| Sin & Punishment: Star Successor | |
|---|---|
North American box art |
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| Developer(s) | Treasure |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Director(s) | Atsutomo Nakagawa |
| Producer(s) | Masato Maegawa Hitoshi Yamagami |
| Composer(s) | Norio Hanzawa |
| Platform(s) | Wii |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Rail shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | |
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, known in Europe as Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies and in Japan as Tsumi to Batsu: Sora no Kōkeisha (罪と罰 ～宇宙の後継者～, lit. "Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Universe") is a 2009 rail shooting video game developed by Treasure and published by Nintendo. It is the sequel to the Nintendo 64 video game Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Earth, another rail shooter originally released only in Japan, and globally through Wii's Virtual Console.
Revealed at Nintendo's conference on October 2, 2008, it was released on the Wii on October 29, 2009 in Japan and was released on June 27, 2010 in North America and Europe.[1][2] Set many years after the first game, Star Successor focuses on Isa Jo, the son of Saki and Airan from the first game, and a mysterious young woman named Kachi. Nintendo has also announced that the game is compatible with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, featuring online leaderboards. While the original game featured English voice acting in both the Japanese and English versions, the sequel has Japanese voice acting for the Japanese version, as well as the option to switch between Japanese and English voice acting in the non-Japanese versions.
At Nintendo's Media Summit on February 24 it was confirmed for a May 7, 2010 release in Europe and a June 27, 2010 release for North America, and with a new subtitle: Star Successor.[3] Nintendo Australia has stated that the game is not currently on their release schedule, though retailer JB Hi-Fi has imported the UK version and started selling it as of July 21, 2010.[4]
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The game can be controlled using one of four control methods: Wii Remote with Nunchuk, Wii Zapper, Classic Controller (as well as the Classic Controller Pro) and the Nintendo GameCube Controller.[5] Playing as either Isa or Kachi, the player can move around freely on-screen, while traveling a set path (i.e. "on-rails") that may go forward, backward, side-to-side, or up and down. The player may run on the ground and jump, as in the original, but can also fly. A rolling dodge move can be performed in any direction to avoid enemy attacks. Aiming of the gun is done with a reticule, and is not tied to movement.
In addition to gunfire, the player may also slash with a sword, which deals heavy damage to enemies at close range, and can be used to deflect certain projectiles (usually missiles) at an on-screen opponent, scoring heavy damage. A charge attack can be employed to deal very heavy damage, but requires a long cool down period to recharge afterward.
Getting successive enemy hits while remaining unscathed increases the score multiplier, knocking enemy missiles, or alike, also increases the score multiplier.
Taking place many years after the Successor of the Earth, Star Successor reveals that there are two dimensions present within the universe: Inner Space and Outer Space. In Inner Space, there are multiple Earths, watched over by beings known as "The Creators" (literally referred to as "God" in the Japanese version). The creators have guided mankind to defend these planets and fight, destroying mankind whenever it strays from its destined path by attempting to bring peace. Outer Space sends invaders to deal with Inner Space, and sends an agent in the form of a human girl to infiltrate Earth-4. An agent of Earth-5, Isa Jo, is sent to find and kill the Outer Space infiltrator, only to find that the girl has become infatuated with humans due to amnesia, aside from knowing that part of her name was "Chi." Naming her "Kachi," Isa decides to protect her and help her live, something which goes against the creators' wishes. As a result, the creators send out a group known as the Nebulox (G5, or the "Group of Five Countries" in the Japanese version), led by Isa's former ally Deko, to kill Kachi and Isa for his betrayal. Adding to this are the beings known as the "Keepers," lifeforms which have worked to destroy any supposed contaminants to Earth-4, which have attacked humans and invaders. Isa, having denounced the creators for their cruelty, goes on the run with Kachi to escape the Nebulox, board an Air Ship, and stop them once and for all. Throughout the game, Isa and Kachi's attempts to escape are thwarted by the Nebulox until they eventually decide to face them head on. Eventually, Isa changes into a ruffian form, similar to Saki in the original Sin and Punishment, but he merges with Kachi in order to control his new power. Shortly thereafter, they meet up with the Nebulox in space, defeating them for good. In the aftermath, Isa decides that he will stay with Kachi even though they will be hunted again by The Creators. The final scene ends with Kachi's memory returning and her revealing to Isa that her real name is Achi, implying that she is actually the antagonist-turned-protagonist from the original Sin and Punishment.
Isa Jo (イサ・ジョ): The son of Saki Amamiya and Airan Jo from Successor of the Earth, Isa had already denounced the creators before, after witnessing Saki's transformation into a Ruffian, resulting in mass destruction. Rebelling against the Nebulox, he helps Kachi to escape from them and bring an end to their attacks. Using a special backpack which enables him to hover, Isa uses manual-fire attacks, able to switch between manual aim and lock-on aim for single targets. Voiced by Grant George (English Version), Yoshimasa Hosoya (Japanese version)
Kachi (カチ): A villainess-turned-heroine, Kachi loses her memories after her defeat and takes the form of a human girl. She grew fond of humanity, and wishes to live amongst them instead of destroying them. Isa finds her and names her Kachi, having no knowledge of her real name before and during the game. She flees from the Nebulox alongside Isa. Using a board which allows her to hover, Kachi can automatically lock-on to targets and fire at multiple enemies. Voiced by Jan Dunlap (English Version), Seiko Yoshida (Japanese version)
Known as the "Group of Five Countries," or "G5" in the original Japanese version of the game, the Nebulox members of Earth-5 and followers of the creators, who wish to hunt down and kill Achi, who is not a true human, and thus kill Isa for his betrayal as well.
Orion Tsang (ツェンロン・リー Cheng Long Lee): A master of psychokinesis. Voiced by Eric Newsome (English Version), Tarusuke Shingaki (Japanese version)
Armon Ritter (リッター Ritter): A shapeshifter who transforms into mutated marine life forms. Voiced by Michael Blum (English Version), Yuichi Ishigami (Japanese version)
Hibaru Yaju (ヒバル・ヤジュー): An expert swordswoman. Voiced by Becky Poole (English Version), Miyuki Sawashiro (Japanese version)
Ariana Shami (アリアナ・シャミ): A female shaman/illusionist who dresses like a bird. Voiced by Janet Day (English Version), Yoko Soumi (Japanese version)
Deko Gekisho (デコ・ゲキショウ Deco Gekisho) : A former friend of Isa, and leader of the Nebulox's forces. He leads the Nebulox in their mission to carry out the supposed will of the creators (a concept which is generally excluded from the English version of the game) by attempting to kill Kachi and Isa. Voiced by Steve Heinke (English Version), Toru Okawa (Japanese version)
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 85.86% |
| Metacritic | 87[6] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1UP.com | A[7] |
| Edge | 8/10 |
| Eurogamer | 9/10 |
| Famitsu | 8/8/8/7 (31/40) |
| Game Informer | 8.8/10 |
| GamePro | 4.5/5 |
| GameSpot | 8.5/10 |
| IGN | 9.0/10 |
The game has received generally favorable reviews, holding a score of 87/100 on Metacritic, and 85.86% on GameRankings. It received a 31/40 from Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, and a 90/100 from Eurogamer, GamesTM, Official Nintendo Magazine, Meristation, GameCentral, and Nintendo Life. Eurogamer Italy gave it a 10/10, calling it a "masterpiece". IGN UK also praised it, giving it a 9.2 out of 10, and writing "Forget bullet hell - Treasure has created an awesome slice of bullet heaven."[8] The US IGN gave it a 9.0/10 and an Editor's Choice award, writing "Playing Sin and Punishment: Star Successor is like diving into an action movie full of amazing sights and tense gunfights." [9]
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