History VideoGame / CastleOfShikigami

* CoversAlwaysLie: The "''Mobile Light Force 2''" U.S. cover of the first game features a trio of gunslinging Series/CharliesAngels lookalikes that appear absolutely nowhere in the game. It's also the exact same cover as the first ''Mobile Light Force'' game (which is actually ''Gunbird''). It's all rather confusing.

As of 2008, all three of the main games have been released in the U.S. for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} (for the first two games) and UsefulNotes/NintendoWii (''[=CoS III=]''). Other ports on UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} (''[=CoS II=]''), and UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} (''[=CoS III=]'') are also available, but [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The entire series also saw Japan-only [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PC]] ports. There was a FanTranslation in the works for the first game's PC port; however, in 2017, the first instalment of the series has been picked up by Degica Games for an overseas release on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}. The second installment is planned for a December 2021 release, with a reworked translation as one of the main selling points, due to the original's infamy.

* BladeOnAStick: Batu's cross-shaped spear.

* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler:Illusory Tsukiko in ''[=CoS III=]'', given that she's a manifestation of grief and not intentionally trying to hurt anyone.]]
* BadassBaritone: Munchausen. Holy ''crap'', '''Munchausen'''.
* BarrierWarrior: Nigi and Nagino.

* FiveManBand: In each game.
** The first game:
*** BigBad: Shoujo
*** TheDragon: Aku Bauman
*** EvilGenius: Juu Fujishima
*** TheBrute: Aku Hiroshi
*** DarkChick: Aku Miyoko
** In the second:
*** BigBad: Shintaro Kuga
*** TheDragon: Yukari Horiguchi
*** EvilGenius: Anolegos Dundeon
*** TheBrute: The Aja Brothers
*** DarkChick: Arala Clan
** In the third:
*** BigBad: Tsukiko Johjima
*** TheDragon: Kagachi
*** EvilGenius: Freedom Wind
*** TheBrute: Shikou Mibuya
*** DarkChick: Yukari Horiguchi

* StunGuns: Shikou's second attack pattern, in addition to the Power Nullifier arrows above, also shoots arrows that slow you down.

* ShoutOut: Both Fumiko and Sayo resemble Marisa and Reimu of ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'', particularly their PC-98 designs. In those games, Reimu wore more traditional shrine maiden garb and Marisa in her very first appearance was a redhead with a purple outfit.

As of 2008, all three of the main games have been released in the U.S. for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} (for the first two games) and UsefulNotes/NintendoWii (''[=CoS III=]''). Other ports on UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} (''[=CoS II=]''), and UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} (''[=CoS III=]'') are also available, but [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The entire series also saw Japan-only [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PC]] ports. There was a FanTranslation is in the works for the first game's PC port, however, in 2017, the first instalment of the series has been picked up by Degica Games for an overseas release on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}.

%%* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler: Tsukiko in ''[=CoS III=]''.]]

%%* BattleButler: Munchausen.

* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Kohtaro's scenario in ''Castle of Shikigami III'' ends with him [[ManlyTears breaking down in tears]] over the apparent death of Tsukiko and Sayo comforts him.]]
* BlindIdiotTranslation: The second game is filled with very odd examples of {{Engrish}}.

* CanonForeigner: Two characters made prior appearances in other games before their eventual introduction into ''Castle of Shinigami''.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: Reika, in that she actually ''has'' character in her appearance in the third game. In ''Time Gal'', she was a blank slate. In ''Castle of Shikigami III'', however, she is portrayed as ditzy and somewhat forgetful, yet still competent.

%%* CuteGhostGirl: Sayo.
* EldritchAbomination: What [[spoiler: "Tsukiko" (actually an illusion)]] turns out to be in ''[=CoS=] III''.

* {{Flanderization}}: In-Universe. Kohtaro's story mode in ''Shikigami No Shiro III'' involves the uneasy grounds of Kohtaro's and Sayo's partnership, with the underlying tension of undisclosed feelings; Sayo being a Tsundere (while also feeling guilty about this) with Kohtaro constaly apologizing. Come Dramatic Change Mode, many story modes where Kohtaro is one of the two selected characters involve this dynamic in a rather one-dimensional way that varies from scenario to scenario (ie, Sayo is turned into a ClingyJealousGirl in some, in others, Kohtaro is almost completely ObliviousToLove, etc).

* GuestFighter: Tagami (''[=CoS=]'') originated from ''VideoGame/ElementalGearbolt'', another game developed by Alfa System.

* TheHero: Officially, Kohtaro Kuga, though Reika and Nagino are more prominent on the third game's cover art.

%%* {{McNinja}}: Roger.

%%* PsychicPowers

* ScoringPoints: As a series of shoot 'em ups, you know what to expect. The series' central scoring mechanic is the Tension Bonus System (or TBS for short) players receives when their character is dangerously close to enemy fire or obstacle, going from x2 to x8. The higher the Tension, the more points the coins dropped by enemies are worth. Defeating enemies with shikigami attacks causes much more coins to be released and they will be automatically collected to the player. At the end of each stage section (or the stage altogether in the third game), you're graded by your performance and you gain bonus points based on how well you do in the stage.

%%* TheStoic: Emilio.

%%* {{Tykebomb}}: Nagino.

* CanonForeigner: Nigi Gorgeous Blue (''[=CoS=] II'') was originally from ''Gunparade March''.

As of 2008, all three of the main games have been released in the U.S. for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} (for the first two games) and UsefulNotes/NintendoWii (''[=CoS III=]''). Other ports on UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} (''[=CoS II=]''), and UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} (''[=CoS III=]'') are also available, but [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The entire series also saw Japan-only [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PC]] ports. There was a FanTranslation is in the works for the first game's PC port, however, in 2017, the first instalment of the series has been picked up by Degica Games for an overseas release on UsefulNots/{{Steam}}.

''Castle of Shikigami'' (also known as ''Shikigami no Shiro'' in Japan) is a trilogy of [UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame arcade]] BulletHell [[ShootEmUp shoot 'em ups]] developed by Alfa System. The overarching plot involves a mysterious castle in the country of Alcaland, which has been the subject of many "missing persons" cases. A handful of psychics have converged on the location to conduct their own investigations of the incident, each for his or her own reasons. The first game was released in 2001 in Japan, ''Castle of Shikigami II'' followed in 2003 and ''Castle of Shikigami III'' launched in 2006.

''Castle of Shikigami'' (also known as ''Shikigami no Shiro'' in Japan) is a series of arcade BulletHell [[ShootEmUp shoot 'em ups]] developed by Alfa System. The overarching plot involves a mysterious castle in the country of Alcaland, which has been the subject of many "missing persons" cases. A handful of psychics have converged on the location to conduct their own investigations of the incident, each for his or her own reasons.

As of 2008, all three of the main games have been released in the U.S. for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} (for the first two games) and UsefulNotes/NintendoWii (''[=CoS III=]''). Other ports on UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} (''[=CoS II=]''), and UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} (''[=CoS III=]'') are also available, but [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The entire series also saw Japan-only PC ports. There was a FanTranslation is in the works for the first game's PC port, however, in 2017, the first installment of the series has been picked up by Degica Games for an overseas release on Steam.

----

* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler: Tsukiko in ''[=CoS III=]''.]]

* PsychicPowers

* TheStoic: Emilio.

* {{Tykebomb}}: Nagino.

* FiveBadBand: In each game.

As of 2008, all three of the main games have been released in the U.S. for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} (for the first two games) and UsefulNotes/NintendoWii (''[=CoS III=]''). Other ports on UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} (''[=CoS II=]''), and UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} (''[=CoS III=]'') are also available, but [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The entire series also saw Japan-only PC ports, however a FanTranslation is in the works for the first game's PC port.

'''''Castle of Shikigami''''' (known as ''Shikigami no Shiro'' in Japan) is a series of arcade BulletHell [[ShootEmUp shoot 'em ups]] developed by Alfa System. The overarching plot involves a mysterious castle in the country of Alcaland, which has been the subject of many "missing persons" cases. A handful of psychics have converged on the location to conduct their own investigations of the incident, each for his or her own reasons.

* BattleButler: Munchausen.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: Reika, in that she actually ''has'' character in her appearance in the third game. In ''Time Gal'', she was pretty much a blank slate. In ''Castle of Shikigami III'', however, she is portrayed as ditzy and somewhat forgetful, yet still competent.

* CoversAlwaysLie: The "''Mobile Light Force 2''" U.S. cover of the first game features a trio of gunslinging Series/CharliesAngels lookalikes that appear absolutely nowhere in the game. It's also the exact same cover as the first ''Mobile Light Force'' game (which is actually ''Gunbird''. It's all rather confusing.)

* CuteGhostGirl: Sayo.

* {{McNinja}}: Roger
* MediumAwareness: Pretty much ''everyone'' makes a remark at some point that shows they know they're in a video game. For example, in the third game, Fumiko openly mocks Yukari for getting excited about being back for the third game while she doesn't appear to realize that she's been demoted from Stage 4 to Stage 1.

* NintendoHard: Yeah, pretty much.

* LonelyPianoPiece: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qiWRu5bXkA Castle of Shikigami III's ending theme.]]

As of 2008, all three of the main games have been released in the U.S. for the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 2}} (for the first two games) and UsefulNotes/NintendoWii (''[=SnS III=]''). Other ports on UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube (''[=CoS II=]''), UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}} (''[=CoS II=]''), and UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} (''[=CoS III=]'') are also available, but [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The entire series also saw Japan-only PC ports, however a FanTranslation is in the works for the first game's PC port.

* BarrierWarrior: Nigi and Nagino

As of 2008, all three of the main games have been released in the U.S. for the {{PlayStation 2}} (for the first two games) and {{Nintendo Wii}} (''[=SnS III=]''). Other ports on SegaDreamcast (''[=CoS II=]''), NintendoGameCube (''[=CoS II=]''), {{Xbox}} (''[=CoS II=]''), and {{Xbox 360}} (''[=CoS III=]'') are also available, but [[NoExportForYou only in Japan]]. The entire series also saw Japan-only PC ports, however a FanTranslation is in the works for the first game's PC port.