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Malicious (video game)

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Malicious
Developer(s)Alvion
EnginePhyreEngine
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
PlayStation Vita
ReleasePlayStation 3
PlayStation Vita
Genre(s)Action game
Mode(s)Single-player

Malicious (マリシアス, Marishiasu) is a download-only 3D action game developed and published by Alvion for the PlayStation 3[1] and the PlayStation Vita. Malicious was released on October 27, 2010 and is available to download from PlayStation Store in Japan.[2] Because of the game's critical success,[3] an enhanced port of the game was announced for the PlayStation Vita entitled Malicious Rebirth, featuring a new “Rebirth” chapter with new levels, new bosses and new moves.[4][5]

Gameplay

The Mantle of Cinders guards the vessel of spirits against Malicious' attacks.

The game is meant to offer a simple play experience.[6] The main goal is to defeat a dangerous group of enemies known as the Keepers, and a great evil entity called the Malicious.[6] There is no actual stage progression in Malicious. Instead, all stages start the player directly in fights against a boss and their subordinates.[7]

The player makes use of a special black mantle that hangs from the main character's neck called the Mantle of Cinders (灰の外套, Hai no Gaitou).[8] The mantle, created using technology from the great prophets, changes into a variety of forms. As an example, the mantle can become fists for close-range melee attacks. It can also become a projectile weapon, making use of "Demon Bullets" to target multiple enemies with a lock on.[6] The mantle can also form a shield to guard against incoming attacks.[6]

The player is able to freely select whichever stage to come next. The ordering could be important, as defeating a boss gives the character that boss's powers in the form of a new action, which can make it easier to take on the next boss. The difficulty of a stage will change according to how many stages you have previously cleared when entering it, making the stages progressively harder by introducing new subordinate enemies and increasing the boss' health pool. The character also gains power in other areas, including increased jump height and the ability to lock on to a greater number of enemies with "Demon Bullets".[7]

As the main character takes damage during the game, the character's arms and legs will disappear one by one. This serves as a health indicator, and losing all limbs will result in the character's death. However, you can perform a healing action at the cost of "Aura", which will restore the missing parts of the main character's body (clothes, however, can't be restored.)[9] By defeating subordinate enemies or minions you will gain "Aura". With it, it can be spent during battle to empower the characters attacks or to restore health and lost limbs.

Plot

The main character of the game is a "Spirit Vessel" who, in order to save the world, was sent by the great prophets to subdue the Malicious. The gender of the vessel is decided by the player.[9] If the player chooses "male" as the gender, the vessel will assume the name Valeria, or Erica if player chooses "female".

Reception

The game received mixed reviews upon release. Reviewing the original PS3 version, IGN's Colin Moriarty gave the game 5.5/10, which denotes a 'mediocre' game. Though he acknowledged the pleasing visual style and soundtrack, "it suffers from some serious flaws regarding its gameplay, camera, and story that overshadow its pretty graphics and unique approach." In particular he criticised the camera controls, as well as the lack of story or introduction to the mechanics of the game.

In the USGamer review of the Vita edition of the game, Cassandra Khaw describes it as "decent but little more." Khaw praised the combat of the game, describing it as "spectacular to behold. [...] Effects are loud, flashy and excel at making you feel as though you're in a perennial state of Super Saiyan." But Khaw likewise criticised the camera controls and the floaty feel and repetitive nature of the combat.

References

  1. ^ Anoop Gantayat (Jun 11, 2010). "Malicious: A New Downloadable Action Game for PS3". Andriasang. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  2. ^ Alvion Inc. "マリシアス MALICIOUS". Alvion Inc. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
  3. ^ Anoop Gantayat (August 23, 2011). "PlayStation Vita Gets Malicious". Andriasang. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  4. ^ "Malicious Rebirth Hits PS Vita Today". PlayStation.Blog. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  5. ^ "Malicious Rebirth headed to PlayStation Vita this year". Destructoid. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  6. ^ a b c d Anoop Gantayat (Aug 19, 2010). "First Details: PS3's Malicious". Andriasang. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  7. ^ a b Anoop Gantayat (August 30, 2010). "Suck Up Boss Skills in PS3's Malicious". Andriasang. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  8. ^ Famitsu (August 31, 2010). "『マリシアス』最新映像を公開". Famitsu. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  9. ^ a b Anoop Gantayat (October 29, 2010). "Clothing Damage: Malicious Style". Andriasang. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  10. ^ "Malicious for Playstation 3 Reviews - Metacritic". Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  11. ^ Moriarty, Colin (July 27, 2012). "Malicious Review". IGN. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  12. ^ Khaw, Cassandra (October 21, 2013). "Malicious: Rebirth Review". USGamer. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  13. ^ Wakeling, Kyle (October 17, 2013). "Malicious Rebirth". The Vita Lounge. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
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