The Ongaku

Puzzle-platformer Umihara Kawase Shun launched on this date in 1997

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Puzzle-platformer Umihara Kawase Shun launched on this date in 1997
Director Kiyoshi Sakai led development at Jackpot for dreamlike puzzle-platformer Umihara Kawase Shun. The sequel to Umihara Kawase launched on this date in 1997 for the Sony PlayStation console.

Following Studio Saizensen's Nintendo DS port, the studio handled the Windows conversion in 2015, published by Agatsuma Entertainment. Publishing rights were acquired by Degica the following year, leading to a revised Steam release implementing leaderboards, achievements, and Trading Cards.

Komodo serves as the publisher for the 2021 Steam Edition, verified for use with the Steam Deck. The teenage sushi chef protagonist uses an elastic fishing rod as a grappling hook, capable of latching onto overhead ledges to pendulum-swing across platforms. Throwing the fishing rod at oversized sea creatures roaming the environment allows the enemies to be incapacitated and bagged as culinary ingredients.

Komodo's Steam trailer demonstrates the gameplay mechanics, showing how Umi explores each stage in search of a magical door to exit before the time limit expires. Music is by Atsuhiro Motoyama, with vocal tracks "Sky Blue" and "Awakening Heartbeat" performed by Manami Komori.


From the Steam product page:
Umihara Kawase is the name of our backpacking, Japanese, sushi chef heroine armed with a fishing rod, elastic fishing line, and a fishing hook. Face fish-like enemies, conveyor belts, spikes, watery pits, time travel and more. Collect items, and find your way to the end of each level. The deeper into this dream-like world that you venture, the more challenging the solutions and the greater the time pressure becomes.
Steam - Umihara Kawase Shun