Cult Japanese developer Treasure is famed for the quality of its work, but all too often its releases have evaded the attention of the mainstream in the west. Of late, however, the studio’s work is enjoying a second coming. Last week Treasure’s 2D shooter masterpiece Gradius V was a more than welcome arrival and now Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies has been released for the Wii U, half a decade after it was a jewel in the crown of Nintendo’s previous console.
The game itself is an arcade-inspired on-rails sci-fi shooter. While control over the lead character’s movement on a 2D plane is down to the player, motion through 3D space is automatic, providing a tour of a range of elaborate, meticulously presented set pieces. Showering bullets on to enemy hordes while evading attacks forms the game’s elegant core, but the simplicity here is not at the expense of depth. Successor of the Skies demands repeat plays. Back in 2010 the visuals and dialogue demonstrated a rough charm, but five years on that has faded a little. However, it is the gameplay that matters most and in that regard Sin and Punishment’s return is a triumph.
