Malicious (video game)

Malicious
File:MALICIOUS Cover Art.jpg
Developer(s)	Alvion
Publisher(s)
Engine	PhyreEngine
Platforms	PlayStation 3 PlayStation Vita
Release date(s)	PlayStation 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 and the PlayStation Vita. Malicious was released on October 27, 2010 and is available to download from PlayStation Store in Japan. Because of the game's critical success, an enhanced port of the game was announced for the PlayStation Vita entitled Malicious Rebirth. The port remains a download-exclusive.

Gameplay

File:Malicious Screenshot.jpg

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

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

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). 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. The mantle can also form a shield to guard against incoming attacks.

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".

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.) 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. If the player chooses "male" as the gender, the vessel will assume the name Valeria, or Erica if player chooses "female".

External links

• Official website (Japanese)