Bullet Soul (PC) Review

Normally in STGs, bullets are the only constant. They are infallible and can't be reasoned with. No matter what happens, the player can always count on one thing: all bullets have to be avoided. It doesn't matter if someone is controlling a WW2-era plane, a prototype spacecraft, or a psychic teenager. If they touch a bullet, they're done for. Outside of very rare circumstances, bullets remain a threat up until they fly off screen.

Bullet Soul is a rather unique case. Whenever an enemy is destroyed, their bullets immediately dissipate, as if their very soul had been ripped away. Commonly, this phenomenon is referred to as "bullet cancelling." It has made frequent appearances in other shmups, but usually there is some condition attached, such as the defeat of a boss. That isn't the case for this game. Due to the heavy firepower each playable ship has, most adversaries can be wiped out before they have a chance to clutter the screen with tiny death orbs. On the slim possibility they manage to unleash their payload; that, too, will disappear into the ether.

Needless to say, veterans of the genre are going to be put off by this design decision. It's difficult to establish a rhythm when potential threats are so easily eliminated. Early on, the only time the player might find themselves dodging bullets is during a boss fight. However, since each boss is made up of multiple parts, it's possible to destroy cannon placements and earn temporary reprieves. This almost makes the process of dodging bullets feel like a novelty, simply because the player is no longer accustomed to it. Thankfully, the difficulty picks up after the first couple stages.

In order to get the most out of this game, it's imperative to learn the scoring system. There are numerous factors at play, and understanding their intricacies will keep things interesting. First off, there's a multiplier gauge, which rises whenever an enemy is destroyed. The catch is that the rate at which the gauge rises is determined by the player-ship's position. Hiding out near the bottom of the screen is a fine way to stay alive, but the score suffers. Thus, it's best to stay at or near the top. Naturally, this strategy greatly increases the probability of getting shot down, or outright colliding with an enemy ship, but that's what risk vs reward is all about.

Secondly, there are innumerable bonuses for dealing with adversaries in a particular way. For example, let's say four enemy ships appear on-screen. Destroying them immediately is possible, but if the player hesitates, the enemies form a line. When that line of ships is eliminated, bonus points are awarded. These special awards aren't indicated by arrows or glowing objects, but it's easy to figure out how to collect them.

Finally, anyone capable of meeting certain conditions can challenge the second loop. What better way to achieve a high score than by going through the entire game again, only at a much higher difficulty? The second loop features more enemies, denser bullet patterns, and a true last boss. Anyone looking to maximise their score should also avoid using bombs or losing lives.

Alongside the main game, this release of Bullet Soul includes additional modes. Every stage can be tackled individually in the Bancho mode, great for anyone who needs the extra practice. In Caravan mode, players are treated to a special stage. With two minutes on the clock, the goal is to attain as high a score as possible. All of the strategies learned in the main game apply here, so focus on staying near the top of the screen, while collecting all of the special bonuses. Lives are unlimited, but deaths can decimate one's chances of earning a high score.

The most substantial of the additions is Version B. Upon starting this mode, players will immediately notice a fourth playable ship. The damage output on this craft is bonkers. It's capable of melting anything, including bosses, in a very short time. Version B also makes changes to enemy layouts. The bullet patterns aren't quite as dense, but they're a bit faster and more direct. Extra lives are more frequent as well. Overall, this mode is easier, especially with the fourth ship, but it's still well worth playing.