Pocky & Rocky Reshrined review

A bit of old merged with a whole lot of new, makes Pocky & Rocky Reshrined a worthwhile effort that will please franchise fans. But a tightfisted unlock system, sketchy storyline, and an adherence to three-decades old nomenclature haunt this otherwise tough but enjoyable outing.

We know that remasters generally enhance the quality of an original game, while remakes use modern technology to deliver a brand-new version. So, what is Pocky & Rocky Reshrined?

Venture into Tengo Project’s re-envisioned effort and you might feel a pang of nostalgia as you visit an area reminiscent of the first stage of the 1992 SNES game. Here, shrine maiden Pocky tosses out a rapid succession of paper card called ofuda, while swinging a wooden wand known as a gohei as a melee weapon and to repel enemies. Like the original, the multi-directionally scrolling action kicks off at a haunted shrine.

Kasa-obake and Other Ghastly Yōkai

Much of the charm comes from the serene location, adorned with torii games and a lily-pad filled pond overtaken by charming interpretations of spirits, demons, and various yōkai from Japanese mythology. Tiny balls of fire called hitodama fly in circular patterns, skeletons rise from their grave before making a beeline for Pocky, while a wagon filled with single-eyed spirits stubbornly block the road. Each foe is incongruently adorable, especially with the redrawn artwork. The obake are delightful enough to deserve their own line of merch.

But the game remains as tough as ever. Some of that is because you are persistently outnumbered. While some games permit players to gradually destroy the sources of adversity, wells in the haunted shrine can’t be purified. They will send out of a cavalcade of creatures if you don’t proceed quickly enough. Fast reflexes are vital since you can only shoot in the direction that your character is facing, and opponents adore flanking you. You’ll discover that holding onto your power-ups is indispensable.

On the upside, there are plenty of power-ups that can augment your arsenal of ofuda, adding traits like a wider shot, or a fire icon offering incendiary damage. Depending on your character, the wind power-up can increase damage or provide a bit of helpful aim assist. While your health meter will grow across even successfully completed level, you might also find some restorative food. Lastly, there’s a mount that hops around in a state of invisibility, ramming into opponents.

A Tool for Every Threat

You’ll have to learn the best method for dealing with each different type of threat through old-fashioned memorization. Soon, you’ll have to ready yourself for enemies than can only be damaged with your melee strike. Rapidly shifting between dispensing two types of attacks, dashing out of the way of danger, and using magic bombs can feel overwhelming at first. But like Radiant Silvergun, you’ll gradually familiarize yourself with all offensive patterns.

Enter the game’s second stage, The Enchanted Forest, and Reshrined begins to branch from its source material. The original tranquility of the woods gets replaced by a feudal-era village that has been visibly ravaged by yokai. The possessed bamboo shoots are in reduced numbers, replaced by intimidating flame spirits. And across the remaining seven levels, Reshrined diverge further with new stages and different adversaries. Not all of them are winners. Beyond a fluctuating level of difficulty, few of the latter ones have the splendor of the first stage.

Apologies to Miki-chan

The other major change is that you’ll play as one of five characters on each story stage, who each have their own distinctive style. Free Mode is included for players who want to perfect their skills with a specific playable. You’ll definitely want to master the title’s roster. At one point, the story assigns a randomized character.

Of course, Rocky the takuki is here with his leaf-throwing ability, slightly faster movement rate, and that loveable defensive tail fanning. Ikazuchi blends the best of both worlds, offering a fox shrine maiden who can shoot lightning that homes in on adversaries. I won’t ruin the other surprises but know that a female samurai and a goddess with shielding abilities who can summon an orb with auto-directed projectiles. For better or worse, Becky is left on the sidelines.

Imagine if Reimu Hakurei was Known as “Roxy”

Pocky & Rocky’s stateside debut provided the characters with more Western-sounding names. Sayo-chan become Pocky, Manuke became Rocky, and even the game’s yōkai got localized as “Nopino Goblins”. While there’s an argument to be made for continuity, there’s also a strong case for cultural accuracy. Knowledge of Japanese folklore has been widely incorporated in Western games across the past thirty years, and it might be time to bring an end to silly renaming. At least give us an option for the actual names, Natsume.

While few will pick up Reshrined for its storyline, the text probably deserves a more robust localization. It’s servable but a bit childlike, which contrasts against the game’s level of difficulty. Worse, elements that could have helped Pocky & Rocky become more accessible to younger generations are secured behind prohibitive unlocks. Want to play enjoy a cooperative game? You’ll have to beat the game first? Want an easier level of difficulty? Prepare to play for at least a few hours before earning the 3,000-coin bounty. I’ll all for bonuses to promote longevity, but the structuring here feels punitive.

Conclusion

Neither a remaster, remake, nor even a reboot, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined begins with a nostalgic nod to the franchise’s past before moving into a new, but familiar territory. What follows is a fundamentally fun action game, that demands sharp reflexes, a commitment to level memorization, and a fair amount of patience. Like the original, it’s a challenging but fair trek, uplifted by charming visuals and a buoyant soundtrack that mixes modern melodies with traditional instruments like the shamisen and shakuhachi. Sayo-chan and Manuke, it’s good to see you back.

Pocky & Rocky Reshrined was played on Switch
with review code provided by the publisher.