Shikhondo: Blue Pieta details prologue, systems

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CFK and DeerFarm have shared new details and images for their upcoming side-scrolling shooter, Shikhondo: Blue Pieta, revealing the game’s opening and how its systems work.

Get the details below.

■ About

I’ve always loved how the Shikhondo games put you right in the thick of the action, dodging bullets and feeling the heat. But Blue Pieta? It takes that feeling to a whole new level! It’s got a fresh city, some really interesting new enemies, and these gameplay mechanics that constantly make you ask yourself: how close can I really get to the danger?

A vampire hunter and a new grim reaper find their paths colliding in a city plagued by impossible disasters. Their encounter sparks a conflict that catches them both off guard.

Full voice acting throughout. Ultra-wide support up to 32:9.

Shikhondo: Blue Pieta follows Shikhondo: Youkai Rampage.

■ Prologue

Three days now. Morning and evening, knocking at the door.

Fifth visit. Finally—a presence, somewhere inside.

“Come in.”

The room was surprisingly dim. A woman was seated near the window, holding a teacup and observing the scene. She had white hair and a calm gaze, and her face looked remarkably youthful.

“…Aren’t you going to ask who I am?”

The woman set down her cup and smiled.

Wow, it’s been ages since a reaper showed up around here. Honestly, I figured everyone upstairs was too swamped to bother coming down themselves. I definitely didn’t expect them to send someone so…new. This kid looks barely out of training!

It’s really hard to guess someone’s age in this job. She tilted her head, relaxed in her chair, and continued to observe.

It hasn’t been long since I went through this myself, not since I gained my abilities. You’re a bit young to be dealing with this, though. Regardless, welcome. My name is Layla.

A small bow, still seated.

Hi, I’m Chae Woori. I’m still learning the ropes, and I heard you know my mentor, so I was hoping I could get some advice from you.

“Eastern manners. Still alive and well. Ha. Likewise.”

Layla smiled a little deeper and poured tea into the cup.

I apologize, but I need to leave as soon as I’m done here. I’m just getting back home after being away for nearly a week. Have you been here before?

I was planning to leave a note and begin searching myself if you hadn’t returned today. Everything’s still okay so far, but I noticed some strange distortions in space while traveling here.

It was a real mess when we first got here. We fixed the most glaring problems, improved the seals, and strengthened our safety procedures – and we finally got things stabilized. But with issues continuing to pop up constantly, there has to be another underlying cause we haven’t identified yet.

She drained the cup, then reached for the hammer and chisel leaning against the wall.

“Alright then. Let’s go, Reaper.”

The city the two protagonists walk into runs on rules the series has never seen before.

Shikhondo: Blue Pieta reimagines the classic bullet hell gameplay. For the first time in the series, it features side-scrolling action, a completely reworked system for collecting souls, and a new Counter Bomb mechanic. This mechanic cleverly transforms getting hit into a chance to fight back. Here’s a breakdown of how it all works.

■ Game Systems

Side-Scrolling: A Franchise First

Previous games in the Shikhondo series all used vertical scrolling. Blue Pieta breaks from that tradition. This change to side-scrolling fundamentally alters how you experience levels, how enemy projectiles behave, and how you navigate the action. While the core gameplay remains true to the series, the new perspective offers a fresh experience.

A City Unlike Any Before

The game takes place across a detailed and expansive city, including an amusement park and a subway station – locations that feel realistically lived-in, but with a subtly unsettling atmosphere. Instead of the traditional spirits seen in past games, you’ll face creatures inspired by the folklore of another world, and their attacks are noticeably different.

Full voice acting brings the story to life throughout.

Soul Collect: Raised Stakes, Higher Ceiling

As a huge fan of Shikhondo: Youkai Rampage, I was so excited to see the Soul Collect system back in Blue Pieta – and it’s even better! Basically, you skillfully dodge enemy bullets to build up your Soul Gauge. Once it’s full, you activate Soul Collect Mode, and it turns all the bullets on screen into points – plus it doubles your score multiplier! It’s a fantastic way to turn near-death experiences into massive scoring opportunities.

If you have any bombs remaining, use one to advance to the next stage. This will multiply your score by four and also increase the power of your regular attacks. Playing closer to the edges is riskier, but offers much bigger rewards. It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation.

New to the Series: Counter Bomb

Here’s what happens now: when you’re hit, the screen briefly flashes, giving you eight frames to react. If you press the bomb button during that short window, you won’t take damage. Instead, you’ll either activate Soul Collect Mode or use one of your bombs.

This feature encourages players to stay focused in tense situations, penalizing those who falter. Each time a player is close to being defeated, they face a crucial choice. To use Counter Bomb, players need either a completely filled Soul Gauge or at least one bomb remaining.

View the screenshots at the gallery.

Screenshots

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2026-04-07 03:47