Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru (Japanese: 心霊呪殺師 太郎丸) is a side-scrolling action game developed and published by the Japanese division of Time Warner Interactive for the Sega Saturn. It was released exclusively in Japan on January 17, 1997. The title has been translated by Western journalists as Psychic Killer Taromaru, Psychic Assassin Taromaru, and other close variations.
Gameplay
The game is a 2.5D side-scrolling action game set in Feudal Japan. The player can choose to control one of two psychic ninja, Tarōmaru or Enkai, who are hired as bounty hunters to defeat demons and rescue a stolen maiden. Enemies are targeted automatically with a reticle, and the player can fire bursts of energy or charge up for a more destructive attack. Characters can jump, slide, and dash but cannot move while firing. The player can also hypnotize certain enemies to fight alongside them and deploy a protective sphere that repels enemies and absorbs projectiles. Boss battles feature supernatural beasts such as large spiders and frogs. A two-player cooperative mode is included.
Development and release
The game was developed by Time Warner Interactive's Japanese studios. A PlayStation version was planned but never released. Hiroshi Iuchi, known for his work with Treasure, contributed to the art design, and characters were designed by Kenichi Nemoto. The game was demonstrated at the Tokyo Toy Show in June 1996. It was released on January 17, 1997, exclusively in Japan. Time Warner Interactive reportedly produced only 7,500 copies due to the closure of the business shortly after release, though this figure is disputed—Edge reported 5,000 copies, while GameFan and Sega Saturn Magazine reported 50,000 copies. In March 1996, the company had been purchased by WMS Industries.
Rarity and value
The low print run has made Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru one of the rarest and most sought-after Sega Saturn games among collectors. 1UP.com called it the single rarest Saturn game, Nintendo Life described it as the most sought-after game for the system, and Eurogamer wrote that it has long been the most prized possession for Saturn collectors.
Reception
At the Tokyo Toy Show, Electronic Gaming Monthly reported it as a sleeper hit and expressed disappointment that no localization was planned. Next Generation and Edge compared it positively to the Shinobi series and praised its dark 3D environments. GameFan compared it favorably to Mystic Defender (1989) and praised the gameplay depth, level design, and boss battles. Sega Saturn Magazine in Japan gave it a 7.33 out of 10, noting that it looked better than it played but that persistence in mastering the gameplay revealed its diligent design.
In retrospective coverage, Tom Massey of Eurogamer called it one of the best games of the 32-bit era, comparing it to works by Treasure. Retro Gamer included it on their list of essential Sega Saturn imports, commending its "insanely over-the-top" action and creative level design. Critics have praised the blend of 2D sprites over 3D backgrounds, the animation, and the special effects. Kurt Kalata of Hardcore Gaming 101 described it as "an excellent ode to 16-bit side scrollers, and a great portal into an alternate future where gaming didn't completely sell out to 3D."
