Okay, cool! =D Already this is sounding like a good Pocky & Rocky sequel, so let's see what else is in sto. The first stage is actually optional since it's a training stage, but you have the option to skip it if you feel confident enough. You can still collect enough power-ups to augment the potency of your projectiles, and now press the A button to temporarily become your companion (press A again for reversion), and you can throw said companion (R shoulder button) towards an enemy or boss in order to amass a big amount of damage towards them (in which the companion uses their super attacks which last for a certain amount of seconds). However, there are new capabilities you can use that compensate for those. Gone from the last iteration are the ability to slide and the ability to cast magic to defeat a large slew of enemies in the same screen. The main characters can still fire an endless supply of projectiles as they move in any of the eight directions, and any time they have to deflect projectiles they can still do so by repeatedly tapping the B button (Pocky uses her staff to do so). The gameplay has been left mostly intact since the last game. Oh, but they didn't just make a sequel, they made some substantial changes in the process so without further ado, let's talk about Pocky & Rocky 2, the least known of the two titles. Unlike said competition, it didn't really get well-known by a lot of gamers at the time but despite that, Natsume figured that perhaps a sequel wouldn't be a bad idea, which we all got in 1994 (and for some reason it was released in Europe by Ocean). =) Some gamers compare it to Konami's vastly overrated (in my opinion) The Legend of the Mystical Ninja, which is understandable considering some of both titles' similar themes, cultural settings, and levels of quirkiness. Pocky & Rocky's strengths were its charm, its intuitive gameplay, its surprisingly arcade-like quality, its difficulty which gradually increased the farther you progressed, two very likable and endearing main characters, a good amount of atmosphere, its nonstop quirkiness, a great sense of fun, and a really good soundtrack. All partner characters can temporarily combine with Pocky when she casts her magic, each providing a different benefit.The original Pocky & Rocky, which itself was a sequel to Taito's arcade game KiKi KaiKai ( Knight Boy), was an obscure shoot'em up on foot in a Japanese setting that has since gotten a bit of a cult following since its release, and honestly I think it's a bit of an underrated game. ![]() These include Bomber Bob (Takuan) and Little Ninja (Shinobi) from the offset, with the additional characters Tengy, Scarecrow, Digger and Ottobot unlocked as the game progresses. Pocky (Sayo in the Japanese version) can now be joined with various partners beyond just Rocky (Manuke). ![]() ![]() The game's plot revolves around a kidnapped princess, abducted by demons led by a character named Impy. Natsume published the game in the US and Japan, and the European release was handled by Ocean Software. Kiki Kaikai: Nazo no Kuro Mantle), Pocky & Rocky 2 was released in Japan, the US and Europe. In Japan the game is known as Kiki Kaikai: Tsukiyozoushi (roughly, "Mysterious Ghost World: Tome of Moonlit Night"). Pocky & Rocky 2 is a top-down shoot 'em up from Natsume and part of their Kiki Kaikai series of shmups with a cartoonish youkai twist.
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