A challenge not for the faint of heart, or mind
GAMEPLAY
This game is not for the casual gamer, but for the hardcore gamer. Players won't be able to finish the actual game for maybe several weeks. You can change polarity in the game, and absorb the same color bullets as you are. However, one hit you're dead, if you're the wrong color. You also do double damage if you're the opposite polarity of the enemy. The level design shows this well, and you'll have to move with surgical precision to avoid being killed. With every hour you play, you'll get an extra credit, but you'll be dying quite a lot. The game consists of 5 stages, multiple game modes, and galleries. The catch is that you'll have to memorize the stages, chain combos (3 of the same color killed in a row), and practice a helluva lot. Ikaruga is a fun, fast paced game, that has great level design which implements the game style.
GRAPHICS
The graphics in this game are fine. They are not the greatest, but they are smooth, with very little framerate drops during gameplay, besides purposeful ones after a huge explosion at the end of a boss fight, etc. The enemies in the game are modeled very nicely, and bosses just look awesome. The effects in Ikaruga just look plain beautiful.
SOUND
Sound here is also good. There is nothing really special, but the soundtrack is good and keeps you excited.
VALUE
Even after 10 hours of playing Ikaruga, you won't want to stop, because you'll go onto harder difficulties, or just haven't beaten it yet. It also has a 2 player mode which adds another layer of depth, advantages and disadvantages. There are numerous practice modes with many variables, and unlockable modes and galleries, which are drawn quite well.
TILT
I'm not the most hardcore gamer, but I do appreciate this game. I probably will not unlock everything in the game, but I'm sure hardcore gamers will love this game for the challenge, as I do. It is a remarkable game, but casual gamers will hate it. Tilt is worth .3 points, so basically, if you are a hardcore gamer who likes to spend hours honing your skills, you'll probably tilt higher. Learning curve for each stage is at least half an hour if you're lucky.