Ikki

Ikki is a 1985 top-down action shooter originally released for the NES.

In Ikki, your role is that of Goro, a humble farmer on a mission to protect his village's crops from an encroaching wizard. The game tasks you with moving through a series of static screens, each swarming with various enemies. Your primary method of defense involves throwing rice balls at these attackers, clearing the path forward. Enemies appear from all directions, demanding constant awareness of your surroundings as you progress through the game's stages.

A notable aspect of Ikki is its unconventional protagonist and gameplay. Goro isn't a knight or a soldier; he's a farmer using what he has. His movement can feel slow, and his projectile is, fittingly, a rice ball. Throughout your journey in Ikki, you might receive assistance from animal companions. Interestingly, villagers, including Goro's wife, can also appear on screen. However, striking these characters accidentally will have detrimental effects on your progress, adding a layer of careful execution to the otherwise straightforward action of Ikki.

The core objective in Ikki is to survive the waves of enemies that fill each screen, allowing you to advance to the next area until you confront the wizard. The game focuses on pattern recognition and careful positioning to manage the onslaught.