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Umihara Kawase DS: Now with a 3rd dimension!
Gilder
Aw snapMacaroni PartyRegistered User regular
Aw snapMacaroni PartyRegistered User regular
Okay maybe it isn't import game of the year, but it might just be! Many of you are probably asking "What is Umihara Kawase and why is it "import game of the year"?" For that, I think we need a small history lesson on Umihara Kawase. By the end of this thread you shall learn about a game where you do crazy shit with a fishing pole while fighting fish.
Umihara Kawase is a platformer/puzzle game, and was originally released on the SNES in 1994, but only in Japan. In fact, the series has never left Japan and is probably why you haven't heard of it. You play as Umihara Kawase, a 19 year old who gets sucked into this universe or something and blahblah whatever there's no fucking story to the games. Your goal is to reach at least one door in every stage to get to the next level, and you use a fishing pole to do it. Imagine Bionic Commando. Now imagine wacky rubber physics in that game that would cause your arm to send you just flailing everywhere. Under platforms, over them, up and down, just totally wacky. That's what this game introduced. The physics of the fishing pole are what make this game stand out and is why the game has gotten a cult following. You cab grab ceilings and pull yourself up, latch onto the floor and drop off to swing down, make a last ditch attempt at grabbing the wall only to fall off-screen and pull yourself up to safety, all of that is here.
The fishing line also means the levels can be nuts. Platforms float everywhere and there's conveyor belts to drag you around. It's just nuts. While doing all of this you'll be getting attacked by fish. Yes, fish. All the enemies are some kind of fish creature. You can reel them into your backpack to kill them or just jump around them. Also, can you say branching paths? Umihara Kawase can! It's not unusual for a stage to have more than just one exit, so test you skills and go for the hardest doors. Sure you could leave by climbing the ladder, but wouldn't you rather go up beyond what you even thought was level and take the secret door?
If you're looking for a challenge, this is the game for you. Until you get the hang of the controls this game is balls hard. BALLS. You will die a lot at first due to just not knowing what you're doing, but once you get the hang of it then watch out, because you'll be so busy flying around the stage you might get sick. You also have over 50 stages to do this in, as the game boasts a plethora of stages with different ones ending the game. Can you see every game ending stage?
You really need to see to understand this game though, so here's a gameplay video of the first few stages!
Released for the playstation in 1997, and again in 2000 with some extra stages, japan was given Umihara Kawase Shun. It's a sequel and it basically continued what the SNES game started. It plays basically the same, but with some insane colors. You'll go blind from the rainbow in your eyes. No need to talk about it too much because it's a sequel and more of the same great gameplay. That's what we want in a sequel right?
This is Umihara Kawase Portable, released in 2008 and it's crap. It's a port of the PS1 game, but they messed the physics up and as such the game just isn't good. Some stages aren't even completable because of it.
This game is why I made this thread. This is the game. This is Umihara Kawase Shun Second Edition Complete. This game was released for the DS just last month and is not only a portable version of the PS1 game that actually works, but it's the SNES game too! You get two complete games in one cartridge! You can even save replays and unlock bonus artwork and music. This is the definitive edition of the game and I suggest that if this series seems interesting to you to buy this version. We may not get better than this.
But wait, just how import friendly is the game? Pretty friendly actually. There's nothing to translate for gameplay as there's no text. You'll only stumble around the title screen for a minute, and possibly the in-game pause menu, and then you're good to go. Play to your hearts content!
So there you go folks, Umihara Kawase. I highly encourage you to pick up the DS game. It's two great games, with one being portable and workable for the first time, and the DS game almost didn't make it. It was close to getting the axe before it finally came out, so let's show our support! Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go die by swinging into a fish for the 20th time.
Farewell, Umihara Kawase!
http://youtu.be/eu01ZfCL1QY
So they've announced a new Umihara for 3DS and it's looking pretty cool. Three characters to play as, two of which have special powers of checkpointing and time slow, unlockables like outfits and the ability to choose what music you want to listen to, and a scoreboard to save your best times. The old team has come back for one last hurrah, although I'm hoping they make more entries. However the 3DS is region locked and an overseas release has not been confirmed. Agatsuma Entertainment has said they have western release plans though, so hopefully it'll be picked up and we can enjoy the first (and final?) Umihara game in english.
Umihara Kawase is a platformer/puzzle game, and was originally released on the SNES in 1994, but only in Japan. In fact, the series has never left Japan and is probably why you haven't heard of it. You play as Umihara Kawase, a 19 year old who gets sucked into this universe or something and blahblah whatever there's no fucking story to the games. Your goal is to reach at least one door in every stage to get to the next level, and you use a fishing pole to do it. Imagine Bionic Commando. Now imagine wacky rubber physics in that game that would cause your arm to send you just flailing everywhere. Under platforms, over them, up and down, just totally wacky. That's what this game introduced. The physics of the fishing pole are what make this game stand out and is why the game has gotten a cult following. You cab grab ceilings and pull yourself up, latch onto the floor and drop off to swing down, make a last ditch attempt at grabbing the wall only to fall off-screen and pull yourself up to safety, all of that is here.
The fishing line also means the levels can be nuts. Platforms float everywhere and there's conveyor belts to drag you around. It's just nuts. While doing all of this you'll be getting attacked by fish. Yes, fish. All the enemies are some kind of fish creature. You can reel them into your backpack to kill them or just jump around them. Also, can you say branching paths? Umihara Kawase can! It's not unusual for a stage to have more than just one exit, so test you skills and go for the hardest doors. Sure you could leave by climbing the ladder, but wouldn't you rather go up beyond what you even thought was level and take the secret door?
If you're looking for a challenge, this is the game for you. Until you get the hang of the controls this game is balls hard. BALLS. You will die a lot at first due to just not knowing what you're doing, but once you get the hang of it then watch out, because you'll be so busy flying around the stage you might get sick. You also have over 50 stages to do this in, as the game boasts a plethora of stages with different ones ending the game. Can you see every game ending stage?
You really need to see to understand this game though, so here's a gameplay video of the first few stages!
Released for the playstation in 1997, and again in 2000 with some extra stages, japan was given Umihara Kawase Shun. It's a sequel and it basically continued what the SNES game started. It plays basically the same, but with some insane colors. You'll go blind from the rainbow in your eyes. No need to talk about it too much because it's a sequel and more of the same great gameplay. That's what we want in a sequel right?
This is Umihara Kawase Portable, released in 2008 and it's crap. It's a port of the PS1 game, but they messed the physics up and as such the game just isn't good. Some stages aren't even completable because of it.
This game is why I made this thread. This is the game. This is Umihara Kawase Shun Second Edition Complete. This game was released for the DS just last month and is not only a portable version of the PS1 game that actually works, but it's the SNES game too! You get two complete games in one cartridge! You can even save replays and unlock bonus artwork and music. This is the definitive edition of the game and I suggest that if this series seems interesting to you to buy this version. We may not get better than this.
But wait, just how import friendly is the game? Pretty friendly actually. There's nothing to translate for gameplay as there's no text. You'll only stumble around the title screen for a minute, and possibly the in-game pause menu, and then you're good to go. Play to your hearts content!
So there you go folks, Umihara Kawase. I highly encourage you to pick up the DS game. It's two great games, with one being portable and workable for the first time, and the DS game almost didn't make it. It was close to getting the axe before it finally came out, so let's show our support! Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go die by swinging into a fish for the 20th time.
Farewell, Umihara Kawase!
http://youtu.be/eu01ZfCL1QYSo they've announced a new Umihara for 3DS and it's looking pretty cool. Three characters to play as, two of which have special powers of checkpointing and time slow, unlockables like outfits and the ability to choose what music you want to listen to, and a scoreboard to save your best times. The old team has come back for one last hurrah, although I'm hoping they make more entries. However the 3DS is region locked and an overseas release has not been confirmed. Agatsuma Entertainment has said they have western release plans though, so hopefully it'll be picked up and we can enjoy the first (and final?) Umihara game in english.
Gilder on
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Oh, it was first made in '94. That would explain the sound and look.
Edit: I like this op. You don't see ones this well made often.
I used to love playing the SNES version, it's so deceptively simple and while you can bumble along getting the obvious exits, the really good players (which sadly I am not) can really exploit the physics and get secret exits you'd have no idea are even on the map: Seeing some pro replays on an emulator for the first time was very humbling. So charming and off the wall weird too, I wish games like this were still made.
Also MrBlarney just sent me a link to a remix of the first level song, so enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAhL27B6RTQ
http://hardcoregaming101.net/umihara/umihara.htm
Might give it a shot if it becomes available on the cheap.
Sadly this is unlikely. I am assuming that it didn't get a huge print run and importers like play-asia probably won't struggle to sell off their stock at full price. Your options are getting a new copy now for $50 or getting a second hand copy later for $50+.
It is Japanese Girl Bionic Commando with Fish for Enemies. It is insanely fun. I've played the SFC version...more than once.
Dude, I see grown-ups wearing childrens' backpacks (complete with cartoon characters!) all the time, in America. They're called hipsters. They're trying their damnedest to be ironic!
Also I think the unlockables aren't going to be the easiest things to get. It looks like you get some from finding secret exits, as I got one for taking a door in the first really high level of the PSX game, but I think one of them requires you to beat the original game without dying. Considering how much I suck, it's going to be a trial.
Thirdly, I wanted to say that I have two coupons for Play-Asia to get $8 and $5 off an order of $50 or more, I'm not going to use them before they expire, and this game is just barely above that $50 mark. I fully support this game as a christmas gift, and I'll be going by the honor system that you'll actually order this game with the coupon, so if you're interested just PM me. It's first come first serve.
So I tried starting out with the SNES game and man, it seems like it can be really picky. Sometimes I think I've lined up a good shot, only to be off by a few pixels, which leaves me dangling off the side of the platform. This is really annoying if you're over a pit and can't swing back to safety or just drop to a better position. Also, fish that spawn right where you need to be before you can catch/kill them safely are irritating. I've been finishing off Zelda or I would have put more time into this, but this is just so addictive when I do play it.
Also, PSX Stage 0 in under 10 seconds... that's pretty crazy.
Also, Gilder, your thread would have sold me on a copy of this game, because I was planning to buy it this month anyway. Instead it resulted in me getting it as a gift. So I would count that as a win. (I feel kinda dumb about it though, because Hardcore Gaming 101 has a pretty decent article on these games, and I visit that site all the time. Somehow, though, I never noticed their article on Umihara Kawase until after this thread went up. Oh well.)
Does anyone know what the other unlockables stand for? I have the first 10 pictures, a bunch of locked, and the beat snes version without dying or under 30 mins or something.
And for the tiny pictures I'm missing #10 and #14
(All going Top left to bottom left, then right, etc.)
Completed 118/148, according to practice (so 30 more exits to complete? Uggh...)
Fun game.. but I haven't really made any progress lately. Too hard. I am stuck on 27 (3rd door) and 49 (hard door) and 62 (hard door) and 42 (hard door).
I highly suggest this game to anyone who wants to have fun!
It also didn't seem to use my .sav file when on the emulator..
I uploaded my .sav file to megaupload:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RO752ICY
So if you can get it to work on an emulator or a flashcart (like what I use - cyclods) it'd work.
I also think there's a way with an action replay and a normal game cartridge, but I don't have those..
Maybe if I can borrow a friend's videocamera I'll just film it :P
Hope the save file allows you to look at my awesome replays.. though there are a bunch and some are basically the same as the previous one ^.^
1st lvl in 8.97 seconds. ALMOST perfectly done. But you get the point.
This game is just amazing. It's like a medley of the challenge rooms from BC:Rearmed, but springy. And with fish. FISH WITH LEGS. Fucking fish with legs spawn everywhere in the SFC version. Junji Ito flashbacks.
I wish it could get a localization. An XBLA/PSN/WiiWare release, or something. Everyone should try this game, but the sad truth is that not many people are willing to spend $50 on a DS game.
I'd be willing to give it a shot, though, I guess.
Blaze yeah you should probably give the original version a shot. It takes a little getting used to, but once you do it's great. It has a lot of replay value and quite frankly I don't even mind being at school or on the bus when I have the cheerful music playing. It's just so happy!
I still really want this game, didn't see it at the import table at the last con. But I'm buying two games next week...
I'm the SFC game, I'm stuck on the first boss fish. The one that jumps. I have no idea what to do there. I've beaten the similar boss from the PS game (although it took me something like 60 tries). These games don't fuck around, which is fantastic. Also, I love how the music continues to be so cheerfully upbeat as you die over and over and over.
And yes, I am only bumping this thread because now I could actually find it with the new forums.
- 3DS
- Summer release
- 4980 yen
- Stars Umihara Kawase, now at 20 years of age.
- Original staff have returned and have their hands on all aspects of development.
God damn region lock.