Remember the very confusing clues I posted yesterday (If not, find them HERE)? While the clues were very very vague, they revealed the title to be Sumioni: Demon Arts, a game which I have done a few articles on prior. Developed by ACQUIRE, this game is a 2D combat platformer that makes use of the Playstation Vita touch screen to help you on your quest, by drawing paths of ink and completely manipulating the world by editing nature and summoning powerful spirits. Here is the official blurb on the game as taken from the official press release:
In Sumioni – which is literally translated from Japanese as “ink demon” – players take control of their own Sumioni ink demon who has been summoned to rid the land of evil, and are tasked with safely guiding him through 2D side-scrolling levels. Visuals are presented using a crisp, hand-painted traditional “sumi-e” ink style and a color palette that lends itself well to the game’s feudal Japanese setting. Throughout their journey, players will encounter enemy samurai, long-range bowmen and other obstacles that must be overcome using the unique controls of the PS Vita system.
While the Sumioni himself is controlled through traditional means, players can also manipulate the touchscreen itself to paint artistic brushstrokes across the playfield that theirSumioni can then jump on to traverse obstacles and avoid enemies. Each finger stroke is presented on screen as a paintbrush stroke over the background canvas of the game. This allows players to manipulate the game’s environment on-the-fly, creating solutions to problems as they arise. Various brushes can be used to create unique effects, and a scratch of the finger on the screen can set objects (and enemies) on fire, cast lightning down from the heavens or summon elemental beasts for massive, screen-filling attacks. By combining the use of several brushes on the screen simultaneously, players have a myriad of options with which to tackle obstacles and strike down foes.
Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games had this to say about the recent announcement:
We are extremely pleased to be publishing a unique and artistically distinct game like Sumioni: Demon Arts as a PlayStation Vita launch window title. Sumioni takes advantage of the PS Vita’s available control schemes unlike any other title, and its touch-to-draw game mechanics are sure to dazzle gamers looking for something original and exciting to show off just what this new portable system can do.
The game currently has no official release date, but is slated for release in Spring 2012.
