Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru delivers fast-paced, side-scrolling action that blends classic run-and-gun mechanics with a unique psychic twist. As Tarōmaru and his companion Enkai, you’ll dash through feudal Japanese landscapes, locking onto lurking undead horrors with your psychic senses. The lock-on system allows you to target multiple enemies and fire rapid energy bolts, giving the combat a satisfying, almost twin-stick shooter feel within a 2D plane.

Power-ups are scattered throughout each stage, boosting your basic psychic attack or granting temporary shields and speed boosts. One standout feature is the ability to psychically control weaker enemies, turning grunts into short-lived allies who absorb damage or clear pathways for you. This mechanic adds a strategic layer—you must decide whether to use these minions offensively or as sacrificial shields when swarmed by demons.

Platforming and traversal mechanics are tight and responsive. Tarōmaru can jump, double-jump, grapple overhead beams and even cling to walls, making vertical exploration just as engaging as horizontal rushes. Levels often branch into hidden alcoves filled with extra power-ups or secret bosses, rewarding players who stray from the main path.

Two-player cooperative play further enhances the experience. With a second player controlling Enkai, you can coordinate psychic assaults, revive each other mid-stage, and discover combo attacks that clear screens of enemies. The cooperative mode strikes a good balance in difficulty, ensuring solo players can tackle the game alone but encouraging friends to team up for maximum chaos and fun.

Graphics

Visually, Tarōmaru is a treat for fans of 2D sprite work. The character animations are fluid, showcasing Tarōmaru’s swift shuriken jab and Enkai’s defensive psychic orbs in crisp detail. Backgrounds combine hand-drawn textures with subtle polygonal elements, creating layered parallax effects that bring feudal Japan’s forests, temples and mountain passes to life.

Enemy designs draw heavily on Japanese folklore, featuring skeletal soldiers, vengeful spirits, and grotesque demon lords. Each boss is a spectacle of color and movement, from a towering oni with flaming horns to a spectral fox that splits into multiple illusions. These encounters are punctuated by dramatic camera zooms and screen shakes, heightening the tension before each showdown.

Lighting and particle effects shine when you unleash psychic powers. Energy bolts trail glowing particles, and power-up orbs burst in radiant flares. Even in darker stages, such as moonlit graveyards or cursed shrines, the game maintains readability—enemies and hazards stand out clearly against the background, ensuring you always know where to jump or dodge.

Despite the polygonal backgrounds, the game maintains a solid frame rate and minimal slowdown, even during screen-filling boss attacks. The art direction leans into a slightly muted palette, reinforcing the eerie atmosphere without sacrificing the vibrancy of your psychic attacks and collectible power-ups.

Story

At its core, Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru tells a straightforward yet engaging tale of psychic ninjas defending the Japanese countryside from supernatural forces. Tarōmaru is dispatched by his master to investigate mysterious disturbances plaguing local villages, and Enkai accompanies him as both a friend and powerful spirit guide. Their banter and silent resolve provide a surprisingly human touch amid the action.

Story beats are delivered through brief cutscenes between stages, illustrating villagers’ pleas for help or demonic manifestations tearing through sacred temples. While narrative depth isn’t the game’s primary focus, these vignettes establish a sense of urgency and purpose, motivating you to push through each grueling stage.

Locales themselves tell a story. Abandoned shrines overrun with vines, snow-covered mountain passes echoing distant wails, and torched hamlets with flickering lanterns all convey the escalating threat of evil. Each new environment feels like a chapter in an unfolding legend of good versus evil, culminating in a final confrontation with the mastermind demon.

Voice clips and traditional Japanese instrumentation in the soundtrack add authenticity. Occasional voice lines—shouts of “Hyah!” when jumping or chanting incantations during boss fights—keep the pace brisk and reinforce the ninja theme. The minimal but well-placed story elements ensure you remain focused on the action while feeling grounded in a mystical narrative world.

Overall Experience

Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru strikes a compelling balance between nostalgic arcade action and innovative psychic mechanics. Its stage design encourages exploration and replayability, with multiple routes and hidden secrets that beckon completionists. Even shorter playthrough sessions feel rewarding thanks to tight checkpoint placement and manageable difficulty ramps.

Cooperative play is a highlight. Tagging in a friend as Enkai transforms the game into a frantic dance of combined psychic attacks, making boss fights more dynamic and screen-clearing power-ups even more spectacular. The drop-in, drop-out coop system ensures that matches remain fluid, whether you’re tackling the entire game together or just one or two stages.

While the game’s core loop is simple—run, shoot psychic bolts, power up, repeat—its staging, enemy variety and occasional puzzle-like sections keep it from feeling stale. The fusion of 2D sprite artistry and subtle polygonal backdrops gives Tarōmaru a distinctive look that stands out among its peers.

For fans of side-scrolling action, Japanese folklore or cooperative arcade experiences, Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru offers an unforgettable journey through a demon-haunted feudal land. It’s a polished gem that delivers on gameplay depth, visual flair and atmospheric storytelling, making it well worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10