Shikhondo: Blue Pieta Launches May 18 with Horizontal Bullet Hell Action
Publisher CFK and developer DeerFarm have released a comprehensive information package for Shikhondo: Blue Pieta, the upcoming bullet hell shooter set to launch globally on May 18. The game serves as a direct sequel to Shikhondo: Youkai Rampage, which previously launched on PC platforms in 2024 and on Nintendo Switch in 2025 to positive reception worldwide. This new entry marks a significant departure for the series, introducing horizontal scrolling for the first time and shifting the setting to a foreign metropolis across the sea. The story follows two protagonists from vastly different worlds who cross paths, brought to life by a full voice cast of notable Japanese voice actors.
Shikhondo: Blue Pieta breaks from the series tradition of vertical scrolling stages by adopting a horizontal scrolling format. The shift in perspective brings a fresh visual dynamic to the series signature bullet hell gameplay while supporting ultra-wide displays up to 32:9 for an expanded battlefield. The game features two playable characters: Layla (voiced by Yoshino Aoyama), a vampire hunter and inheritor of an ancient magic lineage who stopped aging after inheriting power at age 29, and Chae Woori (voiced by Ikumi Hasegawa), a 23-year-old apprentice死神 who was once a university student. A notable addition is Sister Maria (voiced by Sayumi Suzushiro), the first human boss in the series history.
The Soul Collect system returns with enhancements, allowing players to charge a soul gauge by grazing enemy bullets. When full, it activates Soul Collect mode, turning all on-screen bullets into score items with a 2x multiplier. A second level can be triggered by consuming a bomb, increasing the multiplier to 4x while also powering up normal attacks. The new Counter Bomb system provides an 8-frame window upon taking damage to press the bomb button, nullifying the hit and activating the mechanic. Four modes are available: Arcade for standard play, Hardcore where one hit means game over but soul gauge gain is doubled, Boss Rush for consecutive boss battles, and Customize for adjustable settings. Local 2-player co-op is also supported.
The game unfolds across six stages in a foreign metropolis, with five fully detailed. Stage 1 takes place in a city center where the story begins, featuring a Spirit of the Flower boss. Stage 2 is set in an underground subway station, facing Sister Maria as the first human boss. Stage 3 moves to a grand European manor where the Three Witches boss splits into separate entities during phase two. Stage 4 is a theme park with a Tooth Fairy boss surrounded by unsettling dental tools. Stage 5 is the only stage with a 3D-modeled background, set in a clock tower against an unknown entity that escaped from the previous game. A sixth stage set in the city and a library remains unannounced. Console versions for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5 are planned after the PC release. This latest entry in the Shikhondo series looks like a bold evolution that bullet hell fans will not want to miss.
