Originally released in 2007, Trouble Witches FINAL! Episode 01 Daughters of Amalgam is now available on Switch and PS4 (playable on PS5) thanks to ININ, Studio Siesta, and Rocket Engine. This cute’em up has received a visual overhaul, includes new modes, and is defined as its most complete version to date.
Trouble Witches is a colorful, approachable horizontal shooter with an interesting gimmick that is fun, helpful, and intuitive. Like most shooters, holding down the main attack button causes a machine gunning spray of bullets. However, mindlessly holding down this button is detrimental because releasing it acts as a magnet for any coins that fall from defeated foes. This collected cash not only increases scores to ridiculous levels, but it can also be spent in the floating shops that appear in each stage. Here, players can buy super attacks or potentially increase the magic or health meters.
The releasing-to-absorb feature isn’t the only gimmick. Tapping another button unleashes a large circular shield for a temporary amount of time. This safe zone does a couple of things. First, it can prevent bullets from entering, creating a helpful temporary barrier. Also, if timed correctly, certain bullets that are trapped within this bubble shield as it activates can be turned into collectable cash. It is a fun risk/reward system that carries its weight throughout the 20-minute campaign. Sure, you can simply hold the attack button and blast everything in your way without taking advantage of the shield system, but if you want to rank higher on the leaderboard, this interesting mechanic adds excitement and strategy in the moment-to-moment gameplay.
On top of that, there are several playable witches, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some have different shots. Some move faster. Some have a stronger magic shield. Also, for dedicated fans, the sweets-loving Cotton from the Cotton shmup games is available as DLC, complete with her tea-time stage ending bonus. Including Cotton in this game fits like a glove and this game would be missing something if she was not included.
Another reason why this bullet-heaven is so entertaining comes from its approachable difficulty. The player has the freedom to select one of four difficulties and there is absolutely a difference between them all. Playing on the easiest is a great way to grasp the shield mechanic and experience the ridiculous plot. Pros will undoubtedly enjoy the higher settings as the screen can be filled with bullets and action, requiring the use of the shield mechanic. The multiple gameplay modes also extends the replay value in conjunction with the online leaderboards. Personally, I enjoyed the two and five-minute time trial mode, where the player is given infinite lives but tasked with earning as high of a score as possible set at a steep difficulty. This game seems to have also been released in Japan a while back as the leaderboard is filled with stupidly high scores (I am playing this pre-release in the US).
Like most shmups, there is a narrative but it doesn’t really make sense and is just sort of there because why not. However, the spacing between each line of English text, the leading, is too close together as letters can stack on top of each other. It isn’t a deal breaker but probably something the developers had to shoehorn from the original Japanese text. Also, the English translation and typos are pretty terrible but in a stupidly charming way. Again, this is a shooter. You don’t really need a story. So having typos in a colorful game such as this, being exclaimed by Japanese voice quips, sort of makes the experience more wholesome in a backhanded way.
Trouble Witches FINAL! Episode 01 Daughters of Amalgam is an endearing little shooter and happy to have had a chance to play it. Not sure what the future holds but hopefully an Episode 02 will be released at some point.
SCORE: 8.5/10
By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com
X/Twitter: @ZackGaz
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