Pixels and Grids

God damned Ikaruga.

Oh, boy is this game great.  This week’s Xbox Live Arcade Deal-of-the-Week brings Treasure’s legendary shooter down to a very reasonable 400 Microsoft Points – or just five bucks.  Before I go into why purchasing this game is a good idea, let me give you a stern warning:

Ikaruga is so difficult, that playing it might cause any of the following side effects:  Bloody urine, Migraine Headache, Divorce,  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,  Shingles,  Explosive Diarrhea,  Aneurism, Catatonia, and Spontaneous Combustion.  It is also possible that playing Ikaruga may contribute to feelings of depression and suicide.  Do not play Ikaruga if you are pregnant, or are planning on becoming pregnant, or if you value your self-esteem.  Talk to your doctor before playing Ikaruga.

Now, taking the above warning into account, Ikaruga really is a game that’s worth checking out – if, and only if, you are the type of gamer who enjoys pushing through a frustrating experience to master a craft.  In this case, the craft of shooting the shit out of a lot of enemy fighters. Thanks to the dual polarity system that Treasure has built into this masterpiece, Ikaruga really stands out from its shmup brethren as both a unique and challenging experience that is really unmatched.  For the price of a greasy value meal, you can get your hands on one of the most legendary games ever created – but only this weekend.  So what are you waiting for?  Pick up the full game now, or at least check out the trial game.

Gameplay video after the break.  Have a great weekend!

Continue reading ‘T.G.I.F. (This Game Is Frustrating.. but also great)’