Kaikan Now on Steam

[BulletMagnet]

Must have missed that this was in the works, but an "enhanced" version of Zakichi's freeware shmup Kaikan has appeared on Steam; price is about 4 USD, with a 20% launch week discount. Haven't tried it myself yet, but tempted to toss him a few bucks as thanks for all the high-quality freeware he's sent our way over the years.

[-Fish-]

Never played his free version but this paid version is the cats meow. Already sunk a couple hours into it this evening. Very fast STG action and good scoring mechanics. It's an absolute steal at this price point.

[Steven]

I downloaded the free version a while ago, but never played it and then the folder was on my desktop for like a year and I forgot what it was. Now I remember why I wanted to play this and also that I need to play this. Given that insanely low price, I have no problems with paying for it, especially if it's better than the free version somehow.

[FunktionJCB]

I was unfamiliar with the freeware version, but the version that's now available on Steam is a lot of fun, and well worth the small price tag.

---

And on a side note, it's another game done with Shooting Game Builder. I'm usually sceptical about these genre specific gaming tools, since the results are either poor, or frequently the games all look the same, but I see more and more Japanese indie developers using it, and doing some great work.

If had any talent and patience, I would try the software myself.

[BulletMagnet]

If anyone wants to try the free version of Kaikan or Zakichi's other stuff, check out his personal site - a handful of his more recent games can also be downloaded on itch.io.

[BurlyHeart]

I also downloaded the freeware version some time ago, but never got around to playing it. Given the low price, excellent feedback, and quality games released for free by the dev, I will absolutely buy this.

EDIT: Bought and had a quick playthrough. Absolutely immense soundtrack. Enjoyed the little time I had and the difficulty seems to be a good level for me i.e. not too hard

[Nahar]

I've been playing some Kaikan this morning. Nice little game.

[PerishedFraud ឵឵]

you really need to play kaikan

[shmuppy-puppy]

Thanks for the info, looks and sounds great.

[BulletMagnet]

Seems Zakesta has made its way to Steam as well.

[FunktionJCB]

Seems Zakesta has made its way to Steam as well.

Thanks for the heads-up!

I'm always up to support talented indie developers, especially when they released some quality freeware stuff throughout the years, and the price tag is as affordable as this one.

[FunktionJCB]

Bumping this thread to mention that the developer has now released another game on Steam, VARYZNEX:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2976800/VARYZNEX/

[DietSoap]

Bumping this thread to mention that the developer has now released another game on Steam, VARYZNEX:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2976800/VARYZNEX/

Came here to post about this. I'm still busy with Randomax atm so I haven't bought it, but the demo I played a while back was great.

[Daytime Waitress]

Bumping this thread to mention that the developer has now released another game on Steam, VARYZNEX:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2976800/VARYZNEX/

Much love for bringing this news my way, JCB.
Zakichi doesn't have a "proper" dev/pub page on GabeSoft, so I can't follow him/get updates there (but it'll still show me innumerable waves of trash from EA and Ubishit, despite them being on ignore, so I got that going for me).

Even though the gameplay's quite different, something about the scuffed visuals is really reminding me of Tsumiki Fighters.
And the myriad Dariusisms are a making my heart skip a beat - laughed like a loon at the stage end cinematic
And whilst I'm always down to hear what weird and inventive ways Zakichi can use royalty free music, I gotta admit that the hit sound being the generic "menu_back" sfx from Fire Pro Wrestling World is absolutely doing my head in.

Game's not as immediate as Zakesta, but not as (to me) initially unintuitive and demanding as Zaikan.
Loving every bit of it.

[FunktionJCB]

Bumping this thread, in case anyone is interested, since with the current Steam sale, all 3 of the developer's games (KAIKAN, ZAKESTA-Z, and VARYZNEX) can be had for less than 5€:
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/4 ... ZVARYZNEX/

KAIKAN is 1,65€ individually:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2558570/_KAIKAN/

ZANESTA-Z is 1,71€:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2695830/ZAKESTAZ/

And VARYZNEX is 1,71€ as well:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2976800/VARYZNEX/

[Faith]

Faith can vouch for Kaikan @_@"... super crazy fast STG with super crazy fast music too! Don't think ever played any STG where have so many zako spawn and fly at speed of light lol. As said in my Steam review, this game more like "metal hell" than bullet hell lol. Damn easy to crash into enemy when they fly so fast. I think some enemy can go from like top to bottom of screen in 1 second >.<!~ But yes, very highly recommend this game! Boss fights are also really super. Game has much inspiration from Battle Garegga too, just super fast pace!!~

[ratlhead]

Even I've bought all three at one of the recent sales, I only managed to sank my teeth into Varyznex yet, which is a quite nice title, especially for Thunder Force aficionados. Strongly recommended.

[Creamy Goodness]

Bumping this thread to mention that the developer has now released another game on Steam, VARYZNEX:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2976800/VARYZNEX/

I picked this game up and it is really weird. Like what I thought were bullets, the purple orbs, would go right through me. It is kind of hard to tell, what are enemies, what are power ups, etc.