In Sumioni – which is literally translated from Japanese as “ink demon” – players take control of their own Sumioni ink demon who has been summoned to rid the land of evil, and are tasked with safely guiding him through 2D side-scrolling levels. Visuals are presented using a crisp, hand-painted traditional “sumi-e” ink style and a color palette that lends itself well to the game’s feudal Japanese setting. Throughout their journey, players will encounter enemy samurai, long-range bowmen and other obstacles that must be overcome using the unique controls of the PS Vita system.

While the Sumioni himselfis controlled through traditional means, players can also manipulate the touchscreen itself to paint artistic brushstrokes across the playfield that their Sumioni can then jump on to traverse obstacles and avoid enemies. Each finger stroke is presented on screen as a paintbrush stroke over the background canvas of the game. This allows players to manipulate the game’s environment on-the-fly, creating solutions to problems as they arise. Various brushes can be used to create unique effects, and a scratch of the finger on the screen can set objects (and enemies) on fire, cast lightning down from the heavens or summon elemental beasts for massive, screen-filling attacks. By combining the use of several brushes on the screen simultaneously, players have a myriad of options with which to tackle obstacles and strike down foes. 

Boasting 30 stages and multiple endings, Sumioni offers completionists plenty to look forward to.

Boss and Enemy Details

Finger swipes on the PS Vita’s front screen are presented as brush strokes on the game’s canvas world, allowing players to avoid obstacles or strike hard-to-reach enemies. One such enemy players will encounter on their heroic journey through ancient Japan is the Pagoda. Located at the end of several of the game’s stages, Pagodas come in a variety of flavors, ranging from moderately irritating to incessantly difficult and challenging. While Pagodas early in the game may only contain archers and some relatively basic melee swordsmen, higher level Pagodas can employ anything from cannons to retractable saw blades and drills, meaning players will have to keep their wits about them and use their abilities to draw platforms on the game’s screen and avoid the Pagoda’s attacks.

Another perilous enemy that will stand in the way of players on their journey to rid the land of villainous corruption is a demonic incantation known as the Evil Eyeball. Staring straight into the souls of its foes, the eyeball invokes fear into unsuspecting opponents, and boasts the ability to spout countless flames of the dead in every direction. Its most dangerous offensive weapon, however, is an energy beam attack with the ability to disintegrate everything in its path. Players will have to be quick on their feet – and fast with their fingers – to avoid its attacks.

Probably the most feared – and difficult to miss – of all Agura’s opponents is the massive and imposing Ogre. Also known as the “God of Misfortune”, the Ogre towers over the capital, and can use its sheer strength to unleash deadly flames from beneath the earth. While not the most swift of enemies, the utter size and strength of the Ogre will test the skill of all but the quickest of players.