Eschatos
DeveloperQute
PublisherXbox 360JP: Qute Microsoft WindowsWW: Degica
PlatformsXbox 360
Microsoft Windows
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
ReleasedXbox 360 JP: April 7, 2011Microsoft Windows WW: September 18, 2015SwitchJP: November 18, 2021; WW: January 13, 2022PlayStation 4WW: April 7, 2022
GenreScrolling shooter
DirectorMach
Designer
  • Mach
  • M-KAI
Programmer
  • M-KAI
  • Yuuki Yonezawa
Artist
  • Hoshi-iro-enpitu
  • Kunio Jyoudaka
ComposerYousuke Yasui

Eschatos (エスカトス, Esukatosu) is a scrolling shooter, developed and published by Qute, which was released on April 7, 2011 for the Xbox 360.[1] Despite the original Xbox 360 version only being released in Japan, it was a region-free release.[2] A version for Microsoft Windows, published by Degica, was released in 2015.[3] In 2021, Eschatos was ported to the Nintendo Switch exclusively in Japan, and was released worldwide on the Switch and PlayStation 4 the following year.[4] Apart from the main game, two previous Wonderswan games by the developer, Judgement Silversword and Cardinal Sins, came bundled with the Xbox 360 release of Eschatos.[5]

Gameplay

In Eschatos, the ship has two modes of fire: the long-range Front Shot and the short-range Wide Shot. The ship features a regenerative shield capable of absorbing enemy bullets, but with overuse can deteriorate. The game has three game modes including Original, Advanced and Time Attack. In Original mode, there are only two pick-up items including 1Ups and the Flash icon which destroys all enemies and enemy shots on-screen. Advanced mode however includes a few more items including an alternate Flash icon and Power Ups. Collecting Power Ups increase player firepower, but decreases shield percentage.

The game spans over six stages that are organized with about four to six Areas per stage. There is a unique timing score utilized in each game (Eschatos, Judgment Silversword and Cardinal Sins): a timer is set to count up with every enemy wave and boss encounter. The timer stops once all enemies/bosses are defeated and the score is determined with how quickly each enemy wave/boss was destroyed.

Synopsis

Eschatos takes place in the 22nd century where a mysterious organic alien matter - known only as the Purple Erosion - has taken over The Moon. After covering 75% of The Moon's surface, the aliens launch an attack on the Earth using flying saucers to deploy trajectory weapons and ships. The player is tasked with stopping the invasion using a fighter ship capable of great attack and defense technology.

Development

Eschatos was developed by Qute.[6][7][8][9][10]

Reception

On release, Famitsu magazine scored Eschatos a 28 out of 40.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Eschatos for Xbox 360". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. 2019. Archived 2012-03-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  2. ^ Jesse "Main Finger" Gregory (2011-05-09). "Review: Eschatos (Xbox 360 Import)". WingDamage. Archived from the original on 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  3. ^ "I am proud to announce that we'll be releasing @natsuki_pr's Eschatos on PC this Sept. An amazing shooter from Qute!". No. 636253283598733312. 2015-08-25. Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  4. ^ "ESCHATOS". Gematsu. 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  5. ^ "Xbox 360 Shooter Eschatos Has Two WonderSwan Games Within". Siliconera. Curse LLC. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  6. ^ "ESCHATOS（エスカトス）：EXTRA" (in Japanese). Qute Corporation. 28 February 2011. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-03. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine).
  7. ^ "開発者インタビュー: エスカトス" (in Japanese). Shooting Gameside. Vol. 3. Micro Magazine. 24 September 2011. pp. 70–75. ISBN 978-4896373714. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine).
  8. ^ autumnmotor (October–November 2011). "M-KAI氏インタビュー" (in Japanese). www23.atpages.jp. Archived 2014-10-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-03. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine).
  9. ^ "キュートの新作シューティング『ギンガフォース』の魅力に迫る！- 『エスカトス』のスタッフが贈る、待望の新作シューティング！" (in Japanese). Famitsu Xbox 360. No. 24. Enterbrain. September 2011. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-03. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine).
  10. ^ Freeman, Will (February 28, 2021). "Inside Qute: Natsuki Chronciles and the WonderSwan dev contest that started it all - Qute 'em ups". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived 2021-02-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
  11. ^ Yoshida, Ranbu; Nagata, Morrigan; Fujiwara, Devil; 世界三大三代川 (10 March 2011). "ESCHATOS （エスカトス） レビュー・評価・感想 (Xbox 360) - ファミ通.com" (in Japanese). Famitsu. No. 1160. Enterbrain. Archived 14 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-05.