000 points). While this is a scoring element that is often neglected, absorbing bullets and lasers to the fullest extent possible can make the difference at high levels of play, once chaining has been mostly optimized
 
* '''Bullet eating''': absorbing a single bullet gives 100 points, while sitting on a laser beam yields 100 points per frame (the uncommon homing shots fired off by some enemies are worth 500/1000 points). While this is a scoring element that is often neglected, absorbing bullets and lasers to the fullest extent possible can make the difference at high levels of play, once chaining has been mostly optimized
 
* '''Damaging enemies''': killing or simply damaging enemies gives a small amount of points. Every HP removed is worth 10 points (though such a small increment rarely happens given that single shots and whole double-shots both take off at least 2HP from enemies). This is by far the least important scoring element and the player also has limited to no degree of control over it (since the enemies' HP are fixed, and chaining requires killing as many enemies as possible anyway). Still, it is possible to go after a purely hit-based score increase on the few idle moments during some Main Boss fights, by firing at supporting pods or protective covers.
 
* '''Damaging enemies''': killing or simply damaging enemies gives a small amount of points. Every HP removed is worth 10 points (though such a small increment rarely happens given that single shots and whole double-shots both take off at least 2HP from enemies). This is by far the least important scoring element and the player also has limited to no degree of control over it (since the enemies' HP are fixed, and chaining requires killing as many enemies as possible anyway). Still, it is possible to go after a purely hit-based score increase on the few idle moments during some Main Boss fights, by firing at supporting pods or protective covers.
  
Other than by extending the lives stock, scoring does not affect the chance of survival/[[Glossary of shmups#1cc|1CC]] in ''Ikaruga'' (as opposed to its ‘spiritual prequel’ [[Radiant Silvergun]], which features upgradable weapons based on score). Still, the chaining mechanism is not just a natural complement to the polarity system but very much a defining element of the game, which accounts for its peculiar enemy patterns and behaviours (enemies are often passive or even suicidal, and were also arranged so that ''it would be extremely difficult to tell what the “correct” path was for scoring'' <ref name="ref0" />).  
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Other than by extending the life stock, scoring does not affect the chance of survival/[[Glossary of shmups#1cc|1CC]] in ''Ikaruga'' (as opposed to its ‘spiritual prequel’ [[Radiant Silvergun]], which features upgradable weapons based on score). Still, the chaining mechanism is not just a natural complement to the polarity system but very much a defining element of the game, which accounts for its peculiar enemy patterns and behaviours (enemies are often passive or even suicidal, and were also arranged so that ''it would be extremely difficult to tell what the “correct” path was for scoring'' <ref name="ref0" />).  
  
The player’s scoring performance is graded at the end of each stage, with ranks going from C to S++ (the thresholds are fixed across all the various modes and difficulties). Save for possibly the Final Chapter on Arcade Easy, the S++ rank can be achieved on every stage of every mode (in fact, it is often possible to score way higher than what it takes to get S++).  
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The player’s scoring performance is graded at the end of each stage, with ranks going from C to S++. Although the scoring potential varies considerably across the various [[Ikaruga#Game modes|modes and difficulties]], the ranking thresholds are fixed. Save for possibly the Final Chapter on Arcade Easy, the S++ rank can be achieved on every stage of every mode (in fact, it is often possible to score way higher than what it takes to get S++).  
  
 
The table below shows, for each stage, the ranking thresholds in millions (C+ and C++ ranks omitted) and, for each difficulty on Arcade and Prototype modes (1P), the known (accomplished) max chains (please note that these two pieces of information are not related in any way and are presented on the same table only for formatting reasons).  
 
The table below shows, for each stage, the ranking thresholds in millions (C+ and C++ ranks omitted) and, for each difficulty on Arcade and Prototype modes (1P), the known (accomplished) max chains (please note that these two pieces of information are not related in any way and are presented on the same table only for formatting reasons).  
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== Stages ==
 
== Stages ==
''Ikaruga'' has five stages, with a full run through the game taking about 25 minutes (the game does not loop). Every stage features a short cutscene which displays the Chapter’s title and some related text and ends with a Boss fight, but they can vary significantly in other ways. A few examples: Chapter 1 and 2 do not have any Mid-boss, while Chapter 3 has one and Chapter 4 has two; Chapter 3 is riddled with environmental hazards, while they play a minor role in most other stages; the Final Chapter is unique for ending with a Boss rush, then giving place to the Final Boss of the game - the Stone-Like.  
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''Ikaruga'' has five stages (referred to as Chapters), with a full run through the game taking about 25 minutes (the game does not loop). Every stage features a short cutscene which displays the Chapter’s title and some related text and ends with a Boss fight, but they can vary significantly in other ways. A few examples: Chapter 1 and 2 do not have any Mid-boss, while Chapter 3 has one and Chapter 4 has two; Chapter 3 is riddled with environmental hazards, while they play a minor role in most other stages; the Final Chapter is unique for ending with a Boss rush, then giving place to the Final Boss of the game - the Stone-Like.  
  
 
The Chapters are presented below with the associated plot elements <ref name="ref1" /><ref name="ref2">An alternative translation for the stage transitions is available on this [https://shmups.wiki/library/File:Alternative_intro_translations.jpg image], while transcripts can be found [http://rssp.web.fc2.com/ikaruga_title.html here]</ref>:
 
The Chapters are presented below with the associated plot elements <ref name="ref1" /><ref name="ref2">An alternative translation for the stage transitions is available on this [https://shmups.wiki/library/File:Alternative_intro_translations.jpg image], while transcripts can be found [http://rssp.web.fc2.com/ikaruga_title.html here]</ref>:
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| colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top; width:800px;"|  
 
| colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top; width:800px;"|  
 
These enemies only appear once toward the end of the third section of Chapter 4.<br>
 
These enemies only appear once toward the end of the third section of Chapter 4.<br>
They proceed onward rails from each side, and rotate to point at the ship. <br>
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They proceed onward rails from each side and rotate in order to point at the ship. <br>
 
They shoot loosely aimed bullets (with increasing intensity depending on the difficulty).<br>
 
They shoot loosely aimed bullets (with increasing intensity depending on the difficulty).<br>
 
If left alone, they eventually smash into each other in the middle.
 
If left alone, they eventually smash into each other in the middle.
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Main Boss fights have a time limit of 100 seconds, with each remaining second being worth 10000 points. It follows that, for scoring purposes, the Bosses must be defeated as quickly as possible.  
 
Main Boss fights have a time limit of 100 seconds, with each remaining second being worth 10000 points. It follows that, for scoring purposes, the Bosses must be defeated as quickly as possible.  
  
Down below is a breakdown of the Bosses' HP (which can vary depending on the game mode) <ref name="ref3" />, followed by a profile for each one with some basic facts and a description. The Max Time Bonus figures are based on the known best times accomplished on 1P Arcade mode (contingent on a specified Energy Bar status going in - if unspecified, the given time can be accomplished with an empty Bar).
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Down below is a breakdown of the Bosses' HP (which can vary depending on the game mode) <ref name="ref3" />, followed by a profile for each one with some basic facts and a description. The Max Time Bonus figures are based on the known best times accomplished on 1P Arcade mode (contingent on a specified Energy Bar status when entering the fight - if unspecified, the given time can be accomplished with an empty Bar).
  
 
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
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|-
 
|-
 
| colspan="4" style="vertical-align:top; width:810px;"|  
 
| colspan="4" style="vertical-align:top; width:810px;"|  
<center>'''First Midboss:'''</center><br>This battle appears to be against the upper core of the giant orbiting station, but the enemies to be defeated are actually the 12 cannons (6 black and 6 white, chainable) that are mounted to the rotating core and shoot slow disc-shaped bullets. The cannons start shooting only about 2 seconds in, and the main threat is actually represented by the black and white beams that swirl around, respectively, clockwise and counter-clockwise. <br><br>The time limit for the fight is 45 seconds, but it is possible to end it in just about 5 seconds (the actual time required can vary slightly since, while the cannons arrangement is fixed, their place relative to the core is random). The optimal strategy involves starting from the top right side of the screen as white and moving to the left while destroying the black cannons (eventually switching polarity back and forth as needed), then releasing the Energy to kill all the white ones in one swoop (getting 41s on Easy requires releasing before having disposed of all the blacks). <br><br><center>'''Second Midboss:'''</center><br>There are six enemies to take care of: two cannons of different polarity shooting radial bullets on top and four turrets (two white and two black) that fire arches of bullets on the bottom; all can be chained. <br><br>The time limit for the fight is 30 seconds, but it is possible to destroy everything in just 2-3 seconds, especially if some Energy is available when entering the fight. In order to do so, there are two main strategies: either releasing (as black or white depending on the available Energy) on the two black turrets in the center below and then absorbing the black cannon on the left, finishing it with the help of a small black release and absorbing the revenge bullets to release again as black on the whites, or (but only if a full bar is available) releasing as white to take down the two black turrets and the black cannon as well, then absorbing the white cannon on the right and timely releasing as black (this is the optimal strat on Easy). <br><br>The two methods require precise timing and positioning (see the 'release outcome GIFs' on the [[Ikaruga#Energy_Release|Energy release subsection]] for an example), but even less optimal strategies should dispose of this Boss very quickly - the one thing that should be avoided is staying in the middle of the screen with both cannons alive and shooting.<br><br><center>'''Main Boss:'''</center><br>The Main Boss is the lower core of Misago, which, along with the outer walls, is modelled after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafflesia Rafflesia flowers]. This fight takes place into a constricted space between the core and the walls, which hosts several dangerous little beams (each one of a single polarity on Easy, and alternating polarities on Normal and Hard). The walls and the core itself rotate: the latter starts counter-clockwise, but changes direction at the 75-second mark (when it also starts shooting six streams of bullets) and again later on. The weak point is the inner core in the center (of white polarity), which can be accessed by three entries, each one protected by four covers of alternating colour (once lowered, they stay in place). <br><br>On Normal and Hard mode, after about 10 seconds since all four covers of an entry have been lowered, the core shoots a large white beam, which pushes the ship back towards the external small beams. This is not the case on Easy, where the Boss also has less HP. <br><br>The key to deal with this Boss quickly (especially on Normal and Hard) is to focus on opening up an entry before the rotation prevents from hitting the covers, triggering the Boss to shoot the white beam early on. Usually the resulting Energy is released as white as it is absorbed, but getting away for a moment and switching to black isn't prohibitively difficult (attention must always be paid to the external beams). Still, even by only releasing as white, the fight can end with about 75 remaining seconds. On Easy, an optimal execution requires absorbing the small beams as much as possible when the Boss can't be damaged by the main shot.  
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<center>'''First Midboss:'''</center><br>This battle appears to be against the upper core of the giant orbiting station, but the enemies to be defeated are actually the 12 cannons (6 black and 6 white, chainable) that are mounted to the rotating core and shoot slow disc-shaped bullets. The cannons start shooting only about 2 seconds in, and the main threat is actually represented by the black and white beams that swirl around, respectively, clockwise and counter-clockwise. <br><br>The time limit for the fight is 45 seconds, but it is possible to end it in just about 5 seconds (the actual time required can vary slightly since, while the cannons arrangement is fixed, their place relative to the core is random). The optimal strategy involves starting from the top right side of the screen as white and moving to the left while destroying the black cannons (switching polarity if needed), then releasing the Energy to kill all the white ones in one swoop (since on Easy the core rotates more slowly, getting 41s requires releasing before having disposed of all the blacks). <br><br><center>'''Second Midboss:'''</center><br>There are six enemies to take care of: two cannons of different polarity shooting radial bullets on top and four turrets (two white and two black) that fire arches of bullets on the bottom; all can be chained. <br><br>The time limit for the fight is 30 seconds, but it is possible to destroy everything in just 2-3 seconds, especially if some Energy is available when entering the fight. In order to do so, there are two main strategies: either releasing (as black or white depending on the available Energy) on the two black turrets in the center below and then absorbing the black cannon on the left, finishing it with the help of a small black release and absorbing the revenge bullets to release again as black on the whites, or (but only if a full bar is available) releasing as white to take down the two black turrets and the black cannon as well, then absorbing the white cannon on the right and timely releasing as black (this is the optimal strat on Easy). <br><br>The two methods require precise timing and positioning (see the 'release outcome GIFs' on the [[Ikaruga#Energy_Release|Energy release subsection]] for an example), but even less optimal strategies should dispose of this Boss very quickly - the one thing that should be avoided is staying in the middle of the screen with both cannons alive and shooting.<br><br><center>'''Main Boss:'''</center><br>The Main Boss is the lower core of Misago, which, along with the outer walls, is modelled after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafflesia Rafflesia flowers]. This fight takes place into a constricted space between the core and the walls, which hosts several dangerous little beams (each one of a single polarity on Easy, and alternating polarities on Normal and Hard). The walls and the core itself rotate: the latter starts counter-clockwise, but changes direction at the 75-second mark (when it also starts shooting six streams of bullets) and again later on. The weak point is the inner core in the center (of white polarity), which can be accessed by three entries, each one protected by four covers of alternating colour (once lowered, they stay in place). <br><br>On Normal and Hard mode, after about 10 seconds since all four covers of an entry have been lowered, the core shoots a large white beam, which pushes the ship back towards the external small beams. This is not the case on Easy, where the Boss also has less HP. <br><br>The key to deal with this Boss quickly (especially on Normal and Hard) is to focus on opening up an entry before the rotation prevents from hitting the covers, triggering the Boss to shoot the white beam early on. Usually the resulting Energy is released as white as it is absorbed, but getting away for a moment and switching to black isn't prohibitively difficult (attention must always be paid to the external beams). Still, even by only releasing as white, the fight can end with about 75 remaining seconds. On Easy, an optimal execution requires absorbing the small beams as much as possible when the Boss can't be damaged by the main shot.  
 
|}
 
|}
  
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==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
''Ikaruga'' contains several buddhist references <ref>See the relevant article on this archived [https://web.archive.org/web/20050217142400/http://www.greng.net/games/ikaruga/articles.htm Ikaruga fan site]</ref>, of which some were pointed out in the main text of this article. The rest that are known are listed here:
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''Ikaruga'' contains several buddhist references <ref>See the relevant article on this archived [https://web.archive.org/web/20050217142400/http://www.greng.net/games/ikaruga/articles.htm Ikaruga fan site]</ref>, of which some were pointed out in the main text of this article. Here's the others which are known:
 
* ‘Ikaruga’ (斑鳩町) is also the name of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikaruga,_Nara town] in the prefecture of Nara, where Buddhism was first introduced in Japan
 
* ‘Ikaruga’ (斑鳩町) is also the name of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikaruga,_Nara town] in the prefecture of Nara, where Buddhism was first introduced in Japan
 
* the carrier from where the Ikaruga is launched at the start of the game is called ‘Sword of Acala’, where ‘[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acala Acala]’ refers to one of the buddhist kings of wisdom;
 
* the carrier from where the Ikaruga is launched at the start of the game is called ‘Sword of Acala’, where ‘[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acala Acala]’ refers to one of the buddhist kings of wisdom;
* [[File:Warning_message_text.png|250px|right]] the Boss warning that appears at the end of each Chapter bears a passage written in sanskrit, which represents a spell that grants safety from dangerous situations (the same sanskrit characters also appear on the control device fitted around the Stone-Like)
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* [[File:Warning_message_text.png|250px|right]] the Boss warning that appears at the end of each Chapter bears a passage written in sanskrit, which represents a spell that grants safety from dangerous situations (the same sanskrit characters also appear on the control device fitted on the Stone-Like)
 
* the name of the Chapter 2 Boss, ‘Buppousou’ (仏法僧), also stands for the Buddha, its teachings, and the monastic order of Buddhism (known as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refuge_(Buddhism) Three Jewels]). This Boss is also notable for having a yin-and-yang symbol carved on its main body
 
* the name of the Chapter 2 Boss, ‘Buppousou’ (仏法僧), also stands for the Buddha, its teachings, and the monastic order of Buddhism (known as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refuge_(Buddhism) Three Jewels]). This Boss is also notable for having a yin-and-yang symbol carved on its main body
* the Final Chapter of the game is titled ‘Metempsychosis’, which is a greek term referring to the transmigration of the soul, a central buddhist tenet. While all the Chapter’s titles are linked to events related to the game’s story, some have taken them to represent the path towards enlightenment followed by the main character (or even the player) in the game.
+
* the Final Chapter of the game is titled ‘Metempsychosis’, which is a greek term referring to the transmigration of the soul, a central buddhist tenet. While all the Chapter’s titles are linked to events related to the game’s story, some have taken them to represent the path towards enlightenment followed by the main character in the game.
  
  
Line 1,083: Line 1,083:
  
  
Following the GameCube release of the game, a scoring competition was launched by the publisher (Infogrames, under the Atari label). Known as the ‘Ikaruga Net Ranking’ contest, it ran for about three months, during which players from all over the world could submit scores to a dedicated website. The legitimacy of the scores was ensured by the inclusion of a dedicated ‘Challenge’ mode on the GC version, which - for Arcade or Prototype mode on 1P Normal - assigned a unique 12-digit code to every score achieved: this code had to be entered on the website for the score to be submitted. The players with the five highest scores on each mode at the end of the contest received an official Atari trophy. After the official website went down <ref>All that remains today is a single google-translated [http://www.ikaruga-atari.net/ webpage]</ref>, a few dedicated players managed to crack the code and implemented the feature on unofficial scoreboards hosted on the ‘Ikaruga.co.uk’ website, which remained the point of reference for the western community of ''Ikaruga'' for several years.
+
Following the GameCube release of the game, a scoring competition was launched by the publisher (Infogrames, under the Atari label). Known as the ‘Ikaruga Net Ranking’ contest, it ran for about three months, during which players from all over the world could submit scores to a dedicated website. The legitimacy of the scores was ensured by the inclusion of a dedicated ‘Challenge’ mode on the GC version, which assigned a unique 12-digit code to every score achieved (on 1P Normal Arcade and Prototype modes): this code had to be entered on the website for the score to be submitted. The players with the five highest scores on each mode at the end of the contest received an official Atari trophy. After the official website went down <ref>All that remains today is a single google-translated [http://www.ikaruga-atari.net/ webpage]</ref>, a few dedicated players managed to crack the code and implemented the feature on unofficial scoreboards hosted on the ‘Ikaruga.co.uk’ website, which remained the point of reference for the western community of ''Ikaruga'' for several years.
  
  

Revision as of 22:15, 5 January 2021

IKARUGA
Box art of the PS4 and Switch versions.png

Box art for the PS4 and Switch versions

Developer: Treasure Co., Ltd
Official site: treasure-inc.co.jp
Music: Hiroshi Iuchi
Program: Hiroshi Iuchi
Atsutomo Nakagawa
Katsuyuki Fujita (G.rev)
Art: Yasushi Suzuki
Release date: 20 December 2001 [1]
Previous game: Radiant Silvergun

Ikaruga (斑鳩) is a vertical-scrolling shmup developed and published by Treasure in December 2001 for the Sega NAOMI arcade system. During development, the game was referred to as ‘Project RS-2’, owing to its predecessor Radiant Silvergun, and as such it is considered to be its spiritual sequel, even though the two games differ considerably in terms of mechanics and visual style. Ikaruga is famous for its polarity system: enemies and bullets are either black or white, while the player’s ship can freely switch between the two polarities. A similar feature was already implemented to a lesser extent by the arcade-only shmup Great Mahou Daisakusen, but with Ikaruga being in development when it came out, the inspiration for its polarity mechanic was probably found elsewhere: some have mentioned Treasure’s Silhouette Mirage, but game director Hiroshi Iuchi himself [2] has spoken of its connection with the defensive system of Sega Saturn’s game Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru, to which he contributed to some extent.

Ikaruga enjoyed critical and commercial success for the genre’s standards and over the years has been ported to several home consoles (Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo GameCube and Switch, Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 4) and online platforms (NESiCAxLive and Steam), with varying features and fidelity to the original version.

In general, Ikaruga is considered to be a very methodical shooting game. It discourages an improvised playing style, instead placing emphasis on rigorous routing and execution.


Story

The storyline of Ikaruga is only hinted at in-game and is fleshed out on some of the ported versions (mainly through unlockable bonus features [3]). Below is a short prologue:

Sometime in the past, a woman esper named Hourai Tenro, ruler of the insular country of Hourai, unhearted a mysterious object from deep within the earth. Known as the Stone-Like, the object seemed to have a god-like quality and emanated an enormous amount of energy. After fitting a restrictive device to it, she managed to harness its power and proceeded to storm and conquer other nations along with her followers, claiming to be the ‘Chosen Ones’ to unite all the countries in the name of peace. A resistance group known as the ‘Tenkaku’ attempted to fight back, but lost battle after battle until just one member survived, the strong-willed Shinra [Player 1].

Refusing to call it quits, Shinra built a makeshift aircraft (which he named ‘Shirasagi’) and took off on a lone sortie against Hourai’s forces. He managed to make his way through the enemy troops until he was faced with the ‘Eboshidori’ Butsutekkai, piloted by Hourai’s general Asami. After a fierce battle, Shinra was ultimately defeated and crash landed on a remote village inhabited by exiled people - the Village of the Grosbeak (‘Ikaruga no Sato’). Shinra was recovered from the wreckage and nursed back to health. Unwilling to live with regret, he renewed his pledge to defeat Hourai, so the villagers entrusted him with a technological marvel built by former engineering genius Amanai along with the elder Kazamori: an aircraft capable of switching polarity and absorbing bullets, which was given the village’s name: Ikaruga. Thanks to the unique features of his new ship, Shinra was then able to confront general Asami’s Butsutekkai on equal terms, blocking his foray on the village and driving him away.

Soon after, Shinra is joined by Kagari [Player 2], a woman who originally fought for Hourai but changed side after being shot down and then spared by Shinra and the villagers. A formidable pilot herself, she manages to convince Amanai to upgrade her ship, the Ginkei, to the same capabilities as the Ikaruga. Firmly determined to bring back freedom, the two combatants set off to defeat Hourai Tenro’s forces and destroy the source of her powers...

Ikaruga [Player 1 ship]
Shinra [Player 1]
Hourai Tenro
Kagari [Player 2]
Ginkei [Player 2 ship]

Gameplay Overview

The gameplay of Ikaruga revolves around the black and white polarity system, which entails the following:

From top to bottom, the HUD shows the score, the enemy’s health bar, the chain status indicator, the Energy Bar and the life stock
  • bullets are either black or white, and the player’s ship can freely switch between the two polarities: bullets of the opposite colour will destroy it, while those of the same colour will be absorbed (and charge an Energy Bar)
  • enemies are also either black or white, and when destroyed can release revenge bullets of their own colour, depending on the game’s difficulty mode
  • the offensive weapons are of the same polarity as the ship and deal double damage to enemies of the opposite colour
  • enemies killed in sets of three of the same colour make a chain, which yields a varying amount of points up to a maximum value (‘Max Chain’)

In order to advance in the game, the player has to get accustomed with switching polarity back and forth according to on-screen bullets, potential revenge bullets (if any) and, eventually, the polarity of the enemies (in order to deal more damage).

Approximate hitbox of the ships

Although the ships have a small hitbox - a trait that is often associated with bullet hell games - Ikaruga plays very differently from them, with the focus being on having the correct polarity based on the situation more than on dodging bullets (though still relevant). The game also presents navigational challenges where the player must steer away from enemies and environmental hazards. On some sections, speedkilling specific sets of enemies can trigger 'bonus' ones to spawn, which potentially allows for more chains. There are no power-ups or items, nor a rank system (although losing a life on some sections causes them to get toned down a bit).

Controls

Ikaruga is generally played with a three-button setup: A for firing, B for changing polarity and C for releasing Energy. However, the Arcade version’s setup was designed to be two-button (the third one being optional), with the Energy release to be triggered with A+B.

Single Shot

Tapping the fire button will fire off a single shot. This shot type is used in order to take down specific enemies, which is often needed for chaining. A single shot deals a damage of 2HP to enemies of the same polarity (4HP if opposite) and can take down multiple one-hit enemies if they are close to each other.

Customized control set-ups may be equipped with an auto-fire button, allowing for a continuous single-shot stream which can be useful on some sections, since it has the same power as the double-shot but concentrated on a smaller area.

Double Shot

A popcorn enemy surviving after being hit with a single projectile from a double-shot stream of the same colour

Holding the fire button down will fire off a double-shot stream. This is the main shot type of the game. Like for single shots, a double-shot as a whole deals a damage of 2HP to enemies of the same polarity (4HP if opposite) and can take down multiple one-hit enemies if they are close to each other. The double-shot is made up of two independent projectiles: each can deal a damage of 1HP or 2HP (based on polarity) to different enemies, and one of them can hit a target while the other keeps going. In fact, when a double-shot hits a 2HP enemy of opposite polarity, only one projectile disappears (as opposed to both for an enemy of the same polarity), with the other carrying on forward. This is the reason why clusters of popcorn enemies are destroyed more quickly when shooting with the opposite polarity.

Since popcorn enemies have a minimum of 2HP, it follows that half of a double-shot is not enough to take down an undamaged enemy of the same polarity (this is of interest mainly when firing while moving laterally, since the bullet skewing tends to disperse the firepower).

Another tidbit worth noting is that moving towards an enemy while it's being hit will speed up the collision of the bullets that are in between the ship and the enemy thus slightly increasing the damage per unit of time for a brief moment (the opposite applies when moving away from the enemy). This can be exploited during Boss fights or when firing to durable enemies.

Energy Release

When the Energy Bar is at least partially charged, pressing the relevant button(s) will trigger the Energy release, which consists of a varying number of homing lasers. The number goes from one to twelve, depending on the status of the Energy Bar (it is made up of twelve blocks, each one representing a laser and taking ten bullets to fill up). One laser inflicts as much damage as five single shots (i.e. 10HP to enemies of its own polarity). The Energy release is not a panic bomb: it generally does not wipe out all the enemies that are on screen and can actually result in losing a life if the player changes polarity immediately after and is hit by revenge bullets (if any). It is, instead, a general use weapon (there are no score penalties attached), which is very useful for killing off large enemies and damaging Bosses quickly.

If used carefully, the Energy release is also an invaluable asset for racking up chains. In order to preserve the chain through an Energy release, players typically use it on clusters of enemies of the same polarity. However, it is definitely possible to chain both black and white enemies with a single release, since the lasers hit their targets in sequence.

These are the main points underpinning the Energy release mechanic:

  • the lasers are ejected from the ship stacked one on top of the other, with upper ones reaching out first. However, the upper lasers are generally not the first to hit their target, since they tend to pass by the first enemies they cross in their path (more so than the other lasers) and to pursue their target only after doing a turnaround
  • the lasers move at a varying speed (slower when turning around, faster when going straight) and lock on enemies based on their proximity to the position of the release and the preferred path of the release (the lasers travel from the rear and lateral side of the ship to the front and eventually back below it). These two factors generally play an equal role but, depending on the section, the enemies and the number of lasers released, one can sometimes weigh more than the other
  • if there are multiple enemies both next or below and in front of the ship (more than can be targeted), usually the Energy release takes down a few of them from each area
  • large and durable enemies generally attract more lasers. If their original target is taken down or moves away, the lasers can redirect to another enemy or just fly off-screen
  • there might be some instance where a given Energy release would appear to have a bias toward keeping chain integrity, but there is no actual evidence in support of this, and any such case can likely be interpreted as normal behaviour after taking into account some of the points above or other idiosyncrasies of the Energy release mechanic.
Homing Behaviour GIFs
Homing1.gif Homing2.gif Homing4.gif Homing3.gif
The fixed path of the Energy release - notice that one of the upper lasers ends up pursuing an enemy at the bottom
The lasers tend to flock to large enemies, and can fly off-screen if their original target is taken down
Right laser hitting its target after the left one due to wider angle of its path, which slows it down
Screen packed with more enemies than what the lasers can target - the release takes down some from each area

While this is only a partial explanation of the logic behind the homing lasers' behaviour, it must be noted that the outcome of a given release is always based on deterministic factors (number of lasers, timing, position, enemies): there are no random elements to it, therefore once determined that a release can be effectively used on a given section, its behaviour will stay consistent provided that the original conditions are replicated closely enough. On the other hand, very slight differences in the mentioned factors can drastically alter the outcome of the release.

Release outcome GIFs
Homing5a.gif Homing5b.gif Homing5c.gif Homing5d.gif
The first example shows the desired outcome of the release (targeting of the black cannon on top and the two black turrets on the bottom), while the other three are ineffective releases due to the difference in the ship's positioning. A very small shift to the right (second example) or below (third example) and below to the right (fourth example) all give different outcomes. A GIF that highlights the different positioning can be seen here
Game mode selection (GameCube version)

Game Modes

Difficulty Modes

Ikaruga can be played on three difficulty modes. The basic gameplay difference is in the revenge bullets which are released when enemies are destroyed:

  • Easy: enemies never release revenge bullets
  • Normal: enemies of the same polarity as the last hit release revenge bullets. The number of revenge bullets depends on the enemy (the larger and more durable it is, the more bullets released)
  • Hard: enemies always release revenge bullets. Enemies of the same polarity as the last hit release the same number of bullets as on Normal; enemies of the opposite polarity to the last hit release half the number of bullets (which also move more slowly).

There are also changes to some of the enemies' patterns and attacks, bullet patterns and Boss fights. With respect to Normal mode:

  • on Easy, there may be less enemies on some sections (Chapter 3 and 4); enemies may shoot less bullets; bullet patterns may be different (Chapter 2); the Bosses may have less HP (Chapter 4 and 5) and their attack may pose less of a threat (all Chapters)
  • on Hard, enemies may shoot more bullets; the Bosses' attacks may pose more of a threat (all Chapters).

More details about some of these changes are provided on the Enemies and Bosses sections.

As a result of these differences, optimal strategies and scoring potential can change considerably across the various difficulties.

Prototype Mode

On Prototype mode the ship can launch multiple full releases, which effectively makes it a killing machine

Beside the standard Arcade mode, every ported version of Ikaruga also features a ‘Prototype mode’, so called because it represents the game concept as originally designed by the developers [2].

This mode differs from Arcade for having a limited stock of ammos, which are used up by shooting or releasing Energy. The stock is indicated by a counter which goes up to 999 and replaces the Arcade mode’s Energy Bar. Firing either a single or a double shot uses up two ammos and homing lasers require ten ammos each (a full release taking 120 off the stock). The initial stock depends on the difficulty (500 on Easy, 300 on Normal, 100 on Hard) and is replenished by absorbing bullets. Each absorbed bullet is worth three ammos, while sitting on a laser beam gives three ammos per frame. If the reserves are depleted, the ship will only fire a shot with an extremely limited range, until some stock is restored.

On Normal and Hard modes, some basic bullet-eating is generally enough to avert running out of ammos - in fact, it is quite common to get to the stage Bosses with substantial reserves. In this case, the fight will clearly end in just a few seconds, thanks to the ability of launching multiple full releases one after the other that is unique to this game mode. The increased offensive power also allows for quick kills of standard enemies and generally more chaning opportunities (although the different Energy release mechanic sometimes makes it impossible to use in sections where optimal chaining would require smaller releases). Overall, the scoring potential on Prototype mode is considerably higher than on the corresponding difficulty on Arcade mode. However, this is less true for Easy mode, where it is very frequent to run on low or even no reserves (due to the lack of revenge bullets), leading to some radically altered strategies and a different play style in general.

Others

Ikaruga can also be played on 2P mode. The two ships differ only aesthetically and of course cannot overlap (otherwise they would be invulnerable to both white and black bullets while on different polarities). Gameplay-wise, there are no differences with respect to 1P mode except for the first two Bosses having more HP. The scoring potential is much higher on 2P mode, due to the increased chaining and bullet eating opportunities plus the higher Boss time bonus (which is assigned in full to both players) and Extend bonus which can be accomplished. Some versions allow for cooperative gaming over the internet or have an option for double-play with a single controller (for players that rise to the challenge of controlling both ships solo).

It must also be noted that, while not representing a different mode, it is possible to finish the entire game on a single life without ever firing a bullet (on any actual game mode). The pacifist player receives a ‘Dot Eater’ rank on the stage breakdown.

Score system

For world record scores, please refer to the Hall of Records entry.

Scoring in Ikaruga is mostly centered around chaining enemies based on their polarity, but there are other significant scoring elements in the game. They are all presented here, in order of importance:

  • Chaining: taking down three enemies of the same polarity in a row makes a chain. Each following chain can be of the same or of opposite colour, and can be added immediately after or minutes away from the previous one: what matters is only that the enemies are killed in sets of three of the same colour. Every destructible enemy that appears in the game has a polarity and can be chained (with the only exception of the parts of which Main Bosses are made). The first chains give a varying amount of points, starting with a value of 100 points, then 200, 400 and so on, doubling each time up to 25600 (ninth chain and over). For every chain worth 25600 points, a robotic voice can be heard uttering either ‘Max Chain’, ‘Excellent’ or ‘Splendid’.
    The chain is broken when the player fails to kill enemies in triplets of the same colour or dies, and resets at the start of each stage. A (max) chain break costs a minimum of 204900 points (25600+204800-25500, i.e. chain dropped + 8 missed max chains - first 8 chains), assuming that another chain is restarted immediately after and no other triplets of enemies are missed out (which is almost never the case).
    It is clear that, in order to score more points, as many enemies as possible should be chained (which also implies going for quick kills on sections where time-based bonus enemies are spawned) and that the chain should not be dropped. There are very few sections where anything other than elementary chaining can be left to improvisation - the game very much requires predetermined strategies to come up with good scores. These can of course be of a varying complexity, but even basic routes tend to give better results than on-the-fly chaining
  • Boss time bonus: during Boss fights there is a countdown timer (starting from 100 seconds for Main Bosses) which stops when the Boss is defeated. Each remaining second is worth 10000 points, therefore speedkilling is rewarded. Some Mid-bosses also give a time bonus, but the timer starts from a lower number (if the Main Boss is not killed afterwards, the time bonus that was racked up is lost)
  • Extend bonus: Each life that is in stock at the end of the game is worth half a million points. The player’s life stock starts with two lives by default (game is over after dying three times) and extra lives can be gained by scoring (the first one after reaching three million points and the others after every five million, with the standard Extend conditions)
  • Bullet eating: absorbing a single bullet gives 100 points, while sitting on a laser beam yields 100 points per frame (the uncommon homing shots fired off by some enemies are worth 500/1000 points). While this is a scoring element that is often neglected, absorbing bullets and lasers to the fullest extent possible can make the difference at high levels of play, once chaining has been mostly optimized
  • Damaging enemies: killing or simply damaging enemies gives a small amount of points. Every HP removed is worth 10 points (though such a small increment rarely happens given that single shots and whole double-shots both take off at least 2HP from enemies). This is by far the least important scoring element and the player also has limited to no degree of control over it (since the enemies' HP are fixed, and chaining requires killing as many enemies as possible anyway). Still, it is possible to go after a purely hit-based score increase on the few idle moments during some Main Boss fights, by firing at supporting pods or protective covers.

Other than by extending the life stock, scoring does not affect the chance of survival/1CC in Ikaruga (as opposed to its ‘spiritual prequel’ Radiant Silvergun, which features upgradable weapons based on score). Still, the chaining mechanism is not just a natural complement to the polarity system but very much a defining element of the game, which accounts for its peculiar enemy patterns and behaviours (enemies are often passive or even suicidal, and were also arranged so that it would be extremely difficult to tell what the “correct” path was for scoring [2]).

The player’s scoring performance is graded at the end of each stage, with ranks going from C to S++. Although the scoring potential varies considerably across the various modes and difficulties, the ranking thresholds are fixed. Save for possibly the Final Chapter on Arcade Easy, the S++ rank can be achieved on every stage of every mode (in fact, it is often possible to score way higher than what it takes to get S++).

The table below shows, for each stage, the ranking thresholds in millions (C+ and C++ ranks omitted) and, for each difficulty on Arcade and Prototype modes (1P), the known (accomplished) max chains (please note that these two pieces of information are not related in any way and are presented on the same table only for formatting reasons).


Stage
Ranking Thresholds Max Chains
Arcade Prototype
B
B+
B++
A
A+
A++
S
S+
S++  Easy  Normal  Hard   Easy  Normal  Hard 
Chapter 1
1.0
1.5
1.8
2.0
2.5
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
130
134
129
122*
138
132*
Chapter 2
2.0
2.5
2.8
3.0
3.8
4.25
4.4
4.8
5.0
204
211*
199
199*
212*
202*
Chapter 3
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.2
5.4
238
265*
240*
232*
291*
279*
Chapter 4
3.0
3.5
3.8
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
5.75
6.0
203
237
227
203
236
217*
Chapter 5
3.0
3.5
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.5
4.8
5.0
91
118
122
95
126
126
*Additional chain(s) known to be possible based on existing strategies

Stages

Ikaruga has five stages (referred to as Chapters), with a full run through the game taking about 25 minutes (the game does not loop). Every stage features a short cutscene which displays the Chapter’s title and some related text and ends with a Boss fight, but they can vary significantly in other ways. A few examples: Chapter 1 and 2 do not have any Mid-boss, while Chapter 3 has one and Chapter 4 has two; Chapter 3 is riddled with environmental hazards, while they play a minor role in most other stages; the Final Chapter is unique for ending with a Boss rush, then giving place to the Final Boss of the game - the Stone-Like.

The Chapters are presented below with the associated plot elements [3][4]:

Chapter 1.png
Chapter 1: Ideal

After hearing about the unique capabilities of the Ikaruga, Hourai Tenro ordered an expeditionary force under general Asami to destroy the aircraft while stationed inside its launching carrier, the Sword of Acala, but Shinra and his fellows were ready for a counterattack. Village elder Kazamori breaks the silence with some lines from an old poem:
“I won't give up even if my Ideal isn't fulfilled. My will, just as my regrets, won't ever end. My comrades... it is time"
Chapter 2.png
Chapter 2: Trial

The battlefield is the country of Agi, which fell under Hourai’s control after the ‘Buppousou’ Butsutekkai started targeting the civilians, forcing Agi’s leader to surrender and Shinra and his comrades to retreat. Going on a mission that will for sure be a Trial of his abilities, Shinra carries out a surprise attack on the occupation forces and infiltrates the military facility that is being built underground by the enemy's troops..
Chapter 3.png
Chapter 3: Faith

After liberating the country of Agi, a war of attrition ensues, which in the long term would lead to Hourai’s victory. To end the stalemate, Shinra is planning to launch a direct assault by crossing the border to the country of Hourai, but a fortified ravine, considered impenetrable for its environmental hazards, stands in the way. After seeing Shinra’s Faith in the plan, engineer Amanai overcomes his hesitations and prepares the Ikaruga for departure..
Chapter 4.png
Chapter 4: Reality

After clearing the ravine, Shinra faces the bulk of the Hourai army led by general Kira from his giant ‘Misago’ Butsutekkai. Shinra and his comrades opt for a methodical combat strategy, attacking the weak spots of the orbiting station one by one. They eventually succeed, but the prolonged fight took its toll on Shinra, as the Ikaruga interfaces directly with the nervous and muscular systems of the pilot, placing an immense strain on the body. Shinra must now confront a harsh Reality: going forward with his fight might cost his life..
Chapter 5.png
Final Chapter: Metempsychosis

Unfazed by the thought that his time may be drawing near, Shinra bursts into Hourai’s headquarters for the final battle. After taking down the last few enemies, he faces the mighty ‘Tageri’ Butsutekkai. Hourai tries to divert his resolve with words but to no avail - Shinra keeps fighting with his last drops of strenght and in the heat of the battle he also hears the voices of two spirit beings that appeared in his dreams. And then, right after he manages to destroy Hourai Tenro’s flagship, the Stone-Like emerges from the debris..
The Stone-Like.png
Epilogue: The Stone-Like

After convincing the engineer to deactivate the restraining devices of the Ikaruga, Shinra unleashes all the energy stored onboard, and meets his destiny just a moment before he can witness the Stone-Like explode. As his soul Transmigrates, the two spirit beings of his dreams manifest themselves..

Shinra: "Was that… the right thing to do?"
Man body: "Don’t worry... for sure, the day will come when we [humans] understand each other"
Woman body: "Because life will be passed on… to the distant future...”

Enemies

Most of the enemies and ships in Ikaruga are given names adapted from bird species (the few that do not fly have generic names) [5]. It is not uncommon for enemies in the game to pose only a mild threat (sometimes being just a collision hazard), with the actual challenge represented by chaining them instead.

The enemies are listed below in order of appearance, along with HP and revenge bullet information [6]. As a reference, a single shot removes 2 or 4HP and a full Energy release takes off 120 or 240HP (respectively, from enemies of the same and of different polarity).

Quick Reference Table

Enemy name HP Revenge Bullets
Toratsugumi 2 5
Utatsugumi 2 5
Isuka 2 5
Renjaku 10 7
Misosazai 20 10
Toki 20 20
Torafuzuku 120 50
Ajisashi Main Body 120 50
Ajisashi Turret 10 5
Chougenbou 240 150
Chapter 2: White Box 20 10
Chapter 2: Black Box 20 10
Chapter 2: Toratsugumi Generator 8 5
Chapter 2: Barricade 8 5
Chapter 3: Wall Cannon 10 5
Shigi Rotating Bits 240 25
Shigi Body (single half) 400 25
Chapter 4: 1st Midboss Cannon 20 10
Chapter 4: Rail Turret 8 5
Chapter 4: 2nd Midboss Multi-way Cannon 120 50
Chapter 4: 2nd Midboss Turret 60 15

Enemies First Encountered in Chapter 1

Utatsugumi       歌鶇(ウタツグミ), Song Thrush
Utatsugumi.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
2
5
ALL

Shaped like (half of) a yin-and-yang symbol, these enemies appear in abundance in all stages.
Usually they are only a collision hazard, but sometimes they can fire single aimed bullets.
Compared to other enemies, their movements are usually cyclic and easily predictable.

Toratsugumi       虎鶇(トラツグミ), Scaly Thrush
Toratsugumi.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
2
5
ALL

Very small enemies that often appear in large groups.
They do not fire, but frequently move in complex patterns.
Often used as 'bonus enemies' to provide extra chains, in which case they tend to be referred to as 'bonus sets' or 'bonus rows'.

Renjaku       連雀(レンジャク), Waxwing
Renjaku.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
10
7
1, 5

Small enemies that often travel in sweeping dives down the screen.
They fire short bursts of bullets.
Can take a moderate amount of damage before being destroyed.

Torafuzuku       虎斑木菟(トラフズク), Long-Eared Owl
Torafuzuku.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
120
50
1, 2

Large and durable foes, Torafuzuku can either be stationary or move horizontally with a slow pace.
They usually fire large lasers, though the pairs encountered in Chapter 1 will instead fire radial waves and sprays of bullets.
Generally accompanied by two Utatsugumi of the same colour (to form a complete chain), they are often a gateway to bonus enemies.

Ajisashi       鯵刺(アジサシ), Common Tern
Body
Ajisashi.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
120
50
1

The Ajisashi are slow and large ships that move in linear patterns around the screen.
They can only fire horizontally by means of the Turrets which are mounted to their Body.
They only appear at the end of Chapter 1, giving place to a varying number of 'bonus rows' of Toratsugumi.

Turrets
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
10
5
1

Each Turret counts as a separate enemy for chaining purposes.
The Ajisashi can host 8 or 12 of them (so nearby enemies can be necessary to complete the chain).
Energy released from below or beside an undamaged Ajisashi will hit its Turrets first.

Enemies First Encountered in Chapter 2

Isuka       交喙(イスカ), Red Crossbill
Isuka.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
2
5
2, 3, 4

Small enemy fighter craft.
They move in complex patterns, often quickly changing direction.
The triangular shape makes it easier to identify which direction they are moving.
They almost never fire, instead trying to ram into the player.

Misosazai       鷦鷯(ミソサザイ), Eurasian Wren
Misosazai.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
20
10
2

'Satellite' type enemies that are found in fixed locations and do not move or rotate.
Fire a large laser straight down.
They are found in pairs; nearby enemies must be used to complete chains.

Boxes       箱  /  ブロック
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
20
10
2

Also referred to as crates, these enemies either stay fixed in place or slide along an axis.
They sometimes fire bullets straight down or to their sides, depending on the section.
When aligned horizontally, it is possible for the ship to squeeze between them right in the middle.

Generators       ジェネレーター
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
8
5
2

These enemies are placed in pairs on the left and right side of the screen, one facing the other.
Each generator spawns Toratsugumi of one polarity only, generating black and white ones as a pair.
In order to get more chains, they are usually destroyed at the last possible moment or even left alive.

Barricades       バリケード
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
8
5
2

Barriers that block the way found on a single section of Chapter 2.
The only 'enemy' that neither shoots nor moves around.
It is possible to leave them be and move forward by squeezing in between them.

Enemies First Encountered in Chapter 3

Wall Cannons       前砲台
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
10
5
3

These enemies only appear once toward the end of the first section of Chapter 3.
They are stuck on the walls and their bullets form an impenetrable barrier (on Normal and Hard modes).
In order to move forward they have to be destroyed on at least one side of the screen (if ignored,
one of the moving blocks will get rid of or obstruct most of them and make a safe way through).

Toki       朱鷺(トキ), Crested Ibis
Toki.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
20
20
3, 4, 5

Twin-tined midsize ships with moderate durability.
Usually move in linear paths and fire twin continuous streams of bullets.
However, there is a variant of them which fires large homing shots instead.
Often arranged in patterns that control large areas of the screen; care should be taken with polarity changes near them.

Shigi       鷸(シギ), Sandpiper
Body Half
Shigi.png

Shigi in-game.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
400
25
3

Shigi is the Mid-boss of Chapter 3, made up of two Body Halves and four Rotating Bits of different polarity that can be chained. Both the beams swirling around with the rotating parts and the stream of alternating black and white bullets fired by the main body get more and more dangerous as other Bits and Halves are destroyed (also depending on the difficulty).
It is recommended to distribute the damage as much as possible on all the various parts before taking down the first Bits, so as to avoid having to deal with both fast-spinning beams and a dense stream of bullets in the middle for too long later in the fight (since the corrisponding enemies will have been already damaged to some extent).
At high levels of play, speedkiling Shigi is essential in order to have more time available to chain as many Utatsugumi as possible on the following section (generally known as ‘bonus enemies section’ or, in japanese, ‘bunretsu’ - 分裂). The strategies vary based on game modes, but generally involve maximizing the absorption of the beams and thus the Energy releases.

Rotating Bits
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
240
25
3

Rotate around the main Body of Shigi while firing a continuous beam of the same colour.
The oscillation of the beams can be difficult to safely handle (especially on Hard mode).
It is recommended to avoid destroying all the Bits before significant damage has been dealt to the two Body Halves.

Enemies First Encountered in Chapter 4 *

Rail Turrets       レール砲台
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
8
5
4

These enemies only appear once toward the end of the third section of Chapter 4.
They proceed onward rails from each side and rotate in order to point at the ship.
They shoot loosely aimed bullets (with increasing intensity depending on the difficulty).
If left alone, they eventually smash into each other in the middle.

Enemies First Encountered in Chapter 5

Chougenbou       長元坊(チョウゲンボウ), Common Kestrel
Chougenbou.png
HP
Revenge Bullets
Chapter(s)
240
150
5

Massive and highly durable enemies that move horizontally and fire a barrage of white bullets.
They appear on the first section of the Final Chapter, their number being dependent mainly on how quickly they are dealt with.
Since they spawn a ring of 11 Utatsugumi when destroyed, the scoring incentive for maximizing their number is evident.
Related strategies vary based on game modes (generally involve absorbing as much as possible by approaching them up close **).

* Enemies that are encountered as Chapter 4 Mid-bosses are described on the Boss section
** As noted among the version differences, in the Xbox 360 version of the game the Chougenbou have larger collision boxes,
which prevents optimal absorption and ultimately reduces the scoring potential of the Chapter

Bosses

Introduced by a warning sign at the end of each stage, the Main Bosses of Ikaruga are also named after bird species and are generically known as ‘Butsutekkai’ (仏鉄塊), which roughly translates to ‘iron Buddha’. The bosses are manned by enemy officials and generally pose multiple threats with their various attacks. They are often made of several parts to be destroyed or hit (in order to access weak points): these parts do not provide chains, with the exception of the few existing Mid-bosses (basically the two encountered on Chapter 4, the only ones that are embedded on the body of the Main Boss - Shigi is a unique, independent Mid-boss and the first two Bosses of the Final Chapter are generally not considered to be simple Mid-bosses, nor provide chains).

Main Boss fights have a time limit of 100 seconds, with each remaining second being worth 10000 points. It follows that, for scoring purposes, the Bosses must be defeated as quickly as possible.

Down below is a breakdown of the Bosses' HP (which can vary depending on the game mode) [6], followed by a profile for each one with some basic facts and a description. The Max Time Bonus figures are based on the known best times accomplished on 1P Arcade mode (contingent on a specified Energy Bar status when entering the fight - if unspecified, the given time can be accomplished with an empty Bar).


Boss name

1 Player

2 Players

Easy

Normal-Hard

Easy

Normal-Hard



Eboshidori

1st form

250

250

250

250

2nd form

400

400

400

400

3rd form

1200

1200

1800

1800

Bits

240

240

240

240

Buppousou

Single weakspot

600

600

900

900

Uzura

Single segment

120

120

120

120

Misago

Gate

80

80

80

80

Core

600

800

600

800



Tageri

1st form (single head)

400

600

400

600

2nd form (single head)

600

800

600

800

3rd form

4000

6000

4000

6000
Chapter 1 Boss
Eboshidori
烏帽子鳥(エボシドリ), Turaco
Eboshidori battle1.png Eboshidori.png Eboshidori battle2.png
Pilot: General Asami
Max Time Bonus:
Easy
Normal
Hard
750000 (75s)
750000 (75s)
750000 (75s)

An old enemy of Shinra (the damaged helmet hints at their previous battles), Eboshidori attacks in three phases and is supported by two pods, each one shooting loosely aimed bullets of a single polarity (with increasing intensity depending on the difficulty mode). While the pods can be destroyed, they are generally ignored in order to concentrate the damage on the Boss (still, they are often targeted - in order to gain a handful of extra points - whenever the Boss can't be damaged).

During the first two rounds the Boss fires off radial bullets from his sword and then his shield (of white and black polarity, respectively). These attacks can last up to about 20 seconds each, but it is possible to bring them to a close much more quickly by staying black when shooting to the sword (since the bullets are quite sparse) and, in the second phase, by approaching the shield up close to better absorb its bullets, the resulting Energy to be released as white.

In the last phase the Boss attacks by throwing four rounds of grenades of alternating polarity (the number of grenades per round depends on the difficulty: 3 on Easy, 4 on Normal, 5 on Hard) and then launching homing shots from his sword. The grenades let off expanding circles of bullets, but since they are not a collision hazard and give a visual cue when they are about to explode, it is optimal to absorb them as much as possible. This, combined with the Energy accumulated on the previous phase, can quickly charge the Bar and makes it possible to finish the Boss with 70+ seconds left with relative ease.


Chapter 2 Boss
Buppousou
仏法僧(ブッポウソウ), Oriental dollarbird
Buppousou battle1.png Buppousou.png Buppousou battle2.png
Pilot: Houkaku
Max Time Bonus
(w/ full Energy Bar on Normal/Hard and approx. one-quarter Bar on Easy):
Easy
Normal
Hard
830000 (83s)
830000 (83s)
820000 (82s)

Buppousou has two weak spots protected by covers which cannot be destroyed but only opened up to a point. The left cover, which protects the white weak point, reacts to white shots; the opposite goes for the right one. Once a cover has been lowered it is possible to damage the corresponding weak point, but attention must always be paid to the cover since it will close up again (with increasing speed depending on the difficulty). The Boss shoots white bullets from the left side and black bullets from the right side, with three types of attacks: the first is two streams of loosely aimed bullets (with increasing intensity depending on the difficulty), the other two, which are alternated, are a few sets of expanding spirals of bullets and then large barrages, which are great for quickly charging the Energy Bar.

Beside getting to the Boss with the Bar as full as possible, a quick kill requires optimal opening of the covers and the absorption of the bullet barrages to be released with the polarity opposite to the given weak point (provided that the respective cover is lowered - if not, the release won't lock on it). If the battle is carried on beyond the 70-second mark, the Boss will use its ‘wings’ to surround the ship and shoot rows of white and black bullets, then switching back again to his standard attacks, and so on.


Chapter 3 Boss
Uzura
鶉(ウズラ), Japanese quail
Uzura battle1.png Uzura.png Uzura battle2.png
Pilot: Unknown
Max Time Bonus (w/ full Energy Bar on Normal/Hard):
Easy
Normal
Hard
790000 (79s)
820000 (82s)
790000 (79s)

Uzura consists of 14 turrets (7 white and 7 black) arranged in a circle around a core and 8 blocks forming a cross. The ring of turrets and the inner blocks rotate in different directions (which change mid-fight). The battle takes place inside this structure, with the turrets shooting bullets toward the center and the wheel rotating quicker and quicker (also depending on the difficulty) the more the turrets that are being destroyed (if the battle is drawn out, the rotation slows down again). After a certain number of turrets are disposed of (8 of different polarities or 7 of the same polarity), four laser beams will be shot from the center, which can of course be absorbed to release Energy. The Boss is defeated when all the turrets have been taken down.

The optimal strategy, involving the destruction of all the turrets of one colour first, requires moving speedily between the bullets and can be difficult to pull off. A safer way to fight this Boss is by staying in place and damaging most of the turrets without destroying them (preventing the wheel from spinning fast early on), then releasing the accumulated Energy to take down many of them together and quickly transition to the last phase of the fight (which can even be skipped, if enough turrets were taken down and others damaged before the release).


Chapter 4 Boss
Misago
鶚(ミサゴ), Osprey
Misago midboss1.png Misago midboss2.png Misago.png Misago battle1.png Misago battle2.png
Pilot: Kira
Max Time Bonus
(2nd Midboss w/ half-full Energy Bar on Normal/Hard and full Bar on Easy - Main Boss w/ full Bar on Normal/Hard):
Easy
Normal
Hard
1500000 (41/28/81s)
1500000 (42/28/80s)
1490000 (41/28/80s)
First Midboss:

This battle appears to be against the upper core of the giant orbiting station, but the enemies to be defeated are actually the 12 cannons (6 black and 6 white, chainable) that are mounted to the rotating core and shoot slow disc-shaped bullets. The cannons start shooting only about 2 seconds in, and the main threat is actually represented by the black and white beams that swirl around, respectively, clockwise and counter-clockwise.

The time limit for the fight is 45 seconds, but it is possible to end it in just about 5 seconds (the actual time required can vary slightly since, while the cannons arrangement is fixed, their place relative to the core is random). The optimal strategy involves starting from the top right side of the screen as white and moving to the left while destroying the black cannons (switching polarity if needed), then releasing the Energy to kill all the white ones in one swoop (since on Easy the core rotates more slowly, getting 41s requires releasing before having disposed of all the blacks).

Second Midboss:

There are six enemies to take care of: two cannons of different polarity shooting radial bullets on top and four turrets (two white and two black) that fire arches of bullets on the bottom; all can be chained.

The time limit for the fight is 30 seconds, but it is possible to destroy everything in just 2-3 seconds, especially if some Energy is available when entering the fight. In order to do so, there are two main strategies: either releasing (as black or white depending on the available Energy) on the two black turrets in the center below and then absorbing the black cannon on the left, finishing it with the help of a small black release and absorbing the revenge bullets to release again as black on the whites, or (but only if a full bar is available) releasing as white to take down the two black turrets and the black cannon as well, then absorbing the white cannon on the right and timely releasing as black (this is the optimal strat on Easy).

The two methods require precise timing and positioning (see the 'release outcome GIFs' on the Energy release subsection for an example), but even less optimal strategies should dispose of this Boss very quickly - the one thing that should be avoided is staying in the middle of the screen with both cannons alive and shooting.

Main Boss:

The Main Boss is the lower core of Misago, which, along with the outer walls, is modelled after Rafflesia flowers. This fight takes place into a constricted space between the core and the walls, which hosts several dangerous little beams (each one of a single polarity on Easy, and alternating polarities on Normal and Hard). The walls and the core itself rotate: the latter starts counter-clockwise, but changes direction at the 75-second mark (when it also starts shooting six streams of bullets) and again later on. The weak point is the inner core in the center (of white polarity), which can be accessed by three entries, each one protected by four covers of alternating colour (once lowered, they stay in place).

On Normal and Hard mode, after about 10 seconds since all four covers of an entry have been lowered, the core shoots a large white beam, which pushes the ship back towards the external small beams. This is not the case on Easy, where the Boss also has less HP.

The key to deal with this Boss quickly (especially on Normal and Hard) is to focus on opening up an entry before the rotation prevents from hitting the covers, triggering the Boss to shoot the white beam early on. Usually the resulting Energy is released as white as it is absorbed, but getting away for a moment and switching to black isn't prohibitively difficult (attention must always be paid to the external beams). Still, even by only releasing as white, the fight can end with about 75 remaining seconds. On Easy, an optimal execution requires absorbing the small beams as much as possible when the Boss can't be damaged by the main shot.


Final Chapter Boss
Tageri
田鳧(タゲリ), Northern lapwing
Tageri phase1.png Tageri phase2.png Tageri.png Tageri phase3a.png Tageri phase3b.png
Pilot: Hourai Tenro
Max Time Bonus
(1st Form w/ full Energy Bar on Normal/Hard and approx. half-Bar on Easy - 2nd Form w/ full Bar on all modes):
Easy
Normal
Hard
1380000 (67/70/1s)
1280000 (61/66/1s)
1280000 (62/65/1s)
First Form:

Generally known as ‘the grid’, due to the shape formed by the intersecting white and black bullets fired by the ‘hands’ on the sides. The time limit for the fight is 80 seconds. In order to destroy the 4 heads on top (2 black and 2 white), it is necessary to move across the grid by aptly changing polarity and dodging the random bullets fired by the main body (with increasing intensity depending on the difficulty). The heads themselves also fire homing shots at fixed intervals.

There isn’t a specific order in which to take down the heads that gives an optimal result, but frequently shifting fire from one head to another should be avoided. It is recommended to get to the battle with as much Energy as possible to release right away, and also to finish off with a full or near-full Bar to use in the following battle.

On Hard, it is possible (even if random-based and extremely difficult) to end the battle one second earlier than Normal, due to the larger amount of bullets thrown at the player (and the resulting higher absorption and quicker charging of the Energy Bar). On Easy the heads have less HP, thus the sensibly higher max time bonus.

Second Form:

Generally known as ‘the snakes’, the time limit is again 80 seconds. This time the heads to be destroyed are two (but with more HP) and the main threat are two indestructible hooks that go after the ship and leave a trail behind (one white, the other black). The trails stay on-screen for about 6-7 seconds (unless absorbed first) and each hook goes off-screen every 9-10 seconds to be immediately replaced by another. There are still ‘hands’ on the sides, which shoot random bullets (with increasing intensity depending on the difficulty) starting from about 8 seconds in.

There are well-established strats for this Boss but, due to the high responsiveness of the hooks to the position of the ship and the presence of random bullets, a consistently optimal execution can be difficult. In general, beside getting to the fight with a full Bar to release on a head right away, it is recommended to absorb the trails as much as possible and to concentrate the damage on one head before passing on to the other (so as to avoid wasting time shifting from side to side). Since the 'white' hook is spawned significantly later than the 'black' one, it is optimal to start by shooting to the white head (because as black it will receive twice the damage, and in the meanwhile it will be possible to absorb the one trail available). When both of the hooks are out and in pursuit of the ship, the most elementary strategy for survival is moving in circles around the screen.

When a head is destroyed, all the hooks and trails disappear. On Easy the heads have less HP, thus the sensibly higher max time bonus.

Third Form:

The final form is what generally is referred to with just ‘Tageri’. This Boss is by far the most resistant of all, it is the only one capable of switching polarity and it must be dealt with differently than all the others in order to maximize scoring. The time limit is still 80 seconds.

After greeting the player with two arches of white bullets, Tageri starts releasing volleys of 12 homing lasers with a frequency of about one per second, which have alternating polarities. This attack cannot be dodged, therefore the player has to switch polarity in tune with the lasers. The ‘hands’ are still there on the sides, shooting random bullets.

At around the 60-second mark, Tageri starts shooting a curtain of bullets which come in waves of alternating polarity. These are synchronized to be of the same polarity as the homing lasers when they reach the ship, allowing the player to navigate through them while keeping on switching polarity to absorb the lasers. The combined points from absorbing the lasers and the bullets exceed 10000 per second, which makes it worth to milk the Boss to the last second instead of going for a quick kill. This is especially the case on Hard, where at around the 50-second mark the frequency of the lasers increases dramatically to about a volley per half a second, which makes the fight incredibly intense - there is next to no margin for error in terms of both timing and movement.

On Normal and Easy, it might be possible to further optimize scoring by staying on the top part of the screen and absorbing the bullet waves almost entirely while shifting left and right, but note that this is extremely difficult and no one has managed it yet.

If the Boss is milked until the last possible moment, it is very important to avoid timing out, since this would cause the loss of the Boss time bonus accumulated with the previous two battles. In any case, and differently from all the other Bosses, Tageri will explode at the end (for plot reasons).


Strategy

Please refer to the Video index


Version differences

Version Physical Tate option Prototype mode Practice mode (1) Online features Bonus features (2) Energy Bar Layout Chain Count Translations Port fidelity Misc
NAOMI
(2001)
Yes, JP only Yes, no yoko No No, Trial mode only (first two stages w/ unlimited lives) No No Horizontal only No - - Very pronounced slowdowns on some sections
Dreamcast
(2002) [7]
Yes, JP only Yes Yes Yes, stage select No Yes (3) Both (based on yoko/tate) Yes (on VMU) - Highest Only port w/ slowdowns (more faithful on tate)
GameCube
(2003)
Yes, JP-US-EU Yes Yes Yes, stage and section select (Conquest mode) Dedicated website w/ leaderboards (no longer supported) Yes Both (based on yoko/tate) Yes (press Z button) No (4) JP-US: High
EU: Low (50Hz, interlaced only, Ch1 boss inaccuracy (5))
Demo videos and slow motion practice on Conquest mode
Xbox 360
(2008)
No Yes Yes Yes, stage select Yes (leaderboards, replay download, 2P co-op) No Both (user choice) Yes Yes (partial) Lowest (several inaccuracies (6)) Analog support.
HD graphics and achievements *
NESiCAxLive
(2013)
No Yes Yes Yes, stage select ?? ?? ?? Yes - High (7) Short camera movement on Ch1 and Final Boss fights *
Steam
(2014) [8]
No Yes Yes Yes, stage select (8) Yes (leaderboards, replay download) Yes Both (user choice) Yes Yes (partial) High (9) Double-play option, additional settings *
PS4, Switch
(2018)
Yes, JP-US (2020) Yes Yes Yes, stage select (8) Yes (leaderboards, replay download) Yes Both (user choice) Yes Yes (partial) High (9) Ports of the Steam version
   1. If featured, generally has to be unlocked on a per stage, per difficulty basis (the requirement is getting to the given stage without using continues)
   2. If present, generally have to be unlocked by fulfilling certain scoring or time requirements. They essentially consist in galleries and soundtracks. 
      The relative game menu label can vary (for example, it is ‘Appendix’ on the DC and Steam versions and ‘Extras’ on the GC version) 3. Also include four wallpapers and a ‘Prologue’ text file which further expands on the game's backstory (in japanese) [3]
      (can be accessed by inserting the gd-rom into a computer disc drive) 4. The GameCube version completely omitted almost all of the text from the in-game stage transitions and Extras menus rather than translate it.
      The Extras images with character and story information were simply left blank (and this change has been carried over to newer ports).
      However, for later ports after the GameCube release the story text during gameplay and stage transitions was fully translated (with mixed results) [4] 5. On the last phase of the Boss, the Energy release targets the supporting pods instead of the Boss, which makes the optimal strategy not viable 6. Known main differences are: the Chapter 2 Boss can be damaged before covers are closed, the Rotating Bits of Shigi spin the opposite way,
      Chapter 3 bonus enemies' pattern is altered making them much easier to chain, the Chougenbou (massive enemies found on the Final Chapter)
      cannot be approached up close thus precluding optimal absorption and scoring potential 7. Based on the few gameplay videos available. According to the japanese Wikipedia article on the game, after the latest patches the NESiCA version
      can be described as a "Steam version playable on a NESiCA system" 8. Stone-Like (Final Boss) not playable on Practice mode. No restart option on this mode (or any other mode) 9. There are several minor differences with respect to the Arcade version, all of them mostly inconsequential
* Feature(s) shared by later versions. Related differences: The game's resolution is up to 720p on the Xbox 360, up to 1080p on Switch and up to 4K on Steam and PS4 Pro There are 12 achievements on the Xbox 360 and 25 achievements on the Steam, PS4 and Switch versions The Steam version has additional ‘Quality’ settings (AA, texture filtering, pixel lighting). This video shows the settings in common

Trivia

Ikaruga contains several buddhist references [9], of which some were pointed out in the main text of this article. Here's the others which are known:

  • ‘Ikaruga’ (斑鳩町) is also the name of a town in the prefecture of Nara, where Buddhism was first introduced in Japan
  • the carrier from where the Ikaruga is launched at the start of the game is called ‘Sword of Acala’, where ‘Acala’ refers to one of the buddhist kings of wisdom;
  • Warning message text.png
    the Boss warning that appears at the end of each Chapter bears a passage written in sanskrit, which represents a spell that grants safety from dangerous situations (the same sanskrit characters also appear on the control device fitted on the Stone-Like)
  • the name of the Chapter 2 Boss, ‘Buppousou’ (仏法僧), also stands for the Buddha, its teachings, and the monastic order of Buddhism (known as the Three Jewels). This Boss is also notable for having a yin-and-yang symbol carved on its main body
  • the Final Chapter of the game is titled ‘Metempsychosis’, which is a greek term referring to the transmigration of the soul, a central buddhist tenet. While all the Chapter’s titles are linked to events related to the game’s story, some have taken them to represent the path towards enlightenment followed by the main character in the game.



Ubusunagami Oukinokai

The full name of Ikaruga’s Final Boss is ‘Ubusunagami Oukinokai’ (産土神黄輝ノ塊, roughly translated as ‘Golden-Glowing Stone of the Birthplace Deity’). It is clearly the same Final Boss as that of Radiant Silvergun, the ‘Stone-Like object’. In RSG, the Stone-Like is the earth's ‘guardian’, which judges mankind to unfathomable standards: once humanity derails too much from them, it resets the world, wiping out everyone and allowing some human clones to start populating the earth again, in an endless loop. In Ikaruga, the Final Boss does not have any characterization, and while some believe it to have the same role as in its prequel, others think that it is entirely controlled and exploited by humans, in accordance with the game's story (and so driving more convincingly its main theme, which is about the very human struggle of reaching a peaceful coexistence through mutual understanding).


An official demonstration video disc titled ‘Ikaruga Appreciate DVD’ was published by Treasure in April 2003, showcasing advanced scoring strategies for each difficulty mode [10].

Logo of the Ikaruga Net Ranking contest


Following the GameCube release of the game, a scoring competition was launched by the publisher (Infogrames, under the Atari label). Known as the ‘Ikaruga Net Ranking’ contest, it ran for about three months, during which players from all over the world could submit scores to a dedicated website. The legitimacy of the scores was ensured by the inclusion of a dedicated ‘Challenge’ mode on the GC version, which assigned a unique 12-digit code to every score achieved (on 1P Normal Arcade and Prototype modes): this code had to be entered on the website for the score to be submitted. The players with the five highest scores on each mode at the end of the contest received an official Atari trophy. After the official website went down [11], a few dedicated players managed to crack the code and implemented the feature on unofficial scoreboards hosted on the ‘Ikaruga.co.uk’ website, which remained the point of reference for the western community of Ikaruga for several years.


Banner of the Ikaruga.co.uk website

Notes and references

  1. Treasure's founder Masato Maegawa Interview (last paragraph). Full production credits can be found on the 'Sega Retro' website
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Game director Hiroshi Iuchi Interview
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A transcript in orginal language of the 'Prologue' text file stored in the DC's gd-rom and of the other bonus descriptions can be found here, while an english translation is available on the ‘Extras’ section of PBSaffran’s comprehensive guide to the game
  4. 4.0 4.1 An alternative translation for the stage transitions is available on this image, while transcripts can be found here
  5. As for the player's ships, ‘ikaruga’ - or generally, just ‘ikaru’ (イカル) - refers to the japanese grosbeak (a flock of which can be seen flying around during the game's end credits), while 'ginkei' (ギンケイ) is a species of pheasant
  6. 6.0 6.1 Provided by E.G.I. on Twitter, 26 October 2020
  7. Announcement of the Dreamcast version and interview for the release (in japanese)
  8. Announcement of the Steam version and interview for the release (in japanese)
  9. See the relevant article on this archived Ikaruga fan site
  10. The trailer for the ‘Ikaruga Appreciate DVD’ can be watched here
  11. All that remains today is a single google-translated webpage

Article written by XER, MAZ, Softdrink, Plasmo, powerfuran