Why yes, this is another Metroidvania style game! And yes, it’s another one based on a different game, this time Gal*Gun by Inti Creates. Inti Creates, who have made some of my favourite platformers (including some other Metroidvanias) like Azure Striker Gunvolt and Blaster Master Zero. Of course I’m going to buy it.
The ‘hing with Demon Purge, which differentiates it from all the other “explore a castle” games is that you control two characters at once, each with different skills and abilities. The two main differences are that one has a gun, and so can attack from a distance, and the other wields ningyogami (or something similar) in a way that essentially works like a sword. Also, one has half the health of the other.
The story takes the characters from Gal*Gun (which I don’t know), sticks them in a school, and then in that usual Japanese way the school itself becomes a portal into some other world full of demons and monsters. Same old story. You have to rescue your classmates, unlocking new abilities like a hover, an air dash, and a grappling hook as you progress and using them to reach new areas and secrets. Like all the other Metroidvanias.
If you’re a fan of the genre, like me, this is great. It’s fun, a bit unusual, and even has references to Castlevania (like the clock tower and the long external staircase to the final boss). There’s also a secret ending if you do certain side quests, which I managed to do.
