Heavenly Guardian
Encyclopedia
Heavenly Guardian, known in Japan as
and as Legend of Sayuki in Europe, is a scrolling shooter game developed by Starfish SD. It was self-published in Japan, published by UFO Interactive Games
in North America, and published by 505 Games
in Europe. It was released on the Wii
and PlayStation 2
in all three regions.
's Kiki KaiKai series (better known as Pocky & Rocky
outside of Japan) called simply Kiki KaiKai 2. The game was canceled, as Starfish lost the Kiki KaiKai license, but would later resurface as a Wii game entitled Kiki Kai World. Kiki Kai World was mostly similar to the canceled PS2 game, but with the main character's miko
outfit recolored from red to blue. Instead of being a direct sequel to the original, it was more of a "spiritual successor," as to avoid legal issues with Taito and its parent company, Square-Enix.
To further separate the game from Kiki KaiKai, the graphics and theme of the game were completely redone, replacing the miko heroine with a snow goddess named Sayuki. When approached about the subject, a company spokesperson said "To make a long story short, Taito, who is now owned by Square[-Enix], had some issues with us and we had to let the title go," implying that Square-Enix was the reason behind the initial cancellation.
Although Starfish chose to only release a Wii version in Japan, UFO released a PS2 version in North America, due to having control over the release platforms in the region. 505 Games is also releasing both versions in Europe.
In single player, the story centers around the snow goddess Sayuki's love for a boy who lives in a nearby village. Upon visiting the village one day, she learns that the boy has fallen under a curse, sleeping permanently. Sayuki then travels across the land with her pet snow rabbit, Toto, to find the ingredients for the cure to his curse.
In multiplayer, the story is about a beauty contest held by the Snow Goddess Tribe. Sayuki and her younger sister, Koyuki, decide to compete for first place. The contest is a trial race for the two sisters to destroy the most ghosts and collect the most snowballs in their path,
with a second player controlling Sayuki's sister, Koyuki. In single-player, Sayuki is followed by Toto, her pet snow rabbit, who shoots freezing shots in the same direction Sayuki attacks.
Upon defeating bosses in the story mode, they can be rebattled in the Boss Attack mode.
The Wii version can only be played using both the Wii Remote
and Nunchuk. Unlike the PS2 version, which only allows you to fire the direction your character is facing, the Wii version offers the option to aim where you fire with the Wii Remote's pointer. This can either be permanently on (called "FlameIN" on the option menu) or be switched on by holding the Z button on the Nunchuk. While aiming you cannot use Toto's freezing shots as he acts as the cursor.
reviewer Kevin VanOrd gave the PlayStation 2
version of the game a 3.0 out of 10.0 in his review, citing archaic mechanics and frustrating gameplay as negative aspects of the game. He closed his review with "Don't be fooled by the promise of fun throwback gameplay. Heavenly Guardian may look to the past, but it is too bland and frustrating to evoke fond memories of "the good old days."
IGN
editor Sam Bishop also reviewed both versions of Heavenly Guardian, rating it with 4.0 out of 10.0, stating in his closing comments, "Heavenly Guardian is an affront to everything that games are now and were back in the day."
and as Legend of Sayuki in Europe, is a scrolling shooter game developed by Starfish SD. It was self-published in Japan, published by UFO Interactive Games
UFO Interactive Games
Based in Pomona, California, is a publisher of interactive video game content, developing on multiple platforms with a focus on original and mass-market gaming software...
in North America, and published by 505 Games
505 Games
505 Games, formerly known as 505 Game Street, is an Italian video game publishing division of Italian company Digital Bros. group founded in 2006...
in Europe. It was released on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
and PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
in all three regions.
History
Heavenly Guardian was originally a PS2 sequel to TaitoTaito
Taito may mean:*Taito Corporation, a Japanese developer of video game software and arcade hardware*Taito, Tokyo, a special ward located in Tokyo, Japan*Taito, also known as matai, paramount chiefs according to Fa'a Samoa...
's Kiki KaiKai series (better known as Pocky & Rocky
Pocky & Rocky
Pocky & Rocky, known in Japan as , is a scrolling shooter video game with action elements licensed by Taito to Natsume, who developed and published the game for release in Japan in 1992 and the rest of the world in 1993...
outside of Japan) called simply Kiki KaiKai 2. The game was canceled, as Starfish lost the Kiki KaiKai license, but would later resurface as a Wii game entitled Kiki Kai World. Kiki Kai World was mostly similar to the canceled PS2 game, but with the main character's miko
Miko
is a Japanese term that anciently meant a "female shaman, spirit medium" who conveyed oracles from kami , and currently means a "shrine maiden; virgin consecrated to a deity" who serves at Shinto shrines.-Word:...
outfit recolored from red to blue. Instead of being a direct sequel to the original, it was more of a "spiritual successor," as to avoid legal issues with Taito and its parent company, Square-Enix.
To further separate the game from Kiki KaiKai, the graphics and theme of the game were completely redone, replacing the miko heroine with a snow goddess named Sayuki. When approached about the subject, a company spokesperson said "To make a long story short, Taito, who is now owned by Square[-Enix], had some issues with us and we had to let the title go," implying that Square-Enix was the reason behind the initial cancellation.
Although Starfish chose to only release a Wii version in Japan, UFO released a PS2 version in North America, due to having control over the release platforms in the region. 505 Games is also releasing both versions in Europe.
Story
The story is different in single- and multi-player modes, but the gameplay remains identical.In single player, the story centers around the snow goddess Sayuki's love for a boy who lives in a nearby village. Upon visiting the village one day, she learns that the boy has fallen under a curse, sleeping permanently. Sayuki then travels across the land with her pet snow rabbit, Toto, to find the ingredients for the cure to his curse.
In multiplayer, the story is about a beauty contest held by the Snow Goddess Tribe. Sayuki and her younger sister, Koyuki, decide to compete for first place. The contest is a trial race for the two sisters to destroy the most ghosts and collect the most snowballs in their path,
Features
Heavenly Guardian, like the Kiki KaiKai series, is a scrolling shooter where you move your character in any direction and fire projectiles at your enemies. It can be played alone, or cooperativelyCooperative gameplay
Cooperative gameplay is a feature in video games that allows players to work together as teammates. It is distinct from other multiplayer modes, such as competitive multiplayer modes like player versus player or deathmatch...
with a second player controlling Sayuki's sister, Koyuki. In single-player, Sayuki is followed by Toto, her pet snow rabbit, who shoots freezing shots in the same direction Sayuki attacks.
Upon defeating bosses in the story mode, they can be rebattled in the Boss Attack mode.
The Wii version can only be played using both the Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
and Nunchuk. Unlike the PS2 version, which only allows you to fire the direction your character is facing, the Wii version offers the option to aim where you fire with the Wii Remote's pointer. This can either be permanently on (called "FlameIN" on the option menu) or be switched on by holding the Z button on the Nunchuk. While aiming you cannot use Toto's freezing shots as he acts as the cursor.
Reception
Although just a few magazines reviewed the game, Heavenly Guardian received poor ratings by the press. GamespotGameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
reviewer Kevin VanOrd gave the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
version of the game a 3.0 out of 10.0 in his review, citing archaic mechanics and frustrating gameplay as negative aspects of the game. He closed his review with "Don't be fooled by the promise of fun throwback gameplay. Heavenly Guardian may look to the past, but it is too bland and frustrating to evoke fond memories of "the good old days."
IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
editor Sam Bishop also reviewed both versions of Heavenly Guardian, rating it with 4.0 out of 10.0, stating in his closing comments, "Heavenly Guardian is an affront to everything that games are now and were back in the day."