Summary
- Good-Feel created Bakeru to immerse players in Japan's culture through gameplay and music exploration.
- The game features over 47 stages inspired by each of Japan's prefectures, combining traditional elements in its design.
- Bakeru's unique combat mechanics, like using a drum, aim to broaden the game's appeal for a diverse audience.
I grew up with 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Nintendo 64. Games like 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Super Mario 64 and 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time were foundational in shaping my gaming tastes, but a little-known title called Mystical Ninja Starring ﷽Goemon did even more than those games ever did.
Goemon was unequivocally Japanese — more so than any Nintendo first-party games — and it was my first introduction t🌞o such a vastly different culture. I got to climb Mt. Fuji, fight off Hannya dolls, and gorge myself on on💃igiri. I’d never seen anything like it, and I was fixated.
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While Konami eventually reduced the Goemon series to pachinko machines, a spiritual successor rose from the ashes — Bakeru, with Tadanori Ts🅘u🤪kawaki and Goemon veteran Ebisu Etsunobu at the helm.
Following its 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Western release in September, I got to interview the Good-Feel team as part of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Tokyo Game Show last month about the process of creating this new title featuring a 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:transforming tankuki.
Japanese Through And Through
As a country, Japan is split into 47 different prefectures, and the team at Good-Feel set itself the task of having protagonist Baker🐻u visit each and every one, somet🌞hing which Tsukawaki-san called “a tough challenge.”
“Since each prefecture would be turned into 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:an action stage, we couldn’t let the themes alone take the lead,” Tsukawaki explains. “So, we first focu𓆏sed on planning out the gameplay elements. After that, we matched it with the game’s progression and story, selecting themes based on the designated real-life locations. Then we visualized the combination of gameplay and location, and gradually buil𓄧t the core of the level design.”
We always prioriti꧑ze gamep♍lay ideas first and then find motifs and settings that fit.
Tsukawaki-s🐲an says that, of the stages he designed, the one set in Kyoto is his favorite.
“We worked on ಞthe art for this stage early on, and it was where we solidified the direction for the Japanese-inspired world of Bakeru so it holds a special place for me. I also really like how we 𓆏combined the 'forced scrolling' mechanic with the Gion Festival theme.”
Alongside its stages, Tsukawaki-san tells me the team wanted to “instant🦩l෴y evoke Japan” through Bakeru’s soundtrack.
“The process of creating the soundtrack started with researching traditiꦰonal Japanese music, festival songs, and the unique regional music from different parts of Japan. Using that as a base, we moved forward by arranging the music to fit each scene, and avoided limiting ourselves to specific genres.”
Marching To The Beat Of His Own Drum
Titular protagonist Bakeru wields a drum to defeat enemies, something that Tsukawaki-san says was given 🐻a lot of thought, considering it’s different from the games that inspired B🙈akeru decades prior.
“The reason we chose the drum is because we wanted this title to be enjoyable f𝔍or a wide audience, including kids. Since the protagonist is a young Tanuki boy, it didn’t feel right, both in terms of the story and visuals, for him to wield weapons like swords to defeat enemies.” But that wasn’t the only reason.
“We always prioritize gameplay ideas first and then find motifs and settings that fꦇit,” he tells me. “We had the idea of creating attack actions where the right and left hands operate independently, so using drumsticks in both hands for attacks made sense both in terms of design and logic. By also envisioning the ☂drum as a shield, we could meet other combat demands as well.”
If there’s a sequel, I’d love to explore an even more stylized version🦩 of Japan, as there are still so many unique places left to feature.
The drum, or 🥂taiko as 🐷it's known natively, also helped the team give Bakeru its distinctly Japanese feel.
“In Japan, the sound of a drum is said to ward off evil spirits, so we made it a tool that only works against bad entities. A drum is also a familiar instrument worldwide, making it easy for players 🉐to imagine.”
With a clear emphasis on Japan♊, I rounded off my chat by asking Ebisu-san and Tsukawaki-san if they’d ⭕ever consider a sequel set further afield, with both unanimously agreeing, no.
“If there’s a sequel, I’d love to exploreꦺ an even more stylized version of Japan, as there are still so many unique places left to feature,” Tsukawaki-san says, which, given how much this, and many of Ebisu-san’s previous titles, explore the Land of the Rising Sun makes perfect sense.
Bakeru's adventure begins in this Japan-esque Wild Action Game!
Disaster strikes Japan!
Oracle Saitaro and his Festival Troops are using a bizarre festival to take over Japan. Bakeru travels to 47 Japanese prefectures to free Japan from the grip of evil spirits!
Spectacular action set in fairy tale Japan!
Bakeru takes place in "Fairy Tale Japan," a mix of modern Japan and old period dramas, which is divided into more than 50 stages.
Battle on with Bakeru's drum!
A secret treasure passed down by Tanuki Clan. It is said to be able to purify evil spirits. Fight through enemies and traps with simple controls!
Transform into fairy tale heroes!
By obtaining a Henge License, Bakeru can transform into whoever gave him the license. Transform into famous Japanese heroes like Kintaro and Momotaro to use their skills and abilities.
Additional features have been added to the Steam release
・New Attack: Hurricane
・New Attack: Spinning Top
・New Attack: Hurricane + Spinning Top Combo
・Additional Enemy: Lantern Boss
About the gameplay
・Play as Bakeru and use your "Henge" powers of transformation to overcome stage obstacles and enemies.
・Features over 47 stages based on the prefectures of Japan, each with their own unique motifs.
ও・Includes variant stages wꦬhere you transform into a vehicle and race off or take to the skies for air combat!
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
