GungHo Online Entertainment America, a recently formed video game publisher who have been behind the North American releases of Dokuro and a number of PSOne Japanese Classics have confirmed that their first release on the Playstation Vita – Dokuro – will be released as a digital download via the European Playstation Network store from the 30th January 2013. The game is set to be available at a cost of €14.99. Unfortunately as there is no listing on the Australian classifications website, it does not seem like the European release will also encompass Australia.
In Dokuro, players take control of the game’s namesake protagonist, a minion in the Dark Lord’s army whose small stature betrays his true strengths. After witnessing the kidnapping of a helpless princess at the hands of his master, Dokuro takes it upon himself to rescue her by battling his way out of the dangerous fortress. While Dokuro’s agility allows him to traverse the castle’s many platforms and pitfalls, at times he must utilize a magic blue potion in order to transform into a dashing hero, who can both carry the Princess to safety and slay the Dark Lord’s followers.
The key to Dokuro’s victory lies in his ability to manipulate his surroundings to protect the Princess, since her fear will lead her to continuously move forward in her escape attempt. In order for Dokuro to succeed, players must use both his skeletal and hero forms to approach and tackle the various puzzles. He will have to brave lethal hazards such as spiked pits, doom-bringing saws, scorching flames, and all manner of deadly, demonic beasts. Luckily he has the power of the almighty chalks to help him. By utilizing the Front Touchscreen, Dokuro can alter his surroundings by drawing ropes, lighting fires, and filling ponds. He will need to keep his wits about him to escape the Dark Lord’s treacherous pitfalls and defeat deadly boss monsters as he and the Princess make their way through approximately 150 levels of escalating complexity and difficulty.
Take a look at my October 2012 review of the game HERE.
