BAKUDO is a punishing sci-fi boss-rush game with sporting mechanics
Currently in development for PC, if you’re into games that do away with all the bumf and just pit you against one powerful boss after another, chances are you’ll love BAKUDO. Well, as long as you also love ball games. Because that’s what it is, essentially: a fiendish game of catch.
Set in the future, BAKUDO puts you in the shoes of Yuria, student who’s enrolled at an elite academy for the titular sport. Though she’s not done it for the love of it – her father has gone missing, and she feels that the academy may hold the secret to his whereabouts. Still, having enrolled, she’s going to have to prove her skills at BAKUDO if she wishes to unravel the mystery at the heart of the academy.
As already mentioned, the sport of BAKUDO itself is essentially a game of catch, though there are some complications that make it more interesting than just passing a ball back and forth. Your aim here is to actually hit your opponent with the ball that’s thrown, depleting their energy in the process, but unless you aim at a weak point that’s unlikely to happen. More troublesome is that your opponents appear to be robots, who return the ball with great force.
Key here is quickly recognising your opponent’s intentions, and then readying up the correct response. If your opponent prepares a throw that flashes blue, for example, you’ll need to catch the ball, preferably just as it’s about to hit you. A throw that flashes red, however, you’ll need to dodge instead. Then there are throws that flash yellow, which you’ll need to effectively parry to return to them, creating a rally. It sounds simple enough, but the speed at which the ball moves makes things tricky.
There are other elements that complicate matters, too. Sometimes your opponent might unleash an attack, such as a wave of energy that you’ll need to jump over while also dealing with the ball that’s coming towards you. You also have to consider what’s called the BAKUDO gauge, which powers some of your functions – let it deplete and you’ll be at a disadvantage. If you can deplete your opponent’s, though, you’ll have time to get some free shots in, and perhaps even a powerful volley.
All in all, it’s clear to see there’s potential in BAKUDO after spending just a small amount of time playing it. It’s also clear, however, that it won’t be for those who don’t have fast reflexes or appreciate a challenge. It’s got wonderful anime-inspired visuals and its premise it certainly interesting, but unless the final game is a little more easy-going or has difficulty levels, some may find its robotic adversaries a little too unforgiving.
BAKUDO currently has no release date, but is set to release on PC.
