Shoot-em-up fans across America rejoiced when Rising Star Games announced their plans to bring Akai Katana stateside. The game is widely considered to be Japanese shmup maker Cave's magnum opus - or at least its swan swong, since the developer has switched to making games exclusively for mobile platforms like Windows Phone. Of course, we're interested in Akai Katana for its 2 player local co-op, a welcome feature in any shmup. Rising Star has graciously provided Co-Optimus with several exclusive co-op screenshots.
Akai Katana takes place in a fictional Japanese steampunk setting. Players select from multiple characters who can switch between human and ship form as they dare to take on the armies of an evil emperor. The game packs five long stages and plenty of replay value.
Akai Katana is scheduled to come out later this year - we'll let you know when we learn more.
