Kid Icarus: Uprising
2012
- shooter
- hack and slash/beat 'em up
- action
- fantasy
- single player
- multiplayer
The story
One of the most beloved franchises in Nintendos long history makes its glorious return in spectacular 3D! Pit of Kid Icarus fame is back in a new game designed specifically for the Nintendo 3DS system, by Masahiro Sakurai, creator of the Kirby and Super Smash Bros. franchises, and his development team at Project Sora. Kid Icarus: Uprising is a fast-paced and action-packed blend of aerial and ground-based shooting built on elegantly intuitive and streamlined play control. This follow-up to the original Kid Icarus released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 has been at the top of gamers wish lists for years. Boasting gameplay that is easy to pick up but incredibly deep, the game is sure to satisfy novice gamers as well as fans who have been clamouring for a new installment in the franchise. The hero, Pit, teams up with Palutena, the goddess of light, who bestows on him the miracle of flight for limited stretches. With this gift, Pit soars through the skies, shooting down swarms of enemies, then alights and engages in frantic ground-based battles against Medusas underworld army. Find and collect numerous weapons and items that offer bonuses and ability boosts. Players can choose weapons before they send Pit into battle, giving them countless layers of strategies in each level. Players can choose between a basic Blade, basic Claws and a basic Orbitar weapon. Blades are well-balanced, Claws have limited reach but increase running speed and the Orbitars can shoot two shots that grow in power over distance.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated sky and cloud backdrops give way to grim, rust-toned underworld ruins, all rendered in the glossy, cartoonish 3DS style with a stereoscopic depth that makes swooping flight feel physical. The soundtrack is brassy and bouncy, full of orchestral fanfares and playful chiptune nods to the 1987 original, and the constant voice chatter from Pit and Palutena keeps the mood light and a little cheeky. Pacing is relentless: flying rail-shooter sections alternate with frantic ground brawls, and the sustained tempo of enemy swarms, timers and weapon switching creates a steady adrenaline hum rather than quiet stretches. Its emotional register is brisk, goofy and affectionate, with a lighthearted, buddy-style bond between the mortal hero and his divine patron that grows through banter. The violence is cartoonish and bloodless, with monsters bursting into light and mythic creatures falling in showers of sparks, so it lands as high-energy action rather than horror. Best suited to players who want a bright, fast, rewarding session on a handheld, especially fans of arcade-style shooters and anyone who enjoys tinkering with loadouts between bursts of chaos.
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