Murasaki

Murasaki is a hybrid shmup and puzzle game set in a mystical world on the edge of destruction. You guide Kairi and Satsuki through high-speed battles, dodging enemy fire and using a single bullet at a time to trigger explosions and survive. Its serene landscapes and music contrast with the combat.

Combat and puzzles

As levels progress, random shapes appear. Shoot them to trigger large explosions, or bounce matching shapes off one another to set off chain reactions that can clear the screen. Enemies can overwhelm you quickly, so timing and angles matter. When you cannot get a clear shot, each character has a limited-use special attack for escaping danger or finishing one of several bosses.

The heroes

Kairi is the older hero and acts as a big brother to Satsuki, though they are not related. He moves slowly and fires long-range shots that can reach anywhere on the screen, making ricochet combinations possible, but he cannot shoot rapidly. His special attack creates a spiraling explosion that reaches most of the screen, absorbs enemy bullets and destroys multiple targets.

Satsuki is the younger, impetuous and headstrong hero. She moves quickly, but her shots have very short range and may not reach an enemy. Her speedy shots can bounce explosive blocks farther than Kairi's, helping create chain attacks, though blocks bounced too far may explode out of range. Her special attack is a cross-shaped energy wave that hits harder than Kairi's, but can miss if mistimed.

Story and unlocks

Murasaki tells a long, tragic story about the death of an empire, the rise of darkness and two heroes facing a broken soul. Completing chapters, including unsuccessful attempts, unlocks information, history, character bios and musical tracks. Understanding the full game requires mastering both Kairi and Satsuki.