Mamorukun ReCurse! marks another nostalgic return from City Connection, this time reviving a 2008 arcade shooter that mixes old-school design with eccentric supernatural flair. Published on PlayStation 5 by Clear River Games, it’s a charming yet demanding bullet-hell hybrid that feels both familiar and experimental. Its story – about a boy summoned to the Netherworld to prevent the gates of the Dark World from opening – serves more as a backdrop than a driving force, but it fits the game’s offbeat, anime-styled presentation. Dialogue scenes add some light character flavor, though the tone never strays far from cheerful absurdity.
The hook is the curse mechanic, which gives the game its distinct rhythm. Instead of simply dodging and shooting, you deploy curse bullets that affect both enemies and yourself. A short-range curse creates a damage zone, while a charged one can travel further and even erase enemy projectiles. Stepping into your own cursed area temporarily boosts power and speed but locks your ability to fire new curses – a clever risk-reward twist that deepens the scoring system. This balance forces players to think tactically about positioning and timing rather than just survival, and is a standout feature.
Stage structure adds another layer of tension. Each level runs on a timer that steadily drains, meaning you can’t just hang back to clear every bullet. Defeating enemies restores precious seconds, turning each run into a delicate time-management act that keeps the action brisk and engaging. It’s a mechanic that gives Mamorukun ReCurse! a rhythm closer to an arcade challenge than a typical bullet hell. However, in later stages – where the screen floods with bullets – some players may find the collision detection a touch unforgiving.
City Connection’s update makes the most of the PS5 hardware where it counts. The inclusion of twin-stick controls, in particular, modernizes the feel dramatically, letting you move and shoot independently. We prefer this setup over the original, as it makes precision dodging far more natural. The controls are snappy and intuitive, though the screen can get busy enough that situational awareness occasionally falters – a by-product of keeping the chaotic spirit of its arcade roots intact. Despite that, performance is stable and load times are nearly instant, which suits its “one more run” pacing.
Visually, the game’s cute-’em-up aesthetic still holds up, albeit with modest upgrades. The new widescreen support gives levels a bit more breathing room, and sharper assets help the pastel, yokai-inspired environments pop. Character and enemy designs remain distinct, if slightly repetitive after extended play. The presentation’s biggest strength lies in its soundtrack, which blends energetic techno-fantasy themes with catchy motifs like the returning “YO-KAI Disco.” Having both the original and arranged tracks available – plus a sound test and stage-by-stage customization – adds a layer of fan-service depth that many modern revivals skip.
What you get with Mamorukun ReCurse! is an affectionate restoration of a cult favorite that still feels mechanically relevant. Its curse system rewards experimentation, its structure encourages replayability through multiple modes and leaderboards, and its presentation exudes retro charm. There are frustrations – mainly visual clutter and slightly uneven difficulty spikes – but its variety of modes, from classic Arcade runs to the more elaborate Story and Netherworld Action options, offer plenty to sink into. For fans of inventive shmups and quirky Japanese design, it’s a revival that earns its second chance.
Score: 8.2/10
Press Play Media 