Ghosts 'N Goblins Resurrection (PC) - Part 2

On previous part, Arthur is chilling around only wear his boxer short and Princes Prin Prin enter the scene only kidnapped by flying demon less than 5 minutes afterward. Not only that but her castle also burning and shadow surrounds the realm. As per usual Arthur goes after her through the classic enemies including the infamous Firebrand/Red Arremer. Arthur has slain dragon (as the genuine knight should do) in icy stage. Huzzah!

I have enough Umbral Bee to get ability to carry more than 1 weapon. Even though it was just for 2 weapon but it's pretty bliss anyway. Did you know that there's hack for Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts that allow Arthur to carry all weapon that he get and select them by pressing shoulder button? Maybe someone at Capcom learn about that and implement it here. You don't need to keep all of the magic that you have learnt to Magic Waistband. You can erase some of them to browse them more easily. Personally, i only want to keep 3 magic spells at most.

 

Here i'm at Hellfire Hamlet which is the remake version of 2nd level of Ghouls 'N Ghosts what's with windmills, antlion, and rock turtles. I forget to mention about those annoying tortoises before. I really hate them. Most of the time they're invincible when they're inside their rocky shell and they like to jumping around so you have hard time to dodge them. Imagine Castlevania's medusa head but invincible and you know how very annoying is that. There's small chance that they come out of their shell. They move slower in that state and sometime spit fireball. It only takes 1 hit to kill them while they're vulnerable.

 

The antlion area is more complicated. Now there's sand platforms that i need to climb up with lesser antlion around them. The darker sand part will crumble after stepped. There's also hornets that can drop a stone on you (while the original version, can't). They're like beedle (which is bee + needle) from Vectorman. If you fall to the bottom, you will get devoured by the greater antlion and then spits your remain to nearest Banner of Rebirth. He's up to something.   

 

Passing that sandy platform and another windy area, Red Arremer/Firebrand awaits you. But he doesn't kindly sit on the ground like usual. No. He sits at the top of pile of rock turtles and kicks one of them at me periodically. He really know how to makes me feel better. [Extra Large Sarcasm]

If you get killed by him, tough luck! The nearest Banner of Rebirth is the one before the antlion lair. Engineer_negativevocalization11.wav

 

If you skillful or lucky enough defeating my "bro" and getting pass the quite difficult platforming section, you will arrive at the burning town which is inhabited by these fire foxes. Not the internet browser, mind you. Implementing "Fight fire with fire", i cast the fire wall spell which is very useful against enemies who come to me on the ground.  Pyro_laughhappy01.wav

 

Do you know what they really shouldn't add on this game? Rotating platforming. Especially when Arthur is deprived from ability to double jump. These wheels move clockwise and the solution is quite obvious, right? You move from left platform to right and the center is stationary so you can wait patiently there. But turns out, the exit from this section is not on the right end yonder. No. The exit is somewhere on top. So, you have to climb up through these rotating platforms which is not as easy as it sounds, believe me. On top of that, this section is inhabited by spider that spits fire slime (that stick to surface for very long time) and the fire bats. Heavy_negativevocalization06.wav  

 

Somehow i get pass that tedious platforming section only get killed by these 3 Cerberuses. Capcom realize that Cerberus in Ghouls 'n Ghosts lacks of 2 other head. But decide to give players 2 other hell hounds instead in order not to give them some unnecessary respite. "We can't afford to make player getting soft on playing Ghosts 'N Goblins game, can we?". 

I should inform you that this section isn't boss fight yet. This is still on my way to it. The red Cerberus like to jump at you and cause fire blast in process. The pink ones straight blows large fire breath at you. The yellow ones running in the sky and drop rain of fire while doing so. As you can see. If they gank on me at once like this, i won't stand a chance to survive. Let alone to either climb that ladder or capture the umbral bee. Turns out i can make them go away in this section simply by damaging them hard enough. Pick them one by one, and you can finish this platforming section with very less trouble.  

 

On top of that is the genuine boss fight. On first phase, they do their special routine like i mentioned. For each defeated Cerberus, the boss goes into next phase and sometime emerges into bigger ones. Believe me or not but this boss fight is lot easier than the dragon because i can defeat one Cerberus at the time thanks to hammer. As if God has His own way to tell me something. I defeat the Cerberus pretty easily by using the melee weapon that often underlooked in Ghosts 'N Goblins. Back then i use sword that swing fast. It's fairly obvious that hammer is heavy weapon that i can't swing it as fast as the sword. But not only it inflicts tremendous damage but also it causes shock blast upon hitting floor which increases its reach. If i swing it in mid air or when aiming it upward, it will produce some kind of wind wave and again increases its attack reach. But you have to be careful on area where there's lots of narrow space like this. Because the hammer will stuck/stop upon hitting ceiling. The discuss also good here because of those platforms. That also means kilo rock also has practical use here. 

 

Next level is Caverns of the Occult which introduce us with lighting mechanism. You can extinguish the flame on candles by using your weapon. They often place these candles on the spot that block your way unleash you extinguish them first. After Some time, the fire reignite itself. Naturally if you put out the candles, the area around them will be darken. You can see semi-transparent zombie near the candle on most right here. This dark type of enemy will be clearly visible on dark area, strangely. I can still see the terrain on that dark area due to gamma setting or by design. But the normal type enemies can't be seen in dark area. So, you have to struggle with this weird mechanism.

There's also unlit candle that you can light up by using fire weapons. There's only 2 of them: the wrist bow and the firebomb. Because there's lots of bats here and firebomb is bad against flying enemies. Thus, i advise you to keep the bow instead. By equipping the fire weapon, you can either light up or extinguish candle at your will which is handy for this situation.

 

There's some candle that if you extinguish them, a Dark Firebrand/Dark Arremer will comes out. Obviously, you don't want that to happen. But that demon clown will certainly appear if you climb the ladder here and first thing he does is extinguish all of candle in area. The ladder somewhere in that dark area, you have to take my word for it. Not only the jester will often trigger Dark Firebrand/Dark Arremer to make entrance, he also gives you harder time while dealing the flying dark bastard by giving you slowdown status/debuff or summoning array of lightning bolts. Fortunately, i find another way to progress besides this area. There's much easier section if you go to platform on right part than this.

 

Eventually, i reach the first Banner of Rebirth. This "elevator" section is filled with flying goblins. I feel at home already. But i'm not pleased to see rock turtle around here.

 

Arthur now has ability to summon Medusa that will petrify any enemies on screen. But on 1st level of the magic, only small fries that will be petrified. Once petrified, you can use the enemies as stepping stone [Get it? :P] to reach higher elevation. If you destroyed petrified enemies, there's a chance that they will drop item. But don't get too excited though, the loots most likely useless statues. Even though Arthur has access to magic that affects enemies on screen. None of them are destroying enemies directly. They're Transmogrifrog that makes all enemies turn to frog but you can still be harmed by them and the mentioned Medusa. If you want to kill enemies right away, you should resort to magic with less area of effect such as Firewall or Thunderstorm.  

 

After passing the "elevator" section, i have to ride a stone dragon while killing giant jellyfish. Heavy_sf12_badmagic10.wav

 

To progress in this section, you have to jump to stone dragon after another. Eventually, one of them lead me to this cavern filled with armor/flesh shredding stalagmite and those rock heads. I thought they're going to eat my ride because they constantly lick their mouth everytime we go pass them but no, thankfully. They only let out smaller skeleton murderers.   

 

The last stone dragon flies very fast. I jump to that stone ledge but alas! It's lethal to touch and i die. Also, it's very near the Progress Pennon. So, i respawn at the early section of cave inhabited by those rock heads. Eventually, i reach here only to fall into oblivion because i thought that stone ledge background is the one with Progress Pennon. They're quite identical! Sniper_jeers01.wav

 

Pass that Progress Pennon is boss fight and it's The "Satan" who kidnapped the Princess Prin Prin like in first Ghost 'n Goblin. He will block any of your projectiles with his wings except when he's charging his attack. So, when he's focused for his future attack, that's your cue to throw arrows/lances/knifes/discusses at him furiously.

 

As you can see in prologue that Satan now has ability to become dark. Meaning he's only visible in dark area. There's candles and candelabra that you can utilize lighting in this boss fight. There's one time that Satan accidentally break the chandelier. I usually comment that every chandelier in video game will break but this one doesn't automatically fall when you pass it and there's good chance that it will remain intact throughout the boss fight so i give it credit where its due. Anyway, The Satan doesn't have phase. His routine remains the same so you don't need to worry about getting surprised by new move or whatnot.    

 

Next level takes place in Citadel Approach which mean this could be penultimate stage but i get killed in very early part of this stage. Dark zombies. Mini Red Arremer/Firebrand. Skulls that will become skeleton which hop frantically. I can't take them all at once. To be fair, it's all my fault. You see those eyeballs? If you awaken them due to (most likely) stray shoot, they will summon additional enemies. Awaken them too much and you will get surrounded very bad and end up dead. To avoid making unnecessary enemies appear, you have to be more accurate with your weapon. Those jumping skeleton is the one who's the most likely bait you to shoot at the eyeballs. You also have to keep in mind that the hitspot of the eyeballs is bigger than themselves. Trust me!     

 

Oh look! Ohme is back. But he's demoted to sub-boss/moving platform. Sniper_DominationHeavy02.wav

 

Ohme leads me to area filled with slimy floor surrounded by giant moving jaw. After that, it's showdown against Beelzebub! They put more detail on his egg-spitting cloacae. Wonderful! [Medium Sarcasm]

He also can turns into swarms of bee to attack me in 2 pattern: 1) Fly along the ceiling and then fly back to the original spot along the floor 2) Fly along the floor first and then fly back to original spot along the ceiling. To avoid the first pattern, you have to stand on the opposite corner where he was because he only covers about 80% of the area. As for the second pattern, well tough luck. He will fly along entire ceiling and floor. Sometime there's platform that come from below that you can use to avoid him or sometime the platform is spiked! There's alternative solution to that: using invincibility period while casting Thunderstorm. I also happen to get magic mirror weapon which is the equivalent of cross or shield of first Ghost 'n Goblin. It travels in short distance but able to block projectiles along its way.

 

Unlike Satan, Beelzebub has 2nd phase where he become smaller and spits eggs more often. They hatch into maggots. Very gross! In this phase Beelzebub flies less in mid air but charge along the surfaces. But that means he's easier target now. You can attack him with any weapon that flies in straight lines such as: lance, knife, you name it.

 

Now i'm in the Shadowlord's Citadel. How naive of me to think that the final level has calm section on its entrance like in previous Ghost 'n Goblin games. There's 2 Cyclopes suddenly fall on my left and right and now they proceed to stomp me into Jill Arthur Sandwich. They have less health than the one in first stage but still exponentially more threatening.    

 

Thankfully, there's banner of rebirth after that duo Cyclops. But now i have to deal with series of seesaw platform while i get bombarded by one of the Cerberuses and giant piranha plant. Then there's Umbral Bee that's rather tricky to catch considering that i'm at unstable platform. Here's my general tips: whenever Umbral Bee appears, catch it at all cost and don't think of making progress yet. Level progress can be saved by any of checkpoint but opportunity of catching Umbral Bee is very rare. Plus, with captured Umbral Bee you can have more various magic/ability which can be useful to make progress easier.  

 

Later on, i get into another Banner of Rebirth within huge room inhabited by another Cyclops but he will only attack from background. After climbing long ladder, i arrive at this section where lots of Beelzebub's swarms homing on me while on these fluorescence platforms that will disappear after a while. I focus so hard in this section that i forget to take screenshot of the bloody bee swarms but believe me that they're freaking there. Even with speed-up magic i can't outrun them. I thought there's only 1 wave that relentlessly chases after me. Turns out no, there's more of them. You're not supposed to outrun them. You have enough time and opportunity to kill any of them in time so you can climb these platforms more leisurely. If you unfortunately fall from the platforms, you have to fight the background Cyclops again. You can't just rush because you will get log flying on your head while climbing the ladder.    

 

On the other hand, i manage to take picture on next arduous platform section which filled with Shielder's turrets, fire foxes, fire-slime-spitting spiders, and bee swarms. Thankfully the platforms here won't dissolve into nothingness ever so you have time for platforming here. I like that ladder that covered with (possibly) demonic fungi. It looks surreally beautiful. It's very funny that Arthur won't get some kind of nasty mold after he climbs that ladder while wearing nothing but his boxer. 

 

Oh, yes. There are also dragons but only their head. But i have no time for that particular git because i'm about to reach that Progress Pennon for real!

 

Then i encounter Astaroth! Oh my! All those years hiatus, he works on his height to compensate not having genitalia. As per usual, his weakpoint is his head but it's not that easy. His right hand will block any of your projectile. There are floating blocks that you can use to take aim at his head. But be careful that you will get damage if they fall on you. You can hit him easier by using the wrist bow. I accidently find this cool trick. If you have both doppelganger magic and ability to carry 2 weapons or more, you can tell the shadow image to use different weapon once you switch your weapon after making the mirror image. That way, i can have 3-way attack with bow and any of the straight weapons. Sniper_sf13_influx_big02.wav

 

His 2nd phase he begins to reveal his lower face that blows flame. On the third and final phase, the floor reveals magma pool and Astaroth can float! Demoman_sf12_badmagic11.wav

He can conjure fire tornado and his usual fireball can burst into fire bats that difficult to dodge! You can't do that, you gigantic schmuck! Oh, you're already dead while i'm only down to my boxer short. Demoman_dominationpyro04.wav

 

To my dismay, i immediately confront Loki Lucifer without going back to map! He has the usual routine of firing laser from his fingers. But like Astaroth, his hands can block any projectile directed to his head. Later he summons stone dragons to bring further misery upon ye. But you can use them to get on his knee or hand so you aim his head easier. Unlike harmless platform provided by Sardius in Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts, the stone dragons can hurt you unless you ride on them correctly.

 

Lucifer get new trick! He can conjure array of lightning bolt much like that jester can do. There's enough gap for you to dodge them but when rock dragons come into play. It will be much trickier for you to dodge them, surely.

 

It takes less try for me to defeat Lucifer than Astaroth because he doesn't do much more than his original. The stone dragons come down and Princess Prin Prin is revealed. I don't know the deal about them. They're enemy but once Lucifer is defeated, they're helpful to bring Prin Prin back to Arthur's embrace. Maybe they acknowledge Arthur's might by defeating the giant devil. Dragon's honor and such, man. It's beyond our understanding.

 

Then credits roll. So happy end, already? Anyway, the princess is called The Princess because they know that Prin Prin is dumb name. Also, they give up to give you her 3 measurements. :P

 

Oh, i should know. The shadow doesn't vanish yet and instead envelops all over the levels. Let's check the graveyard, just to be sure.

 

Now the arduous lighting mechanism is here! Also, tentacle, skeleton murderers, and the jester. ARRRGH! HELP!

To be fair, i think this second loop feels more like New Game + to me because of that credit roll. You dare this new game + mode to catch all remaining Umbral Bee (because you can't unlock all skill/magic with all umbral bees on first loop) and potential for true ending, maybe? I also happen to unlock magic metronome that change the game speed to be either slower or faster. I'm not sure how's that beneficial for me. It feels like "Do you want to die faster or slower?" option. I finish first loop so i call it a day for now.

 

Capcom's Ghost 'n Goblin Resurrection (2021) sure feels like Ghost 'n Goblin game. That's natural because it's directed by Professor F who's also producer of Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts. The jumping mechanic is as simple as you get like in Ghost 'n Goblin. You can't alter the height and trajectory of Arthur's jump at all. If you get used to any game with better jump mechanic like Super Mario Bros or Castlevania, you're most likely have hard time to play this game or even any of Ghost 'n Goblin. If only they bring back the double jump, Arthur can deal with that platforming better. I really miss the double jump. The arsenal is supposed to be balance. Not the sensible kind of balance that can be depicted as symmetrical balance with same weight on both of its end. No. The "balance" is chaotic, like a stable condition of a goat doing handstand on your head while you crouch on rocking chair and juggles 5 balls at the time. The problem with weapon that flies in straight line is you only restricted to 4 basic directions while the enemy's aim has flexible degree that usually follow your position. I feel like that plant monster in Graveyard level can read my input as his eyeball projectile flies to my position before i jump!  Thus, i strongly recommend that you keep that bow weapon. If you encounter enemies in close range, use Hammer. It's very powerful. It goes without saying that the game more than happy to gives you misery after misery. The game is very difficult, yes. But it's also short. I finish this game with less hour gameplay than Cuphead. Not only because the main content is shorter but also thanks to those Banners of Rebirth. You die a ton but they quite generous with the checkpoint or at least in "Knight" difficult. They also ditch the live system and gives you unlimited try instead. As long as you reach Banners of Rebirth, you make good amount of progress. I also like to say that the boss section is noticeably shorter than Cuphead's. Either you defeat the boss faster or you die to the boss faster. :p

The word "Resurrection" on the title seems reasonable. Not only it brings back Ghosts 'n Goblins that on hiatus quite long time (the last Ghost 'n Goblin is Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins came out in 2006), but also it's the compilation of 2 Ghosts 'n Goblins games and give them enhancement in gameplay and graphic. Do you see what they do with Lucifer's face? He looks even more sinister now. They also remake some of the music like the iconic Makaimura theme and the music from 2nd level of Ghouls 'n Ghosts. I have no doubt about the quality of the OST. I love the boss battle theme that really shows the players how epic the battle they got into or the festive nuance of music in Crystalline City. One of thing that really makes the game friendlier to play is: there's always Progress Pennon right before the boss fight. While in most Ghosts 'n Goblins, the nearest checkpoint from boss fight is at the middle level! The skill tree (with literal tree) is great new feature. You are allowed to relocate the umbral bees to any branch skill you like. The magic pool can be customized as you want. You can remove some of the magic or you can change the order. The magic system is kind of tedious because it's activated by holding the attack button which leaves you vulnerable and there's cooldown before you can cast another magic. But you don't need golden armor to cast magic. Even when you're armorless, you can still cast magic. Speaking of golden armor, there's one that will power up your weapon but i couldn't find it because i believe the difficulty setting determines the likeliness of the golden armor to appear. The auto revive skill is very useful especially in boss fight where there's no checkpoint in the middle of it. The ability to carry 2 weapons at once also useful because many of them is situational to use. But it's more tedious than in Cuphead where the mazer brothers can carry 2 weapons from get go. The thing is in Cuphead, you can set the weapon set before the level starts. But in this game, you have to search for weapon you want. After that, your arsenal can be ruined by unintentionally picking new weapon on your way! Astoundingly, there's 2 Player Mode! 2 Players Co-op mode in Ghosts 'N Goblins game! Crazy! The 2nd player act as ghost that somehow help Arthur in some way. I can't test it because i don't have friend that willing to play this game. Probably.

Ghost 'n Goblin Resurrection (2021) is for those who grew up with Cuphead. That may not true. What i mean is if you play Cuphead and feel it's too hard or unfair. Then GnG Resurrection is certainly not for you. It's way harsher than Cuphead. But i bought it anyway. Not because i'm hardcore fans of GnG series or master at it. No. I only understand a bit about it and grow some tolerance to its usual high frustration-inducing difficulty. The reason is the Makaimura theme obviously! In this game there's 2 of version of it so the fun is double! I also bought the soundtracks too, by the way. The reason behind the enormous difficulty curve is not because the game is janky. It's polished well. It's just solely design to give player hard time but once you defeat it. You feel very satisfied as if you achieve something grand in your lifetime.

In conclusion: i can't recommend you to play this game. Do it at your own risk.

NB: I will make review about Ultimate Ghost 'n Goblin in future.

Ghosts 'N Goblins Resurrection (PC) - Part 1

This is it, lads and lasses. The probably most cursed thing that appears this year besides new variant of Covid 19. It's Capcom's Ghost 'n Goblin Resurrection (2021)! 

That's the logo that we know and we love except it get more hairy and that's not good to me. Are they supposed to be hair or root? Besides that hairy thing, the title screen is more elaborate with the scroll where the logo appears. It's nice artistic touch as if the game is either historical story or just fairy tale. Kind of like "Village of Shadows" story from Resident Evil Village. Hey! Did you know that GnG Resurrection using the same engine as the new Resident Evil? Because it is.

 

The game starts with animated drawing like fairy tale. It's rather unique that only some part of it get colored while the rest not. It starts with Arthur in his boxer sitting around and Princess Prin Prin come and giggle at him. "Me just chillin' here, milady". There's no voice line there although there's bit of sound effect. That just me improvising, by the way.

 

Then castle yonder engulfs in flames and there's shadow creep all around the scenery while a magic tree become withered and the magic bees fly away. Medic_sf12_badmagic10.wav   

 

Of course, that because this is Ghosts 'N Goblins game, Princess Prin Prin get kidnapped by winged demon. Well, at least she's not murdered unlike in Ghouls 'N Ghosts. Arthur tries to reach her but get swooped instead. Then he throws the armor upward and as it falls on him, he dons it. I believe that's not how armor works, Arthur.

 

After bit of control customization, i go to "New Game" on main menu. From the very start, the game gives me the difficulty setting that i like to go like in Classic Doom or -for more close relation- Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins on Playstation Portable. But there's more than that. There's flame is you choose harder difficulty and there's none if you choose the easiest ones. Needless to say, that the biggest fire effect happens when you choose the hardest difficulty. I say that the scroll sure has some fire resistance property on it. I have to look up in Google Translate what "Page" means, besides -you know- one side of a sheet in book or whatnot. Turns out it means servant, lackey, or janitor. Perhaps it also means peasant but that just my personal interpretation. On "Page" difficulty, you don't lose your life and send back to nearest checkpoint if you die. Instead become the usual pile of bones, you will turn into orb ghost and you can still proceed further from where you die. I think "Knight" is the "medium" difficulty so i choose that.

 

This is new. I get to choose the first level from these two. If you have experience with the series, you should know that both of the levels are the first game from Ghosts 'N Goblins and Ghouls 'N Ghosts. That means they double the amount of Makaimura music/OST! Graveyard version of it is rocking and bass tune. It's kind of in pixelated chip. Although term pixelated is more appropriate in graphic aspect. I hope you get what i mean. While Execution Grounds version of it is in more soothing tune. Like in Minuet or Opera seria style. I'm sold on this game, already!

 

Anyway, i choose graveyard first simply because it's on the top of selection. The control is simple, you have directional control on Arthur's move, a button to jump and another button to shoot to where Arthur's facing. Arthur also has ability to shoot up and down (only while he's jumping). As per usual, Arthur's initial weapon is lance that he can throw across the screen. As you can guess what happen in graveyard of Ghosts 'N Goblins world. You will encounter zombies. Lots of them like in another Capcom's game: Resident Evil.

 

Now, Arthur's downward aim seems simpler and more sensible. Whereas in previous installment, he aims downward he bows all of his body on center and throwing his weapon between his legs. That can't be comfortable. There's the usual Arthur's "health" system. He starts with full set of armor. Once he gets hit by anything or anyone, his armor will destroyed and next he only wear his boxer short. After getting hit again while in that rather humor style naked state, he will turn into pile of bones and perishes. That happens in "Legend" difficulty though. While in "Knight" difficulty where i'm playing at, first hit will destroy either upper or lower part of Arthur's armor thus he has 1 more "hit point" before killed.

 

What also new in this game is umbral bees (which are the magic bees from the intro) that you can see one of them floats jauntily near me. You should prioritize catching them at all cost because they are essential to upgrade Arthur. Think of them like coins in Cuphead but they move in mid-air in usually hard-to-reach place and they will disappear if you don't catch them in time. Sounds fun, right? [Medium Sarcasm]

 

Then i get killed by the crows because I carry firebomb which is the equivalent of torch in previous game. It's considered the worst weapon in there or at least this fire weapon isn't suitable to fight against flying enemies like these crows.

 

To reach this place, i have to get on falling pillar that i have to destroy to make progress. It requires very tight timing. Once i get there, i can get to the spot where i can trigger a chest to spawn. Its content is most likely those useless statues that only serves as score up item instead of armor. But at least, it's not that demon wizard that will transform me into something ludicrous.   

 

Once you die, you're given option to respawn at either the Banner of Rebirth (red flag) or Progress Pennon (blue flag). Banner of Rebirth is smaller checkpoint that exist on more spot in the level than the Progress Pennon. But it only exist in "Knight" difficulty or lower. While in "Legend" difficulty, you only rely on Progress Pennon. Add that to enemies with larger quantity and faster move speed. Plus, you only get 2 hits before dies (like in classic). Then you can imagine how difficult the "Legend" difficulty is.      

 

There's giant zombie that takes lots of lance before going down. That is if you hit him not in his head. It only takes 1 lance if you aim for his head. This is brilliant feature. I never saw headshot critical damage in any platformer game before. Sniper_taunts13.wav

 

The weather changes! I like the visual effect on soil background on the left that slowly becomes wet when rain is falling. I don't know what's the deal with big house on the back. It may resemble something but i can't put it. About the big plant below. It starts to grow and block my way to progress. You may think that by using these floating rocka, i can get past it. I don't try to do that. Instead, I do the general method of killing the plant to gain access further. Its head is the weakness, by the way.  

 

In this particular moment, it looks like Arthur's pile of bone is being thrown up by those cheering zombies. While in fact, i get killed by that evil plant and the zombies try to catch me on my way down as if i do stage diving. Either way, this moment looks entertaining.

 

When suddenly, a church bell falls near me. Who could be possibly do this?

 

It's none other than my frenemy or "bro" in the Ghosts 'N Goblins series: Red Arremer or as known as Firebrand! Engineer_meleedare03.wav

I see that he's rocking 8-pack muscle (minus his genital, thanks God and Capcom for that) now. This can be very hard fight.

 

As per usual, Red Arremer/Firebrand is hard to hit but even more in this version. In previous game, you can defeat him by blind luck or with the virtue of persistence even though in very rare occasion. Not in here. He will deny every attack against him while he's floating. You can't even get a free hit while he sits waiting for you to make move! The only way to harm him is, you jump over him while doing shoulder ram like in this moment and shoot downward. But the thing is: his ram is fast like very fast. You can't even finish saying "That goddamn Firebrand" without getting swooped first. Also, he does that in 3 elevation: High, Middle, or Low. You can only jump the low ones! Sometime he decides to do his usual teasing dance on the ground. If he do shoulder ram after that, you most likely can jump over him. He can also spit fireball only to make you feel more irritated.      

 

Once i pass the church, there's this slippery slope that you aren't allowed to go back. I happen to trigger dark chest to spawn. There must be demon wizard inside of it. There's chest completion status besides umbral bees. Maybe if i destroy all of the chest on the level including this foul ones, i will get some kind of reward. But i won't take risk now. Falling into that water is instant death for Arthur. So, you have to rely on that floating log. You expected it to move left and right constantly, right? Sadly, that's not the case. First it moves from right side and go only to halfway and then return to the right side. Then it decides to move all the way to left side. But after that it move to halfway again and so forth. It moves in delayed manner, is intentional. If you manage to slip past Red Arremer/Firebrand without defeating him then you get hurry to go to log only to drown most of the time because whether you make mistake on your jump or Red Arremer/Firebrand pushes you. You can go to log or get off the log while in halfway but it requires very perfect timing and spot to do so.

 

Why, yes. The burrito ghosts are back and they're still making annoying noise. I have no idea what's that glowing necklace for. Probably just another score up item like those bloody statues. I wish it's screen-clearing bomb item but that's very off brand of Ghosts 'N Goblins. Also the flying shielded knights are back. And now they are working with long purple cape. Soldier_sf12_goodmagic02.wav

 

I want to say that the platforming section of this game is lackluster. You see that overlapping branches? Arthur can't just simply jump down to the bottom part by holding down and pressing jump button unlike Cuphead. I have to go the left branch first and then i'm allowed to descend along the branch. But i will trigger 2 giant piranha plants to spawn, to catch me off guard. This is Ghosts 'N Goblins, folks!  

 

Eventually, i reach the first boss and i die. This Cyclops is larger and more difficult to deal from the original. Back then he just jauntily jogs back and forth. Now he's more aggressive. He jumps and stomps really fast. Actually, the solution is pretty simple: stand still on safe spot and throw everything you got at him swiftly. No need to move unnecessarily and panic.    

 

But that just his 1st phase. On his 2nd phase, he jumps into background grab wood as impromptu club. Sometime he throws it upward and it will fall on your plane. There's rustle above that indicate where it will fall. Such a good detail on environment. You can shoot at his head or arm once they're highlighted. There's a chance when you hit his eye, he will be incapacitated for awhile. He has the 3rd and final phase which i'm not sure what he's doing. I think he repeats the first phase but faster. I give him damage big time swiftly. So fast that he doesn't have a chance to do anything.

 

Once he's defeated, he's disintegrated and his purple soul flies away. Because i played Castlevania few times, i instinctively try to grab it. But it flies to fast and soon turns into key which unlock the usual big gate at the end of level. Funny thing is: while the gate is open there's music plays that i believe the former part of it, resembles victory tune of Final Fantasy. Medic_sf12_badmagic05.wav

 

Once you get into level selection, you can view Umbral Tree which is -let's be honest- skill tree in this game with literally tree. My complaint about it is there's no theme or consistency on the branches. Left branches contains The Thunderstorm magic, Doppelganger magic, magic that make Arthur fast temporarily, auto-revive ability, and the strangest of all the ability that makes Arthur's 1st attack deal thrice damage once he's down to only his boxer shirt. While right branch contains magic that conjure flame on left and right, and various big magic that effects entire screen including secret chest reveal. They're pretty unique and such but there's no double jump to be found! Scout_jeers04.wav

 

I can go to 2nd level but i choose playing another 1st level Execution Ground because of Makaimura tune and these adorable Skeleton Murderers. Somehow the vulture screams like a cat instead of -you know- vulture. Anyway, i find this new weapon: spiked ball. It rolls along the ground. I notice that it does less damage than the lance. It's not the sharpest tool in the drawer but you can have 3 of them at the time instead of 2 like in lance. In honor of Deception's mega rock, i like to call this weapon kilo rock

 

The guillotines and bulb plant spit 3 projectiles are present but i get caught off guard by this flame pit. One skeleton murderer climbs on foreground, how adorable.

 

The wind area filled with Kamaitachi also is here. They put more detail on the weasel yōkai. They stop spinning like small tornado when they exhausted indicated with sweat sprays and their tongue sticking out. So cute.

 

Alas the tentacles (that only vulnerable to exposed part of them) also here! They all come at once and i can't do well against them at the time. Once in a while, there's loud mysterious sound followed by purple miasma around the border of the screen. That phenomenon indicates you will get surrounded immediately in that place by plenty of enemies of one type like here for example. It's like "Pandemonium" event in Touhou Genso Wanderer Reloaded.  

 

The demonic pigs are getting smarter as they install this cage that can entrap me for awhile. They can proceed to stab me with the fork and nothing that i can do except crouch which some time works and sometime not.

 

Then i get killed by rolling pigs down the slope. Spy_jeers04.wav

After the race with the pigs on the slope, i stumble upon this waterfall area which is horrible. Every edge of the platform grows with the bulb plant that can makes you fall to the water and there's bigger version of the tentacle that reach much farther than the lesser version of them. To make things worse, i have the kilo rock weapon which is pretty unsuitable to deal with those large tentacles. Although the spiked ball can jump a bit over gap, it doesn't do much here. I get cornered pretty often in this part. Oh, duh! I forget i have the Thunderstorm magic.

 

Then i get caged (again) and murdered by the chief of the demonic pig. I can't kill him fast enough with the spiked rock. I need more suitable weapon. Something sharper. I have to repeat this entire section dozen time, no kidding. I wish i have ability to double jump for that waterfall area.

Here's the demonstration of Thunderstorm magic. Now it also hits downward but i can't use it to open that chest below me. Demoman_sf12_badmagic11.wav

Like in Ghouls 'N Ghosts, you have to hold the attack button for awhile and then release it, to cast magic. There's small white lines surround Arthur if you initiate the magic casting. But unlike in previous game, you also have to mind about cooldown time of the magic whenever you cast one. Casting and cooldown time make the magic less reliable but it's still worthy to have, i tell you.        

 

Several step later, i encounter Shielder! But now he wields axe. Should be his name "Axer" or sort like that? Also, you no longer detach your head like in original, you miserable bum?

 

Oh, of course you will. Remember when i said i can get many free hits upward if he lift his head in highest elevation in Ghouls 'N Ghosts? Now, he can aim his head downward. Scout_sf12_badmagic03.wav   

 

On 3rd phase, he passes his head to another statue that turn into living monster behinds me. So now, he shoots fireballs from left side while his body slowly walks toward me. Thus, i can't rely on keeping my distance anymore. Just focus on attacking his head while dodging his fireballs and you will come in triumph   

 

Ok. Let's move on to 2nd level. If this is supposed to be based on 2nd level in Ghosts 'n Goblin? I remember the boss is 2 Cyclopes. But now way that happens here because for today's standard that is way too uncreative. Maybe this time the boss is that Ice Demon in 5th stage of Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts? I'm really curious. Note: Try to say "Snow Soggoth's Square" many times. It could be fun.

[You can enlarge this picture by clicking it]

 I happen to get wrist which change the game relatively in my favor. I take the liberty of stitching the screenshot with from 2 other Ghosts 'N Goblins game in order to compare the bow weapon. The center screenshot is from Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts. The arrows fly diagonally up in 2 kind of angle: upper and lower. Back then Capcom seem not bother with detail of making the bow so it looks like Arthur shoot the arrows by throwing them with hand which is unreasonable. The right screenshot is from Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins (exclusive on Sony PSP). This version of the bow is probably my most favorites ones because it fires 3 arrows in usual reliable way: one goes straight, the rests go diagonally up and down. Not only Capcom make the crossbow, but they also make the appropriate posture for Arthur when firing it. Then we go back to Ghosts 'N Goblins Resurrection which is the middle ground between the 2 version. If you look closely, Arthur's pose is the same like when he use other weapon. Capcom just stick small crossbow on his wrist. I say it's quite lazy effort of them. The arrow pattern is like the Ultimate GnG's version minus the straight one.

 

It's quite useful against this snow pillar. They're like Castlevania's bone pillar but they change their head position and thus change their projectile's elevation as well. The snow spike can be blocked by obstacle or destroyed by your projectile. The icy one can't.

Then i realize what's lacking on Arthur's jump besides the usual unchangeable jump path. He also can't change his jump's height. In other platformer game like in Megaman or Cuphead, your jump is determined by how hard you press the jump button, allowing you access for various jump height. Not in here and also any GnG game, you jump in constant height. It's rarely not problem in previous game. But in this section, it becomes more apparent. What if the snow pillar's shoot pattern is empty in center? Jumping will get you hit by the top spike. Maybe the solution is obvious that you destroy the snow ones. But i always instinctively try to jump through the "gap", even though it's always not working.

There's also another solution: casting magic that gives you some invincibility period, which there's some. Like the Thunderstorm magic (although it's not as reliable as in Ghosts 'n Goblin due to reduced invincibility period and aforementioned cooldown) or magic that turns you into boulder which is amusing.  

 

The ogres are back and they like to patrol a series of Corridor with ladder. Like usual, they can throw projectile downward while you either busy fighting with their comrade or climbing ladder. They clearly don't have sportsmanship. You may think that they're stupid because they wear speedo trunk in snowy level like this. But Arthur is not so clever than them because he wears boxer. I mean sure he initially don armor but still.  

 

Taken by surprise, i get killed by stone version of ogre which is tougher and throw explosive barrel instead of spiked ball like the original ones. In this section there's explosive barrels lie around which explode on contact even to Arthur's bare skin. So you have to destroy them within safe. However, you can also use them to deal hefty damage to the ogres which can save your time and effort when dealing with them. They also take extra damage from headshot and wrist bow can aim at their noggin pretty easy.  

 

Then i get killed by papa ogre here. Soldier_negativevocalization04.wav   

 

This stair section next to Banner of Rebirth reminds me of that great staircase to Dracula's throne room that you can see in first Castlevania or Castlevania Symphony of The Night. But Dracula is not diabolical enough to make the stairs crumble hoping that Simon or Richter Belmont will fall to their death while they're determined for the final confrontation. Or Dracula has some sportsmanship or honor within him to give the Belmonts a grand passage to his lair. No trick. No trap. Yes. First time i climb this stairs, i fall to my death.  

 

Once you manage to travel via disconnected flying stairs, you will arrive at this tower. Then a dragon smashes the base of it.

 

Then you fight the greater stone ogre. Thankfully, He doesn't have any projectile attack unlike his lesser peers. But he has ability to jump up or down the platform much like the small ones. So, my tips is keep your distance from him both vertically and horizontally. But tower become unstable (because of the dragon's attack). It's rocking left and right. Therefore, your running speed is affected thus dodging his headbutt ram becomes more challenging. Oh wait! He fell out of edge. So, i can bait him to fall instead keep attacking him.

 

Then the dragon is back and gives me a ride...but not for free. He constantly makes his scale into moving spikes. I can only hit him on his head. Remember when i said the spiked ball is not the sharpest tool in the drawer? Well, it's excellent for this boss fight because it rolls along his body. Demoman_positivevocalization01.wav

 

If you would kindly ignore the fact that i died here for a while, i like to say that dragon boss is easy if i equip the spiked ball. I died because i let my guard down as the dragon looks like letting loose a dying scream only to give me swift headbutt. The spiked balls have fairly big chance of hitting his face by rolling along those floating rocks in this boss fight section. I like this motivational gameover screen filled with helpful tips. Unlike in Cuphead where you will get mockery (that sometime funny and contains pun) because you fail the stage. Complete with smug shot of the enemies.

 

I just realize that the dragon is supposed to be the one in 3rd stage of Ghosts 'n Goblin. Because his body segment will vanish if he takes damage and finally he's just head alone. He now capable of shooting scale, fireball from his mouth, and lightning orb from his tail. Which makes him exponentially more dangerous than the original version of himself. In my defense, he looks like Wyvern in Terraria back then. There's also "Nice Catch" bonus if you manage to get the key while holding "up" direction. Heavy_award07.wav

To be continued...on next part