X-Play Classic - Boktai Review

Game Storyline

Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hands is a game created by Hideo Kojima. You play as a young vampire hunter battling the undead. Unlike typical vampire-themed games, the unique twist is using the Sun as a weapon against enemies.

Gameplay Highlights

• The game cartridge features a solar sensor that detects real sunlight.
• Your character’s gun is powered by actual sunlight:
  • Playing outdoors in sunlight grants unlimited ammo.
  • Playing indoors or at night limits ammo and increases difficulty.
• Boss fights require direct sunlight to defeat.
• Gameplay involves alternating between outdoor sunlight exposure and indoor dungeon exploration.
• Includes light stealth elements, shooting, and simple puzzles.
• The game is primarily a 2D adventure.

Key Tips and Strategies

To defeat bosses, players must:

1. Take the game outside to expose the cartridge to sunlight.
2. Collect necessary items inside dungeons.
3. Return outdoors to use sunlight-powered attacks on bosses.

• Playing outdoors maximizes the game’s unique mechanic.
• Playing indoors leads to frustration due to limited sunlight detection and ammo.

Overall Impression

The innovative use of a sunlight sensor is praised. However, the game is considered impractical and less fun for indoor play. It is rated 3 out of 5 (“overcast three”).

Featured Gamer / Source

• Hideo Kojima (creator)
• X-Play (review source)