I recently got a chance to play through Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE on the PlayStation 5 Pro, thanks to a review copy provided by AMATA Games.
You can find my full walkthroughs of the Japanese, English and Prototype versions below:
You can also check out my mini review for Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE below:
Pros:
- Two different transformations.
- Multiple difficulty levels and versions.
- Rewind feature.
Cons:
- None.
Overall:
Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE is an 8-bit shoot-em-up that was originally released for the NES in 2024. For the port to other platforms, the game has three versions: English, Japanese and Prototype.
The English and Japanese versions offer different storylines, while the Prototype version is a cut down early version of the game.
In terms of gameplay, you will be able to transform between a fighter form and robot form. The fighter form has a smaller hit box and better fire power. The robot form can recover shield at a faster rate in addition to being invulnerable to environmental damage.
If you want the highest score possible, then you have to use your super weapon attack while in robot form.
The English and Japanese versions of ESTIQUE both offer three difficulty modes, with Normal being the default. You can also rewind at any time, which is extremely helpful when you consider that dying means you have to start the entire stage all over again.
Overall, Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE is a fun callback to 8-bit horizontal shoot-em-ups. Hardcore Shmup should love chasing the high score while more casual players can enjoy a fun and pleasant romp thanks to the rewind feature.