Mamorukun ReCurse!

The twinstick shooting option is still pretty clunky and not as easy to use as I’d like it to be, but from the various characters and playstyles to choose from, online leaderboards to keep you coming back, and a fun risk/reward element with the Curse bullets, Recurse is still a pretty enjoyable time.

A bullet hell classic revamped for a new generation

Mamorukun ReCurse! is a shoot 'em up that does things differently - if you love anime and all things adorable, you’ll feel right at home.

I had a great time with Mamorukun ReCurse! It introduces ideas I haven’t seen in other arcade shooters, particularly the lack of auto-scrolling and the addition of branching pathways. The boss fights are all uniquely designed, though some are definitely more fun than others, especially when certain attacks feel impossible to dodge, leading to a few cheap deaths. Overall though, if you’re a fan of bullet hell arcade games, Mamorukun ReCurse! is an excellent addition to your collection.

Mamorukun ReCurse! is a solid shooter with plenty of charm appeal thanks to its Japanese heritage. Although it’s not the best example of the genre, it is very appealing to have the opportunity to play this cult arcade hit.

Mamorukun ReCurse! has so much in common with G.Rev’s other title Under Defeat HD+ in that initially it had enough to interest me but didn’t quite grip me. Switching to the twin stick controls sold the game to me more, and I found myself losing hours to just trying to get further up that scoreboard, engrossed by its visuals, unique aspects, the soundtrack.  The game won’t be for everyone, it’s very much unabashed as a cute ‘em up and the timed nature of the arcade mode will put off some of the purists. But for those that can adapt or are happy enough to lean into the goofiness of the title, you’ve got a fantastic package full of content, and in my eyes, the definitive way to play the game. This is absolutely recommended for score chasers needing their next fix.

If you're a fan of the bullet hell genre, Mamorukun ReCurse! is definitely a great choice for your library. This title has plenty of action and content, and the twin-sticker implementation makes everything more frenetic and dynamic. Now, if this isn't a genre you're very familiar with, don't worry, there are plenty of features to make it one of your favorites.

Mamorukun ReCurse! is a high-level shoot'em up and is very competent in what it proposes to do, exploring a rich curse bullet system as a strategic resource for the player. The whole package is high quality and worth getting to know, especially for fans of the genre or those who would like to know what shmups can offer.

If you’re a shmup fan, this is an easy recommendation. If you’re curious but hesitant, prepare for pain—but maybe the good kind. And if you just want something flashy to show off your Series X, well… this ain’t it.

The feeling I got from playing Mamorukun ReCurse! is one of tremendous nostalgia. The uncompromising and positive way everything in the game is communicated and designed entertained me to the point of practically transporting me back to simpler times, where the biggest challenge was getting home in time to watch your favorite anime.