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海腹川背
©1994 TNN/NHK SC
Release: 1994-12-23 (¥9800)
Cartridge SHVC-P-ATAJ
Action/Platform
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Umihara Kawase is an unique side-scrolling platform game by
TNN (which stands for 'Think about Needs of Notice for human being')
and published by the Japan's public broadcasting organization NHK. It is the
first episode of a game series that put players in the shoes of a cute
schoolgirl named Umihara Kawase, and equipped with a fishing rod and a pink
backpack. The goal of the game is fairly simple - in each stage (called 'Fields'),
the objective for the young heroine is to reach one of the exit doors before running
out of time. However, sea creatures ranging from fish, squids and other sea-snails
roam each level and attack the little girl on sight. This is where the fishing rod
steps in. Umihara can cast her fishing line out, stunt enemies with it and
tuck them away in her bottomless backpack. But the fishing line has another incredible ability that
lies at the heart of the gameplay - it can also hook onto platforms and help
Umihara swing around and reach higher ground. The length of the line is
also fully adjustable allowing for incredible acrobatic stunts. The game's
structure is strictly non-linear and Umihara's journey quickly branch
out - various levels have different exit doors that lead to alternate
routes and deadly bosses.
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Although relatively obscure in the rest of the world, Umihara Kawase has seen a lot
of success in Japan and it has now developed into something of a cult game. The first episode
was released for the Super Famicom in 1994 (version tested here). It was followed by
Umihara Kawase Shun for the Playstation in 1997 which featured an unique
Replay Mode allowing players to record gameplay clips of their greatest in-game
exploits. A second edition was released for the Playstation in 2000 and features
more artwork from Toshinobu Kondo, the designer of the game. Finally, a
Playstation Portable version called Umihara Kawase Portable was
released in 2008.
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G
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Japanese guidebook
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Japanese comic
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Japanese phonecard
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Click on picture to enlarge |
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LK
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Add your Pov here !
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P
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Umihara Kawase is now considered a cult game and it truly deserves the title.
It is without a doubt a terrific and unique feat. The character design is superb
with fantastic and wacky sea creatures - most of the fish in the game have tinny little
legs and can walk around, completely at ease (It is kinda funny when you
think about it). But the gameplay is what sets Umihara Kawase apart from other
platform games. The fishing line is really tricky to use at first but it quickly becomes
second-nature and you'll eventually fly through the air like a tiny Spiderman.
Umihara Kawase is brilliant and is the perfect example of a game that's
more that the sum of its parts. I really recommended it - It may not look that
sophisticated at first glance but you will get hooked to it (sorry for the pun,
I couldn't pass this one up).
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