Namco Bandai are bringing Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day to the west via PlayStation Network. The western release is titled Short Peace: Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day.
The game is the fifth story in a series of four short stories called Short Peace, directed by Akira creator Katsuhiro Otomo. While the first four stories are animated shorts, Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day is a game.
It’s been designed by No More Heroes creator Goichi Suda and Tokyo Jungle director Yohei Kataoka, and is a colourful, fast-paced action game. You can watch a Japanese trailer for it above, and read a short story summary below, provided by Namco.
High school girl by day, assassin by night. The perfect setup for this frantic side-scroller directed by Suda 51 of Grasshopper fame. This PS3 exclusive follows the story of the titular Ranko Tsukigime as she evades the clutches of a shadowy power that’s clawing at her heels.
Each level is a race to outrun Ranko’s enemies while also dodging obstacles and defeating baddies who get in her way. Fall behind, and Ranko will be swallowed up by darkness before beginning the level anew.
Longest Day is an explosion of movement and color, where players never rest in their mad dash from one side of the stage to the other. Slashing through enemies will unleash debris that in turn can defeat other opponents. Longest Day caters to gamers who obsess over perfecting their run through a level, eliminating every superfluous jump and missed attack.
Clearing missions will eventually unlock new costumes for Ranko, and unlockable art is scattered throughout the campaign.
Short Peace: Ranko Tsukigime’s Longest Day will be available this spring.